Staff Spotlight - Duncan Lindsay

Duncan Lindsay joins us for his first summer, all the way from Te Anau in New Zealand. A world traveler, Duncan spent much of the last year in Scotland, where his father is from.  He returned to New Zealand and worked managing a hostel.

Currently Duncan is traveling again ahead of coming to camp. He recently headed to Australia and then went to spend 2 months in Asia, with stops in Singapore, Malaysia and Vietnam (to see where his granddad was stationed during the Vietnam war). After the summer Duncan will head to Japan. His goal is to return to university to study either psychology or human rights law. At camp Duncan will instruct climbing and sailing.

More about Duncan

How did you learn about North Star and why did you apply?

- I was living and working in Scotland selling suits and one of my now good friends who I worked with spent his winter (Scottish winter) working over in USA at a summer camp. He told me all about it, said I would love it and it is just my thing. When I got back home to New Zealand I made it my goal to work in a summer camp in USA. I had a few Skype meeting with North Star and they were so nice and friendly I knew this is a place I would love to work for and hopefully learn a thing or two and be able to share my knowledge also.

What is your dream job

- I don't know what my dream job is, all I know is what ever I'm doing I want to be happy.
 

If you could have lunch with any two people, dead or alive, who would they be?

- My first pick is easy I would have lunch with my grandfather (Dad's Dad). He died when my Dad was only fifteen so Ii have never met him, only heard stories. He has help to shape my life without even knowing it. My second person would be Jeb Corliss. He is a  professional skydiver and BASE jumper.

If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go and what would you do there?

- Honestly I want to go everywhere and do everything, I know this isn't possible but I'm going to try anyway. 

If you were stranded on a deserted island, what are three things you'd bring?

- If I'm not aloud to bring any means to leave this island (eg plane, pilot and fuel),

I would Bring a Knife, solar panel and a satellite phone.      

What sports team(s) that you root for?

- I support the highlander even though they never win EVER.... (Super 15 rugby)

What noteworthy/random/menial jobs have you held?

- I did door to door sales in Scotland for about 2 weeks for a charity.  

What did you do last summer?

- Last summer I was working in New Zealand as the Assistant Manager for YHA Te Anau (hostel), on the edge of a temperate rain forest. 

What, if any previous camp/outdoor experiences have you had?

- I grew up on a small sheep farm, had other animals like horses, pigs, dogs, cats, cows, goats, alpacas, chickens. I have been hunting since I could walk, fishing since i could swim. Every year I would spend 2-3 weeks total in the bush cut off from the outside world, hunting, fishing, hiking. My sister is a trained rock-climbing instructor. I have spend large amounts of my spare time climbing rock walls with her. I went to a sport based school so I have played nearly ever sport you could name. My favorites are rugby, canoe-polo, ice-hockey, sailing and rock-climbing. As for previous camps I have done outward bound NZ, school camps and family camping trips.   

Staff Spotlight - Lucas Kasle

We're excited to have Lucas Kasle back for his 10th summer at North Star. Lucas is from River Hills, WI, just outside of Milwaukee. He's finishing up his freshman year at Muhlenberg College in scenic Allentown, Pennsylvania. There he's studying physics and one day hopes to become an astronaut.

At Muhlenberg Lucas is on the school's Ultimate Frisbee Team. Once school is out for the year, he'll head over to Europe and travel with his brother (and NSC counselor) Nick for a while. At camp Lucas instructs swimming and climbing. Welcome back, Lucas!

More about Lucas

If you were stranded on a deserted island, what are three things you'd bring?

-I would bring a water bottle, a map of the island, and a boat for when I’m ready to leave.

What is your favorite spot at camp?

-My favorite spot in camp is the top of climbing wall. From there you can see almost all of camp.

If you could have lunch with any two people, dead or alive, who would they be?

-I would meet Neil Armstrong (post moon landing) and Ben Franklin

What sports team(s) that you root for?

-I am a Packers fan.

What is your favorite special program at camp?

-I really like espionage. It’s the only time I can feel like a ninja.

If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go and what would you do there?

