2020 Summer Staff
The 2020 Summer Staff is a highly competent, talented team of women from across the globe! Meet the incredible women at the heart of Camp Carysbrook just waiting to meet this summer’s campers!
Swimming
Samantha Schlesser
Head of Waterfront & WIT Coordinator
Originally from Roanoke, Virginia and a rising senior at Longwood University pursuing a degree in Mathematics, Samantha brings 14 years of Carysbrook experience to her roles, including positions as Assistant Head of the Dock, Head of Synchro, Assistant Head Counselor, and Office Manager, as well as a longtime camper, CIT, and WIT herself. With professional lifeguarding experience at camp and beyond, Samantha is committed to establishing a strong foundation of risk management so that our campers can focus on the fun at Lake Katherine. Aware, patient, and determined, she is energized by helping campers and staff identify their strengths so that they can fulfill their own unique potential. An open-minded creative problem-solver, our own Sammy Samantha brings her contagious positive attitude, sense of fun, and excellent communication skills to our camp community. She is sure to continue growing her impact at the dock and on cabin row, and we can’t wait to see her mentor our WITs to learn, grow, and experience firsthand the many rewards of facilitating #outcomes as first-time staff members this #summer2remember!
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“I‘m so happy to be returning to camp this summer! Camp has been such a big part of my life for many years, and I’m so thankful for all the friendships and memories it‘s given me. Last summer, I grew so much personally and professionally, and I hope to gain more experience in leadership this summer as well as pass it on to others. I’m looking forward to building confidence in campers during swim lessons as well as maintaining a safe environment during free swim. I’m also super excited to be working with the WITs, and to help them have a fun and rewarding first summer as counselors!”
Grace McDonnell
Assistant Head of Waterfront
Originally from Dublin, Ireland and currently in her final year of studying media at Maynooth University, Grace is a driven, goal-oriented people-person who is always up for a challenge and thrives in a team environment. An avid lifelong swimmer who is capable and confident in various bodies of water, she has 4 years of experience competing as part of a swim club, as well as lifeguard training. Patient, responsible, and organized, Grace loves working with kids and channeling her creativity into planning fun activities, skills that she has consistently developed with years of babysitting, as well as working in two special needs schools with kids from age 4 to 18. An outdoor enthusiast who is passionate about staying active, she is eager to facilitate outcomes such as determination and goal-setting, sportsmanship, and confidence in her role at the Dock. We are so excited to see her contagious enthusiasm and infectious positivity shine this #summer2remember at Lake Katherine, on cabin row and beyond! Welcome to the #PurpleTeam, Grace!
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"The main reason I want to serve as a staff member at Camp Carysbrook is because I want to be a part of this amazing camp that I have learned so much about. I am so excited to be a part of this camp family and help teach the kids as much as I can in my job as Assistant Head of the Dock and as a Camp Counsellor! I’m most excited to see each of the campers develop their skills and watch them build lifelong friendships which I feel will be very special to see while working at Camp Carysbrook. I absolutely love working in team so therefore the skills I am most looking forward to bringing to the team are my skills to motivate my teammates while also bringing a sense of creativity/new ideas to the group. I am most excited to learn more about camp life, about each of the campers/staff and about my role as Assistant Head of the Dock. I am so excited to get to camp and expand my knowledge on everything!"
Carysbrook Adventure Program
Jitske Lenehan
Head of CAP, Assistant Head Counselor, & In-Camp Trip Coordinator
Originially from Preston, England, Jitske is passionate about service and learning about other cultures, and is currently planning her next remote travel adventure to build on her 2019 experience in rural Nepal, where she worked with girls on sanitation and hygiene education. Returning for her second summer as Head of CAP, Jitske brings extensive risk management and technical expertise to her role, including certification by the British Climbing Association, as well as emergency training. With the climbing and caving coaching experience she established at Carysbrook last summer, Jitske has already been brainstorming new ways to make CAP even more fun, challenging, and rewarding. Driven, empathetic, and aware, Jitske is a fun-loving problem solver, and she is dedicated to empowering her fellow cabin counselors to support our middle-school campers in learning and growing while having the time of their lives at camp. We can’t wait to see Jitske share her sense of adventure and grow her impact throughout our community this #summer2remember! #hail
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“After coming home from my first summer at camp, I couldn‘t help but constantly talk about how amazing all of the people and experiences were, and I realised I had to return for another summer. I’m so excited to bring new daring challenges and ideas to all of the aspects of CAP to create lasting memories. I also can’t wait to spread my love for in-camp trips that I developed last year, and their ability to ignite a love of the natural world. As AHC I hope to build on the excitement and crazy fun on cabin row with all of our intermediate campers and councillors. Within the staff team, I hope that I can share my love of adventure and new challenges to create another amazing summer.”
