Staff Spotlight: Christian McKnight

Christian McKnight lives in a small rural town called Kinsman. It's located in Ohio right along the border with Pennsylvania. He can literally walk about a quarter mile through a field and be in Pennsylvania. Christian finished his sophomore year of college a couple of weeks ago and is staying at his house for the next couple of weeks. Christian is simply enjoying his time at home by spending it with friends and family before heading off to Wisconsin!

More about Christian

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

I learned about North Star through my job at Bowling Green State University. I work with the Outdoor Program (OP) as a trip leader. The OP hosts different trips, such as Caving, Rock Climbing at Hocking Hills, Camping in Michigan, and Canoeing. Our student supervisor forwarded emails from camps and other organizations that reached out to us looking for employees. I fortunately read the email about North Star, decided to look into it, and got the job as a Wilderness Trip Leader. This job is the perfect opportunity for me to experience my love for the outdoors while also working with campers. I am a high school math education major, so working with campers will help me develop my teaching skills.
If you wrote an autobiography, what would the title be?

Through Thick and Thin

If you could witness any historical event, what would you want to see? 

I would want to be at the stadium when the Indians won the World Series in 1948.
What is your dream vacation:

My dream vacation is to go to Italy and learn how to make pasta.
If you had a super hero power, what would it be: 

I would want to be able to teleport.
What noteworthy/random/menial jobs have you held? 

I have umpired peewee baseball/softball games the past few summers. I have also tutored math for the past few years, including Calculus II my freshman year of college.
What TV show or movie are you ashamed to admit that you love?

I have a love for One Tree Hill and Grey's Anatomy, but I'm not ashamed to admit that. I know most guys would be, but I'm a pretty open book so I'm fine with people knowing I like them.
What did you do last summer?

Last summer I came back from college and umpired baseball/softball games to make a little money. I enjoyed my time with friends and family until I went back to BGSU at the end of July. I led our biggest trip, known as the Freshman Wilderness Experience. I, along with a volunteering student trip staff member and a university faculty member, led a group of incoming freshman students along 35 miles of the Appalachian Trail down in North Carolina. I began Staff Training, which included a trip to Allegheny State Park with my co-workers and director, the day after we got back from North Carolina. Then I moved into my dorm room the day we got back from that trip. It was a very busy three weeks.
What is a little Known fact about yourself: 

I can juggle.
What, if any previous camp/outdoor experiences have you had?

As I've mentioned before, I work with the Outdoor Program at BGSU. I have led trips as well as participated on a few, including whitewater rafting at Ohiopyle, PA, and rock climbing/camping at Red River Gorge in Kentucky. I grew up camping with my family and exploring the woods around my house, walking the trails and learning about it all from my grandfather. I have yet to experience life at a camp setting, so I'm thrilled to finally have the opportunity.