Camp Eagle Ridge Counseling Staff
Sammy Dolgin is returning to Camp Eagle Ridge for his 10th summer! Sammy first attended camp at the age of 9, and has had a love for camp and the outdoors ever since. He is the counselor for our youngest boys in the cabin of Discovery. Sammy is currently a senior at Lake Forest High School, where he looks to graduate so he can begin college next fall.
Sammy is actively involved in his high school's theater and choir programs. In addition, Sammy is also a varsity member on his school's forensic speaking team, a competitive high school acting and speech program all throughout the state of Illinois. Sammy credits Camp Eagle Ridge for giving him the confidence and ability to comfortably stand in front of a group of people and convey a story or message, something he was often required to do during his time as a Junior Counselor at Camp Eagle Ridge. When he is not competing or performing, Sammy is usually playing guitar or playing sports with his friends.
Sammy strives to put maximum effort and enthusiasm into all of his endeavors, and always urges campers to do the same. Sammy believes that "Camp Eagle Ridge automatically provides hope and opportunity for any person that enters it. At camp, everyone is equally welcome as family, and everyone is equally accepted for who they truly are."
This will be Taylor Frame's 11th year at Camp Eagle Ridge and her third year on staff. She has been a camper, counselor-in-training and junior counselor.
Taylor will be counseling the cabin of Serenity, our oldest girls cabin. Taylor is from Wapakoneta, Ohio and originally from Chicago, Illinois. She is now attending Denison University in Ohio, where she is an education major with a vocal performance minor. Taylor plans on
pursuing a career working with kids.
Some of Taylor's hobbies include playing tennis and soccer, as well as singing and playing the piano. She is very involved with the music program at Denison and participates in choir and a female a Capella group, "Ladies' Night Out". Taylor is also active in
"Venture Philanthropy Club" and "Students Helping Students" while at school.
Taylor hopes that her campers will "experience and try new things and step out of their comfort zone."
This will be Peter Rossi's 10th year at Camp Eagle Ridge! Peter is from Port Washington, Wisconsin. He is the counselor for our 13-14 year old boys.
Peter is attending Davison College in North Carolina and is interested in Engineering. He was a member of his high school swim team for two years and tennis team for four years. He plans to pursue tennis in college, along with fencing.
Peter loves being outdoors, especially on the water. He is an excellent sailor and will be instructing and lifeguarding on our waterfront. Peter also enjoys teaching tennis, golf, soccer and archery.
We welcome Sara Westman to our 2012 counseling staff! Sara will be the counselor in our 10-12 year old girls' cabin, Courage. Sara has been a part of Camp Eagle Ridge for nine years and has been a Counselor-In-Training and a Junior Counselor. Sara has also been a counselor at a girl scout camp.
Sara is very artistic and teaches drawing, painting and arts and crafts. She also loves to teach a number of sports including: rock climbing, basketball, mountain biking, volleyball, tennis, soccer and archery. Sara is also involved in theater.
Sara is originally from Racine, Wisconsin and plans to study Industrial Design at UW-Stout in the Fall. Sara also gives back to the community by volunteering at various local places around the Milwaukee area, especially working with the kids at the community homeless shelter.
Sara says "Camp gives you a place to have fun and where you’re surrounded by lifelong friends who accept you for you, and help you grow by positive encouragement. Camp also gives you opportunities to try new experiences and not be afraid to fail, and if you do, you can try again with an amazing support group cheering you on."
Ashley (Brabec) Colvin returns to our counseling staff this summer to work with our youngest girls. Ash has been a part of Camp Eagle Ridge since 1996. She has been a counselor and also our Counselor In Training Director.
When Ash is not at camp, she works at Minnesota Life College (MLC) as their Independent Living Assistant and Leadership Coordinator. MLC transforms the lives of young adults with learning disabilities and autism spectrum disorders by teaching them the skills necessary for independent living as they pursue personal and financial self-sufficiency. Ashley is involved with teaching classes and planning/initiating Leadership Retreats for students.
Ashley's favorite things to do at camp are volleyball, ultimate frisbee, gardening, theme nights, and the skit and talent show. In her free time Ashley enjoys running, rock climbing, watching movies, hiking, camping, going out to eat, and visiting with friends and family.
