Staff Spotlight - James Woods

James Woods joins us for his first summer at North Star. He hails from Appleton, WI and we'll credit 2nd year counselor Brody Poss with an assist on helping us land James. Brody's sister was in the same high school graduating class as James. He just finished up his freshman year at UW-Stevens Point where he's majoring in health care administration. You'll find James on the courts and fields at North Star as he'll be instructing a few athletics, including basketball football and golf.

More about James

How did you learn about North Star and why did you apply?
- I attended a summer camp career fair at my college (University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point) and met Dan, who told me about North Star. After hearing about camp, it sounded like so much fun and I knew it would be the perfect fit for me, so I applied right away!

If you could be any animal, what would you be and why?
- I would be a dog because they’re a man’s best friend and get to play catch all the time. Plus, who doesn’t love dogs??

What is your favorite cartoon Character:
- Johnny Bravo

What is your dream Job:
- My dream job would be to be the head coach of the Green Bay Packers

If you had a super hero power, what would it be:
- The ability to fly so I could see the world without paying for airfare

What noteworthy/random/menial jobs have you held?
- I worked in the back of Goodwill sorting through people’s donations. You’d be amazed as to how much stuff and odd things people own.


What are your top three movies of all time:- Harry Potter, Back to the future, and Stepbrothers

What did you do last summer?
- I spent last summer working and also went to a cottage with my family in Chute Pond.

What is a little Known fact about yourself:
- My arms are double-jointed

What, if any previous camp/outdoor experiences have you had?
- I was a camper at a YMCA camp when I was 7.

Staff Spotlight - Sam Bricker

Its the Big Ten for Sam Bricker! A long time camper and counselor, we'll be celebrating Sam's tenth summer at NSC! Hailing from Deerfield, IL, Sam just finished up his freshman year at the university of Illinois. At UofI he joined AEPi . In the fall he'll be leading alcohol risk management classes for incoming freshman.  At camp Sam instructs tennis, disc golf, archery

More about Sam

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

- I would be a penguin so I could toboggan

What is your favorite cartoon Character:

- Jimmy Neutron

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 Job:

- International spy

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

- Super strength

What is the best Christmas/Hanukkah present that you've ever gotten:

- My watch

What is your preferred chicken nugget dip:

- Honey

What are your top three movies of all time:

- Star Wars, Inception, and The Sandlot

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

- Fresh Strawberry

What is a little Known fact about yourself:

- I have two middle names

Share one notable camp memory:

- My Pine Manor cabinmates and I enjoying our last night as campers together 

Staff Spotlight - Danny Levy

I am a sophomore from Mequon turning 16 in June. I have been playing on my school's Junior Varsity team for tennis. I recently was in my school's musical, Beauty and the Beast. I have a few piano performances before the summer, and I am attending camp Interlochen for a week this summer. With AP tests in sight, I'm more than ready to head off to camp.

More about Danny

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

- I would be a quokka, because it is known to be the happiest animal in the world.

What is your favorite cartoon Character:

- Gary the snail

Where is your favorite spot at camp:

- The Council Ring at sunset

What is your dream Job:

- Being a music composer

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

- Flight

What is the best Christmas/Hanukkah present that you've ever gotten:

- A jar of nutella

What is your preferred chicken nugget dip:

- None. Enjoy the nugget itself

What are your top three movies of all time:

- Harry Potter, Princess Bride, and Mulan

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

- Butterfinger

What is a little Known fact about yourself:

- I like to sing, and I take lessons

Share one notable camp memory:

- When I was on the Canadian, at one portage, some of my friends stepped into the mud and sank waist deep

Staff Spotlight - Jake Kraemer

Returning to camp for his 8th summer, Jake will be a CIT. Jake is finishing his sophomore year at Deerfield High School. At DHS, Jake is on the swim team and just returned from Nashville, where he competed at the DECA International tournament. At camp, Jake’s favorite activities are log rolling, arts & crafts, and theatre games.

More about Jake

If you could be any animal (besides a human), what would you be and why?

- I’d be a jellyfish because it’s my Zookeeper animal and they go with the flow.

What is your favorite cartoon Character:

- Wall-E.

Where is your favorite spot at camp:

- The bench in the fun bug area

What is your dream Job:

- Animated movie critic

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

- The ability to fall asleep on command

What is the best Christmas/Hanukkah present that you've ever gotten:

- New sunglasses from my parents

What is your preferred chicken nugget dip:

- Ranch

What are your top three movies of all time:

- Wall-E, The Dark Knight, The Revenant

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

- Butterfinger

What is a little Known fact about yourself:

I turned 6 years old on 6/6/06, and will turn 66 years old on 6/6/66

Share one notable camp memory:

- On the Canadian this past year in Pine Manor, the campers wanted to be responsible for cooking the whole meal one night. The pasta was burned and most of the sauce made its way into the fire, but we had a good time working together. 

