Camp Eagle Ridge Leadership Staff
Kelly Byrnes-Rossebo has been directing Camp Eagle Ridge for the past 18 years! Kelly holds degrees in Organizational Communications and Child Development and has also taught middle and high school English, speech and communication. During the off-season, Kelly travels throughout the country training corporations, faculties and kids in leadership and teambuilding skills. Kelly is a lifeguard, certified sailing instructor, certified food service managerand an instructor for the American Red Cross for first aid, CPR and AED certification.
Kelly is very involved in the American Camp Association. She teaches the Basic Camp Director Course for the A.C.A. and has sat on the Board of the American Camp Association - Wisconsin Section and served as the Public Relations chair. Kelly continues to serve as the spokesperson for the American Camp Association in Wisconsin. Kelly has appeared on Oprah and the Today Show! Kelly has also authored a book, "Lessons In Leadership" and several magazine articles on summer camp and summer camp staff and leadership training.
Ronny Dolgin, coming back for his 13th year at Camp Eagle Ridge, returns as our Counselor-in-Training Director.
When he's able to find time away from his C.I.Ts, Ronny teaches a majority of our ball sports as well as archery. He also enjoys taking kids mountain biking and kayaking. Ronny organizes and leads our Senior Retreat, which takes our oldest campers outside of camp for a weekend of bonding, learning, and fun.
Ronny is originally from Lake Bluff, Illinois and attended the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana where he earned a BS in psychology. He currently attends Northwestern University as Masters student in Counseling Psychology with a focus in individual and family therapy. Prior to that, he spent time teaching outdoor ed and environmental science at Pali Institute in Southern California as well as volunteering with children in Brazil and Guatemala for three months.
Ronny views camp as a wonderful chance for a child to realize and sharpen the best parts of themselves. Within a couple of weeks of camp, he's confident that any camper will build the confidence and interpersonal skills that will help them navigate the world for the rest of their lives.
Chris Paris is one of Health Managers and Waterfront Directors. Chris has been a part of Camp Eagle Ridge since 2005. This is his second year as our Health Manager. Chris is attending the University of Colorado at Boulder where is studying Physiology and Pre-Med with plans to become a doctor.
Chris is also a lifeguard and enjoys teaching many of our water activities. During the winter, Chris is an avid skiier and has also been on Ski Patrol. Prior to becoming our Health Manager, Chris was the counselor for our youngest boys.
We welcome back Dustin Handrich to his 17th year at Camp Eagle Ridge! Dustin is our Assistant Director. Dustin teaches a number of activities at camp including canoeing, golf, ultimate Frisbee, guitar, soccer, kayaking, archery, martial arts and leadership workshops. He is also a part of our lifeguarding team. Dustin studies Hwa Rang Do.
Dustin graduated from UW-Eau Claire with his Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology. During the winter, Dustin works for the Pali Institute in Southern California as their Assistant Director for their outdoor education program as well as working as a ropes lead for their two high ropes courses.
He's looking forward to working with our counselors to make sure our kids have a safe, fulfilling, and fun summer. Dustin's free time is spent playing pick-up ultimate frisbee, guitar, martial arts, and learning to surf.
We welcome back Dudley Williams to our 2012 staff! Dudley was a counselor for our 12 year old boys in 2006, 2007 and 2011. Dudley loves to coach sports and has recently has been coaching high school boys basketball in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He also has his own regularly featured call-in segment on a sports radio talk show. Recently, Dudley has also been doing stand-up comedy.
Dudley spent several months in the Dominican Republic working through an orphanage teaching English, coaching baseball and leading trips.
Dudley says that some of his favorite things to do at camp include: Capture The Flag, cleaning the showerhouse, basketball, sumo wrestling, making friends, "sweating creativity" (arts & crafts) and golf. Dudley says that he's looking forward to "being able to give to others what camp has given to me: a stronger sense of self and others."
Max Westman is one of our Health Managers and Waterfront Directors. Max is a EMT (Emergency Medical Technican) and is training to be a Fire Medic in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. During the off-season, Max works for the Eau Claire Hospital.
Originally from Racine, Wisconsin, Max has been at Camp Eagle Ridge since 2002. He was Camper of the Year in 2006, a Counselor-In-Training in 2007 and a Junior Counselor in 2008. 2012 will mark Max's 4th year on our staff!
Max loves to be on the water and will assist in instructing several of our waterfront programs including: sailing, kayaking, rowing, canoeing and swimming. Max is a Red Cross certified lifeguard.