Staff Spotlight - Joey Kujala

Trip leader Joey Kujala joins the North Star staff for his first summer. Hailing from Shell Lake, WI, Joey grew up less than an hour from camp. He's spent quite a bit of time on many of the rivers and trails that he'll lead trips on this summer. He volunteered for the forest service, working on the Superior Hiking Trail. He's also spent upwards of ten months on the Namekagon and St. Croix rivers.

Joey is currently a student at the University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point, finishing his degree in Environmental Education/Interpretation. While there he's spent time working at the Central Wisconsin Environmental Station teaching 3rd - 9th graders. In addition to his love of the outdoors, Joey is a big fan of disc golf and is looking forward to playing a few rounds at camp this summer.

More about Joey

How did you learn about North Star and why did you apply?
- I received a Job Announcement from NOLS and decided to apply after looking over the trip locations. I grew up in the Midwest and spent my youth exploring the Porcupine Mountains, the Superior Hiking Trail, and the Namakagon and St. Croix rivers. It seemed like a good fit.


What is your dream job
- To work for the NPS as a Backcountry Ranger full-time along with being a representative for a disc golfing company such as Discraft or Innova.

If you could have lunch with any two people, dead or alive, who would they be?
- Lead singer Anthony Keidis from the Chili Peppers and John Muir. I’d have to have separate lunches though.

If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go and what would you do there?
- I’d go to New Zealand. Most likely go skiing, hiking, swimming, and hike the treacherous trail to Mordor.

If you were stranded on a deserted island, what are three things you'd bring?
- An axe, some rope, and prescription sunglasses.

What sports team(s) that you root for?
- I enjoy watching sports, but don’t get too crazy about any team in particular. If I had to choose however: The Packers, The Badgers, and The Wild.

What noteworthy/random/menial jobs have you held?
- I’ve held many jobs over the past several years. My favorite has been working for the NPS and my least favorite was working in a grocery store. Some of the more random jobs I’ve held that have been a lot of fun include a Lift Operator at Giants Ridge in MN and working at Central Waters Brewing Company in WI.


What did you do last summer?
- Last summer I attended an intensive 5 week long summer research session for school, and then after that worked with the NPS in the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway.

What, if any previous camp/outdoor experiences have you had?
- I’ve been involved in the outdoors from a very young age via family outings and Boy Scouts. Some of the adventures I’ve had include Backpacking in New Mexico, sailing in the Florida Keys, Dogsledding in Canada, and many canoe trips in the Midwest.

Staff Spotlight - Carlos Jaik

With the increased popularity in private tennis lessons at North Star, we're excited to have Carlos Jaik join the North Star staff to work alongside Mike Storms. Carlos comes to North Star from Colima in Mexico. He's a USPTA certified tennis pro and he's very involved in tennis in Mexico, where he is the secretary of the tennis association in his home state. He is the coordinator of tennis coaches in Colima and also teaches tennis lessons.

Carlos has spent quite a bit of time coaching and training in the US as well. He instructed tennis for six summers at a camp in New York. He also spent last summer training and teaching at a club in California. We're excited to have Carlos teaching private tennis lessons this summer!

More about Carlos

How did you learn about North Star and why did you apply?
- I saw the job on the USPT web site and I applied because I was looking a new job experience.

What is your dream job
- Teaching, learnig and playing tennis.

If you could have lunch with any two people, dead or alive, who would they be?
- Roger Federer and Elias Jaik Nacheff (My gran father that I had not the opportunity to meet him).

If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go and what would you do there?
- Germany or Japan learn their culture and language.

If you were stranded on a deserted island, what are three things you'd bring?
- Tennis court, Tennis raquet and Tennis ball.

What sports team(s) that you root for?
- Bayer Munich.

What noteworthy/random/menial jobs have you held?
- I was an actor in a house of terror at the fair in my town.

What did you do last summer?
- I was teaching in a tennis academy in California and was playing some open tournaments.

What, if any previous camp/outdoor experiences have you had?
- I was working for 6 years like a tennis instructor in a summer camp for girls in New York.

