Meet the 2019 Area Leaders
We’ve met a lot of staff and most recently introduced our Village Leaders. And while they are focused on the cabin experience, supervising counselors and managing big picture of the village, they are only one piece of the supervisory puzzle. Who is responsible for creating the curriculum and developing programs for our robust specialty program? Who manages the specialists who implement that curriculum? The area leaders, that’s who! Each one an expert in one they do, we have gone around the globe to collect the best group of people to help push our program to the next level, and we can’t wait to introduce them to you!
Athletics: Rachel Kolling
Rachel is a camp expert, in her 13th summer at Chi. Rachel brings years of experience on the athletics team, having been a specialist in athletics for 3 years. A SIT of 2014, Rachel is a multi-sport athlete, as she is on both the softball and soccer team at her college. Rachel and the athletics team have some awesome fun games and sports planned for you this summer, so be sure to check out athletics.
Art Center: Molly Jacobs
Molly brings the creative flare to the supervisory team, as she runs the art center. An art education major at the University of Wisconsin in Madison, Molly joined camp last year, but Chi has a special place for her and her family, as her dad attended Camp Chi in the 1980’s. An animal lover through and through, Molly has two dogs and she would love to draw them for you if you stop by the art center this summer.
Cove: Amber Darnell & Roee Elkoubi
Amber is new to Chi this year, coming all the way from Australia. Perhaps she is part mermaid, as she just loves to swim and be in the water. A lifeguard and teacher at home, Amer was made for the cove, where she can both help campers stay safe and develop their skills both on and off boats.
Back at the cove for his second summer, now as a supervisor, is Roee Elkoubi, one of our schlichim. Roee camp to Chi last year and flourished as a cove specialist. Having served in the Israeli navy for 3 years, Roee has a lot of boat experience and can’t wait to share it with you on Lake Blass this summer.
Horseback Riding: Róisín Weldon
Róisín, or Ro, is new to Chi this year, but is no stranger to horses. Not only has she own a horse, Maggie May, for 11 years, but she taught Maggie May to walk backwards, and the horse liked it so much, she now hates to go forwards, so maybe Ro is too good of a teacher. And not only is Ro a horse owner, rider, and teacher, but she won a competition in school for a project about how horses can help people with special needs. You’ll definitely want to meet Ro and her team at the stables this summer- who knows, maybe we’ll go backwards along the trails this summer!
Outdoor Cooking: Róisín Boyle
In her first year at Chi, Róisín has inherited one of the most popular areas of camp. And that’s a good thing because she LOVES to cook! She is looking forward to infusing her Irish roots into the OC this summer and can’t wait to start chopping, dicing, and sautéing with you soon!
Performing Arts & Media: Jasmine Howard
Jasmine has taken to camp like a fish to water this summer. Despite being new and having an area that spans all over camp, Jasmine has been a rockstar so far this summer, and how fitting that is. Jasmine has degrees in Drama and Applied Theatre, so she can’t wait to be part of the camp play this year. She is also a talented writer, having written performances that have been aired on UK radio and performed across the UK. So along with Jasmine, let your talents shine this summer with the Performing Arts & Media teams.
Pool: Molly Harrington & Milly Lake
Molly is back at Chi for her second summer, after taking a number of years off, having last been a specialist in 2013. While Molly may be the only Australian at the pool this summer, she is very qualified for the job, as she has been a swim teacher for six years.
Milly can’t wait to start her third summer at Chi this year, her first as a supervisor. Hailing from Leicester, England, Milly has been a swim teacher for kids of all ages for many years. Milly’s favorite holiday is the 4th of July, but not in a patriotic way- it is her soon to be two-year-old nephew’s birthday.
Ropes: Lauren McGuire
Now in her 5th summer at Chi and third as the ropes supervisor, Lauren is a seasoned veteran of the ropes course. A dual citizen of Great Britain and Ireland, Lauren is ready to help our campers climb to new heights, challenge themselves, and conquer fears this summer. Climbing is more than just a hobby for Lauren, it’s a passion she pursues often. In fact she is on her university’s varsity climbing team, which includes training twice a week. So get that harness on and join Lauren and the ropes team this summer.
Waterski: Brandon Hults
In his 7th summer on the ski team, his 2nd as the supervisor, and his 15th year at Chi, Brandon is one of the veterans of the group. They say you should practice what you preach, and Brandon backs up his talk with his incredible talent. Not only does he compete in kneeboarding, he can also ski on his bare feet and just about anything else! So be sure to head over to the docks and hang with Brandon and his crew this summer!