Meet Kamaji`s Staff

CAMP KAMAJI
STAFF DIRECTORY 2016
Table of Contents
Page 3
Cabin Counselors
Page 19
LTs (Leaders in Training)
Page 23
Support Staff
Kitchen, Housekeeping, Office, Trip Leaders
Page 33
Administrative Staff
Program Directors, Program Coordinators,
Unit Leaders, Specialty Staff
Page 36
Camp Doctors
Page 39
Camp Directors/Owners
2
Cabin Counselors
Jess Ross
Hometown: Workington Cumbria UK
School: Lakes College West Cumbria
Major: Public Services
Qualifications I have for the job: BHS level 2 in Riding and Safety and C test
within Pony Club.
Experience with children: Attended many pony club camps teaching children
every element of horse riding and I also work with children who have
behavior issues at a cadet scheme which is run through the Fire and Rescue
Service.
Certifications: BHS level 2 in Riding and Safety, C test in Pony Club, 18 Pony
Club badges and competed at the UK Trailblazer Finals in showing.
Role at Kamaji: Cabin counselor/Horse riding instructor
Favorite childhood book: Jack and the Beanstalk
How I spent my summers as a child: I spent nearly all of my summers
competing around the UK on my ponies attending different shows
throughout the year as well as going to different camps with my pony!
Favorite song- Frozen do you want to build a snowman
Abigail Fowles
Hometown: Blackwood, South Wales, UK
School: Cardiff Metropolitan University
Major: International Business Management
Qualifications: Qualified lifeguard and love the water!
Experience: Work with children in school aged 11-16 who are
completing exams.
Certifications: RLSS National Pool Lifeguard Qualification
Role: Swim instructor/Cabin counselor
Childhood book: The Tiger who Came to Tea - Judith Kerr
Summers as child: Exploring and canoeing in the South of France with
my parents
Life theme song: Taylor Swift: Shake it off
Mariel VanLandingham
Hometown: Saint Louis, MO
School: Princeton University
Major: English and Education
Qualifications you have for the job: 4 years as a Kamaji camper and a love
of team building and challenge experiences
Experience with kids: I'm working toward my New Jersey Teaching
Certificate and this will be my 5th summer working at camp and 3rd
summer at Kamaji
Any certifications you hold: CPR certified
Role at Kamaji: Climbing Wall/Low Ropes instructor and Cabin counselor
Favorite childhood book: Little House on the Prairie series
How you spent your summers as a child: at Kamaji
What your life theme song would be: I'll Be There For You by the
Rembrandts aka the theme song from Friends
3
Cabin Counselors
Eva Alessandroni
Hometown: Watertown, MA
School: Watertown High School
Major: Not in college yet! But thinking about majoring in Architecture
Qualifications you have for the job: This will be my eight summer at camp so I know
what camp is all about. After last year’s LT program I know what it takes to look after
kids, teach them how to sail, and most importantly, make sure they have a great
summer.
Experience with kids: Other than the experience I've had going to camp and working
with the kids as a fellow camper and also as a counselor, I also have experience
working with kids from my job at home; a painting store called Plaster Fun Time.
Any certifications you hold: Certified in First Aid CPR AED and I plan on getting certified
in lifeguarding soon
Role at Kamaji: Junior counselor and sailing instructor
Favorite childhood book: Elf
How you spent your summers as a child: Pretty much just going to camp, and when not
at camp, playing sports.
What your life theme song would be: Little Miss by Sugarland
Angie Parker
Hometown: Houston, Texas
School: George Washington University
Major: Criminal Justice
Qualifications you have for the job: 3rd year as a Kamaji counselor and
Wall instructor as well as spending 10 summers of my life at Kamaji
Experience with kids: 3rd year as a Kamaji counselor, babysitting, and
being one
Any certifications you hold: First Aid/ CPR/AED
Role at Kamaji: Cabin Counselor and Climbing Wall/Low Ropes Instructor
Favorite childhood book: The Very Hungry Caterpillar
How you spent your summers as a child: Making new friends and
memories at good ole' Camp Kami
What your life theme song would be: I'm Every Woman- Chaka Khan
Olivia High
Hometown: Timaru in the South Island of New Zealand
School: University of Otago
Major: Psychology
Qualifications you have for the job: I have a yachting New Zealand
learn to sail (dinghy) coaching certificate
Experience with kids: My experience with kids includes coaching kids
sailing programs at my local yacht club, working one on one with kids
with health issues in my previous job as a support worker, baby
sitting, and with my younger cousins and nephew.
Role at Kamaji: sailing instructor/ cabin counselor
Favorite childhood book: hard to pick but I would say The Wee Free
Men by Terry Pratchett.
What your life theme song would be: Sinnerman by Nina Simone.
4
Cabin Counselors
Maddie Miller
Hometown: St.Louis, Missouri
School: About to start at The University of Kansas
Major: Music Therapy
Qualifications: I LOVE KIDS. Also growing up at Kamaji of course :)
Certifications: Lifeguard, First Aid, CPR
Favorite childhood book: Goodnight Moon
How I spent my summers as a child: At camp!
What would my life theme song be: Defying Gravity
Allabelle Lindsey
Hometown: Springfield, MO
School: Central High School (will be entering senior year)
Qualifications: LT program, experience with kids, and I LOVE Kamaji!
Experience w/ Kiddos: I babysit regularly, assistant coach middle
school volleyball, and I have two younger siblings
Certifications: CPR & BLS and lifeguard certified
Role at Kamaji: Swimming instructor/counselor
Favorite Childhood Book: Magic Tree House series
Summers as a Kid: At my family's cottage in Alexandria, MN and then
Kamaji!
Life Theme Song: Peaches (by The Presidents of the United States of
America)
Lanie Cohen
Hometown: Highland Park, IL
School: Highland Park High School
Qualifications you have for the job: I was an LT last year and have
spent many summers at Kamaji.
Experience with kids: I babysit often and was a counselor last
summer.
Any certifications you hold: I am Red Cross babysitting certified.
Role at Kamaji: Cabin counselor/Canoe instructor
Favorite childhood book: the Harry Potter series
How you spent your summers as a child: At Kamaji:)
What your life theme song would be: Life’s what you make it- Hannah
Montana
5
Cabin Counselors
Evelyn Taylor
Hometown: Whangarei, New Zealand
School: Kamo High School.
Qualifications for the job: I have been shooting for about 2.5 years and am
currently ranked 3rd in New Zealand. I have coached children and adults and have
also been doing about 10 hours work experience each week at Arrowhead
Archery learning how to make arrows, checking bow safety and improving my
general knowledge to be ready for the campers 100s of questions.
Experience with kids: I have had experience with kids through coaching and
babysitting.
Certifications: New Zealand Field Archery Level 1 Archery coaching certificate
Role at Kamaji : Cabin Counselor/ Archery Instructor
Favorite childhood book: The Christmas Caravan by Jenifer Beck and Robyn Belton
How you spent you summers as a child: My siblings and I spent most of our
summers out camping or at the beach. Anything outside.
My life's theme song would be: Levels by Avicii. I love how it portrays one person
having a good feeling then infecting everyone else with fun.
Christina Parker
Hometown: Missouri City, Texas
School: Northwestern University
Major: Biological Sciences
Qualifications you have for the job: 2nd year as a Kamaji counselor
and Dance/Fitness instructor as well as spending 9 summers of my
life at Kami
Experience with kids: being one for 18 years and teaching social
studies to elementary school kids.
