Cruiser Day, Zoomba, Glen's Game and More

It's been blue skies and sunny days here in the Northwoods, and we have been taking full advantage!

Tuesday was our first Cruiser Day of the summer. Cruiser Day is a cabin day, which typically falls each Tuesday at camp. It is a break from our normal routine where each cabin plans a full day of games and activities that they will do together. Each Cruiser Day starts with breakfast in bed. We follow that up by changing our sheets and sending out our laundry, and a community pickup, where each cabin takes responsibility for cleaning an area of camp.

From there it is up to each cabin what they will do that day. Some Cruiser Day favorites include tubing, visiting one of the resorts across the lake, scavenger hunts, slip and slides and more. Kim McCormack works hard to make sure each Cruiser Day is filled with special events for the campers. This week she set up a pie-eating contest for Cabin I-5, a Minute to Win It challenge, and a cookie baking class.

Each village also has a village cruiser day. This first week was the Junior Village Cruiser Day and our youngest guys spent the day at the water park, mini-golfing, and then they paid homage to the Northwoods culture by attending a Lumberjack show. The boys learned about the logging history of the region and also were entertained by yelling "Yo-Ho" to cheer on their favorite Lumberjack. Each camper was able to take a whirl with the big saw and became an official Junior Lumberjack.

Each Cruiser Day, every cabin cooks out their dinner over a fire. For the first cookout we made Tinfoil Surprise, a camp favorite. It's a combination of ground beef, potatoes, carrots, onions and topped with cheese. You wrap it up in Tin Foil, and the outcome is the delicious surprise! Dessert was the traditional yet scrumptious S'mores.

The Junior Village Cruiser Day ended with a cookout at Hayward Beach. But what made this cookout unique was the group of women in the middle of their Zoomba class in the parking lot. Our boys didn't miss a beat, and they started mirroring the steps in the background. Despite their inexperience at Zoomba, the Junior Village Campers and Counselors quickly figured out the steps and made sure to work off all the eating from that day with a good healthy workout. Before long, the Zoomba class had more than tripled in size and the boys were requesting that we add it as an option for a class at North Star!

Wednesday night we played one of North Star's favorite games - Glen's Game. During this game, the campers are trying to make their way into four different mystery zones around camp. Once they make it there, they get a stamp on their hand to signal their success. The challenge is that the counselors are chasing them! The campers and staff alike love the game.

This evening was our first game of Green-White All Camp Capture the Flag. It was a great game to cap off another great day at camp.

Getting into the Groove

One of our goals at camp is to get campers active. While we have to spend our first full day doing things like swim tests and camper physicals, we make sure that everyone is active, playing games like continuous dodgeball and all camp capture the flag. We jump right into the full program on day two. The first night that our campers arrive they complete their activity requests, and less than 36 hours later, they're on the program climbing, waterskiing and playing. 

Day one of the activities was great. Inclement weather held off and we were able to get in a full morning of activities. We did have to go into a rainy day program in the afternoon, but we took advantage of that time to make sure all campers learned the basic North Star games like spoons, euchre and mafia. The evening was our staff introductory talent show. At North Star talent is pretty loosely defined, but our campers were more than a little bit entertained by skits, songs and other random performances. 

Today the sun was out and with the second day of our full program, our campers really start getting into a groove. Things become routine for new campers and everyone starts progressing on their first set of activities. Its so much fun to see a camper get up on skis for the first time or actually hit the target down on archery. Our evening program was a great night of field games, organized by several of our counselors. Camp was split into four groups and everyone rotated amongst four different games. For our campers, the games were just fun, but many of them had a deeper purpose. My favorite one was Alaskan Baseball, where two teams were pretty much running all over the field, but in the meantime, they were learning names of everyone else on their side. 

Over the last two days our staff has really helped get the summer off to a successful start. Organizing great evening activities is just the start. Making sure that campers are engaged and having fun on a rainy day can be challenging. Our counselors really stepped up! To say that we're proud and impressed with our staff is an understatement.

We also have four cabin groups out on trips. Our Pine and Manor cabins left yesterday bright and early for the Canadian wilderness. They hit the lakes of Quetico Provincial Park this morning. Cabins S-1 and S-2 left today for the Porcupine Mountains in the upper peninsula of Michigan. The trips will continue with I-4 heading out on the Flambeau River tomorrow.