Staff Spotlight - Cecilia Jaik

Hi my name is Cecilia Jaik (Cecy)  and I am from Manzanillo, Colima, Mexico. I am a marketing major and also a tennis instructor. I like to travel and meet new people. Also I love going to the movies and theatre, hang out with friends, go to the beach or to a karaoke. I like all kinds of music and I love to sing my favorite tunes. I started playing tennis at a very young age and gave my first lesson at 15, as a tennis instructor I specialize in learning techniques for kids so they advance at their own pace. I can’t wait to be there and meet you all.

More about Cecy

How did you learn about North Star and why did you apply?
- I found out about the camp thru my brother Carlos who went there last year and is also returning this year. He told me about the incredible experience it was for him and how fulfilling and fun it was so I had to try too.

If you could be any animal, what would you be and why?
- I think I would choose to be a horse, because of how fast and strong they are when they run and also I believe they have a regal quality and are very noble.

What is your favorite cartoon Character:
- I always thought Cheetara from the tv series Thundercats was so cool.

What is your dream Job:
- I'm living my dream job since I work part time at an advertising business and in the afternoon I give tennis lessons that are my passion.

If you had a super hero power, what would it be:
- If I could choose only one I think it would be flying.

What noteworthy/random/menial jobs have you held?
- I have worked as a saleswoman in a department store, also worked for a company that sells chemical cleaning products.

What are your top three movies of all time:
- Pride and Prejudice, The Matrix (the first one) and Captain America Civil War

What did you do last summer?
- Mostly working, I gave tennis lessons to kids and adults and spent time with family, friends either going to the beach or just hanging out.

What is a little Known fact about yourself:
- Not many people know but I love to read and write poetry, I feel I can express myself better when I'm writing.

What, if any previous camp/outdoor experiences have you had?
- I was a counselor and tennis teacher in the years 2011 and 2012 in another camp in NY and also have camped in the woods and the beach sometimes.

Staff Spotlight - George Rizo

I was born in Tijuana Baja California (Mexico) when I was 8 years old I had the opportunity to go to a camp in San Jose California there I had the opportunity to know a facility of the NASA at that moment I told to myself that one day I was going to come back and this is my opportunity and at the age of 12 we moved to Oaxaca and that's where I currently live. My family runs a restaurant that serves dinner and I make much of the food there. I’ll be on the North Star kitchen staff.

More about George

How did you learn about North Star and what did you apply?
- Someone came to my school and talked us about camps in other countries and it seemed interesting. I started my application fortunately north star camp contacted me and I started to get more interested. Then I looked on internet and saw that it was a great camp. I decided to apply because when I was a kid I went to a camp and it left me wonderful experiences and I want to do the same but this  time been on the other side of camp as a staff member

If you could be any animal what would you be and why?
- An eagle, because they seem to be the only animal that fly free in air and besides that they have a wonderful sight and having that would be awesome

What is your favorite cartoon character:
- Bugs bunny, because he is a shrewd, charismatic and intelligent rabbit. These traits are what give it an edge over its enemies, rivals and opponents. And by his famous phrase: "Eh ... what's up, man?" And I love how he trolls the Daffy Duck :-)

What is your dream job:
- I've always wanted to be a police officer but one of the good ones I don't know FBI or something like that.

If you had a superhero power what would it be?
- The superpower of flash. His very fast and you could do lots of thing in a second and know lots of places and don't waste money on trips

What are your top 3 movies of all time: 
- Captain America: Civil War, Back to the Future & Jaws

What did you do last summer:
- I went to visits my family in Nayarit and Tijuana y had 6 years that I had not seen them and I spend all summer with my family

What is a little known fact about you?
- That I love dogs so much that when I see them in the streets sometimes I take them home and give theme food. I have 3 dogs, 2 of them I rescued from the street and now they live at my house. And my cat, I saw it on the street and that day I decided to have a cat and now she’s 2 years old.  In conclusion I love animals

What ,if any previous camp/ outdoor experience have you had?
- When I was 8 years I had the opportunity to go to a camp as a camper and I loved it so much that now I am going, but this time as a staff member. 

 

Staff Spotlight - Micah Jona

I’m Micah Jona and I can’t wait to get back to North Star this summer. I’m from Wilmette, IL where I am finishing up my junior year of high school at New Trier. At school I am on the tennis team and play other intramural sports. This will be my 9th year at camp and 2nd as a staff member. At camp I will be found all over the place teaching water skiing, disc golf, tennis, and any land sport. Can’t wait for another great summer!

More about Micah

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

- Great white shark because they’re the ultimate predator and at the top of the food chain.

What is your favorite cartoon Character:

- Scooby-Doo

Where is your favorite spot at camp:

- The health center porch during capture the flag/NSC ball.

What is your dream Job:

- To be a general manager of any MLB, NFL, or NBA team.

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

- Flying would be pretty cool.

What is the best Christmas/Hanukkah present that you've ever gotten:

- Tickets to a Bulls game.

What is your preferred chicken nugget dip:

- BBQ Sauce.

What are your top three movies of all time:

- Princess Bride, Saving Private Ryan, and pretty much any Marvel movie.

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

- Peanut butter chocolate.

What is a little Known fact about yourself:

- I once beat Andy in a game of Egyptian Rat Screw.

Share one notable camp memory:

- The last paddle of the Canadian is something that I will never forget.