Role at Kamaji: Cabin Counselor and Dance/Fitness Instructor
Favorite childhood book: Magic Tree House series
How you spent your summers as a child: at Camp Kami
What your life theme song would be: Best Day of my Life- American
Authors
6
Ellen Dexter
Hometown: Tremont, IL
School: Stevens Institute of Technology
Major: Chemical Engineering
Qualifications you have for the job: This will be my 3rd year as
a counselor, making 10 years total at Kamaji (7 years as a
camper). I've worked as a babysitter since I was about 12.
Role at Kamaji: photography instructor and cabin counselor
Favorite childhood book: Where The Wild Things Are
How you spent your summers as a child: I've spent most of my
summers at camp which I am so grateful of!
What your life theme song would be: Rather Be by Clean
Bandit!
Cabin Counselors
Dani Jones
Hometown: Hinsdale, IL.
School: University Of Mississippi (Ole Miss).
Major: Undeclared
Qualifications you have for the job: Lifeguard, Swim Instructor,
Babysitter.
Experience with kids: Babysitting, lifeguarding, teaching swim lessons,
volunteering, anti-bullying club president.
Any certifications you hold: American Red Cross Lifeguard/CPR
Certified.
Role at Kamaji: Cabin Counselor/water ski instructor.
Favorite childhood book: "Go Dog Go" by P.D. Eastman.
How you spent your summers as a child: at my lake house in
Wisconsin.
What your life theme song would be: "Toes" by Zac Brown Band.
Amy Rogin
Hometown: Highland Park, IL
School: Northwestern!
Major: Environmental science
Qualifications you have for the job: 6 years as a camper at Kamaji so I
know all of the tricks
Experience with kids: I still am one? / 2 previous years as a counselor
at camp
Any certifications you hold: lifeguard certified
Role at Kamaji: canoe/ kayak/ camp craft extraordinaire/ cabin
counselor
Favorite childhood book: where's Waldo
How you spent your summers as a child: swimming in Wolf Lake
What your life theme song would be: party rock anthem
Lucy Weatherstone
7
Hometown: London
Major: Sports Science
Qualifications: First Aid, safeguarding and protecting children
experience with kids: babysitter for 6 years, group leader at Camp
Beaumont (London day camps), Volunteered at Thailand orphanage
Role at Kamaji: Cabin counselor and Wall climbing/low ropes
instructor
Favorite childhood book: Twilight saga
How I spent my summers as a child: Going to Gran Canaria with
family and friends every summer and enjoying the outdoors and sun!
What your theme life song would be: Now is the Start - Fine Frenzy or
worth it by fifth harmony
Cabin Counselors
Lucy Bubloz
Hometown: East Sussex, England
Qualifications you have for the job: Kamaji counselor last summer!
Role at Kamaji: Cabin Counselor/Dance and Fitness Instructor
Carly Jones
Hometown: Hinsdale, Illinois
School: University of Kentucky
Major: Undeclared
Qualifications you have for the job: Since I started babysitting at thirteen, I have
been a day-camp counselor, a nanny.
Experience with kids: I have been a babysitter for kids newborns to fourteen year
olds. I am also one of the oldest out of my cousins, so I have been around littler
kids since I was little.
Any certifications you hold: I don't currently hold any, but I am planning on going
to camp early to receive certifications needed for being a waterski instructor.
Role at Kamaji: Cabin counselor and Waterski instructor
Favorite childhood book: Goodnight Moon
How you spent your summers as a child: I spent my summers being messy
outdoors, mostly at my family's house on a small lake in Wisconsin.
What your life theme song would be: Hakuna Matata :
Ella Sullivan
Hometown: Lawrence, KS
8
School- Lawrence Freestate High School
Qualifications for the job- This will be my 7th summer at camp,
and I was an LT last year.
Experience with kids- I worked as an LT this past year at Kamaji
and babysit
Certifications- lifeguard
Role at Kamaji- Windsurfing Instructor/counselor
Favorite Childhood Book- Mother Goose
Spent summers as a child- At Kamaji, or at a family lake house
Life theme song- Falling by Haim
Cabin Counselors
Emily Green
Hometown: Mission Hills, Kansas
School: Freshman at Vanderbilt University
Major: Undecided
Qualifications you have for the job: I love camp!
Experience with kids: I babysit a lot at home and have been a
counselor at Kamaji for the past two summers.
Any certifications you hold: Lifeguarding
Role at Kamaji: Cabin and Swim Counselor
Favorite childhood book: The Giving Tree
How you spent your summers as a child: At Kamaji!!
What your life theme song would be: Verge by Owl City
Emily Miller
Hometown: St. Louis, MO
School: Parkway Central High School
Qualifications you have for the job: I have been a camper at Kamaji
for 8 years and was an LT last year!!
Role at Kamaji: Tennis instructor/cabin counselor
Favorite childhood book: goodnight moon
How you spent your summers as a child: at camp!! :) this will be my
10th summer!!
What your life theme song would be: don't stop believing by journey
9
Haley Horowitz
Hometown: St. Louis, MO
School: Ladue High School
Qualifications you have for the job: Working at a preschool,
Sunday school, sixth grade camp, and being a Kamaji camper
for 5 years and an LT last year
Role at Kamaji: Tennis instructor/Cabin Counselor
Favorite childhood book: Where the Wild Things are and the
Giving Tree
How you spent your summers as a child: Shake it off by Taylor
Swift
What your life theme song would be: Shake it off by Taylor
Swift
Cabin Counselors
Jacqueline Steel
Hometown: Winnetka, IL
School: New Trier High School
Qualifications you have for the job: I was an LT last year, camper
for 5 years, and I love camp!
Experience with kids: I babysit for my neighbors, I have a younger
sister, and I student teach at my dance studio for the toddlers.
Any certifications you hold: I’ve taken first aid classes
Role at Kamaji: Dance/Fitness Counselor
Favorite childhood book: The Grimm’s Fairy Tales
How you spent your summers as a child: At Kamaji!
What your life theme song would be: Fight Song by Rachel Platten
Jessie Berger
Hometown: Chicago
School: The Latin School of Chicago
Qualifications you have for the job: I was a counselor and swim
instructor last summer and I have loved camp for as long as I
can remember.
Experience with kids: Lots of babysitting and a summer as a
counselor last year.
Any certifications you hold: lifeguarding and CPR certification
Role at Kamaji: Counselor and swim instructor
Favorite childhood book: Chicken Sunday
How you spent your summers as a child: At camp!!!!
What your life theme song would be: Electric Feel
10
Katheryn Gernstein
Hometown: Austin, TX
School: Carleton College
Major: Undeclared/ Art History….. maybe
Qualifications/ Experience with Kids : Lots of time at camp. love kids,
love lake, love camp
Certifications: Lifeguard/ CPR certified
Role at Kamaji: Cabin Counselor/ Windsurfing/ Paddle boarding
Instructor
Favorite Childhood Book: Half Moon Investigations
How you spent your summers as a child: Either at Kamaji or melting in
the Texas heat
Life Theme Song: Hoedown Throwdown
Cabin Counselors
Maddy Turain
Hometown: Cincinnati, Ohio
School: Wittenberg University
Major: Middle Childhood Education Major
Qualifications you have for the job: I have been working towards becoming a
teacher since I was 13, and being a Counselor at Kamaji has been one of my
favorite parts!
Role at Kamaji: Counselor/Canoe/Kayak/Campcraft Instructor
Experience with Kids: This year, I volunteered with an after school program
focused on improving literacy and math skills, worked in a variety of
Elementary and Middle School classrooms for my course requirements, and
was able to organize a book drive for a local Elementary School!
