This Year’s Counselors

Kit is a long-time former Mishawaka camper and this will mark his 9th year on staff. When not leading campers in the Big Show, or cracking up kids (and staff) with his amazing sense of humor, Kit hangs his hat in Denver,CO. This summer Kit will serve up a wonderful slate of activities for campers in his role as Boys Camp Program Director.

Crystal is excited to be returning for her second summer as a Camp Mishawaka nurse! Originally from northeast Missouri, she earned a Journalism degree from the University of Missouri before pursuing a BSN at Goldfarb School of Nursing. With a background in emergency and critical care, she believes in a holistic approach to wellness and loves helping campers stay happy and healthy all summer long. She currently resides in Tampa, FL, where her husband is stationed at MacDill Air Force Base. She looks forward to another great summer in Minnesota!

Hi! My name is Marcelo, and I’m from Monterrey, Mexico. This is my 7th summer at camp and my first summer as staff. I’m studying Engineering at Tec de Monterrey, and I really enjoy playing soccer, golf, and sailing.

Hello! I’m Haley and this will be my fourth year at Camp Mishawaka. I am so excited for a summer of outdoor adventures and connecting with campers and staff among the beautiful Minnesotan trees. I grew up in Calgary, Canada and just graduated from studying Psychology in Montreal. I love hiking, camping and travelling by bike. I look forward to seeing you all soon!

Hi I’m Trent, this will be my 6th year on staff and 13th year at camp. I am originally from Wisconsin but moved to Raleigh, North Carolina about a year ago. During this past school year, I survived my first year teaching 8th grade math. I enjoy almost all of the activities at camp, but some favorites are sailing, swimming, any team game, and having fun conversations with new and old friends. I am excited to get back to life on the lake this summer at camp!

This will be Amber’s second year at Mishawaka and she is very excited for another action packed summer. Amber is from Queensland, Australia and studied a Bachelor of Animal Ecology in University as well as her Cert III in exotic animals. She loves animals and the outdoors as well as reading and painting in her spare time. Amber absolutely loves to go camping and snorkelling along the coast with her family and can’t wait to meet everyone at camp this year!

Janainna is from Peru and studied Communications at university. She currently works as a coordinator at a telecommunications company. In her free time, she enjoys practicing yoga, reading, and painting. But above all, she’s a big fan of capturing moments. This year, she will be a photographer for the third summer, and she couldn’t be happier to see everyone again. She misses you all and can’t wait to get back in action with her camera.

Hi! I’m Edgar and I’m from Mexico City, Mexico, but I’m currently living in Puebla. I’m studying Computer Systems Engineering at UDLAP. I really enjoy sports, especially soccer. I’m also passionate about nutrition and fitness. In my free time, I like to hang out with my friends and loved ones.

Hi, I’m Tamsin. I am from Southampton England, and I am studying Education to become a Primary School Teacher. This will be my 2nd summer at Mishawaka as a camp counsellor. I am excited to arrive at Camp Mishawaka and cannot wait to see everyone again and meet all of the new campers! I love being creative, reading, playing games and travelling the world. I also cannot wait to explore the camp and try new activities.

Hello!! I’m Shannon and I am from Chanhassen, Minnesota. This will be my third summer at Mishawaka and I am excited to take on the role of Girls Camp Program Director. I graduated from the University of Minnesota, where I majored in Economics and Political Science. When not at camp, I work as a Reading Instructional Assistant at an elementary school, working with kids aged 5-11. At camp, my favorite activities are truly anything on the water. I am thrilled to be back at Lake Pokegama for another summer and can’t wait to meet everyone!

Hello, my name is Ray! I am from Madison Wisconsin, but I live in Minneapolis and I’m studying Art at The University of Minnesota. Art is a tool for me to connect with the world so I’m down for any creative activity! I love being in nature, and playing outdoors. This will be my first summer working as a camp counselor and I’m so excited to meet everybody!

