Leb's Ramblings

Staff Spotlight: Sean Alexander

2012-02-20T12:52:00.001-06:00

Sean Alexander is the first of many of our CITs who have strong family ties to North Star. His two older brothers went to North Star, however his father was actually a camper at Camp Nebagamon. Sean resides in Deerfield, IL and is currently a sophomore at Deerfield High School. He’s been playing hockey since he was a youngster and is now on the DHS JV hockey team. An avid waterskiier and wakeboarder, Sean will be instructing those projects as well as archery this summer.

More about Sean:

Favorite tv show: 24/7

Best place you've ever traveled to: Colorado

Sports teams that you root for: Chicago Bears, and Blackhawks

Favorite camp meal: Chicken Kiev on the banquet nights

Favorite spot at camp: Council ring

Favorite all camp program to do at camp: Glens game

Earliest camp memory: Giving Andy a piggy back ride as a J-1er

Notable camp memory: Singing American Pie at the end of every year

If you had a super hero power, what would it be: To be able to teleport

Best Christmas/Hanukkah present that you've ever gotten: A family trip to Mexico

Preferred chicken nugget dip: BBQ sauce

Staff Spotlight: Scott Plonsker

2012-02-19T11:18:00.000-06:00

Scott Plonsker returns from Deerfield, IL where he is a junior at Deerfield High School. He is active in competitive karate, and his competition season just started and lasts until the summer He is training for the US open which is in April in Vegas. Scotty has also been playing indoor soccer.

Scott is also organizing a self defense class for charity through the Key Club, a charity group that he’s involved in at school. Proceeds those proceeds will go towards longevity and you can find more info at: http://on.fb.me/x7s6bm.

More about Scott Jason Cornelius Batman Plonsker III

Favorite tv show: 24

Best place you've ever traveled to: South Africa (I stood on the same bungee jumping bridge where the cord snapped on that woman recently. My cousin actually did it)

Sports team(s) that you root for: MICHIGAN/Bulls

Favorite camp meal: that delicious lemon pie from the Canadian

Favorite spot at camp: Right in front of the office air conditioner...and the council ring

Favorite all camp/special program to do at camp: Glen's game (as a camper and a counselor)

Earliest camp memory or notable camp memory: First blobbing experience

If you had a super hero power, what would it be: To be able to sweat Gatorade

Best Hanukkah present that you've ever gotten: I replaced my childhood bed this year for one that fits. My feet were poking through the back...

Preferred chicken nugget dip: Ketchup with a few drops of honey

Staff Spotlight: Mark Yellon

2012-02-18T16:29:00.004-06:00

In his spare time, Mark has been known to walk on water

Mark Yellon hails from Chicago, IL where he is a junior at the Latin School. He has been playing indoor soccer for his school and basketball for his Jewish youth group. He is quite proud of the fact that his team team beat Danny Verb's team. He has been doing community service and fundraisers for a local soup kitchen 2 Lil Fishes. In March, he will be doing a one week indoor racing project with my school.

At camp, Mark instructs a variety of projects, including climbing and sailing.

More about Mark:

Favorite tv show: Sportscenter, Modern Family, Daily Show

Best place you've ever traveled to: Israel in 8th grade. What a cool place!

Sports team(s) that you root for: Cubs, Bulls, Bears, Blackhawks

Favorite camp meal: It's a tossup between picnics with grilled chicken and marthas bread, and the great tacos at camp

Favorite spot at camp: Council Ring is the best, but the blob/ waterfront area is also a great place to chill out and get a tan.

Favorite all camp/special program to do at camp: Espionage or UN Day

earliest camp memory or notable camp memory: Walking off of the bus my first year and instantly loving North Star!

If you had a super hero power, what would it be: Ability to fly/ breathe fire

Best Christmas/Hanukkah present that you've ever gotten: When I was 8 I got to go for a
tour of Wrigley Field, met the whole team for autographs and got to play catch on the field

Preferred chicken nugget dip: Honey Mustard

Staff Spotlight: Jake Spungen

2012-02-14T15:31:00.000-06:00

Jake Spungen hails from Lake Forest, IL, where he is a junior at Stevenson High School. There he is involved with the school’s radio station and the community service club. He is also on the basketball team. We’re glad to have Jake back as a basketball, softball and disc golf instructor.