Favorite childhood book: My favorite book as a child was Madeline, because
we had the same name.
How you spent your summers as a child: at Kamaji!
What your life theme song would be: Wide Open Spaces by the Dixie Chicks
Rosie Brodsky
Hometown: Deerfield, Illinois
School: American University
Major: Bio/Chem/Pre-med
Qualifications you have for the job: I was a camper for 5 years, and an
LT after that!
Experience with kids: I babysit often, was an NSSRA counselor last
summer, and an LT the summer before that!
Any Certifications: CPR certified
Role at Kamaji: Cabin counselor/Archery instructor
Favorite childhood book: Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing
How I spent my summers as a child: at kamaji :)
What your life theme song would be: Oops I did it again by Britney
Spears
Natty Lindsey
11
Hometown: Springfield, Missouri
School: Central High School
Qualifications: I was an LT last year, I babysit, and I just really love
camp!
Experience with kids: I was an LT last year and have been
babysitting for about 4 years now.
Certifications: I am certified as a babysitter by the Red Cross.
Role at Kamaji: I am a cabin counselor and an archery instructor.
Favorite Childhood Book: When I was younger I liked Where the
Wild Things Are. Later on though I really loved Harry Potter!
How I spent my summers as a kid: I went to Kamaji and before
that I would visit my family's cottage in Minnesota.
What my life theme song would be: Happy by Pharrell Williams
Cabin Counselors
Quinn Gorman
Hometown: Chicago, IL
Qualifications you have for the job: LT last year
Role at Kamaji: Cabin Counselor/Canoe and Kayak Instructor
How you spent your summers as a child: At Kamaji!
Allison Weiss
Hometown: Santa Monica, CA
Qualifications you have for the job: LT and Junior Counselor
experience
Role at Kamaji: Cabin counselor/tennis instructor
How you spent your summers as a child: At Kamaji!
Shayna Rosenbloom
Hometown: Nashville, TN
School: Ensworth High School
Qualifications you have for the job: I've been going to Kamaji since I
was 9 years old
Role at Kamaji: Sailing Counselor/Cabin Counselor
Experience with Kids: Babysitter, Tutor, and of course Kami LT 2015!
Any Certifications you Hold: Lifeguard, CPR, AED, First Aid
Favorite childhood book: Goodnight Moon
How you spent your summers as a child: Basking on the shores of Wolf
Lake
What your life theme song would be: Don't Stop Belivin' by Journey
12
Cabin Counselors
Sylvie Stolar
Hometown: Chicago, IL
School: Oxford College-Emory University
Major: Political Science
Qualifications you have for the job: I’ve spent my past 8 summers at
camp.
Experience with kids: I’ve worked at Kamaji for the past two summers
and babysit on occasion.
Any certifications you hold: Lifeguard
Role at Kamaji: Canoe/Kayak instructor, cabin counselor
Favorite childhood book: Tikki Tikki Tembo
How you spent your summers as a child: At Camp Kamaji
What your life theme song would be: “Stressed Out”- Twenty One
Pilots
Isabelle Lamont
Hometown: Hometown: Gosford, NSW, Australia
School: The Australian Catholic University (Canberra Campus)
Major: Primary Education
Qualifications you have for the job: As of the 3rd of June, 2016 I will have a Bachelor's
Degree in Primary Education Teaching
Experience with kids: I grew up with 5 younger brothers and sisters, I babysat for my
parent's friends as a teenager and for the past four to five years I have completed 7
unpaid teaching placements with children ranging from 5-12 years old. I also
volunteered in a cooking program at a school that teaches children from kindergarten
to year 6 how to cook. As of March 2016, I am also currently completing my final
teaching placement in a year 1 class.
Any certifications you hold: Certified in Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect.
Role at Kamaji: Camp counselor/ English Horse Riding Instructor
Favorite childhood book: It's too hard to decide I love all books!
How you spent your summers as a child: Either outdoors playing with my sisters and
brothers or horse riding.
What your life theme song would be: I Believe by Yolanda Adams
Maddie Warren
13
Hometown: Northampton, England
School: Queen’s University Belfast
Major: History and English
Qualifications I have for the job: Grades primary-intermediate in Ballet and
Modern, plus GCSE in contemporary dance.
Experience with children: Aged 15 I did work experience at a Nursery and then
started assisting dance at my dance school which I continued to do up until I
moved to University, aged 18. At University I work with children aged 10-17 from
deprived backgrounds and help widen their knowledge about university and I
spent last summer as an au pair in Spain looking after two little boys aged 4 and 5.
Certifications: Bronze and Silver Duke of Edinburgh awards, Grades 2 intermediate ballet and modern (ISTD)
Role at Kamaji: Cabin counselor/Dance and Fitness instructor
Favorite childhood book: The Red Tree, Shaun Tan
How I spent my summers as a child: I spent all my summers at my best friends
house in Cornwall, we’d spend most days on the beach surfing or hiking to lands
end. I loved being outside with my friends!
What your life theme song would be: The Beatles, We Can Work It Out
Cabin Counselors
Esther Oliver
Hometown: Stourbridge near Birmingham
School: Worcester university
Major: Accounting
Qualifications you have for the job: have ridden horses for over 12
years and I've had my horse Bella for 5 years
Role at Kamaji: Cabin Counselor/Riding Instructor
Experience with Kids: I've given many children lessons on their or my
horse and also baby sat for many years for friends and family
Favorite childhood book: The Twits by Roald Dahl
How you spent your summers as a child: being with horses and
playing with my friends
What your life theme song would be: hard question but maybe
"you've got a friend in me"- from toy story (one of my favorite films
haha)
Molly Shapiro
Hometown: Ann Arbor, Michigan
School- Huron High School
Qualifications you have for the job- There is no place I would rather
be
Experience with kids- This will be my third year as a counselor
Any certifications you hold- Lifeguard
Role at Kamaji- Cabin Counselor and Windsurfing instructor
Favorite childhood book- The Lorax by Dr. Seuss
How you spent your summers as a child- At camp!
What your life theme song would be- Upside Down by Paloma
Faith
Tara Mansell-Sawyers
14
Hometown: Auckland, New Zealand
School: Kaipara College
Qualifications you have for the job: Swim Instructor and qualified lifeguard
Experience with kids: Ive been a swim coach for nearly a year, have been a
babysitter for the last 3 years and have 3 younger sisters
Any certifications you hold: I have held a First Aid certification for the last 3
years
Role at Kamaji: Camp Counselor and water ski instructor
Favorite childhood book: Hungry caterpillar or The Little Yellow digger are by
far the best
How you spent your summers as a child: We don't have a lot of summer
camps back home in New Zealand, but I spent most of my summers
wakeboarding and motorcross riding at a lake in the far north island.
What your life theme song would be: Hakuna Matata from the Lion King, it
never gets old
Cabin Counselors
Dina Schulman
Hometown: Bexley, OH
School: University of Wisconsin-Madison
Major: Undecided/Social Work
Qualifications you have for the job: Counselor for 3 years
Role at Kamaji: Cabin Counselor/ Sailing Instructor
Experience with Kids: I’m awesome all around
Favorite childhood book: Frindle- Andrew Clements
How you spent your summers as a child: At Kamaji of course!
What your life theme song would be: Flawless - Beyonce
Alaina May
Hometown: Noblesville IN
School: Franklin College
Major: Political Science Minor(s): English, Women's Studies
Qualifications: I have been apart of more than six theater performances
in the past two years both in crew and cast and I have worked for
summer sports camps since I was a freshmen in High School.
