Who’s Who at Camp – February, 2019

Hi Folks,

What you are about to read may well be record-setting.  We’ve done some brief research, and we did not find an issue of our newsletters in which we’ve had this many amazing staff members, both returning and new, to share in one posting.  That’s exciting, as is the list of campers who have joined us in the past month.  Read on!

Welcome back to the following “old-timers” who re-enrolled since our last posting: TOBY ASKENAZI of Denver, CO; JONAH BARTLETT of Chicago, IL; JOE COOVERT, REIS LOURIE, ALEX MCCLOUD, and GABE MILES of St. Louis, MO; COLE BERSTEIN and TYLER BORSTEIN of Highland Park, IL; NOAH WISNIEWSKI of Nashville, TN; MICAH SHULMAN of Northbrook, IL; and JOHNATHAN ROBERTSON (after a few summers’ absence) and DIEGO VILLA  of Houston, TX.

Welcome aboard to the following first-year campers who have joined us: MILO LOPEZ of Tempe, AZ; JADEN WALKOWIAK of Los Angeles, CA; HENRY BROWN of Denver, CO; TIMOTHY WHETSTONE of Chicago, IL; LOGAN HANOVER of Memphis, TN; SIMON FRANKEL of Houston, TX; NOAH CARSON of Highland Park, IL; JOHN KOSSIN of Salt Lake City, UT; OLIVER STRICKLAND of Oak Park, IL; ANTHONY & NATHAN GELIN of Cedarburg, WI; and SANTI TOLEDO from San Luis Potosi, Mexico!

Here’s something cool…in that list of first-year campers, there are not 1, not 2, not even 3, but FOUR 2nd Generation Campers.  Milo Lopez, Simon Frankel, and Anthony & Nathan Gelin are all campers whose dads were also campers and/or staff members at Timberlane.  Wow!

We’re very happy to welcome all of you!  It is going to be an amazing summer!!

 