More about Jake "Spud" Spungen

Favorite tv show: sportscenter impractical jokers, and criminal minds

Best place you've ever traveled to: Israel

Sports team(s) that you root for: Blackhawks bears bulls cubs

Favorite camp meal: got to love the hamburger and fries along with the bug juice

Favorite spot at camp: i love sitting at the council ring

Favorite all camp/special program to do at camp: UN/pow wow day

If you had a super hero power, what would it be: to fly

Best Hanukkah present that you've ever gotten: a patrick kane jersey. the hawks are my favorite!

Preferred chicken nugget dip: without a doubt, barbeque

Camper Spud (2nd from left), Pow Wow Day Captain

Happy Valentine's Day - The February Siren is Online

2012-02-14T09:28:00.002-06:00

Read the February Siren!

We love our North Star Family! We can't tell you guys enough how much we appreciate you being part of the North Star family, and Valentine's Day is just another great occasion to tell you how much we love you.

As of today, February 14th, camp is only 125 days away and we can feel the excitement building. If you check out the February Siren, you will see why. In it you can see many of the campers and staff that will be at camp for the Summer of 2012, and read about the traveling around the country that we have been doing to make sure that we have the world's greatest campers and staff.

If you love what you see at North Star, and haven't yet signed up for this summer, you can Register Online. And as always, we hope that you'll Spread the Word about North Star to those that you love!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Staff Spotlight: Michael Lee

2012-02-12T17:39:00.000-06:00

Michael Lee hails from Riverwoods, IL. He is a junior at Deerfield High School and this will be his 8th summer at North Star and his 2nd on staff. He’ll only be at camp for the first 4 weeks as he is doing a program on International Diplomacy at American University towards the 2nd half of the summer.

He recently participated at the Model United Nations conference lead by the University of Chicago. He placed as the Outstanding Delegation in the Economic and Financial Committee. He's also on the DHS Student Congress Congressional Debate team, is running indoor track and preparing for the outdoor track season. At camp he instruct tennis, disc golf and other athletics.

More about Michael:

Favorite tv show: Criminal Minds

Best place you've ever traveled to: Rome, Italy

Sports teams that you root for: Cubs, Bears, Blackhawks, Bulls

Favorite camp meal: Thanksgiving! (Turkey and Mashed Potatoes)

Favorite spot at camp: Manor cabin in the villa

Favorite all camp/special program to do at camp: Glenns Game

Notable camp memory: Pow Wow Day captain 2004

If you had a super hero power, what would it be: super speed

Best Hanukkah present that you've ever gotten: Extendable back scratcher

Preferred chicken nugget dip: honey

Doing his rendition of The Bangles hit "Walk like an Egyptian"

Staff Spotlight: Nick Kasle

2012-02-09T20:19:00.001-06:00

Nick Kasle hails from River Hills, WI where he is a senior at Nicolet High School. Nick returns for summer number seven and brings his great sense of humor. Nick is on his school’s tennis team and at camp he can be found in a multitude of areas, on the waterfront at waterskiing, in the arts and crafts.

Nick also enjoys Larping (or Live Action Role Playing). As a matter of fact, Nick has his own larping sword (totally safe) that he occasionally will bring out for some entertainment. He has been attempting to form a larping squad at his high school, and we have faith that Nick will be successful! We're thrilled to have him back at camp this summer!

More about Nick Kasle:

Favorite tv show: Avatar the last air bender

Best place you've ever traveled to: the Galapagos Islands

Sports teams that you root for: Packers, Brewers

Favorite camp meal: Grill cheeze!

Favorite spot at camp: Smudge's grave in the council ring.

Favorite all-camp program: Camper counselor day

Earliest camp memory: walking off the bus my first year and meeting Ben Mizel, thinking he was a real nice guy with baller status.

