Staff Spotlight - Mike Storms

What can we say about Mike Storms? Twenty one years ago he joined us as our tennis pro and while he's still hard at work all summer long teaching private tennis lessons, his impact at camp is so much more than that. He's an expert popcorn maker and once a session each village is treated to a popcorn snack courtesy of Mike. He's also known for his corny jokes and unique sense of humor. Beyond that, his work ethic and positive, upbeat attitude is an amazing example to us all. Even on the hottest of days he's out on the tennis courts hard at work.

During the rest of the year Mike teaches music lessons in the Twin Cities. This year he'll also bring his wife Kathy Tietze with him for the entire summer. Mike and Kathy were married last fall and we're glad that not only will Kathy continue to share Mike with us, but she'll be at camp as well.

In honor of Mike, its time for some popcorn!

More about Mike

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

- I HAVE been on a deserted island--and I am going back this year:  I will bring my wife, my flugelhorn and a golf club and a few balls...(I am counting the club and balls as one package/item)

Favorite special program at camp

- My favorite special program?  1st session--no... 2nd session!  I guess it is Friday night service as we all express thanks for all, all, ALL the special programs...

Your favorite TV or movie character

- Fav tv/movie:  so many...perhaps Phil Connor, the weatherman in Ground Hog Day...he shows a comedy-filled path

to a fulfilling life...

Your best memory of camp.

-  over twenty years??? Far too many to start here:  Sometimes at camp lunches us "oldtimers" go on and on about the best of memories:  We run out of summer before we run out of stories....

Favorite Sports Teams

- Fav sport teams:  Grite! (all NSC green/white teams)

What would you choose for your last meal?

- Last meal:  Pizza,  popcorn, ice cream...

If you could be any animal, what would you be?

- any animal?  a camp dog!

Your two favorite books

- Calvin and Hobbes--the complete collection and anything else that has as much life wisdom and perspective...

A secret hobby or skill that you have?

- secret skills/hobbies:  what you see is what you get...

How has camp impacted you?

- Camp's impact:  North Star has enriched my life on all levels since I was welcomed 20 years ago as an old boy of 33 years on the planet...

Staff Spotlight - Kathy Tietze

Kathryn Tietze has lived in Minnesota all her life.  Her earliest memory of camping was the night she caught a skunk in a box trap that she set up.  Ever since then she has been a lover of animals and the outdoors.  She graduated from St. Olaf College in Minnesota and has recently retired after teaching 7th grade English for 32 years.  

One of her reasons for coming to camp is that she married Tennis Mike last summer.  However, her real reason for coming is that she discovered what an awesome place North Star is during the two years she dated Mike.  This summer Kathryn will be one of the office staff.

More about Kathy

What is your dream job

- Having just retired, she doesn't have a dream job--other than one that has her with Tennis Mike all summer.  Oh, that means this is her dream job!

A secret hobby or skill that you have?

- In an earlier life, she was a fencer and her favorite weapon is an epee.

Your favorite TV character

- Her favorite TV characters include Robin Hood (from the '50s), Captain Kangaroo and Casey Jones (from the '60s).

If you were stranded on a deserted island, what are three things you'd bring?
- If she were stranded on a deserted island, she would bring the Complete Sherlock Holmes, a good knife, and a large supply of dark chocolate.

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

- She learned about North Star from Tennis Mike.

What noteworthy/random/menial jobs have you held?
- Her earliest jobs included waitressing and office work, but the most rewarding and challenging of her jobs was teaching in the Minnetonka Public Schools in Minnesota.


What did you do last summer? 

- Last summer Kathryn drove from Minneapolis to NSC and back once a week for an adventure day with Tennis Mike.  She made plans for their wedding and sewed a wedding dress, and  she and Mike enjoyed their honeymoon on the North Shore. 

What, if any previous camp experiences have you had?

- This summer at North Star will be her first camp experience.

Staff Spotlight - Ethan Rane

Ethan Rane joins our staff as a Counselor in Training. Hailing from Buffalo Grove, IL, he's currently a student at Stevenson high-school. While focused on school, he has lots of interest, including playing the guitar and playing ultimate frisbee with his friends and at a club in school.

Ethan spent quite a bit of time as a camper on archery, earning every award shy of the olympic archer. This summer he'll instruct archery, some athletics as well as some waterskiing.

More about Ethan

If you were stranded on a deserted island, what are three things you'd bring?
- I would bring an ipod, a TV and lots of food.

Favorite special program at camp
My favorite special program at camp is North Star Ball

Your favorite TV or movie character
- Spongebob

Your best memory of camp.
- My best memory of camp was hanging out with my cabin before bed having tea time.

Favorite Sports Teams
- Bears

What would you choose for your last meal?
- Pasta with marinara sauce

If you could be any animal, what would you be?
- I would be a bear because i like camping out in the woods, fishing, and sleeping.