First Keylog of 2012

In about an hour or two our quiet gathering on Spider Lake will begin to grow significantly. What is currently about a dozen or so grows by 15 as our trip leaders return from Wilderness First Responder and Wilderness Water Safety training. We'll also get about 10 staff rolling in to begin lifeguard training as well as several more members of our kitchen staff. Tomorrow an additional 15 or so will arrive. What was one table in our dining hall last night for dinner will become four.

Before we welcome all of these folks, we'd like to take a minute to throw in the first keylog of 2012. For those who don't know what a keylog is, during the summer, we have a Friday night service where, amongst other things, we take the opportunity to thank others. This is symbolized by throwing in a piece of wood that we call a keylog. The keylog is a tradition that many of the northwoods camp hold dearly. The area that we're located was well known for its role in the lumber industry. Lumberjacks would take down trees, float them in the river, down to the mill. At times, however, one log would get stuck, leading to a real logjam, stopping flow of logs down to the mill. One courageous lumberjack would have to go and log that started the jam. Unsticking the "key log" would fix the jam and get everything flowing downstream once again.

In recognition of our hard working crew that has spent the past several weeks getting camp ready, we throw in our first keylog of the summer. Tom Brokaw is our lead caretaker and he spends all year tirelessly working to make camp look amazing. He' was joined in the spring by Dorothy Briggs and Noah Lattin, our maintenance assistants. They're awesome! Greg Merckx, our driver, came up in May to help with the set-up process, and about a week or so ago, tripper Jason Mann came up early ahead of trip leader training. We've had others that have come in over the past week who have helped with the set-up, along with their other responsibility. This includes village directors Scott Goldberg and John Sheehan, Matt Sirles from the kitchen and new counselor Tyler Ray.

We can't believe how great camp looks ahead of our pre-camp orientation and we're truly thankful for all the hard work that has been put in to make it happen!

Staff Spotlight: Dylan "DJ" Jacobs

Returning for summer number nine is Dylan Jacobs. After a few year absence he returned last summer and we're glad to have him back. DJ hails from Buffalo Grove, IL and returns this summer as a cabin counselor and waterfront instructor. 

He does a great job with our campers who have so much fun with him. DJ is currently a sophomore at Bradley University in Peoria, IL, where he is a computer science major and hopes one day to design apps and games.

More About Dylan:

Favorite TV show: Whitest Kids U Know

Best place you've ever traveled to: Aruba

sports team that you root for: White Sox

Favorite camp meal: Burgers

Favorite spot at camp: The Council Ring at sunset

Favorite all camp/special program to do at camp: Glenn's Game

earliest camp memory or notable camp memory: Cedar Rapids with cabin I-4

If you had a super hero power, what would it be: The ability to control time

Best Hanukkah present that you've ever gotten: My first guitar

Preferred chicken nugget dip: BBQ sauce

Staff Spotlight: Jose Hernandez

Jose Hernandez joins us for his first summer. Coming from Mexico City, he’s a student at Instituto Politecnico Nacional where he’s studying international business. One of his favorite jobs was working at Six Flags Mexico where he was in charge of operating roller coasters and providing safety rules to visitors.

Jose loves sports and has won national chess championships. He can look forward to Leb challenging him to a few games over the course of the summer. At camp Jose will be one of our kitchen assistants.

More About Jose

Favorite TV show: Dr. House

Best place you've ever traveled to:  Merida, Yucatan

Sports team(s) that you root for: "Pumas".- Soccer team from México

How did you learn about North Star and why did you apply: I learned through the campleaders  program and I apply to learn about different cultures around the world, also to have a great expirience with Northstar.

What did you do last summer: I went to Oaxaca,México on vacations.

What noteworthy/menial/random job(s) have you previously held: I worked in Six Flags México

If you had a super hero power, what would it be: Teletransportation.

Best Christmas present that you've ever gotten: Last Christmas, cause i saw my sister after a long time.