If you could have a superpower, what would it be: To have one wish that will automatically come true, then wish for a 1000000000 wishes.

Best Hanukkah gift you ever received: Game cube when it was cool

Preferred chicken nugget dip: whatever suits my mood.

Nick Kasle and his aforementioned larping sword

Staff Spotlight: Danny Verb

2012-02-08T18:56:00.002-06:00

Danny Verb returns for summer number eight. Hailing from Riverwoods, IL, Danny is a junior at Deerfield High School. He’s getting ready for the volleyball season, which begins in the spring. At camp, Danny can be found on the climbing project as well as on soccer, ultimate and volleyball.

More about Danny:

Favorite tv show: Friends

Best place you've ever traveled to: Italy

Sports team(s) that you root for: Chicago Bears, Chicago Cubs, Chicago Blackhawks, Duluth Huskies

Favorite camp meal: Friday night dinner

Favorite spot at camp: Fun Bug area

Favorite all camp/special program to do at camp: Capture the flag

Earliest camp memory: Being able to get a top bunk my first year at camp in J2

If you had a super hero power, what would it be: Teleportation

Best Hanukkah present that you've ever gotten: Playstation 3

Preferred chicken nugget dip: Buffalo Sauce

Danny (R) with his younger brother Kyle (C) & John Lee.

Staff Spotlight: Jacob Lehr

2012-02-03T18:03:00.002-06:00

Jacob showing great form!

While certain other NSC Omaha residents occupy the Nebraska spotlight, Jacob Lehr shows his Husker pride in a more subtle way. Jacob may not be quite as outspoken or up front in his love for the team that plays in Lincoln, NE as schoolmate and fellow counselor Oliver Rockman is, but that doesn't make him any less of a fan.

Jacob returns for summer #8 at North Star. He's currently a senior at Westside High School in Omaha. There he’s a four year member of the school’s tennis team. We’ll put those skills to good use at North Star where he’ll instruct tennis as well as disc golf and golf.

His dad was a camper at North Star, too, making Jacob one of our second generation guys. We're thrilled to have him back.

More about Jacob:

Favorite tv show: Man vs. Wild

Best place you've ever traveled to: Orlando

Sports team(s) that you root for: Nebraska

Favorite camp meal: Bear in a hole

Favorite spot at camp: Council Ring

Favorite all camp/special program to do at camp: All camp capture the flag

earliest camp memory or notable camp memory: Jeremy Schmetterer's Quetico experience

If you had a super hero power, what would it be: Flight

Best Christmas/Hanukkah present that you've ever gotten: A new bike

Preferred chicken nugget dip: Definitely BBQ.

No one calls balls and strikes like Jacob!

Staff Spotlight: Scotty Hamilton

2012-01-31T20:41:00.000-06:00

Scotty Hamilton is another of our great junior counselors who has been with us for quite a while. This will be returning for his eighth summer. Hailing from Northbrook, IL, Scotty is a junior at Glenbrook North High School where he is on the school’s on the track team. At camp, he’ll instruct archery and several athletic activities.

Like the rest of our junior counselors, its been great seeing Scotty move up through his camper years and become a staff member!

More about Scott

Favorite TV show: Parks and Recreation

The best place I have ever traveled to: Israel

Teams I Root For: The Cubs, Bears, Blackhawks, and Bulls

Favorite camp meal: grilled cheese and tomato soup

Favorite spot at camp is: Council Ring

Favorite all camp program: Request Night

Earliest camp memory: J3 in 2005 when we went on the loft to try and find a way into Wanegan.

If I had a super hero power: super strength

The best Hanukkah present I have ever received: A drum set (the editors wonder if his parents felt the same way after the fact)

My preferred chicken nugget dipping sauce: honey mustard

Detroit Trip: 1/31 - 2/2

2012-01-30T14:02:00.002-06:00

Andy and Dan had a great time in St. Louis. We saw many campers and camp families as well as a handful of NSC alums. We also enjoyed meeting new families at the Summer Opportunities Fair and catching up with several other camps throughout the weekend.