Experience: Track summer camps, Nannying
Role: Cabin Counselor and Drama Instructor
Childhood Books: Magic Tree House Books, Series of Unfortunate Events
How you spent your summers as a child: My friends and I used to run
around my neighborhood all summer long. We didn't care what we were
doing as long as it was outside.
Theme Song: Tie between Bury It by CHVRCHES and Run the World (Girls)
by Beyonce
Gemma Hamilton
Hometown: Jersey, Channel Islands
School: University of Winchester
Major: Drama
Qualifications you have for the job: I have been performing for a long
time and am just about to complete my Drama degree
Experience with kids: I currently work as a youth support worker and
worked as a youth leader last summer on the National Citizen Service,
a 4 week program for 16 year olds in the UK
Role at Kamaji: Cabin Counsellor/ Drama Instructor
Favourite childhood book: Horrid Henry
How you spent your summers as a child: Playing at the beach
What your life theme song would be: Firefly - Nao, Mura Masa
15
Cabin Counselors
Natalie Gray
Hometown: Horsham, Australia.
School: Deakin University.
Major: Bachelor of Nursing.
Qualifications you have for the job: Many years of playing a
range of sports and helping around the clubs.
Experience with kids: Coaching, babysitting, university
placement.
Any certifications you hold: Tap and teachers diploma, First
aid/CPR certified.
Role at Kamaji: Cabin Counselor and Tennis Instructor.
How you spent your summers as a child: Beach holidays with
the family.
Addie Kautz
Hometown: Bloomington, IN
School: Franklin College
Major: Chemistry major with Spanish minor
Experience: I volunteered at Bradford Woods Camp and have babysat for
4 years.
Role at Kamaji: camp counselor and dance instructor.
Childhood Books: Little House on the Prairie
How you spent your summers as a child: biking, taking ballet class, and
swimming in the lake by my house.
Life Theme Song: 22 by Taylor Swift
16
Jess Leland
Hometown: Paoli, Indiana
School: Franklin College
Major: Psychology and Sociology
Qualifications you have for the job: I'm very upbeat and like a child at
heart. I went to camp when I was a kid and loved every bit of it! I like
to have fun and love the outdoors. I am very passionate about
helping others.
Experience with kids: Personal babysitting experiences
Role at Kamaji: Cabin Counselor/Fishing instructor
Favorite childhood book: Where The Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein
How you spent your summers as a child: Riding my bike, camping,
and swimming
What your life theme song would be: Here Comes The Sun by The
Beatles
Cabin Counselors
Hanna Foster
Hometown: Beech Grove, IN
School: 2016 Graduate from Hanover College
Major: Kinesiology and Integrative Physiology, Business Concentration
Qualifications you have for the job: The experience in personal training I have
earned from completing the requirements for my major and my experience
as a cheerleader qualify to be a Fitness/Dance Instructor.
Experience with kids: I have three younger siblings, many cousins, and have
helped my mom in the classroom before.
Any certifications you hold: CPR/First Aid
Role at Kamaji: Cabin Counselor and Fitness/Dance Instructor
Favorite childhood book: If You Give a Mouse a Cookie by Laura Numeroff
How you spent your summers as a child: Splitting the summer between my
sets of grandparents, going camping, swimming, hiking, bike riding, antiquing,
and golfing. Plus eating all of their delicious cooking.
What your life theme song would be: 93 Million Miles by Jason Mraz
Rebeca Varela
Hometown: Monterrey, México.
School: Universidad de Monterrey.
Major: Nutrition.
Qualifications you have for the job: IB diploma on arts, art classes and
creativity.
Experience with kids: Dance teacher for about 4 years and leading
responsibilities in church groups.
Any certifications you hold: 2 First aids courses, Body Image Program
certification as volunteer and Ethics Diploma.
Role at Kamaji: Cabin Counselor/ Arts Instructor.
Favorite childhood book: Kika Superwitch.
How you spent your summers as a child: at camp!
What your life theme song would be: Escapar (Scape)- Enrique
Iglesias.
Jessica Kubert
Hometown: Chicago
School: Emory university
Major: Psychology
Qualifications you have for the job: 2 years as a Kamaji counselor and
6 years as a camper
Experience with kids: camp and babysitting
Any certifications you hold: Lifeguard
Role at Kamaji: Fishing instructor and cabin counselor
Favorite childhood book: The Giving Tree
How you spent your summers as a child: At camp!!
What your life theme song would be: Girl on Fire
17
Cabin Counselors
Victoria Rakowski
Hometown: Hartland Wisconsin
School : university of wisconsin milwaukee
Major: Photography/Creative Writing and Psychology (I have three majors)
Qualifications: 3 years of art classes in college, babysitting and lifeguard at
waterpark.
Experience with children: Babysitting and lifeguarding at a waterpark.
Role at Kamaji: Art instructor and cabin counselor Favorite childhood book:
The book of Virtues How I spent summers as a kid: Hiking in the Kettle
Moraine Forest, Biking, doing crafts with my mom and swimming.
My life theme song: Dream On
Olivia Ramsey
Hometown: Indianapolis, IN
School: Hanover College
Major: Psychology and Spanish
Qualifications for the job: A love for working with kids, patience, a child-like
excitement for camp, proficiency with arts and crafts, good communication
skills, organization skills, honesty, responsibility, empathy
Experience with kids: Babysitting for 3 years, 2 mission trips to Japan where I
would play with and form relationships with kids from the town we were
staying in, Worship Leader at summer camp 2 years in a row
Certifications: First Aid, CPR, Safe Sitter
Role at Kamaji: Art Village Instructor/ Cabin Counselor
Favorite Childhood Book: Where The Wild Things Are-Maurice Sendak
How you spend your summers as a kid: Camp, of course!
What your life theme song would be: I Can Lift a Car- Walk The Moon
Thanks and see you Wednesday!
Nicole Cruz
Hometown: London, England
Role at Kamaji: Cabin Counselor/Photography Instructor
18
LTs
Molly Weinberg
Hometown: Chicago, IL
School: Francis W. Parker
Qualifications you have for the job: I’ve been a camper at
Kamaji for the past six years
Experience with kids: Kamaji and babysitting
Role at Kamaji: LT
Favorite childhood book: Stand Tall Molly Lou Mellon
How you spent your summers as a child: Camp Kamaji and
camps at Second City Chicago doing improv, sketch, and standup comedy.
What your life theme song would be: Modern Love by David
Bowie
Olivia Ronk
Hometown: Edmond, Oklahoma
School: Oklahoma Christian Academy
Qualifications you have for the job: I'm hardworking, I get along well
with others, and I love camp.
Role at Kamaji: Counselor/LT
Experience with Kids: mostly within cheer, I coach cheer clinic for the
elementary school and help with our middle school program.
Favorite childhood book: Pickle Things, it's a must read.
How you spent your summers as a child: I spent all my summers at
camp, even before Kamaji I went to lots of different camps and always
loved it.
What your life theme song would be: I Love Kanye by Kanye West,
cause I'm obviously the Kanye best.
19
LTs
Brianna Sullivan
Hometown: Watertown, MA
School: Watertown High School
Qualifications you have for the job: Love for camp, 7 years as a
camper
Role at Kamaji: LT
Experience with Kids: Worked at Plaster Fun Time, babysitting
Favorite childhood book: From Head to Toe by Eric Carle
How you spent your summers as a child: At Camp Kamaji and in Cape
Cod with my family
What your life theme song would be: Hold My Hand
Bridget Wall
Hometown- Glenview, IL
School- Glenbrook South
Qualifications you have for the job- I love camp and want to share my
love of camp with others!