Margo is from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She was a camper at Mishawaka for 5 years and is so excited to be back this summer for her first year on staff! She is a freshman at Marquette University where she is on the club tennis team. She cannot wait to teach tennis along with her other favorite activities at camp like yoga, arts & crafts, drama and anything on the water. She is so excited to be back at Mishawaka, make lots of new memories and meet new faces!

Marc grew up in Southern California and has lived in Idaho Falls, Idaho for the past 13 years, with Yellowstone National Park and Grand Teton National Park practically in his backyard. He enjoys spending his summers exploring both parks, spending time outside whenever possible, and traveling, especially to Mexico. Marc earned his bachelor’s degree in philosophy from Idaho State University. Marc worked as a personal and group fitness trainer, developing a strong passion for health, wellness, and helping others grow physically and mentally. Recently, he shifted gears and became a mixed 4th and 5th grade teacher, where he hopes to influence positive change through formal education. When he is not working, Marc enjoys playing the piano, going to the gym, and spending time outside when it’s warm. He is excited and grateful for the opportunity to spend a fulfilling summer at Camp Mishawaka.

Hi there, I’m Erica :) I was born and raised in central Wisconsin where my deep love for the outdoors was born. I grew up fishing, hunting, making homemade maple syrup and spending countless hours in the woods and under the sun. I moved to southern Minnesota in 2021 to complete a nursing degree. During that time, I quickly fell in love with the landscape, and have been there since. After graduating, I spent two years working in a medical-surgical, pediatrics and birth center of a local hospital. While being tucked in the bluffs, I grew to love hiking, camping, hammocking {with a good book}, gardening, yoga and sightseeing. When I’m not in Wisconsin or Minnesota, you’ll find me traveling and exploring somewhere new. I am excited to join the Camp Mishawaka team as a Registered Nurse!

Excited once more for another summer at camp, Nick is in the midst of continuing his education in developmental psychology/behavioral neuroscience. With a soft spot for anything crafted by hand or conjured through dream, he enjoys writing, ceramics, baking and finding ways to use the environment around him to connect with others. He is looking forward to inventing new games and traditions while immersing himself in the traditions he grew up around while a camper. A sauna or two wouldn’t hurt either…

Sara is originally from Cholula, Mexico, and this will be her fifth year in Mishawaka. She studies Biology, driven by her love for nature and animals. This year, she is excited to return to teaching various activities, such as crafts, riflery, painting, archery, and sports. However, her greatest enthusiasm lies in fishing, an activity she enjoys immensely. Sara is looking forward to reconnecting with old friends, meeting new people, and enjoying the opportunity to learn new things while having fun with the campers.

Hey everyone! I’m Lauren from Newry, Maine and I’m ready for another epic summer on the trails! I’m happiest when I’m backpacking and snowboarding and I’ve spent the last winter mastering Outdoor Emergency Care at Sunday River as a Pro Ski Patroller. I can’t wait to lead you all through the Boundary Waters & Isle Royale NP, share some campfire stories, and help every camper discover their inner adventurer!

Hi! My name is Charlie, I am from Boulder Co. I have just finished my senior year of high school. In school I studied automotive technology and collision repair (working on cars). I have been coming to camp for 6 years but this will be my first year as a junior counselor. In my free time I like to play guitar and draw. I’m very excited to be a part of the Mishawaka team this summer!

Hey! I’m Michelle, but everyone calls me Mich. I’m from Puebla, Mexico; and this will be my second year as part of the camp, which has me very excited to do my best to make this the best summer for the team and the campers. I play soccer, I love to sing, and I’m studying Marketing. I’ll be taking camp photos and creating content all summer as well, so I can’t wait to see your best smiles. See you soon!

Hi! My name is Ashlyn and I am from Tucson, Arizona. I was a camper at Mishawaka for 5 years. I am super excited for my first year on staff! I will be starting college in the fall and majoring in Neuroscience on a pre-med track. Some of my favorite activities are sailing, waterskiing, and really anything else on the water. I can’t wait to be back at camp!