Nature
Veronika "Ranger Ron" Milne
Head of Nature & Head Counselor
Originally from Ontario, Canada, Ron is currently studying law at the University of Windsor. Ron brings three years of experience at Carysbrook to her role, including Head of Arts & Crafts, Head of the Rifle Range, and Assistant Head Counselor for senior cabin row. Compassionate, patient, and always eager to share new ideas and problem-solve challenges, Ron is passionate about creating a physically and emotionally safe environment so that all campers and staff can discover their unique strengths at Carysbrook, in keeping with our mission and philosophy. With a deep appreciation for the environment and our natural surroundings, Ron is already chock full of fun ideas for taking our Nature program to the next level in 2020. With her excellent collaboration and communication skills, Ranger Ron is sure to make an enormous impact at camp this summer, and we can’t wait to see her thrive on cabin row, at the Hut, and beyond this #summer2remember! #hail
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“Every summer I’ve spent at camp I have left with so much more than I arrived with — new experiences, lifelong friends, and having learned so much — and I cannot wait to have the opportunity to do so again. I cannot wait to be a resource for everyone at camp to be able to achieve their own outcomes, and I am most excited to watch that happen. I want to see bravery, boldness, introspection, inquisitiveness, and inspiration raining down all over camp. And I can’t wait to get the Nature activity goers in some real rain as well — the earth is so neat! Camp is the place that taught me that vulnerability is never a sign of weakness, but one of incredible strength. Although I am still learning my way through this, being able to bring my heart into all the challenges I normally would solve with my head has really changed the game for me. Being comfortable trying something new, making mistakes, and asking for help is what I am most excited to bring with me this summer. Being able to work in an environment that is absolutely overflowing with female empowerment, strength, and wisdom is perhaps one of my favorite parts of being a staff member at Carysbrook and I am over the moon excited every summer I return to be able to learn as much as I can from everyone that makes up our unstoppable team. It’s hard to pick any one thing, I plan to learn much more than that.”
Arts & Crafts
Mackenzie Mantler
Head of Arts & Crafts
Originally from Calgary, Canadaand a 2018 graduate of Dalhousie University in Nova Scotia, with majors in History and Art History and a minor in Theatre, Mackenzie is almost finished with her post-graduate diploma in Museum Management and Curatorship. Enthusiastic and compassionate, with a fun-loving and creative spirit, Mackenzie has a background in educational and interpretive programming coursework, where she had the opportunity to develop and implement craft activities for children of various ages. As passionate about art as she is about creating a safe environment for girls to develop their unique potential, Mackenzie is a warm and energetic team player who brings excellent communication and organization skills to her role on staff. With experience in the great outdoors, including canoeing, kayaking, backpacking, and outdoor cooking, Mackenzie is sure to thrive in our rustic camp community. We can’t wait to see her create lasting connections with campers and staff as she helps them channel their creativity and self-expression at Arts & Crafts, on cabin row, and beyond this #summer2remember! Welcome to the Purple Team, Mackenzie! #hail!
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“I’m very excited to be a part of the Camp Carysbrook team this year and join a community that encourages young women to take risks, learn a new skill, make new friends and have fun! I’m particularly excited to help campers explore and express their creativity at arts & crafts this year. I hope to create a fun environment that encourages campers to experiment, learn and make a friendship bracelet or two. I believe my enthusiasm, positivity and creativity will be a good fit for the Carysbrook team since it is comprised of such strong, intelligent and talented women! This summer I’m looking forward to getting to know everyone at camp and further strengthening my leadership and programming skills.”