Staff Spotlight: Noah Lattin

Last year we were in need for a maintenance assistant in the middle of the summer. Its not quite as easy to find a staff member with such short notice, often with the start date being "as soon as possible", but last year we more than lucked out when Noah Lattin responded to one of our ads. He's back for his second summer assisting our head caretaker.

Noah comes from a family of 16, so he's used to being around people. He spent the last year working with Mennonite Disaster Services and spent time in North Dakota and New Orleans helping rebuild areas that were in need. He's a hard worker and we're thrilled to have him on our staff!

More About Noah:

Favorite tv show: Monk

Best place you've ever traveled to: New Orleans LA or Pantego NC

Sports team that you root for: I don't really get into sports, but probably the Packers

Favorite camp meal: Omelets 2 order

Favorite spot at camp: Swim Point

Favorite all camp/special program to do at camp: Not sure yet, give me a couple more years [;)]

earliest camp memory or notable camp memory: Driving through the front and hoping the interview would go well

If you had a super hero power, what would it be: Instant time travel

Best Christmas present that you've ever gotten: I'd probably have to say the PDA I got when I was about twelve

Preferred chicken nugget dip: BBQ

This could be the cast of a home improvement show!

Staff Spotlight: Dillon Price

Earlier we introduced you to Adam Pechmann, who returning counselor Jeremy Palgen referred to camp and convinced to spend his summer at North Star. We'll have to make sure that its a great summer, otherwise not only will Adam have words with Jeremy, but so will Dillon Price. Dillon is currently an undergraduate at the University of Illinois, where he is in the same fraternity as Jeremy. 

Dillon grew up in Central IL, in the town of Bement. He went to high school for a few years in nearby Champaign, IL and now goes to college there at the University of Illinois. His career aspirations include working for the State Department as a foreign policy analyst.

Last summer Dillon worked at a camp in Decatur, IL. He spends a lot of time in the outdoors. He and his brother take canoeing and hiking trips each summer to Kentucky. On those trips he often catches his own food by fishing... so we're sure that he's got the chops to be a fishing instructor. He'll also instruct some riflery as well.

More About Dillon:

Favorite TV show: The Simpsons

Best place you've ever traveled to: Hands down, it would have to be my grandfather's horse farm in Kentucky.

Sports team(s) that you root for: The St. Louis Cardinals and The Fighting Illini (Oskee Wow Wow!)

How did you learn about North Star and why did you apply: Jeremy Palgen told me that it would be a great way to spend a summer, so I applied!

What did you do last summer: I worked at a summer camp in Decatur, Illinois.

What noteworthy/menial/random job(s) have you previously held: I was an assistant manager at a Pizza Hut, and I also did internships at two different law firms.

What, if any previous camp experiences have you had: I went to a 4H camp for a weekend, but beyond that, not a lot!

If you had a super hero power, what would it be: Super intelligence, just so I can make the Iron Man suit!

Best Christmas present that you've ever gotten: As nerdy as this sounds, textbooks. Those things are expensive!

Preferred chicken nugget dip: Hot Sauce, with a cup of water close by to kill the fire.

There's a moose in this picture!

Staff Spotlight: Adam Pechmann

A few months ago when we introduced Dylan Fogarty, we talked about former counselor Scott Diebel, who was stepping out on a limb by referring a friend to work at camp. Counselor Jeremy Palgen is taking a double risk by bringing two friends to camp. One of these guys, Adam Pechmann was an undergraduate at the University of Illinois where he and Jeremy were fraternity brothers. He has since graduated and is now in graduate school at Eastern Illinois University hoping to one day become a school psychologist.

Adam grew up in Galesburg, IL. During high school he moved to St. Louis. He's from a large family, with seven brothers and sisters. He's always been interested in sports and the outdoors. He's taken education coursework, which gave him the opportunity to tutor and mentor kids. Sounds like camp will be right up his alley. 

More About Adam:

Favorite TV show: The Office, Arrested Development, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Dexter, Lost…I swear I prefer the outdoors.

Best place you've ever traveled to: South Padre Island, TX; Ocean City, MD; Daytona, FL, basically anyplace beach-side.