Hi! My name is Joseph, and I’m from Jacksonville, Florida. I’m currently studying Biology at Florida State University. I love being outdoors, running, swimming, and staying active, so I’m especially excited to be at camp this summer. This is my first year as a camp counselor, and I can’t wait to get started! I’m looking forward to meeting everyone, joining in on activities, and making great memories together. It’s going to be an amazing summer!

Hi! My name is Fiona and I’m from Saint Paul, MN. It will be my first year on staff but my 10th year at camp. I love hiking, swimming, reading, and anything nature related. I will be going to school at West Virgina University and studying child development. I can’t wait to see new and old faces this summer!

Hi! My name is Estelle, I live in Dallas TX as a rising Junior at Southern Methodist University. I am originally from Chicago IL and moved to Nashville Tennessee 8 years ago. I spent 9 years as a camper at Camp Mishawaka and absolutely adored it. I am also a certified yoga instructor and can’t wait to bring all things yoga and exercise to camp!

My name is Sebastian, and I’m from Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico. I studied Environmental Engineering and really enjoy nature and the outdoors. I love hiking, camping, bouldering, and going on road trips whenever I get the chance. When I’m not outside, I enjoy reading and visiting museums. I’m really excited to be part of camp this summer and can’t wait to share an amazing experience with everyone.

Hi, my name is Karol and I’m so excited to be back as the CIT counselor!! I’m from Puebla, Mexico, and I’ll be graduating this June with a degree in Art History and Curatorship. I was a camper for three years and this is my fifth year on staff. I love running, hiking, swimming, and anything outdoors. I can’t wait to spend another summer at Mishawaka and meet everybody!

My name is Quinn and I am from Winnetka, Illinois. I am a nursing student at Marquette University. I was a camper for seven years and now it is my third year on staff. I cannot wait to be back! I love to teach water skiing, fitness, yoga, and crafts.

Gabriella is very excited for her third year as the pottery teacher at camp. Originally from St. Paul Minnesota, she now spends her summers in Grand Rapids and winter in Bluffton South Carolina. She is finishing up her time at Loyola University, Chicago, where she studies art history with a minor in visual arts. She loves creating anything and can’t wait to be back at the lake!

Hi! I’m Stella and I’m from St. Paul, Minnesota. This will be my 9th summer at Mishawaka and 3rd summer on staff. I am in my second year of college at Cal Poly studying Landscape Architecture. At camp I love spending time up at the tennis courts or on the water. I can’t wait to be back this summer!

Gavin is from Appleton Wisconsin, but recently moved to Kansas City. This will be his 8th summer at Mishawaka but his first year as a counselor! Gavin is planning on majoring in Statistics next year for college. He is looking forward to finally being back at camp and hopes to spend a large amount of the summer on the lake! Some of his favorite activities include sailing, swimming, and participating in the camp plays! Gavin can’t wait to meet new people and see old friends during this fun-filled summer!

Hi! My name is Sage and I am from Tucson, Arizona. I was a camper at Mishawaka for four years, and this will be my first year on staff. I am planning on attending the University of Arizona and studying Business Management. My favorite camp activities are kayaking, zumba, and anything else on the water. I can’t wait to come back this summer and meet all of the campers!

My name is Martha and I’m from Cleveland, Ohio. I am super excited for my first summer at Mishawaka! I am wrapping up my third year at Boston University where I study Environmental Science & Biology. I love traveling, hiking, camping, and anything else outdoors. I’m looking forward to meeting new people and spending the summer on the lake!

Hello! My name is Emery (Emmi) and this is my second year as a counselor at Camp Mishawaka. I was born and raised in Tucson, Arizona (Bear Down!) and I go to school at San Diego State University, where I’ve just finished my second year, studying History and English, and work part-time as an Assistant Teacher at my school’s Children Center. In my free time I enjoy reading, going to the beach, and hanging out with friends; often at the same time.