Recreational Sports
Bronwyn Hughes
Head of Rec Sports, Wellness Coordinator & Assistant Head Counselor
Bron is originally from New Zealand and currently pursuing a postgraduate degree in psychology at Massey University while working and adventuring in Banff, Canada. Bron brings two years of experience at camp as the Head of Riding, senior cabin counselor, and WIT Counselor to her role. Empathetic, aware, optimistic, and the first to step up and lend a helping hand, Bron has consistently demonstrated her ability to and passion for pursuing holistic health, balancing fitness and nutrition with other essential wellness ingredients like time management, goal-setting, introspection, and problem-solving to live her best life at camp and outside its gates, and we are so excited to see her bring more intention to the wellness practices of our broader camp community. With both a creative and a competitive streak, as well as firsthand experience in team sport, she is also sure to bring our 2020 Rec. Sports program to the next level. We are so excited to see her learn and grow even more as a mentor to maximize her impact as a trusted resource and role model throughout camp this #summer2remember! #hail
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“For me working at Carysbrook is extremely rewarding and I’m grateful to be able to work alongside such inspiring, kind, and supportive women in such a grounding environment. I am absolutely thrilled to take on my new role as Camp Wellness Coordinator! Holistic health is something I value highly and I’m so grateful for the opportunity to utilise this knowledge and passion at camp to make a positive and lasting difference for the wellness of both campers and staff! I also can’t wait to continue to build on camper outcomes with our lovely senior campers as AHC! I am also so very excited about taking on Rec Sports this summer and to bring a fresh perspective to the activity! I’m looking forward to bringing a helping hand, an open mind and an optimistic outlook to this year’s staff and I can’t wait to further develop my leadership skills in these new roles!”
Horseback Riding
Emma Pottage
Head of the Barn
Originally from Teignmouth, England, Emma recently graduated from the University of the West of England in Bristol with a degree in Drawing & Printmaking. This will be Emma’s first summer on staff at Camp Carysbrook. Emma is an acclaimed artist who plans to pursue a career in primary education. A horseback rider for nearly two decades, Emma loves all things equine, and she has experience in cross country competitions, show jumping events, assisting young riders in Pony Club, as well as holistic horse care. She also brings a wealth of childcare experience to the summer, including assisting in a primary school and engaging with kids as part of an art workshop that she helped organize. Patient, empathetic, and encouraging, Emma is a strong team player and mentor with excellent collaboration and communication skills, and she is passionate about our mission of empowering girls through community, outdoor adventure, and healthy risk-taking. Eager to engage with new people from different backgrounds and cultures, and energized by challenging herself to learn and grow, she will surely make a huge impact at the barn, on cabin row, and beyond this #summer2remember! Welcome to the #PurpleTeam, Emma!
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“I am so excited to serve as a staff member at Camp Carysbrook. I can’t think of a better, more rewarding way to spend my summer than enriching the lives of young girls and sharing my skills with them. I can’t wait to share my passion for horses. It’ll be great to see the girls progress in their riding and stable management skills and have fun and create wonderful memories whilst doing it. I am looking forward to bringing enthusiasm, confidence and creativity to the team this summer and learning all that I can from my colleagues. I’m excited to learn how far I can push myself and how creative I can be when inspiring young people. The skills I learn at camp will also help me to achieve my goal of becoming a primary school teacher.”
MC Woodrum
Riding Instructor
Longtime Carysbrook camper from Richmond, Virginia, MC is currently studying Environmental Science & Conservation Biology at the University of Mary Washington. With over 10 years of experience riding, she is a member of UMW’s Varsity Equestrian team as well as a decorated member of the Moore County Hunt, and she is passionate about sharing her love of horses with kids. Aware, enthusiastic, and compassionate, she understands how to balance safety with healthy risk-taking and fun to foster outcomes such as personal responsibility, confidence, determination, and resilience. A former Carysbrook camper herself, MC knows firsthand the transformative power of camp, and she brings a wealth of professional childcare experience to her role. We can’t wait to see her build connections with campers and staff to make a lasting impact on our community at the barn, on cabin row, and beyond this #summer2remember! Welcome the the #PurpleTeam, MC! #hail
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“I could not be more excited to return to Camp as a staff member. My summers spent at Carysbrook were some of the most memorable of my life and I can’t wait for the opportunity to help campers have as much fun as I did. The only thing that I might have loved as much as camp when I was growing up was horses! In my opinion, riding is one of the best ways to get back in touch with yourself, and that fits right in with the whole camp experience. I am hoping to learn more about connecting with campers and I hope to bring a positive attitude to the table!”