Sports team(s) that you root for: St Louis Cardinals, Rams, Blues; Chicago Bulls

How did you learn about North Star and why did you apply: I learned about North Star from a friend of mine at school who was a senior counselor last year and will be returning again this summer. He heard I was looking for a job that involved working with kids and he told me about the camp. It sounded like a perfect fit for me and I’m really looking forward to this summer!

What did you do last summer: Last summer I prepared to leave the security of my undergraduate career at the University of Illinois and head off to graduate school. I spent my last few months on campus working for a hotel and banquet center as a bartender and a server at T.G.I Friday’s. I spent my free time poolside or playing on a summer softball league (an absolute must!)

What noteworthy/menial/random job(s) have you previously held: My first and probably favorite job thus far was working as a soccer referee in my community league in St. Louis. Since then I’ve worked mainly in the food service industry and swear to never return.

What, if any previous camp experiences have you had: I’ve attended various soccer and baseball camps growing up, but nothing like the North Star. I can’t wait to see what a real camping experience is all about.

If you had a super hero power, what would it be: Telepathy

Best Christmas present that you've ever gotten: Mountain bike in the 4th grade.

Preferred chicken nugget dip: BBQ sauce

Staff Spotlight: Hanna Swenson

To add to the confusion of names at camp (we have a Matt Nixon and a Matt Rixon, lots of Andys), we have two Swenson's, our Arts and Crafts Director Allison Swenson and now kitchen staffer Hanna Swenson. We haven't actually determined whether or not Hanna and Allison are related in any way.

Hanna joins us for her first summer. A native of Stoughton, WI, Hanna is a student at Edgewood College in Madison, WI. Hanna is majoring in art therapy with a minor in phychology and would like to some day become an art therapist. The outdoors have been a part of Hanna's life since she was a young child and her parents took Hanna and her sister camping, hiking, kayaking and canoeing.

Hanna ran cross country in high school and has volunteered at a pre-school working on art projects. In November of 2010, she spent two weeks in Haiti working with kids there. She's got lots of experience working with kids and we're thrilled to have Hanna on our staff.

More About Hanna:

Favorite TV show: Long Island Medium

Best place you've ever traveled to: Haiti

Sports team that you root for: Packers

How did you learn about North Star and why did you apply: UW job website

What did you do last summer: Nanny for kids in Madison, and go to Isle of palms SC for vacation

What noteworthy/menial/random job(s) have you previously held: Working in a mail room

What, if any previous camp experiences have you had: A horseback riding camp in 5th grade

If you had a super hero power, what would it be: Flying

Best Christmas present that you've ever gotten: A light yellow cruiser bike or cross country skis 

Preferred chicken nugget dip: I'm a vegetarian but on veggie chicken nuggets I prefer ranch

Staff Spotlight: Allison Swenson

Allison Swenson joins us for her first summer and will be our Arts and Crafts Director. She’s a student at St. Mary’s University in Winona, MN. She’s studying psychology with a minor in art. 

Her future aspirations are to become a grief counselor utilizing art therapy and when she read about our job, she thought it was the perfect fit. She’s active in several mediums, including drawing, stained glass and photography. She’s also a bow hunter, waterskiier and loves playing softball and hockey. A native of Ostego, MN, we’re happy to have Allison on board!

More About Allison

 Favorite TV show: True Blood & How I Met Your Mother

Best place you've ever traveled to: The Atlantis in the Bahamas

Sports team(s) that you root for: Wild (when we can skate), Rangers, I guess the Twins, and my Bulldogs

How did you learn about North Star and why did you apply: I have a cabin about 20 minutes from Hayward and some family friends who have a cabin on Spider so I've heard about the camp many times and just decided to fill out an app when I saw an add for employment. Now I am an art director and cant wait to get started!

What did you do last summer: Last summer I was a second year veteran at the White Bear Yacht Club as a fine dining server.

What noteworthy/menial/random job(s) have you previously held: my first job was working at my grandpas printing press gathering pages for books and odds and ends. Then I moved up in the world and worked at the NSC (National Sports Center) in the hockey rink and worked in the penalty box and worked the score board for hockey and broom ball tournaments. Sadly I had to retire my colors and get a job serving fortune 500 company owners food at the WBYC.