After a quick 36 hour recharge at home, we're back on the road Tuesday morning, headed to Michigan. Here are our schedule stops:

1/31: Michigan State University Hiring

1pm - 4pm at the Career Center @ The Stadium

2/1: University of Michigan Hiring

10:30am - 2pm at the Michigan Union Crofoot Room

2/1: West Bloomfield Camper Fair

6:30pm - 8:30pm at the JCC West Bloomfield (6600 W. Maplewood Rd)

2/2: Eastern Michigan University Hiring

10am - 1pm in the Student Center

If you are a prospective camp family or know someone who is looking for camp for their son, we are also available for home visits. Email andy@northstarcamp.com or call us at 715-462-3254 to set up a visit or to learn more.

Prospective staff who are interested in meeting to discuss our openings but cannot stop by during our scheduled times, email dan@northstarcamp.com or call us at 715-462-3254.

Staff Spotlight: Max Emmerman

2012-01-29T12:07:00.002-06:00

Max (L) showing off his moves

Max "Emme" Emmerman will be back for summer #8. Hailing from Chicago, he is a junior at Francis Parker High School. Max is the captain of his school's golf team and also plays on the tennis team. He was recently nominated to attend the National Youth Leadership Forum on National Security and Foreign Policy in Washington D.C. He’ll have the opportunity to meet with former heads of the CIA and FBI and will visit areas that are considered restricted zones.

We're thrilled to have Max back as a junior counselor. As you can see he has a diverse set of interests and brings a lot to North Star!

More about Max:

Favorite TV Show(s): Seinfeld, How I Met Your Mother, The Office

Best Place you've ever visited: Madrid

Teams you root for: Packers, Real Madrid

Favorite Camp Meal: Friday Night Dinners/Lazy day Breakfast

Favorite Spot at CampThe end of the ridge or the entrance to camp

Favorite All Camp Activity: Glen's Game

Earliest Camp Memory: Meeting Leb at the Reunion the year before i first went to camp

If you could have a superhero power, what would it be: I would want to be able to read people's minds

Best Hanukkah gift you've ever gotten: A trip to Israel

Preferred Chicken Nugget Dipping Sauce: Barbecue Sauce, or Honey Mustard

Staff Spotlight: Robyn Kirk

2012-01-28T16:12:00.000-06:00

Robyn (L) after a strenuous Guten Gallop

Many camps have to search far and wide to find a good office manager. Landing someone who happens to have their summer free, is organized, and able to handle all the other fun stuff that comes through the main office isn't an easy task. We didn't have to look so far when it came to Robyn... she's seemingly been a part of the North Star family since the days when she and her best friend Vickie Sandler came to camp each summer to visit Vickie's then boy friend Andy. Vickie, Robyn and Andy have been friends since high school and Robyn was the Maid of Honor in their wedding.

We're thrilled to have Robyn back for her third summer. She does a great job keeping our office running on all cylinders. She's the friendly voice that you hear when you call the camp office during the summer. She also helps out a lot on our waterfront, both at swim point and at waterskiing. During the year she resides in St. Paul, MN where she’s a deaf educator.

Favorite TV Show: Right now its New Girl, but I also love Modern Family and Jeopardy.

Best place you've traveled to: Sweden

Team you root for: The Packers

Favorite Camp Meal: Kosher Delights- Bacon Wrapped Hot dogs cooked over a fire, no cheese

Favorite Spot at camp: Either the path to swim point or the driver's spot on a ski boat

Favorite All Camp Program: Predator Prey or Pow Wow Day

Earliest camp memory: Coming to Hayward to visit my North Star Friends for the first time in 2003 and being scared to actually enter the camp property

If you had a superhero power, what would it be: Transfiguration

Best Christmas present you ever got: I was pretty jazzed when I got the original Nintendo game way back in the day

Preferred Chicken Nugget Dip: Definitely honey mustard. Sometimes the chicken finger just becomes a vehicle to eat more of it.