Riflery
Talya Cohen
Head of the Range
Orignially from Givatayim, Israel, Talya recently completed 2 years of service as an Army Recruit Squad Commander and is hoping to pursue a career in youth development. She brings a wealth of experience in lesson planning, leading activities, and working with kids of various ages and backgrounds, including volunteering in an elementary school for at-risk youth and mentoring teenage counselors. Open-minded, empathetic, and growth-oriented with a great sense of humor, Talya has a solid foundation in risk management and awareness, and she has experienced firsthand the #outcomes of patience, persistence, determination, and confidence that result from coaching target shooting. With additional background in arts & crafts, woodworking, theater, and more, she has already started brainstorming fun, new, out-of-the-box ideas to bring to our Riflery program. Passionate about helping girls develop their full potential in a safe, fun, and rewarding environment, Talya is sure to make a widespread positive impact on our camp community this #summer2remember at the range, on cabin row, and beyond! Welcome to the Purple Team, Talya!
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“It seems that this camp is not only a camp that cares about campers having a FUN summer, but a camp that puts great effort into helping each girl discover her strengths, know her abilities, and become more self-confident. I’m excited to get to know each camper, to get to know the amazing staff, to learn about other cultures and realities different from what I’m familiar with. I’m super excited to help each camper have a meaningful experience and an unforgettable summer. I’m most excited to see each camper overcome her fears and doubts about her abilities, and become a more confident and powerful person who believes she can achieve anything she wants in life! The leadership skills I can bring to the staff team are patience, listening, balance, and positivity, but above all that and most importantly, belief in myself and my belief that I can achieve every goal I set for myself. I truly believe each and every person can achieve anything in life by believing in her power and never giving up!”
Destiny Wente
Riflery Coach
Originally from Evington, Virginia, destiny is currently studying Family and Child Development at Liberty University. Destiny is passionate about making a positive impact on kids in the great outdoors. As a former Carysbrook camper, Destiny understands firsthand the power of our mission and philosophy, and she is dedicated, as a friend and mentor, to facilitating countless #outcomes in our campers by sharing her authentic self and inspiring others to do the same. And with her experience as a member of the kitchen support staff in 2019, she knows how to balance a tireless work ethic with turning ordinary moments into memories with campers and staff. Patient and compassionate, driven and growth-oriented, Destiny is serious about creating a physically and emotionally safe environment for campers so that they can have fun and feel a deep sense of belonging to thrive in our camp community. We are so excited to see Destiny forge meaningful connections and make her mark at the Rifle Range, on cabin row, and beyond this #summer2remember! #hail!
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“As a former camper as well as a staff member, I want to return to Camp Carysbrook for another summer of growth and experience. I am so excited to work with campers on an even more personal level than I did last year. I am looking forward to positively impacting the life of the campers by coaching at the rifle range as well as being a a cabin counselor! I am looking forward to bringing compassion as well as organization to the staff team. I believe in treating people with kindness and respect, and that fostering these values with campers and staff will make this summer one that no one can forget! I am so excited to learn more about working on cabin row and at activities, interacting with campers on a daily basis. I am also excited to teach the campers how to be leaders themselves.”
Archery
Olivia Neddermeyer
Head of Archery & Assistant Head Counselor
Originally from Evington, Virginia, destiny is currently studying Family and Child Development at Liberty University. Destiny is passionate about making a positive impact on kids in the great outdoors. As a former Carysbrook camper, Destiny understands firsthand the power of our mission and philosophy, and she is dedicated, as a friend and mentor, to facilitating countless #outcomes in our campers by sharing her authentic self and inspiring others to do the same. And with her experience as a member of the kitchen support staff in 2019, she knows how to balance a tireless work ethic with turning ordinary moments into memories with campers and staff. Patient and compassionate, driven and growth-oriented, Destiny is serious about creating a physically and emotionally safe environment for campers so that they can have fun and feel a deep sense of belonging to thrive in our camp community. We are so excited to see Destiny forge meaningful connections and make her mark at the Rifle Range, on cabin row, and beyond this #summer2remember! #hail!