Hi, I’m Mia! I am from Alamo, California. This will be my first year on staff after being a camper for 4 years. My favorite activities are canoeing, sailing, and pretty much everything else on the lake. I will be attending college in the fall where I plan on studying child psychology. I am so excited to be back at camp this summer, and I can’t wait to meet everyone!

My name is Ximena, and I’m coming all the way from Puebla, Mexico. I’m currently an Industrial Engineering student. This is my second year as a counselor, and I couldn’t be more excited to be back. I love staying active whether it’s dancing, hitting the gym, or playing padel. I’m bringing all that energy back to camp this year. I’m so happy to be returning!

Hi, my name is Ella, and I am stoked to be working at Camp Mishawaka again this summer! I grew up overseas in Japan and am now a senior at Western Colorado University, where I’m studying Recreation and Outdoor Education with an emphasis in Outdoor Leadership. I love all outdoor activities and have recently been enjoying rafting, hiking, and skiing. I’m looking forward to meeting everyone and can’t wait to have an awesome summer!

Hi! My name is Allie and I’m from Kansas City. I’ve been teaching 4th grade for 4 years now, and this will be my 7th year on staff. I was a long time camper at Mishawaka, and camp is my second home! When I’m not teaching, I also coach girls volleyball and enjoy photography on the side. At camp, I love driving the boats and hanging in Parkside! I can’t wait to meet everyone this summer!

Hi! I’m Markos, and I’m stoked about another summer on Lake Pokegama. I’m from Calgary, living in Montreal now. Minnesota is also a place I consider home. I studied project management in Montreal and now I’m working for an action sports festival, Jackalope. I love biking, canoeing, and camping. I’m very excited to be back at Camp Mishawaka this summer as a wilderness tripping leader. Can’t wait to share some campfires.

Marta is from Barcelona, Spain. This will be her third year as a counselor. She’s currently studying Audiovisual Communication. Marta enjoys reading, traveling, art, books, and cinema, and always seeks to bring laughter and joy to those around her. In her spare time, she delves into photography and video editing. Marta is ecstatic about returning to camp, especially excited to work on this year’s drama productions, and can’t wait to make lots of friendship bracelets!

My name is Henry and I am excited to be back for my fourth summer on staff! I am from Virginia but I am currently studying in Cleveland, OH. In my free time, I enjoy fishing, skiing, reading and teaching at the local middle school! I am looking forward to being back on the water and expanding our archery program. I can’t wait to be back!

Alyssa is excited to come back for her third year at Mishawaka as the CIT counselor! In her free time, Alyssa loves being outdoors, drawing and painting, and swimming. During the year she is studying Electrical and Computer Hardware Engineering at Colorado School of Mines, but she thinks about lake Pokegama almost every day! She cannot wait for another great summer at Camp!

Katie is from Missoula Montana but recently moved to Raleigh, North Carolina. This will be her 10th summer at Mishawaka and 5th year on staff! She graduated from the University of Montana in December with a degree in Political Science. Katie enjoys sailing, zumba, gymnastics, and team games. She is looking forward to another wonderful summer at camp!

Second summer at Mishawaka for Ryan and he is super keen to get into a summer filled with fun! Ryan is from a little town in Queensland, Australia and loves the great outdoors, he never passes up an opportunity to get out and have an adventure with his mates. His biggest passion in school was photography which he continued with after school building a nice portfolio. He has a massive love of 4 wheel driving and camping as well as getting to the beach any chance he gets. Ryan cannot wait to get back to Mishawaka!

Hi! I’m Alice and I’m from Evanston Illinois, right outside of Chicago! I am a 7-year camper and first-year staff member at Mishawaka, as well as a sophomore at the University of Maryland studying International Relations. My favorite activities are sailing on Lake Michigan, the Chesapeake Bay, and Lake Pokegama, playing sports, arts and crafts/pottery, and anything on the water! I’m so excited to spend the summer sailing, having fun on the water and on land, and working at the camp I love!