Robyn (L) and Kacy out for an evening paddle

Staff Spotlight: Jonah Baim

2012-01-26T18:26:00.000-06:00

Jonah Baim showing his mad defensive skills in speedball

Amongst our quality staff, there is one guy who is heads above the rest, and thats Jonah Baim. Jonah quite literally towers above others, measuring in at 6' 5"... at least when we last saw him. Chances are, he'll be closer to 6' 7" by this summer.

At school, he puts his altitude advantage to good use, playing on the Highland Park. H.S. varsity basketball team. He's also a volleyball player. Currently a junior at HPHS, he is also working as a mahonic at his local temple and is becoming a peer tutor. He's an excellent counselor and we're thrilled to have him back as as climbing and sailing instructor.

More about Jonah

Favorite TV Show: Seinfeld

Best Place you've Traveled to Travel: Israel

Teams you root for: The Bulls and Bears

Favorite Camp Meal: Gilled cheese and tomato soup

Favorite Place at Camp: Top of the climbing wall

Favorite All Camp Activity: North Star ball (another volunteer to be the ball runner)

Earliest Camp Memory: Making a rubber band chain that stretched from J-2 to the upper tennis courts

If you had a superhero power, what would it be:Telekenisis

Best Hanukkah Present you've Ever Gotten: Playstation 2

Preferred Chicken Nugget Dipping Sauce: A mix of honey and ketchup

St. Louis: 1/26 - 1/29

2012-01-26T08:55:00.000-06:00

Andy and I hit the road for St. Louis today and will be there for the entire weekend. We'll be in town for both staff and camper recruiting. Below are the details of our scheduled stops, but we're also available by appointment. If you want to contact us, you can email andy@northstarcamp.com or call 715-462-3254. We're happy to schedule last minute home visits and if you know of any perspective campers or staff in the area, either have them contact us, visit us at one of our stops, or send us their contact info and we'll get in touch.

Friday, January 27th - Wash U Staffing Visit

10am - 1pm @ the Danforth Center

Saturday, January 28th - Summer Opportunities Fair (camper fair)

10am - 3pm @ Whitfield School - 175 S. Mason Rd, St. Louis, MO

http://www.summeropportunitiesfair.org/

A heads up on our upcoming travels, too. We'll be in the Detroit area from January 31st - Feb 2nd. We're staffing at Michigan State, Univ of Michigan and Eastern Michigan University, attending a camper recruitment event in West Bloomfield, and, of course are available for home visits.

We'll send updates from the road!

Staff Spotlight: Jeremy Palgen

2012-01-24T18:01:00.000-06:00

Jeremy in Quetico on the 2011 Canadian

Every year Andy and I do a staffing trip down to the University of Illinois. There are several current NSC staff and alumni that go to school down there, so its great to see them. We also take any camp folks and prospective counselors out for dinner, the real reason behind the trip. Its become a bit of a tradition that we go out to Papa Del's. Their deep dish pizza is well known amongst the U of I crowd and its a really good excuse for Andy and I to grab a meal there.

Somehow, we've managed to pick up several solid staff members there. Like clockwork, we always leave Urbana, IL having made great connections and ultimately we hire at least one, if not more really solid staff members. The latest to join the group is Jeremy Palgen. A native of Manhattan, IL, at the U of I he’s majoring in biology and is also President of the Sigma Nu fraternity. At camp, Jeremy is one of our climbing and fishing instructors. This will be his second summer at North Star.

More about Jeremy

Favorite tv show: Big Bang Theory

Best place you've ever traveled to: India

sports team(s) that you root for: Univ. of Illinois, Chicago Cubs/Bears/Bulls/Blackhawks

Favorite camp meal: Picnic

Favorite spot at camp: Top of the wall

Favorite all camp/special program to do at camp: North Star Ball (we'll remember this next year when we're looking for a ball runner

Earliest camp memory or notable camp memory: Sleeping bag fights

If you had a super hero power, what would it be: Rapid Healing (Wolverine Style)

Preferred chicken nugget dip: Honey Mustard

Jeremy is training to challenge Kobayashi at the Nathan's hot dog-eating contest

Staff Spotlight: Kim McCormack

2012-01-23T21:06:00.003-06:00

Add doggy lifeguard to Kim's responsibilities

Kim McCormack was actually Kim Hulse when she first came to North Star 14 years ago. As a middle school science teacher, she worked with NSC long timers Steve (Hitch) and Corrie Hitchens, who told her about the opportunity to work at camp as office manager. That seemed intriguing enough, and little did she know that she'd find her eventual husband at North Star.