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“As a former camper as well as a staff member, I want to return to Camp Carysbrook for another summer of growth and experience. I am so excited to work with campers on an even more personal level than I did last year. I am looking forward to positively impacting the life of the campers by coaching at the rifle range as well as being a a cabin counselor! I am looking forward to bringing compassion as well as organization to the staff team. I believe in treating people with kindness and respect, and that fostering these values with campers and staff will make this summer one that no one can forget! I am so excited to learn more about working on cabin row and at activities, interacting with campers on a daily basis. I am also excited to teach the campers how to be leaders themselves.”
Office
Lena Egl
Little River Record, Office Manager & Assistant Head Counselor
Originally from Afton, Virginia, Lena is a rising university freshman. Lena brings 12 years of Carysbrook experience as a camper, Counselor in Training, and Worker in Training to her roles on staff. Having established a solid foundation of attention to detail, drive and initiative, and excellent communication skills as a staff member last summer, Lena is reprising her role in the office and building out her leadership to support our senior camper GoToGirl mentors and upper elementary cabin staff in creating a strong community where all campers feel like they belong. A certified EMT and 2019 riflery instructor, Lena understands firsthand the critical importance of risk management to create an environment that is both physically and emotionally safe, in which our campers can thrive. Proactive, patient, and empathetic, Lena brings her curiosity, creativity, and contagious sense of humor to the LRR, and she already has an array of fun-filled activities for our camp newspaper in the works. With her steadfast dedication to our mission and philosophy, problem-solving and growth-oriented outlook, and knack for turning ordinary moments into fun-filled memories, we can’t wait to see Lena forge lasting connections with campers and staff alike to make it a #summer2remember for all in 2020! #hail
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“I am so excited to come back to Carysbrook this summer to spend time with the new and returning campers and staff as well as continuing my positive impact on the camp community! Every summer I have spent at camp has been amazing but each one is different and I can’t wait to have some new experiences. My main goal is to make the campers feel a sense of belonging at camp just as the staff did for me when I was a camper because to me that is the foundation of Carysbrook. As a staff member I am excited to work with a bunch of different people as a team and get to know everybody!”
Emma Kawasaki
Social Media/Marketing Coordinator and Store Manager
Originally from Northbrook, Illinois, Emma earned her B.S. in Business Administration with majors in Economics & Strategy and Healthcare management from Washington University in St. Louis this spring, and she is a seasoned summer camp-goer already well-versed in camper #outcomes, ready for her first summer at Carysbrook. With experience as a teaching assistant and private tutor for students, Emma finds immense reward in helping kids and young adults develop their unique potential and seek out their own versions of success in life. Curious, empathetic, and driven, with an unwavering dedication to service, Emma’s strong organizational and systems-oriented approach, excellent communication skills, and contagious enthusiasm will surely take our operations at the Carrier Pigeon to the next level. And as an avid photographer, she is the perfect people-person to capture the many moments and memories that make it a #summer2remember. We are so excited to see her forge lifelong connections and make a far-reaching impact on the Carysbrook community! Welcome to the #PurpleTeam, Emma! #hail!
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“I am so excited to serve as a staff member because it provides an opportunity to empower and encourage campers to grow alongside one another! I remember my camp counselors being especially impactful on developing my sense of self, and I look forward to Carysbrook also being a space for campers to have fun and explore. In addition, I’m looking forward to working with such a diverse and dynamic team of leaders!”
Healthcare
India Shelley
Healthcare Manager
Originally from Highwood, Illinois and a recent graduate of Washington University in St. Louis, India completed a bachelor’s degree in both Dance and Global Health and plans to apply to medical school in 2021. India is a Certified Nursing Assistant and recently took part in our Medical Health Advisory Panel with six other veteran Carysbrook health professionals to begin planning to deliver a safe and healthy summer program for campers and staff. India will be aided by two EMTs on staff, a local pediatrics office, and she has already added a certification in Red Cross Mental Health First Aid for COVID-19 to her qualifications this summer as we await CDC and ACA guidelines for updating our policies and procedures.