Nick and Lucas Kasle with Noodleheim

-I would go to the moon (I know that’s not in the world). But I think it would be really cool up there.

What's your go-to pie at the Norske Nook?

-I don’t really like pie. I usually just get a chocolate chip cookie.

Best holiday gift that you've ever gotten?

-My favorite holiday gift was this really cool race car track thing, but it’s in a tube and does flips and stuff. And it goes really fast.

How has camp impacted you?

-Camp has prepared me for life. Any situation that ever arises can be solved or related to camp.

Staff Spotlight - Colm Doody

Counselor Colm Doody comes all the way from Ireland to spend his first summer at North Star. Colm is from a small city in the west of Ireland called Galway, where he's lived all my life. He go to the National University of Ireland Galway where he's in his second year of the denominated psychology course.

In Colm's spare time he coaches a high school Gaelic football team, is a scout leader in the local scout group and works part time in a hospital. He also has one years service in the Irish Defense forces as an Infantry reservist as a 2* Private and is currently on the battalion shooting team. Colm also play Gaelic football and soccer.  He's really looking forward to my summer working in North Star as some sunshine and the outdoor lifestyle would be a welcome break from the often dull and wet summers experienced here in Ireland!

Colm will be instructing riflery and soccer football at North Star. 

More about Colm

How did you learn about North Star and why did you apply?

- I heard about North star through a placement agency here in Ireland and was told it was one of the best around with a myriad of activities/facilities. Obviously when I received an email from Dan asking to talk with me about a possible job I was over the moon!

What is your dream job

- At present it would be as a Cavalry or Infantry Officer in the Irish Defense Forces. I'm also doing psychology with an aim to pursue clinical practice so perhaps combine the two and work as the Army psychologist.

If you could have lunch with any two people, dead or alive, who would they be?

- A difficult question, My great-grand Uncle James Doody who fought in The British army during WWI and Julius Caesar.

If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go and what would you do there?

- I'd love to do a tour of Australia and New Zealand. I'd visit my relatives in Australia and love to see the landmarks in Sydney and Melbourne. In New Zealand I'd visit the location used in the Lord of the Rings Trilogy.

If you were stranded on a deserted island, what are three things you'd bring?

- Water purification tablets, Swiss army knife and plenty of para-cord

What sports team(s) that you root for?

- In Ireland I support Laois county footballers, Soccer would be Arsenal and of course the Denver Broncos.

What noteworthy/random/menial jobs have you held?

- My first job was in retail in a men's clothes shop which I absolutely hated, my skills in selling sweaters were not as strong as I anticipated. I moved on from there to work as restaurant assistant in a local hospital which proved/ continues to prove a great work environment and sometimes good fun!

Don't know if you could classify it as random but I've done some professional coaching in the form of a Local sports club's Easter Camp, this was a lot of fun.

What did you do last summer?

- Last summer was a mix of washing dishes, Working a till and Out in the wilds of County Cork performing night time ambushes as part of my army basic training. I also traveled to Prague, Czech Republic with my friends as well as renting a summer house on the beach in Lahinch co. clare for a few days. The summer ended with The Electric Picnic music festival  and a 7 day tour of the battlefields of WWI with my Dad.

Staff Spotlight - Oliver Rockman

Oliver (L) in the Guten Gallow

Go Big Red! Oliver Rockman is back for his 12th summer at North Star. It would be impossible to spend more than five minutes with Oliver and not know that he's about as big of a Nebraska Cornhusker fan as you'll find. He grew up in Omaha, Nebraska and is currently a junior at Emory University in Atlanta.

At Emory, Oliver is in the school of business. This semester he's spending the semester studying in Rome, and has been traveling around Europe including France, Spain, Portugal, Denmark and the UK. He's also a big fan of Chelsea Football Club and is a proud owner of a leonberger, which is a dog that is bigger than most of our campers.

More about Oliver

If you were stranded on a deserted island, what are three things you'd bring?
- A lot of sunscreen, I burn easily, Sunglasses, because squinting is bad for the face, and a nice, comfortable chair.

What is your favorite spot at camp?
- The council ring.