What, if any previous camp experiences have you had: I went to a Girl Scout camp when I was little, other than that I am new to the whole camp experience...other than the numerous hockey camps I attended

If you had a super hero power, what would it be: Probably the ability to fly

Best Christmas/Hanukkah present that you've ever gotten: Nintendo 64. hands down.

Preferred chicken nugget dip: Ketchup.

Staff Spotlight: David Barrera

David Barrera comes to North Star from Monterrey, Mexico, where he's studying international marketing. David has been a sporting guy since he was a kid, playing football, soccer, baseball and tennis. He's also an experienced coach, having coached football for the Club Avispones. He created a summer camp program for Avispones.

David has been involved in camp, too. As a child, he went to Camp Olympia in Texas. His parents started a camp for kids on their ranch in Durango. David is a pretty diverse guy... he first took up waterskiing at the age of nine and has since taught friends how to ski and wakeboard. He's also a guitar player and In fall of 2010, he was invited to audition for Berklee College of Music in guitar and singing. He was accepted, but he choose to go to business school and to leave music as a great hobby. 

We welcome David for his first summer. He'll be a cabin counselor and waterski/wakeboard instructor.

More about David

Favorite TV show: NFL Network, Friends, Person of Intrest, HIMYM, The Unit, ellen.

Best place you've ever traveled to: Hmmmmm... I'd have to say Vancouver, Whistler

Sports team(s) that you root for: New Orleans Saints (Who Dat)!, L.A. Galaxy, Barussa Dartmond, Detroit Red Wings and Real Madrid

How did you learn about North Star and why did you apply: By a web page my mother sent me. I've always loved summer camps. I've been working with kids along time. this year i wanted to get away to someplace, new, awesome, and fun. i think North Star is the perfect place to spend the summer and do something i love.

What did you do last summer: I went to south padre island with friends. and started a summer camp in our football club.

What noteworthy/menial/random job(s) have you previously held: I cleaned boats and jets ski one summer.

What, if any previous camp experiences have you had: I remember the last day of camp not being able to sleep cause i didn't want to leave.

If you had a super hero power, what would it be: Flying! no contest hahahaha

Best Christmas present that you've ever gotten: A guitar

Preferred chicken nugget dip: Barbecue

David coaching the Avispones Football team

Staff Spotlight: Maggie Martin

Maggie Martin grew up in Pontiac, IL., and headed down to Southern Illinois University in Carbondale for college. She’s majoring in paralegal studies and will be taking the LSAT this June as she aims to head to law school in the fall of 2013. Maggie will be joining us as an office assistant (don't worry, folks, Robyn Kirk will still be our Office Manager), though we’re looking forward to utilizing her skills throughout camp, including down at swim point, as a swim instructor. 

She was a three sport athlete in high school and swimming was definitely her favorite. She comes from a big family… her father has five siblings and her mother has seven siblings, so needless to say, she’s got lots of cousins. Maggie did point out that she has a tough time making decisions. Not only did it take her about an hour to complete the survey below, but she couldn't come up with one answer to several of the questions. We welcome Maggie for her first summer at North Star.

More About Maggie:

Favorite TV show: Glee, New Girl, Modern Family, Parks & Recreation, The Office

Best place you've ever traveled to: Spain or The Bahamas

Sports team(s) that you root for: I would be lying if I said I followed professional sports, but I know that I do not like the St. Louis Cardinals (editor's note... good answer!)

How did you learn about North Star and why did you apply: I learned about North Star online and I applied because I want to spend my summer helping others and it is such a pretty place!

What did you do last summer: I worked as a hostess a few days a week and lounged by my pool the rest of the time.

What noteworthy/menial/random job(s) have you previously held: One summer I worked at a cemetery digging, filling, and watering graves.

What, if any previous camp experiences have you had: I attended camp in Southern Illinois three summers in a row during elementary school.

If you had a super hero power, what would it be: Time Travel

Best Christmas present that you've ever gotten: Flat-Screen TV

Preferred chicken nugget dip: Frank’s Hot Sauce or Heinz Ketchup

Staff Spotlight: Matty Nixon

We like having fun with names at camp. Further, Leb is infamous for his "Lebisms", which often involves mispronouncing names. A Duke alum, just ask him to pronounce Mike Krzyzewski's last name. We know that he won't be the only person confused by the fact that we have two counselors from Great Britain, one named Matt Rixon, the other named Matt Nixon.