Experience with Kids- Babysitting and Tutoring
Certifications- survived the Canadian
Role at Kamaji- LT
Favorite Childhood Book- Harry Potter
How you spent your summers as a child- At camp!
What your life theme song is- Fight Song
Caroline Combs
Hometown: Los Angeles, CA
School: Marlborough School
Qualifications you have for the job: I've spent six summers at Kamaji
Experience with kids: Six summers of hanging out with kids of all ages
at camp
Any certifications you hold: I'm Red Cross certified as a lifeguard, and
also certified in first aid, CPR, AED, and emergency medical response
Role at Kamaji: LT (cabin counselor and activities instructor)
Favorite childhood book: The Mysterious Benedict Society
How you spent your summers as a child: at Kamaji
What your life theme song would be: "Run the World (Girls)" by
Beyoncé
20
LTs
Josie Clark
Hometown: Boulder, Colorado
School: Boulder High School
Qualifications you have for the job: Camper for 5 years, love love love
camp
Experience with kids: Spend a lot of time with my younger cousins
and sibling
Role at Kamaji: LT (Cabin Counselor)
Favorite childhood book: Draw Me A Star by Eric Carl
How you spent your summers as a child: At various summer camps,
swimming pools and in the mountains
What your life theme song would be: Unstoppable by Sia
Leilani Fitzpatrick
Hometown: Chevy Chase, Maryland
School: Maret School (in DC)
Qualifications you have for the job: worked as a teacher's assistant at a
school (Teaching art)
Experience with kids: spent a month with my stepsister's kids, worked
as a teacher's assistant at an school (Teaching art), worked with kids
for about half a year teaching them to read in English
Any certifications you hold: CPR Certified
Role at Kamaji: LT
Favorite childhood book: Amelia Bedilia series
How you spent your summers as a child: at camps (Kamaji and one in
Virginia and Ohio), in England hiking with my dad, and in Santa Fe with
my dad
What your life theme song would be: Nothin' Like You by Dan + Shay
Maddie Thall
Hometown: Deerfield, IL
School: Deerfield High School
Qualifications you have for the job: I have been a camper for 5 years
and am in love with camp. There is no way that I'd spend my summer
doing anything else.
Experience with kids: I was a CIT at Banner Day Camp, I babysit very
frequently, I have helped in Sunday School classes
Role at Kamaji: LT Favorite childhood book: The Rainbow Fish (early
childhood), Harry Potter (more recent childhood)
How you spent your summers as a child: At camp, of course!
What your life theme song would be: Sing, by the Pentatonix
21
LTs
Mikayla Patton
Hometown: Chicago, IL
School: Providence St. Mel
Qualifications you have for the job: I have worked in the past before
with young children at a day care that I volunteer at.
Experience with Kids: I have experience in taking care of children
since I volunteer at a daycare.
Role at Kamaji: LT
Favorite childhood book: It is a cross between Matilda and Good
Night Moon.
How you spent your summers as a child: Ever since the summer of
2010 I have been a camper at Kamaji.
What your life theme song would be: I am not sure what my life
theme song is yet.
Yas Salon
Hometown: Columbus, OH
School: Columbus Academy
Qualifications you have for the job: 6 years as a Kamaji camper
Role at Kamaji: LT
Favorite childhood book: the Lightning Thief
How you spent your summers as a child: at camp!
What your life theme song would be: Happy by Marina and the
Diamonds
22
Support Staff
Hannah Rodgers
Hometown: Saint Louis, Missouri
School: Oberlin College
Major: Neuroscience and Biology
Qualifications you have for the job: Rock Climbing Clinic Instructor,
Intern at Wild Echo Bison Reserve and Possumwood Acres Wildlife
Sanctuary, experience camping, hiking, canoeing, climbing,
backpacking
Experience with kids: Tutor in reading, rock climbing youth clinic
instructor, St. Louis language immersion school camp counselor
Role at Kamaji: Trip Leader
Favorite childhood book: The Fantastic Mr. Fox
How you spent your summers as a child: at Kamaji!
What your life theme song would be: "Here I Am" by Bryan Adams
Laura Machain
Hometown: Puebla, Mexico
School: Benemerita Universidad Autonoma de Puebla
Major: Physiotherapy
Qualifications you have for the job: I´ve been work in camp once before,
I´m enthusiastic, committed and I love working with children Experience
with kids: i´ve been doing my professional practices in a nursery and
kindrgarten, also I was a swimming instructor with children from 6 to 15
years old.
Any certifications you hold: CPR from AHA
Role at Kamaji: housekeeping
Favorite childhood book: the little prince
How you spent your summers as a child: my family and I went camping in
forest, I participated in swimming courses and competitions
What your life theme song would be: whatever oasis
Randy Nyberg
Hometown: Bemidji, MN
School: Community College of Air Force
Major: Office Admin
Qualifications you have for the job: Done it for a long time!
Role at Kamaji: Maintenance
Favorite childhood book: The Giving Tree
How you spent your summers as a child: Working on our farm
What your life theme song would be: Life in the Fast Lane
23
Support Staff
Daniela Alejandra Thomas Tavernier
Hometown: Mexico
School: University of Science and Arts of Chiapas. UNICACH
Major: seventh semester degree of gastronomy
Qualifications you have for the job: I took 3 years studying gastronomy and
have made several traineeships in different restaurants, plus two previous
one in a bakery and another in a restaurant.
Role at Kamaji: Assistant Cook
Experience with Kids: I have 3 younger brothers and cousins under 10 on
several occasions I care and I take care of them. so I know how to treat
children
Favorite childhood book: The three little pigs
How you spent your summers as a child: playing at my grandmother's ranch
with all my cousins.
What your life theme song would be: life is wonderful it is to be with the
family loved ones. have fun and always seek happiness.
Tiffany Yudelis Matos Ortiz
Hometown: Dominican Republic
School: universidad autónoma de santo domingo (UASD)
Major: English immersion program, accounting assistant and
informatics
Qualifications you have for the Job: develop and offer all my qualities
and capabilities to develop the assigned activities resulting In the
satisfaction of my superiors. acquire though daily effort a valuable
experience which I will develop both professionally and personally.
Role at Kamaji: Assistant Cook
Favorite childhood Book: three little pigs (anonymous)
How you spent your summer as a child: sometimes sharing with my
family at the beach or in a camp
What your life song would be: vivir mi vida (Marc Antony)
Patrick Swan
Hometown: St. Helier in Jersey
School: University of Edinburgh
Major: English Literature
Qualifications you have for the job: Worked with kids and have
been on Wilderness Trips
Role at Kamaji: Trip Leader
Experience with Kids: Worked as a Teacher's assistant at primary
school
Favorite childhood book: Series of Unfortunate Events
How you spent your summers as a child: Visiting France
What your life theme song would be: 500 Miles by the Proclaimers
24
Support Staff
Stephen Atkins
Hometown: Margate, UK
School: Canterbury Christchurch University
Major: Sports Science
Qualifications you have for the job: Sports coaching, been involved in
cubs, summers spent camping
Experience with kids: Coaching in schools, I have a large family with
lots of children
Any certifications you hold: Sports leader award
Role at Kamaji: Wilderness Trip Leader
Favorite childhood book: Danny the Champion of The World
How you spent your summers as a child; Holidays, spending time at
the beach, camping, playing sports with friends and family
What your life theme song would be: Oasis - The Masterplan 7
Hannah Cope
Hometown: Hull
School: Wolfreton/Hull University
Major: Child Studies
Experience: Placements in three different schools, working in
an after school club
Role: Wilderness trip leader
Favorite childhood book: Best friends
How spent summers as a child: Family holidays, trips with
friends
Life theme song: The Kooks - Naive
25
Rei Clark
Hometown: Welwyn Garden City
School: Plymouth University
Major: Geography
Qualifications you have for the job: I have experience in kayaking and hiking in
particular as I took part in all three stages of the Duke of Edinburgh award and my
additional experience through my time as a Scout.