If you could have lunch with any two people, dead or alive, who would they be?
- Jami Shlensky and Hannah Newman.

What sports team(s) that you root for?
- The Nebraska Cornhuskers and Chelsea Football Club.

What is your favorite special program at camp?
- United Nations Day

If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go and what would you do there?
- I would go to Naples and eat pizza.

What's your go-to pie at the Norske Nook?
- Fresh Strawberry

Best holiday gift that you've ever gotten?
- Tickets to Chelsea-Liverpool 2013.

How has camp impacted you?
- Camp has had an immeasurable impact on my life. It has helped me grow as a leader, and the source of many of my most valued friendships. The many memories I have made at camp will stay with me for a long time.

Oliver, a turtle and Andy Rodheim

Staff Spotlight - Bryan Matern

Joining us for his first summer at North Star is counselor Bryan Matern. Hailing from Avon, Indiana, which is just west of Indianapolis, Bryan is a sophomore at Indiana University in Bloomington. At IU he's majoring in human biology with a career goal of going into physical therapy.

Bryan played varsity basketball in high school. He participated in lots of basketball training growing up and also worked at a basketball camp. Bryan played basketball until having hip surgery, which ultimately had let him to wanting to help others by becoming a physical therapist.

More About Bryan

How did you learn about North Star and why did you apply?
- I’ve always had good experiences with the job fairs at my college. So once I saw a flyer for a summer camp job fair I thought it would be a good idea to check it out. Once I was there, I thought the name North Star was really a good name for a camp and enjoyed the symbol for pointing kids in a good direction. I also liked Dan’s red windbreaker.

What is your dream job?
- In a few years I’m hoping to become a pediatric physical therapist. I had two hip surgeries in high school, and ever since going through about a year of physical therapy for that I’ve had quite an emotional attachment to the idea of myself in that job.

If you could have lunch with any two people, dead or alive, who would they be?
- Edward Norton (actor), and Aristotle. Probably would be pretty interesting to have them in the same room.

If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go and what would you do there?
- I’ve never been to an Asian or European country, so I would be super excited to go to any one of those with my friends. Once there I would probably spend my time sinking in all the culture, museums, and food I could take in before having to leave.

If you were stranded on a deserted island, what are three things you'd bring?
- I would probably bring a sand shovel, a sand bucket, and a beach towel.

What sports team(s) that you root for?
- I go to college at Indiana University, so definitely most of the Hoosier sports. (Sorry, Honey Badgers)

What noteworthy/random/menial jobs have you held?
- My first job was working in the meat freezer at a supermarket. Thankfully it was during the summer season.

What did you do last summer?
- Honestly I spent a lot of time in the library last summer. I wanted to take the opportunity of extra time to focus on learning, so I spent about half of my time reading and the other half volunteering at the local library as a book page.

What, if any previous camp/outdoor experiences have you had?
- I’ve spent a lot of time coaching and organizing basketball camps for kids from my hometown, as well as playing oogles of basketball myself. So, I guess that’s probably why I’m so excited to share what I have a passion for with other people and spend time forming rewarding camp relationships!

Staff Spotlight - Nick Kasle

Nick Kasle returns to North Star for Summer #10. A native of River Hills, WI (a suburb of Milwaukee), Nick is currently a junior at High Point University in North Carolina. Right now, he's actually studying abroad in Sevilla, Spain. During his time abroad he's been able to travel around Europe. He even met up with counselor Oliver Rockman in Barcelona and Paris.

He's looking forward to traveling with his brother (and current NSC counselor) Lucas. They'll be visiting Italy, Monaco, and Norway in May. They are doing a overnight kayaking and hiking trip through the fjords in Norway, which he's offered to scout out as an addition to the NSC tripping program. At camp Nick instructs waterskiing and Arts and Crafts.

More About Nick

If you were stranded on a deserted island, what are three things you'd bring?

- I would bring sunscreen, a towel, and a water bottle and have a nice relaxing vacation

What is your favorite spot at camp?

- Andy's office

If you could have lunch with any two people, dead or alive, who would they be?

- Andrew Flynn Rodheim and Zachary George Blumenfeld

What sports team(s) that you root for?