Hi, I’m Avery! I am from Tucson Arizona and planning on studying psychology in college. This will be my first year on staff but my 7th year back at camp! Some of my favorite camp activities are riflery, archery, Zumba, and the list can honestly go on and on. I can’t wait to see familiar faces and get to know new campers this summer!

I’m Evan, I’m originally from sunny San Diego, California, but moved to Colorado when I was 13 and I’m currently studying wildlife biology at the University of Montana. I love exploring the natural world and enjoy finding plants and animals whenever and wherever I can, and can’t wait to see what new ones I’ll find in Minnesota! I also enjoy hiking, backpacking, wildlife photography, and just about any activity I can do out in nature. This is my third year being a camp counselor, but my first time at Mishawaka and I couldn’t be more stoked.

Nina’s getting ready for her fourth summer at Camp Mishawaka! She’s from Grand Rapids, MN, and loves sports like hockey, golf, and soccer. When she’s not playing sports, she’s hanging out with her family and friends, and in the summer, you can find her enjoying water sports and athletics. Swing by the office and say hi!

Sean has been at camp for ~25 summers. He’s been a counselor, program director, trip director, BC director and head of volleyball :). He winters in the Kansas City area with his wife Vanessa, daughter Allie, and dog Pepper. Sean recently retired from middle school teaching and coaching. He’s looking forward to fishing, kayaking and Humberto’s pizza!

Uncle Humberto just graduated as a Mechanical and Electrical Engineer; this will be his fifth year at camp Mishawaka. He is from Cholula Puebla, Mexico. He lives with his 2 dogs and enjoys adventures in high altitude mountains in Mexico, He loves teaching Campers in the woodshop, playing any kind of games and of course make and eat PIZZA. He is excited to go back and meet old and new friends.

Hi, I’m Kat. I am from Minnesota, living in Minneapolis with my husband Duane, the Craft Master, and our son Max who has loved being a camper and CIT. In school I couldn’t decide whether I wanted to be an artist or an author so I got a degree in Art and in English, and still couldn’t figure out what I wanted to do so I got licenses to teach both subjects and am now a happy artist and art teacher! I LOOOOVE to paint what I see, the light in the world around me, and I love to share that love of making things with other people. I love laughing in groups and working together towards a common goal, and I love playing silly games and improv, and swimming and kayaking.

Duane is from the land of ice and snow (Minnesota). He loves making things with cardboard and other materials. He is an artist and enjoys life and working with others. He is looking forward to being back up in the Northwoods!

Alec grew up in Rochester, MN, and is a former camper who has had the pleasure of volunteering at camp for the past three summers. He credits Mishawaka for exposing him to the outdoors which has led to a life of many outdoor activities. He has lived in Seattle for over 50 years and still participates in sailboat racing in Puget Sound. With his return to Mishawaka in 2023, he suspects he set a record for the longest interval in history between summers as a counselor. Alec’s focus is on sailing instruction. He is excited about returning to camp and re- uniting with prior campers and counselors alike and meeting the new folks at camp.

Mary Jane is a retired middle-school teacher but doesn’t have the heart to leave her second home, Camp Mishawaka. This will be her 31st summer at camp, and when she isn’t working to find the most interesting, committed, adventurous young people to work as counselors, she can be found on her bike, exploring the many trails around Minneapolis/St. Paul, camping in her sprinter van, traveling, visiting friends, volunteering, and enjoying much more time with her beloved grandchildren.

Returning for his 6th year as Camp Nurse, Ben is eagerly looking forward to spending summer at Mishawaka. Ben has been a nurse for 15 years and works in Adult Critical Care when he’s not at camp.

“My favorite things about camp are rest period, ceramics, walking through the woods to get anywhere and the people. Not necessarily in that order.”