Experience with kids: I have baby sat my family friend’s young children, age
ranging from 5-7 years old. I was also an assistant Cub Scout leader at my local
cub, where I assisted in the teaching children age 8-10 about the outdoors and
activities, such as climbing, hiking, tent building ect.
Role at Kamaji: Wilderness Trip Leader
Favorite childhood book: The Butterfly Lion by Michael Morpurgo
How you spent your summers as a child: My summer as a child varied. Usually
without fail my parents would take use abroad for a week; somewhere in Europe.
I would also spend a week at my grandparents and then another week at my
other grandparents.
What your life theme song would be: Bryan Adams summer of 69
Support Staff
Louise Tennant
Hometown: Hometown: Birmingham, UK
School: University of Portsmouth
Major: Biomedical Science
Qualifications: I've responded on previous email
Experience with kids: I am currently a volunteer for the Portsmouth School Reading Program where
I help children improve their reading skills (typically 6-7 year olds) on a weekly basis. I also currently
work as a customer care assistant (and have done for almost 5 years) at McDonalds, where one of
my key roles is to interact with children of all ages, from all walks of life. I've also had previous
experience as a Camp Leader in my final year at secondary school where I helped teachers look
after groups of 8 younger children and helped with tasks such as the wake-up call and night patrol.
Role at Kamaji: Wilderness Trip Leader
Favorite childhood book: The Long Nosed Pig
How I spent my summers: Most of my summers were spent camping with family where we used to
body-board and be at the beach during the day and have a barbecue by the tent in the evening. I
also used to go swimming quite often with my Dad and younger sister or spend a lot of my time at
my best friend’s house playing dress-up with her mum clothes and make-up.
Life theme song: Follow Your Arrow - Kacey Musgraves
Rachel Goodwin
Hometown: Auckland
School - Kristin School, AUT, Massey University
Major - AUT - Coaching and Nutrition. Massey - Management and
International Business
Qualifications you have for the job - Coaching Certificate, Diploma
sport and Rec
Experience with kids - Years of experience coaching
Any certifications you hold - Diploma Sport and Recreation, Bachelor
Business Studies
Role at Kamaji - Trip Leader
Favorite childhood book - Harry Potter Vol 1.
How you spent your summers as a child - Anything that involved the
water, camping, playing sports, sports camps
What your life theme song would be - STAND - Rascal Flatts
Consuelo Martinez Rojas
26
Hometown: San Luis Potosí, México
School: Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí
Major: 6th semester
Qualifications you have for the job: I am a responsible person and I like to help people.
I am proactive and I can deal with any task assigned to me. I follow orders and I
teamwork. I really like to cook so I have learned to identify the main ingredients in
common foods. I like the idea of combining flavors and texture that us exquisite dishes.
I know that this activity requires a lot of organization and attention to the instructions
of the people who are in charge. Past experience has given me the lesson that I should
support learning and follow the instructions of those who in charge in the kitchen.
Experience with kids: I have looked after my cousins and nephew, I love playing with
them and teach them good education.
Role at Kamaji: Assistant Cook Position
Favorite childhood book: “El Principito”- Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
How you spent your summers as a child: With my family at family reunions, walks or
catholic retreats.
What your life theme song would be: Ed Sheeran - "Photograph"
Support Staff
Jordan Sheppard
Hometown: Ramstein AFB, Germany
School: University of Northern Colorado
Major: Nursing
Qualifications you have for the job: BSN nursing student, CPR certified for
healthcare providers, abide by HIPPA laws, 3 semesters of nursing clinicals
(including pediatric rotation), love the camp environment, love kids, I am a
big kid myself, organized, and hard working
Any certifications you hold: CPR, certified nursing assistant
Role at Kamaji: nursing assistant
Favorite childhood book: Autobiography of Santa Claus
How you spent your summers as a child: youth center summer campshorseback riding, go-karting, swimming, whitewater rafting, canoeing, and
playing softball
What your life theme song would be: girls just want to have fun by Cyndi
Lauper
Bec Cribbes
Hometown: Melbourne, Australia
School: Monash University
Major: Bachelor of Nursing and Graduate Diploma of Education
(Early Childhood)
Role at Kamaji: Nanny
Qualifications you have for the job: My university degrees
Experience with kids: 6 summers working at Kamaji as a
counselor and UD and also various nanny/sitting jobs.
Favorite childhood book: The Baby-Sitters Club series
How you spent your summers as a child: Beach holidays with
family and friends
What your life theme song would be: One more time- Daft
Punk
Blanca Coyoteatl
Hometown: Mexico
Qualifications you have for the job: Second summer at Kamaji!
Role at Kamaji: Kitchen Asst.
27
Support Staff
Chloe Lusted
Hometown: Bexhill On Sea, East Sussex
School: Attended Bexhill College, completed my A Levels
Qualifications you have for the job: 10 years worth of camping
knowledge and experience
Role at Kamaji: Trip Leader
Experience with Kids: Daily interaction with children of all ages
Favorite childhood book: Anything Jaqueline Wilson! Although to be
honest, I loved a bit of everything! You name it, I read it
How you spent your summers as a child: Outside!! Camping with the
scouts, or spending time with my friends
What your life theme song would be: Bulletproof by La Roux
Gabriela Hernandez Gibert
Hometown: Puebla, Mexico
School: Benemerita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla
Major: Sociology
Qualifications you have for the job: I worked in a restaurant for 2 years
and was a barista for 2 years.
Role at Kamaji: Kitchen Asst.
Experience with Kids: I worked in a school transportation in my city for 2
years and I was responsible for 15 kids, in
2015 I was an au pair in New Jersey, taking care of 3 kids.
Favorite childhood book: Rapunzel
How you spent your summers as a child: When I was a kid there was a big
forest near my house, I used to spend all my summer there,
playing with my cousins and neighbors, running, playing and biking. I
really enjoy to spend my summer surrounded by nature
What your life theme song would be: What a Wonderful World
Pablo Cuautle
28
Hometown: Puebla
School: Universidad Madero
Major: International Trade
Qualifications you have for the job: I think that teamwork and
responsibility is the most important.
Experience with kids: this is my 3rd year at a camp for kids.
Role at Kamaji: Maintenance assistant
Favorite childhood book: The Shack by Paul Young
How you spent your summers as a child: I used to spend my summers
taking study courses and playing soccer.
What your life theme song would be: Between the raindrops by
Lifehouse
Support Staff
Olivia Ely
Hometown: Roanoke, IN
School: Saint Mary's College, Notre Dame, IN
Major: Nursing
Qualifications: Finished my third year as a nursing major.
Experience with kids: Volunteering on the Pediatric unit of a hospital,
babysitting, and growing up with lots of cousins!