Matty Nixon comes from Somerset, in the southwest if England. He has several years of experience as an activities instructor. He worked the last few years in Turkey for Sunsail (a vacation company) as an archery manager. He has also worked in the French Alps as an entertainer and ski instructor, in Greece as an activity leader, and for P&O and Disney cruise lines as a youth staff entertainer. He has experience coaching archery, fencing, sailing and waterskiing. At camp he’ll be an archery and waterski/wakeboard instructor.

Matty has lots of great programming experience from his various entertainment and tourism jobs. We know that North Star will be a great place for him this summer and we're planning on taking full advantage of his knowledge and ideas.

More About Matty:

Favorite TV show: NITRO CIRCUS

Best place you've ever traveled to: I have traveled all over the world through my job, but it has to be Barbados Caribbean

Sports teams that you root for: SOUTHAMPTON FC, BATH RUGBY CLUB

How did you learn about North Star and why did you apply: I started my career working in a summer a camp, i wanted to go back to my roots where i started!

What did you do last summer: i worked for Disney cruise line as an entertainer onboard the Disney Dream.

What noteworthy/menial/random job(s) have you previously held: I worked for NCL (norweign cruise line) as an youth programme trainer

What, if any previous camp experiences have you had: lots and lots, my favourite has to be... camp fire on the beach with 300 kids singing some amazing songs, we sounded like a world class choir but with a R&B twist

If you had a super hero power, what would it be: the ability to fly

Best Christmas present that you've ever gotten: 3 week vacation in America, Las Vegas, Palm springs, LA and California

Preferred chicken nugget dip: BBQ and sweet chilli 

Staff Spotlight: Youssef Azmani

Youssef Azmani comes to North Star as a wilderness trip leader. A native of Hales Corners, WI, he's spent the last year and a half as the operations manager of a fitness center in the Chicago area. He's also worked as a swim coach and head life guard in the Milwaukee area. He received his masters degree at the European University for Peace and Conflict Studies and would like to work with children as part of his career, so a job at camp seemed perfect for him.

A native cheese head, he's the oldest of eight children. His family took lots of camping trips to places like the Boundary Waters in MN and the Flambeau Flowage, one of the rivers that our campers take trips on. He's a real ourdoor enthusiast and we're glad to have Youssef on our trip staff!

More About Youssef:

Best place you've ever traveled to: Austria

Sports team(s) that you root for: Packers

How did you learn about North Star and why did you apply: Not sure how and what a better way to spend the summer outdoors with kids.

What did you do last summer: Was working as a personal trainer in Chicago

What noteworthy/menial/random job(s) have you previously held: I started cleaning the gym and worked my way up to Operations Manager, both menial and noteworthy

What, if any previous camp experiences have you had: I went to camp back when I was in grade school but cannot recall the name of the camp.

If you had a super hero power, what would it be: Invisibility

Best Christmas present that you've ever gotten: Downhill Skis

Staff Spotlight: Sarah Crockett

We seem to have a plethora of staff who have spent time in Africa, and perhaps none more than Sarah Crockett. Sarah is finishing up her studies at St. Lawrence University (New York) with her bachelor of science in biology and a minor in African studies. She spent a semester abroad in Kenya and also participated in a NOLS (National Outdoor Leadership School) semester course. 

At St. Lawrence, she’s active in the outing club and she volunteers at a local organic farm. She lives in the Woman’s Resource House and has been extremely active running some of their activities, including a hike for “Take Back the Night”. Sarah grew up in Raymond, Maine and her family has always been active outdoors. She’s spent plenty of time pitching tents and operating campfire stoves and we know that she’ll be a great fit as one of our trip leaders.

More About Sarah

Favorite TV show: Friends

Best place you've ever traveled to: Lamu, Kenya

Sports team(s) that you root for: Red Sox!

How did you learn about North Star and why did you apply: I learned about North Star from a NOLS alumni email. I decided to apply after watching the video!