We often joke that Kim is a Jill of all trades, and there have actually been years where that title was on her contract. The fact is that for camp to be successful, there are always people who go well beyond their title and do whatever is necessary, and this certainly is the case with Kim. She works with our counselors to make sure that our cabin cruiser days are successful. She assists in Denny's Den, helping make sure that the daily program happens. She also has lots of other daily tasks, ranging from helping sort mail to making sure that counselors get nightly snacks.

Kim did find her husband at North Star. Jeff is currently our CIT director. Their son Lake also makes North Star home for the summer. During the off season, Kim is a middle school science teacher in Evergreen, CO.

More about Kim:

Favorite tv show: The Amazing Race

Best place you've ever traveled to: London as a child & Yellowstone as an adult

Sports team(s) that you root for: I guess any Denver/Colorado team, but it really doesn't matter to me

Favorite camp meal: Tin foil surprise seasoned with minced and chopped bland. I will continue to lobby to have it each cruiser day.

Favorite spot at camp: Swim Point

Favorite all camp/special program to do at camp: UN day is my favorite each year. I also liked the blueberry and cherry festival

Earliest camp memory or notable camp memory: meeting my future husband (he doesn't remember it though)

If you had a super hero power, what would it be the ability: to teleport this way I could still shower at home while at camp

Best Christmas/Hanukkah present that you've ever gotten: As a kid, it is a tie between a bike and a beautiful doll I got one year. As an adult, I got some sapphire earrings one year. I am always appreciative for gift cards

Preferred chicken nugget dip: Honey Mustard

Kim's favorite cooking spice is minced "Bland"

Staff Spotlight: Oliver Rockman

2012-01-22T19:27:00.001-06:00


Oliver (center) with the 2011 cabin of I-6. Good times!

Many of us in the North Star world are very curious about Oliver Rockman and his impending college decision. Oliver is a high school senior from Omaha, Nebraska and, not surprisingly, is a fan of the Nebraska Corn Huskers. But he's not your typical fan... Oliver truly bleeds Husker red.

He goes to all of the Nebraska home football games. Oliver, however, is considering a multitude of options for where he'll attend college, including other Big Ten schools. As of his last update, Oliver had been accepted to the business schools at Indiana and Penn State and is still applying to Vanderbilt, Michigan, Colgate and USC. So we are curious to know how Oliver's Nebraska fandom will be effected by going elsewhere for college.

We're thrilled to have Oliver back for summer #9. At school, Oliver is involved in DECA and quiz bowl. Oliver will be returning as a cabin counselor and riflery and disc golf instructor.

More about Oliver:

Favorite TV Show: Big Red Extra

Best place you've ever traveled to: Memorial Stadium (in lovely Lincoln, Nebraska)

Sports team(s) that you root for: Nebraska Cornhuskers (we're shocked)

Favorite camp meal: Grilled Cheese

Favorite spot at camp: ~~Bike Shed~~

Favorite all camp/special program to do at camp: All Camp capture the flag (when all the staff had walkie-talkies)

Notable camp memory: Scott laner eating a quart of Culvers custard after a triple butter burger, large fries, and many root beers after our hiking trip.

If you had a super hero power, what would it be: The field vision, toughness, agility, determination,and the workhorseness that constitues Rex Burkhead.

Best Christmas/Hanukkah present that you've ever gotten: A skim milk date With Dan Lichtenstein

Preferred chicken nugget dip: Barbeque

Oliver (L) and his larping buddy, Nick Kasle

Staff Spotlight: Mike Storms

2012-01-21T14:29:00.002-06:00

Mike with a batch of his famed popcorn

One of the questions that we are asked each off season by multiple parents is whether or not Mike will be back. They all know what a great job he does instilling his tennis expertise in the campers who elect to have private tennis lessons with Mikey. He's out on the courts regardless of the conditions and even the hottest days can't slow him down. If it's raining, he's out there readying to squeegee the courts so he can get back to work. Mike's enthusiasm on the court is contagious as its impossible to walk by and not take to heart his hard work and friendly attitude.