Highly organized and driven, compassionate and approachable, with excellent communications skills, India brings her experience as 2018 Healthcare Implementation Intern under Lee Preston back to Camp Carysbrook, and she will be integral in adapting our current healthcare policies and procedures as well as implementing best practices to this new environment to encourage and mentor staff and camper health, personal hygiene, and responsibility. In her 10th year at Carysbrook, India brings vital experience as a camper, CIT, WIT, as well as Head of both Dance and Tumbling, a critical knowledge and skill set for this summer. India is as passionate about the Carysbrook experience as she is about healthcare and is dedicated to ensuring that campers stay healthy and safe so that they can focus on the fun of a much-needed #summer2remember! We cannot wait to see her facilitate health and developmental #outcomes at the infirmary, on cabin row, and beyond! #HAIL
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“Being both a camper and a staff member at Carysbrook has been a consistent highlight throughout my life. I am looking forward to returning to Carysbrook and building upon my previous work in the infirmary by helping campers to feel comfortable and confident addressing any medical needs they may have. While our current world poses some definite health-related challenges, I am excited to work with Erika and other healthcare team members to create a safe and, most importantly, healthy environment for campers to unplug and destress. Additionally, being a counselor on cabin row is always a highlight, and I am enthusiastic about facilitating cabin bonding activities for my cabin since those were some of the best parts of my time as a camper. As a staff team member I will bring consistency and enthusiasm to support my fellow staff members in creating safe environments at their activities. I am very excited at the prospect to continue to develop my leadership skills in this new role!”
Kelli Arens R.N.
Camp Nurse
Originally from Springfield, Missouri and a graduate of Missouri State University in 2018 with a BSN, Kelli has been working as a Registered Nurse in Pediatric ICU, including most recently as a travel nurse. Having worked with COVID-19 in a clinical setting this spring, Kelli brings invaluable expertise to our healthcare team and will play a key role in screening and monitoring our campers and staff. Energetic, driven, and empathetic, Kelli loves any chance to engage with kids, as well as camping and outdoor adventure, and she is looking forward to building on her experience both as a camp counselor and camp nurse in Missouri during her first summer at Carysbrook. We are so excited to have Kelli on the team to bolster an already strong healthcare system at camp this summer, and we can’t wait to see her forge strong connections with campers and staff to make a positive impact on the health and wellbeing of our community this #summer2remember! Welcome to the #PurpleTeam, Kelli! #hail
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“I am so excited to be a part of Camp Carysbrook this summer! I am looking forward to forming new friendships with the staff and campers and to help them stay safe and healthy throughout the summer. I believe this year’s campers will be able to learn and practice many skills to keep each other safe and healthy throughout camp. I love working in a group setting and look forward to helping campers support each other and develop leadership skills throughout the summer. Since this is my first year at Camp Carysbrook, I am most excited to meet new people and learn all of the traditions of camp!”
Kitchen
Adriana "Yami" Taneco Luna
Dietary & Nutrition Counselor
Yami is originally from Tlaxcala, Mexico and has been on staff at Camp Carysbrook for five years. An English teacher with five years of experience developing her leadership at Carysbrook, Yami will continue to build on her experience optimizing sustainability through minimizing waste while providing delicious meals and desserts—her specialty!—for all of our campers and staff. Compassionate, aware, and dedicated to our camp philosophy and organizational goals, Yami brings excellent organization and communication skills to her role in the kitchen. We can’t wait to see her return for another incredible, fun-filled, and delicious #summer2remember, making a lasting impact on our camp community at the dining hall, on cabin row, and beyond!
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“I want to return to Camp Carysbrook because it‘s a magical place where you can learn a lot of things and find yourself. After 5 years this wonderful place is my home 🏡. I’m so excited to come back to the kitchen, bringing fun, working with the compost, and making happy campers with the delicious food. Also, I want to meet the new staff, new campers and learn more from one another. Team work is one of the most important skills that we are going to learn at the kitchen, where everyone feels comfortable at their job and enjoys it.”