What did you do last summer: I have worked at Migis Lodge on Sebago Lake for the past seven summers. In high school I worked in the Children's Program and for the past three summers I was a waitress.

What noteworthy/menial/random job(s) have you previously held: Working at ski school at Sunday River has been my favorite job... so far

What, if any previous camp experiences have you had: Growing up I attended numerous sports camps, but was never a camper at a multi-week traditional summer camp

If you had a super hero power, what would it be: To breath under water

Best Christmas present that you've ever gotten: A super fast sled that steers

Preferred chicken nugget dip: honey mustard

We have to include a pic of Sarah doing something outdoorsy!

Staff Spotlight: Eli High

Eli High comes to us from Nature's Classroom, a year round outdoor education center. There he met Kacy Lebby, who, as our trip director, knows a thing or two about what we're looking for in our trip leaders. Kacy recommended that Eli apply, which he did, and now he's on board as a member of our trip staff. 

Eli was born in Georgia and moved to the St. Louis area when he was 12. He was an accounting major for the first three years of college before he realized that wasn't what he wanted to do with his life. He changed his major and has spent the last few years educating kids in outdoor settings. He's worked at Nature's Classroom for the past two years and we're looking forward to all that he'll bring to North Star.

More About Eli:

Favorite TV show: SportsCenter

Best place you've ever traveled to: Hawaii

Sports team(s) that you root for: St. Louis Cardinals, the Atlanta Falcons, and the St. Louis Blues

How did you learn about North Star and why did you apply: Kacy Lebby turned me onto North Star

What did you do last summer: Last summer I went to a bunch of Cards games and worked at the local animal shelter in my home town.

What noteworthy/menial/random job(s) have you previously held: Have had thousands of jobs.

What, if any previous camp experiences have you had: Worked with host organizations that coincide with Nature's Classroom. Camp Jewell, etc.

If you had a super hero power, what would it be: To Fly!!!

Best Christmas/Hanukkah present that you've ever gotten: A puppy around the age of 6 that lived till I was in high school.  A true friend that is still deeply missed.

Preferred chicken nugget dip: Depends on the style/taste of the nugget.  Probably honey mustard or BBQ.

Staff Spotlight: Kyle Beecher

Kyle Beecher was born in Georgia before moving to Indiana in 7th grade. In high school he took a camping trip to the Red River Gorge in Kentucky, and this is where his outdoor interests were born. He took up back packing, rock climbing and mountaineering. He’s done solo backpacking trips and has led small groups on multiple day trips He’s hiked extensively in Colorado and also spent two weeks hiking in New Zealand. 

A graduate of Ball State University, he worked at Uncle Dans Outfitter in Chicago and remembers outfitting some of our campers before they headed to camp for the summer. He’s also got extensive video editing experience, so in addition to being one of our trip leaders, he’ll be responsible for our summer video.

More About Kyle

Favorite TV show: Its a toss up between Top Gear and almost anything on the Science Channel

Best place you've ever traveled to: South Island of New Zealand

Sports team(s) that you root for: Manchester United and Chicago Bulls

How did you learn about North Star and why did you apply: I use to work for an outdoor store in Chicago where I would outfit the campers of NSC for the summer.  I applied to North Star because I knew it would give me the opportunity to do what I love, be in the outdoors and share my skills and knowledge with the youth.

What did you do last summer: I spent the summer backpacking on the Colorado Trail and ascending 14ers.  Also spent some time sport climbing in Boulder Canyon and Clear Creak Canyon.

What noteworthy/menial/random job(s) have you previously held: I sold sweet corn from a trailer on the side of the road in a really small town outside of Lafayette, IN.

What, if any previous camp experiences have you had: When I lived in Georgia, I attended a camp for a few years offered thru the YMCA. 


If you had a super hero power, what would it be: Super human strength


Best Christmas present that you've ever gotten: ENO Doublenest Hammock


Preferred chicken nugget dip: Honey mustard

Staff Spotlight: Jason Mann

Jason Mann returns to North Star for summer #3. Originally from New Berlin, WI, he’s currently studying at the University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point in, you guessed it, Stevens Point, WI. There he’s a soils and waste management major.