Mike is much more than our tennis pro! For one, he is also our resident pop corn popper. Once a session each village is treated to a night time popcorn treat courtesy of Mike. Occasionally he'll humor us with one of his raps, and more than occasionally we get to hear his his jokes which is always age appropriate. The residents of Spider Lake get to enjoy Mike's musical abilities. Throughout the summer he ends his day by playing his horn on Leb and Sue's dock, and then ending with a rendition of taps.

This will be Mikey's 18th summer at North Star. During the year he resides in West St. Paul, MN, where he teaches private music lessons.

More about Mike:

Favorite movie (Mike is not a TV guy): groundhog day

Best place you've ever traveled to: nsc/ Michigan Island (lighthouse)

Sports teams that you root for: grhite (green and white)

Favorite Camp Meal: dessert--any!

Favorite spot at camp: lebby's dock/council ring/ dinner table/beneath any tall pine on camp grounds

lazy day!

Earliest camp memory: my first moments at camp 1994?; Ross Carson walking late to dinner: It was my first walk into camp from the parking area, and I thought,"how great that a little kid is safe here and has a direction in life--in this case , the direction was the dining hall!!

If you had a superhero power, what would it be: time travel

Best Christmas present: a letter from a close friend

Preferred chicken nugget dip: hot fudge (dessertatarian)

Staff Spotlight: Willie Goodman

2012-01-19T20:15:00.002-06:00

Willie (L), future Panther

We've got another counselor who will be celebrating their Big Ten at North Star this summer...Willie Goodman. Currently a student at Highland Park High School, Willie plays on the HPHS varsity hockey team. At camp, we make good use of Willie’s skills as a hockey and ultimate Frisbee instructor. He can also be found on our waterfront, helping our campers on waterskiing and wakeboarding. Willie will be attending Middlebury College in the fall.

More about Willie:

Favorite tv show: Curb Your Enthusiasm

Best place you've ever traveled to: Israel

Sports team(s) that you root for: Chicago Blackhawks, Michigan Wolverines

Favorite camp meal: Indian Fry Bread (not sure if thats with our without bear in the hole)

Favorite spot at camp: The Water Ski Docks

Favorite all camp/special program to do at camp: Capture The Flag

Earliest camp memory or notable camp memory: Having Andy Shlesnky as my J1 counselor

If you had a super hero power, what would it be: Super Speed

Best Hanukkah present that you've ever gotten: My college acceptance from Middlebury

Preferred chicken nugget dip: Buffalo

Staff Spotlight: Olly Cayless

2012-01-18T17:17:00.001-06:00

Olly is a man of many talents!

Our International staff members bring so much to camp. We work hand in hand with a few different agencies who recruit, interview and place staff at camps across the country. NSC alum Brad Holland worked for many years with a company in his native Australia and about a year ago he move on from that. After leaving, however, he did some consulting work with the placement agencies and in this role, he sent us one last profile for a prospective counselor named Oliver Cayless. Brad hit the nail on the head on that one!

Olly returns to North Star for summer #2. Traveling all the way from the UK, Olly hails from Brecon in Wales. Back home, Olly is a student where he studies sports and exercise science. At camp, we put his talents to good use as he spends much of his time as a climbing wall and windsurfing instructor. On top of that, he is a certified canoeing and kayaking instructor. We’re lucky to have Olly back!

More about Olly

Favorite tv show: Top Gear (British version) or Scrubs

Best place you've ever traveled to: New Zealand

Sports team(s) that you root for: WELSH RUGBY TEAM!!!!! (he seemed pretty emphatic about that one)

Favorite camp meal: Beef with the fried potato ball things (I am guessing he means latkes) taco salad, anything by the squirty chicken kievs.

