Monthly Archives:July 2025

Seeing all the action at camp, all the happy, busy kids here, it’s easy to forget that there are about 35 people on the Woodland staff at any one time. There are many people working to make camp possible. There are the cabin counselors, the special people who live in the cabins with the campers, eat their meals with the campers, spend most of their day relating to them. These are the folks who most directly help set the tone at camp. They’re kind, silly, and enthusiastic. Some have been campers themselves when they were younger, and now have returned to Woodland to get their “camp fix” and have their turn at making an impact on the leaders of tomorrow. We have a good number of staff who came from far away like Mexico, Spain, and even Ireland to spend their summer at camp. And others are friends/family of people somehow related to Woodland and its history.

Cabin counselors are also very special activity instructors during the day. They are assigned to one or more activities where they guide, lead and instruct the campers as they progress in a given area. You can imagine this means the cabin counselors have a wide range of skills, talents, and versatility. We have a good sized group who became re/certified as lifeguards before pre-camp officially started. Some staff are land sports enthusiasts— tennis (Dani D, Sofia G, Lucia, Adri, Irene, Xime), gymnastics (Sofia M, Adri), riding (Kelly, Tess, Cuau, Sofia L, Isabella, Lou), archery (Lou, Miranda) or riflery (Irene, Molly), for example.

Others have real talent directing drama (Isabella, Lizzy) or dance (Sofia M), developing cool art (Estefi, Lizzy, Dani D, Miranda, Sofia G, Nat) or nature projects (Sofia L). Others teach the Zoo classes (Sophia, Isabella) and care for the animals there while others work with campers to learn to swim/ski (Jackie, Isa, Molly, Maria T, Lucia, Delia, Dani G), sail (Izzi, Xime, Adri, Tess, Delia, Dani G), canoe (Lizzy, Isabella) or enjoy some fishing on Sand Lake (Lou, Nat, Isa, Delia). Every activity at camp has counselors directly involved at every turn!

Another area of staffing is our very special activity directors. These leaders have special knowledge or skills pertaining to an activity, and therefore can be in charge of the program and the staff teaching in that area. Each instructional activity has at least one person in this role. The riding director (Kelly) not only teaches mounted riding lessons but is also in charge of caring for our 12 horses. Other directors include a Program Director (Calla) who schedules all campers and staff for daily and evening activities, our CIT directors (Xime and Izzi) who run the leadership training program for the oldest campers, and a canoe trip director (Estefi) who takes each cabin group on an overnight experience. Our Camper Care Coordinator (Jackie) is closely involved with the campers and staff of each age group to ensure a successful cabin experience.

The other areas of staffing are equally critical for camp to operate and have more very special people. These are maintenance staff (Chet and Kevin), van drivers, motor boat operators, photographers and videographers, and office staff (both on-site and remote: Lee, Mayte, Natalie, Kim). We should also recognize Nicole who can be found in our Health Center caring for and keeping us well physically and mentally, Maria H who is caring for our day campers, and last but certainly not least, the kitchen team (Chef Brittnie, Chef Kristen, Paty, Incy, Karla, and Merari) that keeps us well fed with delicious meals and snacks.

Together, along with JoAnne and the Jordan family, all of these people help keep camp going on a day to day basis. They help us stay healthy, active, and engaged with everything camp life presents. It’s a great group of dedicated people who love camp, enjoy being with kids and making each moment of each day special in some way. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again; it’s the people that make Camp Woodland!

p.s. It’s never too early to start talking to those folks in your network (family, friends, neighbors, church community, co-workers, etc.) with college-age connections about the exciting opportunities a summer at camp provides (not to mention camp is a GREAT first job)!