Staff Spotlight - Wari Isaac

Wari joins the North Star staff for his first summer. He comes all the way from Nigeria, but he's actually been at school at Proctor Academy in Andover, NH. One of his classmates at Proctor is current NSC counselor Max Pastan. Max did a great sales job, told Wari how great camp us and told us how great Wari is, so we're thrilled to have him at camp this summer.

Wari came over to Proctor to play soccer. He was one of eleven in Nigeria selected to come over to the US and play. His goal is to go on and play soccer at a college in the US. Wari will be a cabin counselor instructing soccer this summer.

More about Wari


How did you learn about North Star and why did you apply?
- I heard about North Star through my friend who also works as a camp counsellor there.

What is your dream job
- My dream job is to be a Business man and also Professional Soccer Player.

If you could have lunch with any two people, dead or alive, who would they be?
- E.A Adeboye and Nelson Mandela.

If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go and what would you do there?
- I am already where I want to be, and I’m studying and playing soccer which is what I wanted to do in the United States.

If you were stranded on a deserted island, what are three things you'd bring?
- Water, food and Bible.

What sports team(s) that you root for?
- Manchester United

What did you do last summer?
- I went to soccer camp in Nigeria.

What, if any previous camp/outdoor experiences have you had?
- MTN football Scholar camp, Boys Brigade camp in Nigeria. 

Staff Spotlight - Diana Morales

Diana Morales comes from the multicultural state of Oaxaca, Mexico, cradle of the Guelaguetza, Zapotec language and many other indigenous languages. Currently, she is studying Languages Teaching (language acquisition specialist) at the Universidad Autónoma “Benito Juárez” de Oaxaca.

She loves pizza, take nature pictures, singing, long walks, reading adventure books, listen music and dance like a weird robot. We welcome Diana to our kitchen staff this summer!

More about Diana

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

- I decided to apply for a summer camp job because many of my friends told me about their wonderful experiences at different camps and because I think this is an amazing opportunity to make friends and learn about their culture. I learned about North Star on internet and I have to say that it looks awesome and I cannot wait to be there!! 

What is your dream job?

- Being a language teacher, do research about indigenous languages and travel to make people aware about the importance that my culture has.

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

- Tim Burton and Oscar Wilde. I love their artwork and their eccentricities.

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

- I would love to go to Iceland! It's such a magical country. I would take pictures of the waterfalls, volcanoes, geysers, glaciers and festivals.

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

- Dora the explorer backpack (there is everything I might need).

What sports team(s) that you root for?

- My national soccer team *Mexico* and Manchester United. 

What noteworthy/random/menial jobs have you held?

- Every December my family and I make traditional piñatas. Support teacher in an Elementary School and my own University. I worked as volunteer at various collection centers and collected food for people affected by hurricanes. I belong to a group of friends to rescue homeless animals, we take care of them and find them a nice home with loving people. I am also a story teller for children. Waitress at Italian Coffee Company.

What did you do last summer?

- I worked as a support teacher but also went to the mountain with friends.

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

- I love long walks, jogging, climbing trees and I used to go fishing with my father.  I also survived to being lost at a mountain for eight hours with just a bottle of water, chips and two great friends (does that count? Sounds terrible but it wasn't that bad, actually it was a very funny experience to remember).

Staff Spotlight - Kathy Tietze

Kathy Tietze joins us for her second full year on staff after having visited quite a but during the summer of 2013. In addition to being one of our office managers, Kathy is married to Mike Storms, our tennis pro. Her first visit to camp was during the staff orientation skit show and she joined Mike in a modern day version of "Whose on First". We knew that not only was she a great fit for Mike, but she'd be a welcome addition to the staff.

Kathy makes her home in the Twin Cities during the off season. She's a retired teacher, having taught 7th grade English for 32 years. We put that experience to good use in the office and all around camp!

More about Kathy

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

- I'd bring my flute to play a soundtrack to my island adventure.  I'd also want to bring my husband, Tennis Mike--he'd certainly keep my spirits up, help swat mosquitoes,  and he could contribute to that soundtrack, too!  Finally, for moments of downtime, I'd bring a stack (counts as one thing) of books to read, including Survival for Dummies.

What is your favorite spot at camp?

- I love sitting on the trunk of one of the trees that leans far out over the lake.