- Tottenham and Sevilla for soccer. And any Wisconsin team.

What is your favorite special program at camp?

- Organized free for evening program 

If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go and what would you do there?

- I want to go to Bora Bora (or any tropical island) and open a ice cream shop there.

Nick providing first aid to Noodleheim

What's your go-to pie at the Norske Nook?

- Butterfinger

Best holiday gift that you've ever gotten?

- DVDs of the original batman tv show with Adam West.

How has camp impacted you?

- I don't know what I would do if I didn't go to camp. It's the thing I look forward to the most throughout the year. The people I have meet there are friends for life.

2015 NSC March Madness

Once again its time for all North Star people, past, present and future to join the NSC March Madness Challenge. There is no cost to participate and winner gets a wanegan of his or her choice, to be redeemed at camp, during the summer of 2015.

...In true North Star tradition, this is not a competitive thing so even if you don't know much about college basketball, you should still join. As you'll see with the log-in info below, we're using ESPN.com again this year. We hope this does not offend some of the various NSC alums who work for other media outlets. Here are the links and log-in information:

Direct Link to group - http://bit.ly/nsc15mm

ESPN March Madness Front Page - http://games.espn.go.com/tcmen/frontpage

Group: The Council Ring

Password: keylog

If you have any problems logging in, let us know. If you do not have an ESPN.com account, you are going to have to register before you can join. It is free of charge (you do not need ESPN Insider)

A few things. First off, please invite any and all North Star people. We want to make sure that as many North Star people as possible are included. We know that a lot of our current campers and staff will enjoy seeing as lots of alumni participate. Don't worry about sending this to someone who may have gotten it already.

If you choose to join in, please put your name and perhaps even the years you attended North Star within your bracket name or entry info. Feel free to be creative, but it will be nice for people to see some names and know who all is involved.

One entry per person, please.

You are able to sign-up now. You can fill out your brackets any time after selection Sunday and before tip-off on March 19th (you do not need to fill out brackets before the play-in games).

There is also a second March Madness that we want everyone to know about. The Camp For All Kids Foundation is having their annual March Madness competition. CFAK helps send kids in need to camp and is the organization that is responsible for bringing scholarship kids to camp. There CFAK March Madness is a great fundraiser aimed at making camp possible for more kids. Find that fundraiser here:

http://www.campforallkids.org/marchmadness.php

As always a big quick keylog to Doug Willson who opened up his Crunch Island Challenge to North Star guys many Marchs ago.

Keep those fires burning!

Past Winners:

2014: David Shakno

2013: Jonah Baim

2012: Charles Eisner

2011 - Zach Garfinkel (http://bit.ly/h14ywY)

2010 - Alex Sharrin

2009 - Peter Tauber

2008 - Eli fried

2007 - Kenny Grider

2006 - Jeff Schrager

2005 - Alexander W Heldman

NSC Off Broadway

When Jordan Reiff moved to New York City to pursue a career in the performing arts, he didn't know that his North Star connections would help him cast his show. Jordan wrote a play called "None Go There," which he was also directing. When he found himself looking for actors, he called up Cameron Davis, who he hadn't seen since they were at camp together in 2006. You never know where those NSC connections will come in handy!

That Bites - A Food Allergy Documentary

North Star camper Jack Yonover has been working hard on a documentary about living with food allergies for the past few years. He started his project "That Bites" with a Kickstarter page and raised over $10,000 to help raise awareness about living with food allergies. Jack has been featured on TV and radio, and the film has now been selected for inclusion in several film festivals. Now he has partnered with FARE (Food Allergy Research & Education) to continue to spread the word about living with food allergies.

Jack and his family will be hosting screenings of That Bites on April 16, 2015 at the Wilmette Theater, and we wanted to encourage all to attend! You can follow Jack and his work at that-bites.org, and you can purchase tickets to the screening through FARE's website here: http://www.foodallergy.org/that-bites.

Please help Jack spread the word about his film and raise awareness about food allergies. We are so proud of Jack!


"That Bites!" trailer from Jill Yonover on Vimeo.