Friday, March 11, 2011

Staff packing List

Essential Camp Needs........

Physical examination (signed in the last 12 months by a medical practitioner)

Proof of hepatitis B inoculation

Prescriptions and outside medical needs

Copy of your medical insurance

Smart outfit for banquet and days off

Toiletries (Towels and washcloths)

White shorts and shirt for Chapel Service

Plenty of socks and underwear

Rain coat and rain pants (IMPORTANT – camp activities still happen in the rain)

Bathing suit(s) Nylon is best

Shorts and t-shirts

Wool or wool blend sweater or fleece

Sandals, Water shoes, Tevas, or chacos

Sunscreen and sunglasses

Mosquito spray (bring what you are use to)

Comfortable sneakers

* Sun hat or bandana

* Flashlight

* Water bottle

TAN or light brown SHORTS OR PANTS – this is part of our staff uniform on check in and check out days. A staff shirt will be provided for these days.

If you are a counselor you will be participating in an out of camp wilderness adventure trip so the following items are essential…..

Long johns (Polypropylene/thermal underwear, fleece or leggings will work)

Pack towel or small towel

Backpack (5000 cubic inches with internal frame and an adjustable hip strap)

Pack cover (to protect pack from rain and a heavy duty trash bag will also work well)

Compression sleeping bag (needs to be compressed so it fits into a hiking pack and rated 30 degrees or less)

Sleeping mat / thermarest (camp has several you can borrow)

Hiking boots (Must be sturdy, broken in, comfortable and with ankle support)

Wool/wool blend socks

* Mess kit (bowl with high sides that can be used as a cup as well)

* Wool hat

American staff - Pillow, sheets and blankets for cabin beds (Provided for all international staff.)

- Photocopy of your social security card for payroll

Optional Items

A good book or journal

Musical Instrument

Camera

Photographs of family and friends

A flag of your home country to hang up in your cabin

Interesting souvenirs or articles from your home country or area of the USA to show campers and staff

Laptop (we have wireless capability in the main lodge and Trailside Lodge you can use)

Cell phone – to use on down time and away from campers

* Available in the camp store

There are no laundry facilities on camp property. Clothing for both warm and cold weather conditions is necessary since weather can, and often does, change quickly. Low temperatures can reach 10° C or 50° F with highs up to 32° C or 90° F.

HORSE BACK RIDERS

All equestrian staff and counseling staff interested in the equestrian or Wrangler cabins

  • Ridning boots with a heel
  • Jeans or breeches
  • Riding helmet

(Riding helmets are provided for all riding staff)

All employees must wear clothing appropriate to their work assignment. Employees must be aware that their appearance directly affects the organization’s public image. Clothing with alcoholic /smoking/ distasteful messages are not allowed. Personal hygiene habits conducive to a person’s neat appearance are very important, as all employees are responsible for creating an acceptable and appropriate public image.

Many camping items can be purchased in traverse City. There are numerous camping supply stores and you will have several opportunities to make these purchases before you start the summer camping program.

Introducing the Ad staff of 2011

Administrative Staff: Along with myself camp has an administration team that oversees all aspects of the camp program and facilities. The ad staff positions this year include Camp Director, all Division Leaders, and the Program Director(s).

Amanda Macaluso - Camp Director
Originally from Geelong, Australia I ventured to Michigan in 1993 as a counselor. Since then I have filled positions such as counselor, waterfront director, trip director and program director and I was promoted to director in 1998. This will be my 19th year on staff at YMCA Hayo-Went-Ha Camps. During the winter I plan the intricate details of every AHWH camp trip, recruit campers and staff and oversee the year round programming at the Girls Camp site. I live in Elk Rapids (just 20 miles from camp) with my husband, Joe who is an 8th grade teacher and our two daughters - Emma who is 7 and Zoe who is 4. Professionally, I am an active member of the American Camp Association and the YMCA Michigan Camps Network. Personally, I am a member of my daughters local school PTO and am a Daisy Girl Scout Leader.

Kerrie McIntyre - Assistant Director and Nejee Division Leader
This will be my 11th summer as a staff member at AHWH!! I am from Alloa, Scotland but currently live in Manchester, England. I have worked in a number of roles during my time at camp, including Counselor, Trip Shack, Program Director, and Happy Hollow Division Leader. However, for the last three years I have been the Assistant Director and Nejee Division Leader. AHWH has played a huge role in shaping me as a person and I return every year to live in the Piney Wood Hills for three months and revel in the lessons that it teaches every girl that passes through. In my "real life" I graduated from The University of Newcastle last year with a BA in Sociology and I intend to commence a Masters in Social Work this coming September. I have an avid passion for music, no matter what genre and I continue to try and teach myself how to play the guitar. I enjoy all sports and have recently taken up snowboarding, although it is much worse than my guitar playing. I am extremely excited for Spring and Summer 2011 and am counting down the days until I get there! I can't wait to meet you all, especially the many fellow Scots which we have been slightly lacking in for the past few years!!