Your two favorite books
- Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows and The Shining

A secret hobby or skill that you have?
- I collect seashells for a hobby when i go to florida on winter break every year.

How has camp impacted you?
- Camp has made me more responsible and has given me great counselors as role models to look up to.

Staff Spotlight - Zack Shapiro

Hello everyone! My name is Zack and this is my 7th summer at Northstar Camp and my first year on staff. I am incredibly excited to be a CIT this year. I am from (like many of the other staff members) Chicago, IL and I am a Sophmore at Francis W. Parker.

Some of my hobbies are fishing, which I hope to teach a little at camp, and being a mediocre guitar player. I also hope to teach Climbing and Riflery as well. I am very excited meet everyone this summer and I can't wait to get to camp!

More about Zack

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

- Fishing Pole, Fresh Water, and a Raft

Favorite special program at camp
- Espionage

Your favorite TV or movie character

- Jesse Pinkman- Breaking Bad

Your best memory of camp.

- Doing the 10 day trip to Canada

Favorite Sports Teams

-  Chicago Blackhawks

What would you choose for your last meal?

- Sushi or Steak

If you could be any animal, what would you be?

-  Bald Eagle

How has camp impacted you?

- Camp has taught me to have more patience for others and to get along with everyone. I can also now sleep comfortably on any surface.

Staff Spotlight - Max Pastan

Max Pastan NSC Staff Spotlight from Max Pastan on Vimeo.

Staff Spotlight - Zach Weber

Hi, I'm Zach Weber, I've been going to North Star for seven years now, and will soon be returning for my eight year as a CIT. North Star has always been a home away from home for me. One of the things I took back from my experiences being a camper were activities I participate in at home, such as rock climbing, sailing, disc golf, and fishing, just to name a few. 

Aside from my experience at camp, i'm a Chicago native, I love the outdoors, good weather, and having a good time with friends. Most of all, I can't wait until camp to start! I'm looking forward to instructing climbing and disc golf this summer.

More about Zach

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

-   I would bring a fully charged satellite phone, 100 gallons of cold drinking water, and a fly fishing rod.

Favorite special program at camp
- Espionage or Glen's game

Your favorite TV or movie actor
-  Denzel Washington

Your best memory of camp.

- Boarding the bus before the Canadian (senior overnight camping trip)

Favorite Sports Teams

- Chicago Cubs, Bulls, Bears, Wisconsin Badgers, and the Utah Jazz.

What would you choose for your last meal?

-  Either sushi, or a hot Ann Sather's cinnamon roll.

If you could be any animal, what would you be?

- African Leopard

Your two favorite books

- To Kill a Mockingbird, and The Metamorphosis

A secret hobby or skill that you have?

- hmmm… ping pong or pottery/ceramics.

How has camp impacted you?

- Camp has impacted me in several ways, the first way is how I learned and utilized what activities I tried at camp into my life at home, such as rock climbing, sailing, disc golf, pathfinders, archery, seriously, the list goes on… Camp has also impacted my overall relationship with my friends and the people around me. There is simply not a better way to strengthen or grow a friendship then there is at camp. North Star is so unique because it not only gives you the ability to make your own choices, rather it's picking a project, or even your bed on the first day; I believe that North Star goes much more beyond that, it's a place where you can grow your relationships with your fellow cabin mates, peruse what grabs your interest, and adapt into someone who you want to become.

Staff Spotlight - Noah Broutman

Noah Winkelman Broutman returns from Highland Park Illinois for his 6th summer at North Star.  He'll join our staff as a Counselor in Training. Noah is a sophomore at Deerfield High School, where he is on the bowling team and takes part in woodworking, graphic design and soon marketing.  Noah loves to play sports with friends. 

At camp, you'll find Noah instructing riflery and tennis. We're excited to have him join the North Star Staff.

More about Noah

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

- A fun bug to escape with, sea creatures to power my fun bug and a fishing rod to hold food in front of the creatures faces for motivation

Favorite special program at camp

- Friday Night Services

Your favorite TV or movie character

- The Doctor from Doctor Who

Your best memory of camp.

- The Canadian, Pine-Manor year

Favorite Sports Teams

- New Orleans Saints

What would you choose for your last meal?

- Spaghetti

If you could be any animal, what would you be?

- Pink Fairy Armadillo...look it up...perfect mix of cuteness, toughness and awesomeness

Your two favorite books

- Pendragon Series and the Merchant of Venice

A secret hobby or skill that you have?

- Hula-hooping and memorizing useless facts

How has camp impacted you?

- Growing up with the same group of boys every summer has had a huge impact on me.  I have learned responsibility and how it is vital to put others before yourself in order to accomplish any task at hand.  I hope to demonstrate this to campers this summer.