Staff Spotlight: Kendall Jordan

Kendall lives in Chicago, IL and attends Illinois State University. He is trying to be a Jack of All Trades and wants to be in the finance and sports world. Kendall has aspirations to be an NBA agent in the future and travel the world.

More about Kendall

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

I learned about North Star with my mentoring organization, COLLEGE Mentoring Experience. I applied because I wanted something different. I am tired of being in the city of Chicago for long periods of time and having to just watch my back Every time I go out. I also needed to get away.
If you wrote an autobiography, what would the title be? 

My title would "Secure the bag, the RIGHT WAY!"
If you could witness any historical event, what would you want to see? 

I would like to witness Europeans going to Africa and trading slaves.
What is your dream vacation: 

Going to Dubai
If you had a super hero power, what would it be: 

Be able to teleport
What noteworthy/random/menial jobs have you held? 

Being a Mentor, photographer, basketball referee and coach, recreational leader, and Master of Ceremony at an event.
What TV show or movie are you ashamed to admit that you love?

I believe the movie "Sing."
What did you do last summer? 

I worked for the Chicago Park District and I played in the Sonny Parker Pro-Am.
What is a little Known fact about yourself:

I love to hoop and have fun.
What, if any previous camp/outdoor experiences have you had? 

I've never went to a camp, but I'm hoping to make this memorable.

Staff Spotlight: Jack Soble

Jack Soble is from from Glencoe, Illinois and about to finish his Sophomore year at New Trier High School. Jack plays football and may be the smallest defensive lineman in the state.He is a die-hard Chicago sports fan with the exception of the Cubs. This will be Jack's 7th summer at camp and he can't wait to be back.

More about Jack

If you wrote an autobiography, what would the title be?

"The Most Interesting Man in the World"

What TV show or movie are you ashamed to admit that you love?

The Cleveland Show. It's a terrible show but it's kinda funny for when I have nothing else to do.

Where is your favorite spot at camp?

The climbing wall or Hitch's Hut (waterski docks)

What is your dream vacation?

Already went on it: 10 days canoing in Quetico, Canada.
If you had a super hero power, what would it be?

Super speed

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

'85 Bears winning the Super Bowl.

What is your favorite quote from a movie?

"You think you can win on talent alone? You don't have enough talent to win on talent alone!" - Herb Brooks, played by Kurt Russell, in Miracle.

What's your favorite restaurant in the Hayward area?

Does the Norski Nook count? If so it isn't close.

What is your hidden talent?

Sportswriting. I write for the school newspaper.

What advice would you give to someone coming to North Star for the first time?

Always be doing something fun. If you start to feel homesick, grab a couple buddies and play tetherball. If you get sad, focus on reaching a new goal in a project. You'll feel better in no time.

Share one notable camp memory:

It'd have to be on my last day as a camper: a walk off home run in Indian Ball. Matt Sosler gave me a good pitch and I knew it was gone the second it left the bat.

North Star on the Hill: An update from Washington

In early May Andy joined representatives of other camps to lobby in Washington D.C. The Child Protection Improvements Act (CPIA) HR.695 was PASSED by the House on May 22, 2017. Now that the house has passed the bill, the ACA needs your help to make sure it is passed in the Senate! The CPIA makes it easier for organizations such as camps to access FBI background checks when hiring, which is the only true National background check database. Andy and company also are working on making overnight camp part of the childcare tax credit. While in Washington, they met with Paul Ryan, Orrin Hatch, Ron Johnson and Mike Quigley. 

You can learn more about CPIA, the American Camp Associations political endeavors, and how to contact your Senators to support the bill on the ACA's page about the Child Protections.  

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.

Staff Spotlight: Jake Kraemer

Jake Kraemer returns to North Star for his 9th summer after finishing up his junior year at Deerfield High School (hence, he lives in Deerfield, Illinois). While he is pretty done with school and ecstatic to be back for my ninth summer, he enjoyed a good school year, especially enjoying Computer Science and US History. At camp, Jake can be found at swim point instructing log rolling and in the Arm and Hammer doing arts and crafts. I hope to lead a great group of guys in Hayward's log rolling tournaments this summer!


More About Jake

If you wrote an autobiography, what would the title be?

The Makings of a Future President: The Childhood of Jake Kraemer

What TV show or movie are you ashamed to admit that you love?

I'm not at all ashamed, but most people question my taste in movies when I tell them that Paul Blart: Mall Cop and its sequel are excellent films. The same applies for the National Treasure and its sequel.

Where is your favorite spot at camp?

The swinging bench in the Fun-Bug are

What is your dream vacation?

I would love to go to Dubai and see the crazy buildings and cars

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

The ability to help someone who is unnecessarily stressed out relax and enjoy themselves    

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

I would want to live in Boston around the time of the American Revolution

What is your favorite quote from a movie?

"As you know, madness is like gravity... all it takes is a little push" -The Joker (The Dark Night)

What's your favorite restaurant in the Hayward area?

Fireside is the nicest meal in town, but you cannot go wrong with Anger's Haven
What is your hidden talent?

A lot of other guys at camp can do it faster than I can, but I'm still proud that I can solve a Rubik's cube
What advice would you give to someone coming to North Star for the first time?

You can never have too many towels and try many new activities (especially log rolling)
Share one notable camp memory:

The entire Canadian Trip of my last summer as a camper was incredible.

Staff Spotlight - Sam Bricker

Sam Bricker and is looking forward to returning to camp for his 11th summer. Originally hailing from Deerfield, Illinois, he has spent the last two years studying at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. When not pursuing his economics degree Sam is spending time serving on the executive board of my fraternity and teaching an alcohol risk management class to new students. Next fall, he'll also be teaching an intro class for freshmen in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. At camp this year Sam will be working as a village director and tennis and disc golf instructor.

More About Sam

If you wrote an autobiography, what would the title be?

Brick by Brick

What TV show or movie are you ashamed to admit that you love?

Phineas and Ferb

Where is your favorite spot at camp?

The Council Ring is unbeatable, but the health center porch rocking chairs are a close second

What is your dream vacation?

An Alaskan cruise sounds pretty exciting

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

The ability to fly

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

The moon landing

What is your favorite quote from a movie?

"May the force be with you"

What's your favorite restaurant in the Hayward area?

Going to loosely define the Dairy Queen Grill and Chill as a restaurant, though I'll limit my label of favorite to the "chill" side

What is your hidden talent?

I can say the alphabet backwards very quickly (talent, again, loosely defined)

What advice would you give to someone coming to North Star for the first time?

Come prepared to make friends that will last a lifetime!

Share one notable camp memory:

I've loved all of my trips spent on the mighty Namekagon River. This past year, we bonded while grilling hot dogs under a rain tarp as we prepared to get picked up to avoid some severe weather.

Senior Village Washhouse Renovation

The renovations of the Senior Village Washhouse are starting to take shape, which will certainly make our oldest campers and their counselors very happy! After the renovations to our main washhouse that were ready for the Summer of 2015, the Villa washhouse will be new and improved for the Summer of 2017.


In addition to the new and improved looks, there is an increase in shower capacity (from 6 to 9) and more hot water!




The back of the field house was also finished over the offseason. In addition to a new and improved fitness center, there will be a camper lounge upstairs with Foosball and Ping Pong. Seeing the finishing touches being applied to these offseason projects around camp is getting us even more excited for the Summer of 2017!