Certification: Basic Life Support for the Health Care Provider (CPR/AED),
Certified Nursing Assistant
Role: Nursing Assistant
Favorite Childhood Book: So Many! To name a few: The Magic Tree House
series, Don't be Picky, Clover!, Lady, and the Harry Potter series
How you spent your summers as a child: Exploring in the woods, bike riding,
reading, and family vacations
Life theme song: On My Way -Phil Collins
Joel Garcia
Hometown: Manchester, Connecticut
School - Manchester Community College
Major - Food Service Management and Culinary Arts
Qualifications you have for the job - 10 years of food service industry
experience
Experience with kids - Food Service outreach programs in local middle and
high schools
Any certifications you hold - ServSafe Certified - responsible safe handling
and storage of food
Role at Kamaji - Head Cook
Favorite Childhood Book - Where the Sidewalk Ends: The Poems and
Drawings of Shel Silverstein
How you spent your summers as a child - A lot of my summers were spent at
our house in Puerto Rico, farming and cooking with my extended family.
What your life theme song would be - Fearless - Pink Floyd
Kristin Stephens
29
Hometown: Franklin Indiana
School: Franklin College
Majors: English, Creative Writing
Qualifications: I've worked part-time as an Administrative Assistant for many
years now as well as serving as Editor-in-Chief for Apogee. It has given me
experience in organizing large events, managing small detailed tasks, and dealing
with high stress situations.
Experience with kids: I've worked at the Boys and Girls club in Franklin for two
summers.
Role at Kamaji: Administrative Office Assistant
Favorite Childhood Book: Eragon by Christopher Paolini
How I spent my summers: I spent most of my summers playing barefoot on my
grandparent's farm. I swam in their lake, climbed trees, and explored their
woods.
My life theme song (this is probably the hardest question anyone could ask me):
"Carry On" by Fun
Support Staff
María del Pilar Vélez Jiménez
Hometown: Puebla, México
School: Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla (BUAP)
Major: Communication
Qualifications you have for the job: I like work in team, I'm
responsible and enthusiastic, I really enjoyed the time in Kamaji
lastima year.
Experience with kids: I was working with a theater group and we had
a show for kids in hospitals and orphanages.
Role at Kamaji: Kitchen staff
Favorite childhood book: Little Red Riding Hood
How you spent your summers as a child: Used to play with my sister
in the Park all the time.
What your life theme song would be: September
Susan Reed
Hometown: Chico, CA
School: CSU, Chico
Major: Nursing
Qualifications: Three semesters of nursing school
Experience with kids: I have tutored all ages of kids, many of my
friends have kids, I have been an aunt since I was six years old
Certifications: BLS
Role at Kamaji: Nursing Assistant
Favorite book: The Little Prince
Summers as a child: Camping with my family, tennis camp, swimming
holes
Life theme song: American girl, Tom Petty
Sara “Ets” EtsHokin
Hometown: Highland Park, IL
School: University of Illinois Urbana Champaign and University of
Illinois Chicago Masters in Early Childhood Education and Special
Education
Qualifications you have for the job: 3 years teaching, 10+ years as a
camp counselor CPR/First Aid/AED certified
Role at Kamaji: Jill of All Trades & Evening Nanny
Favorite childhood book: Hum the Hampster
How you spent your summers as a child: At Kamaji
What your life theme song would be: Diamonds
30
Support Staff
Laura Dillard
Hometown: London, OH
School: University of Akron
Major: bachelor's degree in communications
Qualifications you have for the job: cooked for students at Chardon
Honeybee Daycare. I worked at insomnia cookies.
Role at Kamaji: assistant cook
Favorite childhood book: anything about Arthur
How you spent your summers as a child: I was playing summer sports
and going to cheerleading camps
What your life theme song would be: Man in the mirror By Michael
Jackson
Karen Hernandez
Hometown: Mexico
School: Universidad Autonoma de Tlaxcala
Major: Eighth semester
Role at Kamaji: Housekeeping.
Favorite childhood book: The Little Mermaid.
How you spent your summers as a child: I visited my grandparents.
What your life theme song would be: Goodbye - Feder.
Mary Mobley
31
Hometown: St. Louis Park
School: The Art Institute
Major: Culinary Managment
Qualifications you have for the job: Experience, and the joy of
learning
Experience with kids: I have a little sister
Any certifications you hold: Serve Safe
Role at Kamaji: Assistant Cook
Favorite childhood book: “A Child Called It”
How you spent your summers as a child: I went to camp one year and
other years I would just play outside with friends
What your life theme song would be: ‘There’s a party in the USA”, By
Miley Cyrus
Support Staff
Sandra Rodriguez
Role at Kamaji: Kitchen Assistant
32
Administrative Staff
Nicola Bloodworth
Hometown: Hamilton, NZ
School: Waikato University
Major: Bachelor of Sport and Leisure Studies
Qulaifications/Experience with kids: Working at Kamaji for the past 7
years and hanging out with my two little nephews
Any certifications you hold: Wilderness First Aid, Lifeguard and CPR
Role at Kamaji: Program Director
Favorite childhood book: Hairy Mcleary from Donaldson's Dairy
How you spent your summers as a child: camping with my family at
the beach
What your life theme song would be: Miley Cyrus - party in the USA
Katie Ciaglo
Hometown: Louisville, Colorado
School: Carleton College
Major: English
Qualifications you have for the job: Three summers working at Kamaji
as a sailing instructor and cabin counselor and a childhood spent
growing up at camp!
Experience with kids: I've worked with Kamaji campers as a counselor
for three previous summers
Any certifications you hold: Lifeguard, CPR, First Aid
Role at Kamaji: Sailing Director
Favorite childhood book: Tommy at the Grocery Store
How you spent your summers as a child: At Kamaji!
What your life theme song would be: I'm Ready by AJR
33
Meagan Mesirow
Hometown: Deerfield, IL
School: Just graduated with a B.S.Ed. from the University of Miami, will be
starting Master of Social Work at Loyola University Chicago in the fall!
Major: Human and Social Development
Qualifications you have for the job: I have lots of Camp Kamaji specific skills
with campers, counselors, activities, evening programs etc. from 6 years on
staff and growing up as a camper here. At school I studied theories and
strategies that promote well-being for people and communities as well as
plenty of education classes.
Experience with kids: 10 summers at camp and 3 little brothers!
Any certifications you hold: Lifeguard, CPR, and First Aid
Role at Kamaji: Younger Side Unit Director
Favorite childhood book: Harry Potter (Prisoner of Azkaban is my favorite
one)
How you spent your summers as a child: The best camp in the land!
What your life theme song would be: Do You Believe In Magic?- The Lovin’
Spoonful
Administrative Staff
Hazel Roberts
Home town: Tipperary, Ireland
School: Waterford Institute of Technology
Major: Exercise and Health Studies
Qualifications you have for the job: Years of experience!
Experience with kids: Working with school completion programs, working
with volunteer organizations, babysitting duties! And Camp last summer!
Any certifications you hold: Fitness instructor, Leprechaun rugby trainer, First
aid and CPR with American Red Cross, pony club stages up to c+
Role at Kamaji: Riding Director
Favorite childhood book: The wind in the willows
How you spent your summers as a child: Riding horses and spending time on
my grandparents farm
What your life theme song would be: Wild Horses, Natasha Bedingfield or I
wish I was a punk rocker by Sandi Thom
Bri Humphries
Hometown: Franklin, IN
School: Franklin College
Major: Political Science
Qualifications you have for the job: This will be my third summer in
the Kamaji office, so I feel pretty confident in my mail sorting abilities.
I have worked in a variety of office settings in the past 5 years.