This is a pretty remarkable representation of the enthusiasm of our staff for the upcoming summer.  These people, and the ones listed in past issues, CANNOT WAIT to get the summer started.  They are so pumped to be friends and mentors to all of our amazing campers.  
BUDDY ASKENAZI Buddy is from Denver, CO, and this will be his 5th summer at camp.  He is 17 years old, a high school Junior at DSST: Stapleton, and he has been playing varsity basketball and baseball for his school.  This summer Buddy will be a Junior Counselor helping with Baseball, Basketball, Athletics, and other activities.
DIANA BENAVIDES Second summer at camp coming up for Diana.  She will be 24 years old this summer, and she is from Pasto, Columbia.  Diana is in her 5th year at Nariño University  studying Spanish and English Education.  She will again be part of our fantastic Kitchen Crew this summer.  Something you may not know about Diana: “I´ll be finishing my degree in Spanish and English Teaching on June of this year, and after the summer in camp I am going to work as a teacher in a special education program, teaching Spanish in America for one year! “
JOE BERNS Joe will soon be 18 years old, and he is a senior at Highland Park High School in Highland Park, IL where he plays lacrosse.  He plans to study Engineering in college next year.  This is Joe’s 9th summer at Timberlane.  He will be a Junior Counselor, will again head up our Guitar program, and will help with Lacrosse and Waterskiing.  Something you may not know about Joe: “I recently ate a donut stuffed with brownie batter and cookie dough. I’m not sure if I will have it again. And I’ve delivered pizza to a handful of Timberlane families.”
SONYA BURGESS All the way from Bay of Plenty, New Zealand, Sonya is back for her 2nd summer.  She is 23 years old and is currently working and waiting till she can return to the US and camp!  Sonya has developed a great passion for rock climbing, and she also enjoys art.  This summer she will again head up our Rock Climbing program, and will help out with Arts & Crafts.  Something you may not know about Sonya: “I got to see my 9th country after camp and hopefully I’ll be adding more to that this year! “
MARK DAVID Mark is back for his 5th year at Timberlane.  He is 17 years old and hails from Herndon, VA where he is a Senior in high school.  Mark has been very heavily involved in Boy Scouts and in competitive swimming.  At camp he will be a Junior Counselor helping out with Swimming, Arts & Crafts, and other activities.
CARLOS DORANTES BANUELOS Carlos is returning for his 6th summer at camp!  He is from Puebla, Mexico, where he works as a recruiter for IENA, an agency that connects international staff to American summer camps.  Carlos has a degree in International Relations, and he happens to be an incredible cook.  This year, Carlos has taken up sky diving.  At camp he will again be our Assistant Cook.  Something you may not know about Carlos: “I have been practicing motocross in my free time at work. “
JOEY FLOM Summer number 8 coming up for Joey.  He is 17 years old and is a Junior at MICDS in St. Louis.  Joey will be a Junior Counselor and will help out with a variety of activities.
JOSH GLAZER Josh is 18 years old and is from Mequon, WI.  He is a Freshman at the University of Michigan, studying Business.  At Michigan, Josh joined the waterski team and is in a fraternity.  This will be his 8th summer at camp where he will be a Senior Counselor, will co-head our Waterski program, and help out with other activities.  Something you may not know about Josh: “I’ve recently picked up cooking and can make a whole sandwich now! “
ZACHARY HEARST This will be Zachary’s 6th summer at camp.  He is 17 years old and is from St. Louis, MO where he is a Junior at Ladue High School and does pole vaulting on the track team.  Zachary also works at St. Louis Rotisserie restaurant.  This summer he will be a Junior Counselor helping with Gymnastics, Fishing, and Waterskiing.  Something you may not know about Zachary: “I’m really good at cooking some rotisserie chicken and i also like to bake and cook meals at home.”
CHRISTINE HENRI Christine is back for her 2nd summer at camp.  She is a Junior at the University of Main at Fort Kent, majoring in Nursing.  She is 24 years old.  Let’s see…anything else important?  Oh  yeah…on May 17th she and JUSTIN KEMP are getting married!!!!  Christine is an avid tennis player and studied photography in college.  This summer she will again be our camp photographer and chief uploader.  Something you may not know about Christine: “I love to sing! I have been involved in chorus since third grade and participated in All-County as well as Area All-State through the New York State School Music Association”
CORRIE HITCHENS Corrie is from Littleton, CO where she is the Assistant Principal at Chatfield High School.  She’s also a busy mom for daughter, Carter and son, Liam.  Her school position only affords Corrie time to spend half of the summer with us, but we’ll take it!  This is her 14th with us and she helps out wherever needed.  She teaches Waterskiing, pitches in with office events, and is a great resource for all of us.
STEVE “HITCH” HITCHENS Hitch is back for summer number 16 at Timberlane.   He lives in Littleton, CO.  He is a retired high school history, athletic director, and wrestling coach.  He is a very active dad with the same two kids mentioned above.  At camp Hitch is an Assistant Director in charge of our amazing Trips Program.  Something you may not know about Hitch: “I am playing golf in a league in the spring and fall.”
SAM “PICKLES” KAHN This will be Pickles’ 19th summer at camp!!!  He is turning 30 very, very soon, and he’s handling it reasonably well.  Sam is a middle school teacher in Oak Park, IL, and a regular at Orange Theory.  In spite of living in Chicago, he is a devout Green Bay Packers fan.  This summer Pickles will again be an Assistant Director.
ETHAN LETWAT Summer number 10 (!!) coming up for Ethan!  He will be 18 years old and is a senior at Deerfield High School in Deerfield, IL.  Next fall Ethan will attend Syracuse University where he plans to study Sports Management.  This summer Ethan will be a Junior Counselor helping out at Fishing, Golf, Waterskiing and other activities.  Something you may not know about Ethan: “I collect and sell sports memorabilia.”
KELLI MCDONALD After an absence from camp last year, Kelli is back for her 3rd summer with us.  She is a Registered Nurse and she lives in Wausau, WI.  Kelli has been a school nurse and worked in a variety of medical services.  She is also a licensed foster parent and has fostered one child so far.  She is 34 years old, and she will again be a Camp Nurse this summer.  Something you may not know about Kelli: “I’ve taken up doing some yoga. My cat is in a book that comes out January 22nd about how animals helps children called ‘The Dog in the Dentist’s Chair.’ It’s on Amazon.”
RICH MCGOWAN Super Tall Rich McGowan is back for his 23rd summer at Timberlane!  (That is not a typo!!)  Rich lives in Highland Park, IL where he works as a cinematographer and editor.  He is 46 years old, and he will again be our Waterfront Director, leading our swim program and making sure our campers and staff are always safe in the water.
JOSH MEYER This will be Josh’s 8th summer at camp.  He will be 17 years old, and he comes from Chicago, IL where he is a Junior at Whitney Young High School and plays varsity soccer.  Josh was born with a frisbee in his hand and is an accomplished Ultimate player.  This summer he will be a Junior Counselor, will head up our Disc Sports program, and help out with Waterskiing and Soccer.  Something you may not know about Josh: “In my fantasy football league with all of my grade school friends, I have won the league two years in a row and have been to the finals every single year dating back to 6th grade. I also know everything there is to know about Ohio State football and their recruiting. In the fall and spring, I volunteer to play soccer with kids who have cognitive issues.’
CASEY MUTCHNIK Casey is 18 years old and is a Senior at Glenbrook North High School in Northbrook, IL where he has been a standout gymnast.  This will be Casey’s 9th summer at camp. He will be a Junior Counselor, will head up our Gymnastics program, and help out with Waterskiing.  Something you may not know about Casey: “I wrote a paper for school about why sulfide copper mining shouldn’t take place in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area.  AND I like pizza better when it’s cold! “
CAROLINA RAMON RIOS Carolina is back for her 2nd summer at camp.  She is from Puebla, Mexico where she is currently working as a realtor.  She has also worked as an office manager at a transportation company.  Carolina is 25 years old, and she will again be a part of our Office Staff this summer. Something you may not know about Carolina: “I am starting my own macrame business.”
VICKY ROMERO It is summer number 3 coming up for Vicky!  She is 24 years old, lives in Pachuca, Mexico, and works as an over-the-phone interpreter.  She ultimately plans to open up her own bakery in Mexico, hopefully by next winter.  Vicky is very talented in the kitchen, and once again this summer she will be our Lead Cook.
JACOB ROSENSTEIN Jacob is 21 years old, and this will be his 12th summer at camp.  He is a Junior at Boston University majoring in Elementary Education with a focus on Psychology and Sociology.  When he finishes school, Jacob is interested in teaching with Teach for America.  This summer he will again be a Village Director, Senior Counselor, and he will head up our Athletics program and help out with Waterskiing and other activities.  Something you may not know about Jacob: “A representative from America’s Got Talent reached out to me because she heard I have some “spectacular talents.” She asked me to audition! How many hat flips do you think I could land in a row? “
MYLES ROSENSTEIN This will be Myles’ 10th (!!) summer at Timberlane!  He is 17 years old, from Highland Park, IL, and is a Senior at HPHS.  Myles hopes to study Business and Computer Science in college next year.  He is captain of his school’s volleyball team, and is an assistant coach for a club volleyball team for 14 year old players.  This summer Myles will be a Junior Counselor, will head up our Volleyball program, and help out with Waterskiing.
SAUL VAZQUEZ MARTINEZ Summer number 2 coming up for Saul.  He is 21 years old and lives in San Jacinto Amiplas, Mexico.  Saul worked in our Maintenance program last summer, but his real joy is food…eating and making it.  This summer he will join our Kitchen Staff.
BEN WRIGHT Ben is back for his 4th summer at camp.  He will be 22 years old, and he is a Senior at Michigan Technological University, majoring in Natural Resource Management.  During his studies, Ben has spent many weeks living on Isle Royale, one of the most beautiful spots we send trips to during the summer.  This winter he has spent a lot of time downhill and cross country skiing.  Ben is a LGT and WFR, and he will again be a Trip Leader.  Something you may not know about Ben:  “I did the 50K noquemanon cross country ski marathon, which was only -17 degrees F at the start!  I love camping and I like winter, but I do not enjoy winter camping.”
ABDEL XOCHIPILTECATL After a summer’s absence last year, Abdel is back for his 3rd summer at camp.  He is 28 years old and joins us from Tlaxcala, Mexico.  Abdel currently works for a construction company building large and small structures and homes.  In the past, Abdel worked in the camp kitchen, but this summer he will join our Maintenance Staff.  Something you may not know about Abdel: “One of my passions is classical music, I have played piano all over the world in my travels, I hope I can play for all of you this summer “
ALEXANDER ZLOTNIK Alexander is 18 years old, from Highland Park, IL, and this will be his 10th (!!) summer at camp.  Alexander is a Senior at Highland Park High School and in the fall he will be a Freshman at the University of Colorado, Boulder.  This summer he will be a Junior Counselor, will head up our Lacrosse program, and help out with Waterskiing and other activities.  Something you may not know about Alexander: “I’m a better delivery driver than Joe Berns Watson.”