Activities
Hannah Egl
Activity Coordinator & Leadership Development Coordinator
Hannah Egl is from Afton, VA and a current second year at the University of Virginia. Pursuing a degree in Global Studies with a concentration in Justice and Security, Hannah brings 13 years of experience as a camper, Counselor in Training, Worker in Training, and Staff member to her leadership roles this summer. An avid camping enthusiast with 3 years of experience at Carysbrook as a Riding Instructor, including her role last summer as Assistant Head of the Barn, Hannah understands firsthand the critical importance of safety and risk management as a foundation for fun and meaningful experiences in the great outdoors. With a commitment to recognizing and growing the unique talents of all those around her, Hannah is a driven and organized team player who thrives when she collaborates with others to come up with creative new ideas, and she is already hard at work brainstorming just how to take our activity programming to the next level in 2020. As a former CIT herself, Hannah understands the power of this transformative program, and as GoToGirl program coordinator for the past two summers, she brings her experience working with senior camper mentors to develop their unique leadership styles in the service of our broader camp community to the role of CIT Counselor. Compassionate, fun-loving, enthusiastic, and slightly obsessed with #outcomes, Hannah is dedicated to embodying the Carysbrook philosophy, both at camp and beyond its gates. We are so excited to see her shine in these new roles as she continues to steadily grow her impact on our camp community this #summer2remember! #hail #PurpleTeam
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"I am extremely excited to come back to camp and keep sharing what I can with a community that is so important to me, this summer in a new role. I can‘t wait to get creative with all our staff in designing this summer’s activities to give campers the best possible experience. I hope to use my role with activities to foster creativity, curiosity and confidence within campers as they explore all the possibilities and interests we have here. I am also incredibly excited to work with the 2020 CITs, especially because of how much I learned and grew during my own CIT summer. I want to help these girls to become more reflective, confident, and excited about the possibilities of camp beyond camper life! I‘m looking forward to learning about each individual CIT, really getting to know them, and helping them grow into their new leadership roles, as well as gaining more experience with the management side of camp through coordinating the activities. This summer I’m excited to put my passion for camp and all of its opportunities, along with experience from my previous roles, into practice to best support all the activity staff and CITs for another amazing summer!"
Workers In Training
Zory Dinul
Worker In Training
Welcome Zory Dinul to our #staff2020 team, joining us all the way from Kiev, Ukraine as a Worker in Training! A rising high school senior, Zory brings her drive, determination, can-do spirit, and contagious enthusiasm to our camp community. With a steadfast commitment to the Carysbrook mission and philosophy, she is a strong role model who leads by example and strives to bring out the best in others. As part of her successful completion of the 2019 CIT program, Zory used her time management, organization, communication, and collaboration skills, with a dash of flexibility and creativity, to lead and mentor the Welcome Sign & Program committee, taking these key elements of our end-of-summer Banquet to next-level status. We are so excited to see her put all her leadership training into practice to make it the most fun and exciting #summer2remember yet for campers and staff alike! Welcome to the #PurpleTeam, Zory! #hail
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“I want to return to Camp Carysbrook, because for me it is a place where you get to try new things, meet new friends and make unforgettable memories. And I cannot wait for new and returning campers to experience the same thing. I am very excited to see campers grow in their leadership and communication, learn to respect each other, and have fun. After completing the CIT program, I am looking forward to being a staff member and bringing enthusiasm, positivity, communication, and awareness to the 2020 staff! I am very excited to step into this new role and help campers have a summer to remember.”
Gilli Freeman
Worker In Training
Welcome Gilli Freeman of Blacksburg, VIrginia to our #staff2020 team as a Worker in Training! A rising high school senior, Gilli brings patience, determination, engagement, and a growth-oriented mindset to our camp community, and she is eager to apply the various leadership skills she developed as a 2019 CIT to her role as a counselor. Always seeking out the next adventure, with a knack for balancing risk management and fun, Gilli took her CIT group to new heights last summer as the head of the CIT Trip leadership committee, planning and coordinating with her teammates and staff members to execute a 3-day, 2-night backpacking expedition to Mount Rogers. We can’t wait to see Gilli take the next step in her leadership journey at Carysbrook, as she continues to share her authentic self with others at activities, on cabin row, and beyond this #summer2remember! Welcome to the #PurpleTeam, Gilli! #hail
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“I am very excited to return for my 8th summer at camp. I want to return to assist new and returning campers to build the same confidence that camp gave me and to build strong relationships and lasting memories with campers and staff that I have experienced in previous years. I want campers and staff to feel comfortable enough to come to me if they need anything. I want to help campers and staff gain confidence in themselves and be truly authentic. I am excited to help campers step out of their comfort zone and try new things. I am ready to develop better organizational and time management skills from the other staff. I can’t wait to bring more enthusiasm and fun to the purple team.”