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

- Lunch with my mother and grandmother would be my choice.  I'd like to talk with them about all the things that have happened since they've been gone.

What sports team(s) that you root for?

- I don't really follow a particular sport or team.

What is your favorite special program at camp?

- I like to see the campers step into leadership roles and participate in the activities of UN Day.

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

- I'd like to take a bike trip through the Netherlands.

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

- Is there chocolate in it?  I go to it!

Best holiday gift that you've ever gotten?

- My favorite gift was a marriage proposal!

How has camp impacted you?

- Camp has given me another place where I know I'll spend time with lots of terrific people doing lots of fun things.

Staff Spotlight - Mike Major

Mike Major joins the NSC staff for his first summer. Mike grew up in Blaine, MN, which is just north of the Minneapolis. His family has a cabin in Spooner, WI, which is about 45 minutes from North Star, and this is where he learned how to waterski. Mike will be teaching waterskiing himself at camp this summer.

Mike is currently finishing his freshman year at the University of Minnesota, where he's studying computer science while minoring in leadership. Through high school he was a three sport athlete, playing baseball, basketball and football. During 1st semester Mike was a member of the Univ of Minnesota Woman's basketball scout team. He spent last summer working with special education students at a middle school near his home.

More about Mike

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

- I heard about North Star through the University of Minnesota Gold Pass Website, where employers can reach students. After just five minutes on the North Star website, I knew that being a camp counselor was an opportunity I couldn't pass up on.

What is your dream job?

- Well, I love being outdoors, but I also love developing software because it is fascinating. My dream job would be developing software that will be implemented in machines or other technologies that are used outdoors.

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

- Abraham Lincoln and J.K. Rowling, because they persisted through several failures to eventually become great success stories. Plus, I LOVE the Harry Potter series.

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

- I would travel to several Spanish speaking countries and immerse myself in the language that I have been trying to become fluent in. Spain, Costa Rica, and Argentina at the top of my list.

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

- A frisbee, a machete,  and a hammock.

What sports team(s) that you root for?

- It depends where I am. If I'm at home in Blaine, MN, skol Vikings! However, if I'm at the cabin in Spooner, WI, go Pack go!

What noteworthy/random/menial jobs have you held?

- I have enjoyed working event staff security around the Twin Cities for a year now. I also had a blast as a youth baseball, basketball, and football camp coordinator throughout high school.

What did you do last summer?

- I served as a summer school paraprofessional for special education students at Centennial Middle School in Circle Pines, MN.

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

- I have grown up water skiing, four-wheeling, fishing, and hiking at my family's cabin in Spooner, WI.

Staff Spotlight - Nicholas Haffner

Nick Haffner is one of several counselors coming from the University of Wisconsin - La Crosse. Nick is a native of Chatfield, MN which is just southeast of Rochester. He was a three sport athlete in HS, participating in football, wrestling and track.

He's now in his junior year at UW - La Crosse. He's an education major and wants to become a high school history teacher. Nick is a big outdoorsman, enjoying fishing and hiking. We're excited to have Nick join the NSC staff for his first summer. He'll be a cabin counselor teaching fishing.

More about Nicholas

How did you learn about North Star and why did you apply?
- I learned about North Star from summer job fair on campus at UW-La Crosse. I decided to apply because I had always wanted to do a wilderness camp when I was younger but never had to opportunity.

What is your dream job
- If I could do any job I would want to be high school history teacher.

If you could have lunch with any two people, dead or alive, who would they be?
- If I could have lunch with any two people, I would want to have lunch with George Washington and Nelson Mandela.

If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go and what would you do there?
- If I could travel anywhere in the world I would want to go to China, I think they have an interesting history.

If you were stranded on a deserted island, what are three things you'd bring?
- If I was stranded on a deserted island I would bring a fishing pole, a knife, and a cell phone to call for help.

What sports team(s) that you root for?
- I always root for the packers.

What did you do last summer?
- I worked at Menards, but I spent a lot of the summer fishing on the Mississippi.

What, if any previous camp/outdoor experiences have you had?
-I use to go camping every summer with my parents. We would always go by a lake and fish or ski.