Ashley Koenig is returning for her 16th year at Camp Eagle Ridge! She started as a camper, Counselor-In-Training, and Junior Counselor and now has been a part of our staff for four years! In the past, Ashley has been our Waterfront Director. This year, Ashley takes on the role of Head Counselor.
Ashley has lived abroad in Panama learning about the culture and improving her Spanish. She is currently living in Colorado and is pursuing her degree in education. She believes that camp gives kids the confidence to be themselves, experience new things and the opportunity to experience love, laughter and friendship.
In addition to leading our lifeguarding staff and teaching many of our waterfront activities, Ashley is our gymnastics instructor. Ashley has been competing at and coaching gymnastics at every level for many years.
Bridget Dooley is the counselor in Challenger, our 13-14 year old girls cabin. This is Bridget's 4th year on our counseling staff. Bridget is a junior at Knox College in Galesburg, Illinois where she is studying to become an Elementary School teacher. She is also a member of the photography club and she is trying to start an intramural girls lacrosse team.
This past winter/spring, Bridget studied education in Denmark!
Bridget brings an enthusiastic attitude and loves to help others have fun. Bridget instructs many of our activities including: lacrosse, rugby, basketball, arts & crafts, mountain biking, canoeing, tennis, volleyball, soccer and kayaking.
This will be Stu Pawlak's 9th year at Camp Eagle Ridge and his third on staff! Stu is the counselor in Wisdom, our oldest boys' cabin. Stu is a lifeguard and has taught swim lessons for the past two years. He was recently promoted to Swim Lesson Supervisor and the pool he works at during the school year. Stu is from Middleton, Wisconsin and is attending UW-Oshkosh. He is studying to become a secondary education teacher in Physics and Biology.
Stu has been teaching himself to play the guitar, but says its still a bit of a struggle. He believes that "everyone should have the opportunity to experience camp because of the meaning it brings. Camp is a place you can be whoever you want to be."
Katie Goldberg returns to our 2012 counseling staff. Katie (Goldie) has been a part of Camp Eagle Ridge since she was 9 years old. She went through our Counselor-in-Training and Junior Counselor programs. Katie is the counselor for our 12-13 year old girls in Loyalty. She is from Miami, Florida and loves being on the water. Katie is also an American Red Cross lifeguard.
Katie is currently interning with a 5th grade teacher and is pursuing her degree in Elementary Education at Florida State University.
Katie believes that camp is a place that anyone, no matter where they may come from, can be themselves, enjoy the loving environment and have an unforgettable time! One of her favorite camp activities is the various theme nights! You never know what to expect!
We welcome Jay Kinzel to our 2012 counseling staff! This will be Jay's 10th year at Camp Eagle Ridge. Jay was a former camper, Counselor-in-Training and Junior Counselor.
Jay is originally from Middleton, Wisconsin, where he attended Edgewood High School in Madison. He currently attends UW-Milwaukee, where he is studying business. Jay is a member of the UW-Milwaukee Ultimate Frisbee team and enjoys a variety of sports. In particular, he loves to play basketball and golf. Jay is also an asset to our waterfront staff; as he has been a lifeguard since the age of 15.
In addition to sports, Jay is a very talented singer and guitarist. We look forward to him playing at campfires!
Jay believes "that camp is the place to go for kids to reach their full potential as individuals and also shows kids more important meaning in life besides a computer, television, or a video game. Camp brings people together to make life long friendships. It is in my mind the best place for a child to grow and become the person every parent wants their child to be."
This is Jenna Young's FIRST year at Camp Eagle Ridge. Jenna is originally from Franklin, Wisconsin where she attended Martin Luther High School. She ran track, was actively invovled in choir, and participated in the drama and musical programs.
Jenna grew up in her mother's dance studio, surrounded by teaching, dancing and performing since the age of 2. After high school, she moved to Southern California and joined a performing group called the Young Americans. For the past five years, Jenna has been living out of a suitcase, traveling around the world, working and performing with kids, teaching them that music is a very important part of life.
Jenna is extremely excited about joining the camp team and cannot wait to meet everyone. She is counting down the days to the start of the most incredible summer ever!