Courtney Baxter - Happy Hollow Division Leader
This will be my 12th summer at Arbutus, my second on ad-staff, and my 6th on staff. Camp has transformed me as a person and played an extremely large role in shaping the person I am today and so I keep coming back each year to try and start campers on a similar path of discovering and defining who they are. In a few months, I will graduate from Denison University with a degree in Women's Studies and International Studies and a future not really planned beyond this summer at camp. But the uncertainty drives me! I'm from Ohio and have lived there all my life, including at university, except for a 4 month stint studying abroad in Cameroon, West Africa last spring. My passions include social entrepreneurship and social change, being outside, writing, traveling, music playing and getting to know people through conversation. I'm really excited to meet you all and work with you in a few short months!

Amelia Rode - Thicket Division Leader
This summer will be my 14th at camp, having started as a camper in 1998. I have been a counselor and a division leader and will be continuing my role as division leader this summer. During the rest of the year, I live in Virginia where I attend the University of Virginia. In May, I will be graduating with a degree in Neuroscience. Outside of studying, I spend most of my time leading trips and teaching local school groups about wilderness safety with our outdoors club. I consider Arbutus my second home and I am really excited to start another summer at camp!

Ginny Krone - Hollow Division Leader

This will be my 11th year at camp and I’m beyond excited to be returning for another action packed summer! I have been on staff for 5 years, and was a part of the Ad-Staff team at the end of last summer. As a camper growing up on the shores on Arbutus, I learned so much about myself and grew confidence to take this newfound knowledge back into everyday life. My experiences as a camper are what drive me to return year after year as I hope to create the environment that will help campers achieve the same. Outside of camp, I am currently a senior studying biology at the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, Washington although I consider home Cincinnati, Ohio. Post university this coming year, I plan to be a part of marine conservation projects in both Mexico and Belize. I love SCUBA diving, manatees, camping, and traveling. Mostly though, I am excited to get to know all of you and have tons of fun in the summer of 2011.



Sarah Marino - LC Director and Alaska staff second session
I'm a 22 year old senior nursing student at Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania where I'll be graduating in May with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Born in Long Island, NY, my family and I have lived in Orwigsburg, a small community 2 hours northwest of Philadelphia located in the PA coal region, since I was 3. I have spent 7 summers at Arbutus, 5 of them on staff. I did Isle Royale and Killarney as both a camper and a counselor. I love to try new things, travel, and spend time with people. I've summited Mt. Washington in January, skydived in Michigan, and traveled through Europe twice. I enjoy kayaking, biking, reading, and watching the Philadelphia Eagles play. After camp this summer, I will be doing a 5 month internship at Disney World and then hope to be assigned to an Americorp team for a 10 month tour of service.

Stacey Wimbledon-Emig Equestrian Director/ Equestrian/Wrangler Division leader
This will be my 5th summer at camp. My first summer was in 2005 and I started out as a barn chick. I then returned as the Equestrian Director and did that for 2 more summers, I returned for 2b last year to help the barn girls out and this year I will be returning as the Equestrian Director and taking on a new role as a division leader for those hard core horsey campers! I live in Essex, England and I am a Photographer I do children's portrait photography and weddings. When I'm not at work I enjoy going to the gym and long distance running and on the 17th of April I will be running the London Marathon. Camp is a wonderful place to be and I cannot wait to get back there.

Maggie Martin - 1st session Alaska and 2nd session Program Director
I've wanted to be Program Director since I was about 12 so I am ridiculously excited for this summer!! This is my 10th summer at camp-- favorite camp trip is hands-down Isle Royale. I am a little obsessed with Broadway musicals, alliteration, camp songs, and dance. I go to Michigan State and study Theatre and Dance.

Maggie Valle - 1st session Program Director and 2nd session Alaska
This is my 13th summer at Arbutus, my fifth summer as a counselor and my first summer on Ad Staff! I will be Program Director first session and going to Alaska second session-- I am very excited for another action-packed summer! In the off-season, I live in Ann Arbor, Michigan or Lansing, where I go to school at Michigan State University. I am in my senior year studying Arts and Humanities and Studio Art and am also working towards getting my teaching certificate. I have really enjoyed participating in the "Saturday Morning Art" program with local children and teens this year, making art and learning about important art movements. Camp has been a huge part of my life and I love seeing it become that same place for others. I cant wait to meet everyone and spend another arbeautiful summer with all of you!