WELCOME ABOARD TO THE FOLLOWING FIRST-YEAR STAFF MEMBERS:

CAMILO ACOSTA FUENMAYOR Camilo is 24 years old and joins us from Pasto, Colombia.  He is a Senior at Nariño University in Pasto, majoring in English and Spanish Education.  He also works as a an English teacher at the Cambridge Academy of Languages.   Camilo has worked in restaurants as a waiter and cook, and this summer he will join our Kitchen Staff.  “Something you may not know about Camilo: “I am an adventurer, and I am a very active person and always I like to do something, and helping to someone else.”
SAMANTHA LEBARRON Samantha joins us from Austin, MN.  She is in her 3rd year of college studying to be a Mental Health Para Professional.  She has worked with kids baby sitting and substituting teaching at schools.  And she has worked in a program to assist teens who struggle with traditional school settings.  Her passion, however, is art.  Anything to do with art, including ceramics.  Samantha has studied and been involved with art her entire life.  This summer she will head up our Pottery program, and help out with Arts & Crafts.  Something you may not know about Samantha: “My grandparents work with Reithoffer Shows 8 months out of the year. I traveled with them from March of 2018 till November or 2018 .”
 

COMING SOON:

There will definitely be more names to share with y’all next month.  Summer is a comin’!!

Benches up,

Mike, Leslie & Dustin