Becky Helm
Worker In Training
Welcome Becky Helm of Blacksburg, Virginia to the #staff2020 team as a Worker in Training! With an up-for-anything attitude and growth-oriented mindset, Becky is eager to take on any challenge, and she thrives when it comes to giving and receiving constructive feedback. As a 2019 CIT, she developed awareness and accountability to take her leadership to the next level, and she showcased her excellent organization, time management, and communication skills through her successful planning and execution of the Banquet Day committee. Responsible for managing supplies, minute-to-minute event scheduling, and coordination of senior campers, she stayed calm under pressure to deliver a seamless and meaningful end-of-summer celebration for all of camp. With a quiet sense of humor and fun-loving spirit, Becky is committed to the Carysbrook mission and philosophy, and we can’t wait to see her facilitate countless #outcomes on cabin row, at activities, and beyond this #summer2remember! Welcome to the #PurpleTeam, Becky!
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“I am so excited to come back to camp for my 12th summer! I want to return as a staff member to give back to the camp community that has impacted my life for so many years. I can‘t wait to assist campers in developing new skills and a strong sense of independence. Carysbrook has shaped me into who I am today and I am so excited to watch campers develop and learn new things about themselves, as well as create friendships that will last forever! I am looking forward to bringing a strong sense of organization, communication, and enthusiasm to the staff team this summer. I’m also excited to learn new things about leadership through the WIT program, and develop these skills with the rest of the staff!! I cannot wait to join the purple team for summer 2020!!”
Ellie Nebolsine
Worker In Training
Welcome Ellie Nebolsine of Alexandria, Virginia, who will be joining us this summer as our first Worker in Training! A rising high school senior, Ellie is eager to apply firsthand all that she learned as a 2019 CIT, where she gained extensive experience working with campers on cabin row and at various activities, both individually and as part of a team. Having successfully planned and executed the CIT service project, transforming the Woodpecker cabin into a camp museum, Ellie brings excellent organizational, time management, and collaboration skills to our staff group. We can’t wait to see her put her awareness, empathy, and engagement to work in the service of the Carysbrook philosophy, as she takes the next step in her leadership journey at camp this #summer2remember! Welcome to the #PurpleTeam, Ellie! #hail
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"I am so excited to return to camp for my 9th summer! Every year I have attended, I have made life-changing friendships with counselors that are unforgettable. Carysbrook has helped me become the strong and confident person that I am, and I am so excited to be able to share what I have learned with campers as a WIT! I am totally ready to help campers understand how to be empathetic, to see them try new things, to help them step outside of their comfort zones, and, most of all, I am ready to see campers make lifelong friendships. I want to learn from the campers as we work together and build community. I am totally ready to bring grit, enthusiasm, and compassion to the purple team next year! I can’t wait!”
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Carmen Stevenson
Worker In Training
Welcome Carmen Stevenson of Raleigh, North Carolina to our #staff2020 team as a Worker in Training! A rising high school senior, Carmen brings enthusiasm, curiosity, determination, and a growth-oriented mindset to her 8th summer, and she is eager to apply the various leadership skills she developed as a 2019 CIT to her role as a counselor. Creative and passionate about self-expression through art, Carmen used her collaboration and communication skills to successfully lead the Centerpieces committee, creating a fun environment for senior campers to develop their artistic sides, which resulted in a finished product that the whole team could proudly stand behind at Banquet. Always up for new challenges, and dedicated to creating space for campers to grow their unique strengths, both as individuals and as members of the camp community, Carmen is sure to facilitate countless #outcomes through her engagement at activities, on cabin row, and beyond this #summer2remember! Welcome to the #PurpleTeam, Carmen! #hail
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“Last summer, I asked one of the staff members why she was still coming back after so many years. She said to me ‘I want to give back to the place that gave so much to me when I was a camper.’ I understand her now; there’s a sense of fulfillment of duty that a camper feels when she becomes a counselor. I wish to follow in her footsteps, and that is why I’m returning. I want campers to feel like they have truly accomplished something important when their session ends, be it learning to work as a team or figuring out how to grow from their mistakes. Similarly, thanks to camp, I’m now a more creative person, and I am able to empathize better with others. I’ve grown so much since my first year, and I can’t wait to add another one to the books!”
For more information on any of our available positions, please contact the Camp Director by phone at 540-382-1670 or by email at info@campcarysbrook.com.
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3500 Camp Carysbrook Road
Riner, VA 24149
540-382-1670
info@campcarysbrook.com