Jason actually first came to us as a referral from Camp Timberlane and we’re glad that they didn’t have any remaining trip leader spots that summer. This will be his third summer as one of our trip leaders. Occasionally, when he’s not on trips, you can find him out long boarding, one of his big hobbies. Our campers and staff really love Jason's sense of humor and having him as their trip leader!

More About Jason:

Favorite tv show: dual survival

Best place you've ever traveled to: glacier national park Montana

Sports team that you root for:  brewers

Favorite camp meal: portabella mushroom burger with tomato and cheese or the awesome salad bar...yes I'm a vegetarian whooop!

Favorite spot at camp: tripper shack

Earliest camp memory or notable camp memory: my first night in camp eating dinner in the lodge sitting with Leb and Ben Mizel and talking about life and past experiences. I had know clue who Mr. Mizel was at the time and did not know what an impact he has had at North Star. I'm now glad to say were friends and have many fond memories at camp with Ben.

If you had a super hero power, what would it be: master of every outdoors skill...oh wait already have that, I wish I could fly because I tried once and it did not end well.

Best Christmas/Hanukkah present that you've ever gotten: Osprey Crescent 90 Liter backpacking pack, best pack I have ever owned, thanks mom and dad.

Preferred chicken nugget dip: BBQ sauce hands down

A great shot that Jason took on the 2011 Canadian

Staff Spotlight: Scotty Levine

The Brother's Levine, Scott is on the right.

Scotty Levine joints our great crew of Counselors in Training. After taking a year off in 2010, he decided that he missed camp and very much wanted to go on the Canadian. He was back in 2011 and we're thrilled to have him on our staff.

He's a native of Scottsdale, AZ where he's a student at Brophy College Prepatory school. There he’s a member of the student council. An avid climber, Scotty is on the club at his local climbing gym. We’re looking forward to having Scott join our staff. He’ll be instructing climbing as well as wakeboarding and tennis.

More About Scott:

Favorite tv show: Anthony Bourdain: No reservations

Best place you've ever traveled to: Salmon River, Idaho


Sports teams that you root for: Coyotes, D-backs, Phoenix Suns

Favorite camp meal: Chicken Kiev 

Favorite spot at camp: The Tipi

Favorite all camp/special program to do at camp: Glen's Game

Earliest camp memory or notable camp memory: My first time on the zipline, I
was scared out of my mind

If you had a super hero power, what would it be: The ability to fly

Best Hanukkah present that you've ever gotten: Ukulele

Preferred chicken nugget dip: Barbeque sauce

Boil water boil!

Staff Spotlight: Andy Stern

Andy Stern returns to North Star after a two summer hiatus. A native of Highland Park, IL, Andy graduated from The University of Illinois with his teaching degree. Over the past year he's been substitute teaching as he looks for a full time teaching job. He's had a few sub positions, including his current long term job in Highland Park where he's worked with some of our campers.

This will actually be Andy's 10th year at camp, so add him to our slate of "Big Ten" guys. He'll be a cabin counselor and waterski and golf instructor, however he's also a big disc golfer, so he'll be spending some time there, too. We're glad to have Andy back!

More About Andy:

Favorite tv show: All time favorite- The Simpsons, Current Favorites- Suits & The Good Wife

Best place you've ever traveled to: About a dead tie between Venice, Italy and Vienna, Austria.

Sports team(s) that you root for: Chicago White Sox and the New Jersey Devils

Favorite camp meal: Margo's Cinnamon Buns, with tacos a close second

Favorite spot at camp: The Council Ring at sunset

Favorite all camp/special program to do at camp: Capture the Flag

Earliest camp memory or notable camp memory: Sleeping through a birthday pizza party with my bunk mate, Doug, while the rest of the cabin were out on the tennis courts looking at the stars. It was actually Doug's birthday pizza party that we slept through.

If you had a super hero power, what would it be: The ability to selectively read minds, nothing like What Women Want where you have to hear everything.

Best Christmas/Hanukkah present that you've ever gotten: A 400 disc blu-ray player

Preferred chicken nugget dip: Ketchup is the answer to everything.

Andy with camp alums Beth Shefcyk, Spencer Schneider, Jeff Glickman and Adam Heldman