Role at Kamaji: Office Manager
Favorite childhood book: Where the Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein
How you spent your summers as a child: Playing basketball or outside
with my younger brother
What your life theme song would be: “Almost There “ from the
Princess and the Frog
Meredith Goodale
34
Hometown: Glencoe, IL
School: 2014 Grad from Augustana College. Currently the Assistant Women's Lacrosse
Coach at Williams College
Major: Biology
Qualifications you have for the job: This is my 3rd summer as LT director. I have used
my experiences as a camper, LT, counselor, and admin as well as a lacrosse coach to
help build a program that helps former campers transition to being a counselor at
camp and then taking those skills and applying them to life at home.
Experience with kids: I grew up at camp, now having experienced almost every side of
camp. Caleb also seems to be into me which must mean I'm great with kids. During the
year, I coach lacrosse, working primarily with college students but also run camps for
middle school and high school kids.
Any certifications you hold: CPR and First Aid certified, Lifeguard certified, Blood Borne
Pathogen trained
Role at Kamaji: LT Director and Myles' best friend
Favorite childhood book: Love You Forever by Robert Munsch
How you spent your summers as a child: Camp Kami, duh!
What your life theme song would be: Wild Things by Alessia Cara
Administrative Staff
Morissa (Mo) Miller
Hometown: Omaha, NE
School: Mizzou
Major: Health Sciences/ Nursing
Qualifications you have for the job: Lots of experience
Experience with kids: I have worked at camp since 2011
Any certifications you hold: Lifeguard/CPR certification
Role at Kamaji: Unit leader
Favorite childhood book: Goodnight moon
How you spent your summers as a child: Camp DUH!
What your life theme song would be: Homegrown by Zac
Brown Band
Shannon Kettenring
Hometown: Georgetown, Kentucky
School: Transylvania University
Major: History & Art History
Qualifications you have for the job: Once upon a time I was a Cabin
Counselor and Arts Village Instructor. I have spent a chunk of time
crafting and painting in classrooms, after school programs and in my own
home with interested little artists
Experience with kids: For the last almost 9 years I have had the privilege
of taking care of my very own gang of children. I am a mother to 3 crazy
kids.
Role at Kamaji: Arts Village Director
Favorite childhood book: Ramona the Pest by Beverly Cleary
How you spent your summers as a child: Hanging close to home
What your life theme song would be. Beauty in the World by Macy Gray
35
Camp Doctors
Jenny “Mendel” Mendelson
Hometown: Phoenix, AZ
School: Bowdoin College, Univ of Arizona College of Medicine
Major: history
Qualifications you have for the job: counselor, tripper, pediatric ER
doctor and ICU doctor
Experience with kids: (above)
Role at Kamaji: doctor
Favorite childhood book: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkeban
How you spent your summers as a child: At Camp!
What your life theme song would be: "the doc is in" Doc mcstuffins
Risa Siegel
Hometown: Des Moines Iowa
Qualifications you have for the job: medical license and love for camp
Experience with kids: Camp counselor, Camp Doctor, Mom
Any certifications you hold: Medical license
Role at Kamaji: Camp Doctor
Favorite childhood book: Dear Zoo
How you spent your summers as a child: at camp and playing tennis
What your life theme song would be: Cheerleader Omi
Shelley Overholt
36
Hometown: My hometown was McPherson KS when I was a camper '79-82
(Mundahmin) and also when I was a camp physician from '01-'04 but now my
hometown is Brainerd MN with my husband Dale Ray, son Bridger (7),
daughter Oakley (5), and our older son Bryer is a K-State junior.
From '06-'14 I was a camp physician at Chippewa (where Bryer attended) and
this is my second summer back at home at Kamaji as one of the camp docs.
School: Rice University (Houston), University of Texas Health Science Center
at Houston, Family Medicine residency training Ft Smith AR, board certified
Family Medicine
Favorite childhood book: Little House series; Wrinkle in Time
How you spent your summers as a child: 4 week sessions at Kamaji were way
more fun than helping on the farm; swimming and bike riding in younger
years; babysitting and retail jobs in older years
Camp Doctors
Kelly Curran
Hometown: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Qualifications you have for the job: Medical License and previous
experience as a Kamaji Camp Doctor
Role at Kamaji: Camp Doctor
Siatta Dunbar
Hometown: Minneapolis, Minnesota
Qualifications you have for the job: Medical License
Role at Kamaji: Camp Doctor
Mia Levy
Hometown: Highland Park, IL
School: Alumni at University of Pennsylvania, Rush University,
Stanford University
Major: Bioengineering, Medicine, Biomedical Informatics
Qualifications you have for the job: Physician
Experience with kids: Have two of my own
Any certifications you hold: Medical License
Role at Kamaji: Camp Doctor
Favorite childhood book: The Very Hungry Caterpillar
How you spent your summers as a child: Camp Ramah in Wisconsin
What your life theme song would be: The Beauty of Grey by Live
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Camp Doctors
Judy Meisner
Hometown: Rochester, Minnesota.
School: I went to Reed College, Mayo Medical School, and did my residency at
Mayo, too.
Qualifications you have for the job: My medical training obviously is what qualifies
me for the job, but probably just as important is the fact that I've helped get Club
Med started for the season for about 15 years.
Role at Kamaji: Camp Doctor
Experience with kids: raised two wonderful, talented and amazing young people,
who make me feel proud and delighted every day! One just graduated from
college, one's in school at McGill now.
Favorite childhood book: Wizard of Oz, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Zoom
How you spent your summers as a child: five summers at Camp Kamaji, lots of
summers building my immunity swimming and sailing on the Mississippi
What your life theme song would be: how 'bout the gramma song from Pippin,
"Oh, it's time to start livin, ....time to take time, for spring will turn to fall, in just
no time at all."
Steve Sclamberg
Hometown: Highland Park, Il
School: I graduated from Northwestern University and University of
Southern California. I am an orthopaedic surgeon in chicagoland. I
am specialized in shoulder and knee
Role at Kamaji: This is my third summer as camp doc at Kamaji.
Favorite childhood book: "Will and Charlie Mayo"
What your life theme song would be: Dreams by the Bodeans
Lisa Suffian
Hometown: St. Louis, MO
Qualifications you have for the job: Medical License
Role at Kamaji: Camp Doctor
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Directors/Owners
Kat Martin Nelson
Hometown: Chicago, IL
School: Graduated from University of Wisconsin-Madison (Go
Badgers!)
Major: English
Qualifications you have for the job: 17 summers at Kamaji; 10 years
as Associate Director; many, many American Camp Association
conferences, online courses about working with campers/people; and
a lot of love for “my girls”.
Role at Kamaji: Owner/Director
Favorite childhood book: “The Giving Tree”… but right now I love
reading “The Little Blue Truck” to Caleb.
How you spent your summers as a child: At Kamaji!
What your life theme song would be: “Hold On” by Wilson Phillips
Jason Nelson
Hometown: Montague, MI
School: Western Michigan University
Major: Finance
Qualifications you have for the job: 10 years of property management
experience along with growing up around Lake Michigan sailing and
waterskiing!
Role at Kamaji: Camp Director
Favorite childhood book: The Hardy Boys series
How you spent your summers as a child: Exploring the outdoors of
Michigan and enjoying all the watersports my family participated in.
What your life theme song would be: I’m Country
Caleb Nelson
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Hometown: Chicago, IL
School: School of Life
Major: Running
Qualifications you have for the job: Unending energy, irresistible
charm, troublesome curiosity and practice being Myles’ little brother
Role at Kamaji: Camp’s Little Brother
Favorite childhood book: “Is Your Mama a Llama”
How you spent your summers as a child: Kamaji baby through and
through!
What your life theme song would be: “I Just Can’t Wait to be King”
from the Lion King