Favorite spot at camp: The Council Ring

Favorite all camp/special program to do at camp: Glen's Game or Espionage

Earliest camp memory: Driver Greg stopping at Dairy Queen on the way back from the airport just after stopping at Jimmy Johns and him being surprised that we weren't hungry. Notable camp memory: My first Friday night service with full camp

If you had a super hero power, what would it be: To be able to fly

Best Christmas present that you've ever gotten: Socks

Preferred chicken nugget dip: BBQ Sauce

Olly Cayless, lumberjack in training

Staff Spotlight: Zach Blumenfeld

2012-01-17T16:10:00.000-06:00

Zach "Blumy" Blumenfeld, life guard and game show wiz

Its hard to find a guy with as much spirit and enthusiasms as Zach "Blumy" Blumenfeld and we're thrilled that he's going to be returning for his ninth summer. Blumy's also a pretty smart guy. Its not every day that we have a counselor who has to leave early to go on Teen Jeopardy... and its not every day that we have a counselor who has to come late to camp because he need to go meet the President.

Both of these were the case with Blumy. A few summers ago he was on Teen Jeopardy, romping his opponents in the first episode. When he was interviewed by Alex Trebek, Zach told him all about his Pine Manor Canadian Trip... of course he forgot to mention North Star. Last summer Zach was selected as a Presidential Scholar representing the State of Illinois. This earned him a trip to Washington D.C. and a chance to meet President Obama. At the last minute the President was called away. Zach is currently a freshman at Vanderbilt University and, at camp, instructs fitness training and swimming.

More about Zach

Favorite TV Show: Top Chef. So intense, and the food looks amazing.

Favorite vacation spot: Aruba. Ninety-five feels like eighty with that cool tropical breeze.

Sports teams: Vanderbilt Commodores (should be my team), Stanford Cardinal (still my team), Chicago Blackhawks and Bears

Favorite camp meal: Saturday night BBQ Chicken with Rice Pilaf and Martha’s Bread. While Grilled Cheese/Tomato Soup and Assorted Pizzas are fantastic lunches, there’s nothing like sitting in a circle on the grass on a warm Saturday evening and eating your chicken, rice, and Martha’s bread with friends. Plus, Martha’s Bread is the best.

Favorite camp place: The blob, although the fishing boat docks and the Council Ring are not far behind. It’s an amazing spot to hang out and have a nice conversation while getting a tan (with sunscreen, of course). If I ever made it to 20 years I would want the blob to be named for me (Blumy’s Blob has awesome alliteration).

Favorite all-camp program: Friday Night Services. I can almost feel the ghosts of campers and counselors past every time I’m at the Council Ring, and of course the music and stories are great. Mike Storms’ rendition of “Taps” gives me chills every time I hear it. Of all programs, the Friday Night Service by far encapsulates the spirit of North Star the most, and every year my appreciation for it only grows.

My first North Star memory: I stumbled off the bus on my very first day as a camper (in 2004) with my keyboard under one arm, a pillow under the other, and my backpack on my back. I was pretty embarrassed, and I remember the tunnel of counselors saying, “Woah there” or some equivalent. Needless to say, things have improved since then. Interesting fact: this was how I opened my (college) Common Application essay.

Super Power: teleportation. Cool AND practical.

Best Hanukkah present: Jonathan Toews jersey. He is a role model for hockey players and non-hockey players alike.

Preferred nugget dip: BBQ sauce. Tastes amazing on anything.

Zach's aspirations include doing the Canadian via innertube

Staff Spotlight: Andy Rodheim

2012-01-16T21:11:00.005-06:00

It's Andy "Crazy Legs" Rodheim. We're not exactly sure where the nickname Crazy Legs comes from...some insist that if you ever watch Andy run, it will make sense. Currently a sophomore at Northwestern University, Andy is very involved in the AEPi fraternity as the rush chairman. At camp, Andy instructs tennis and also drives ski boats. He also makes sure that our youngest campers are taken care of as he returns as our Junior Village Director. Andy returns for his 10th summer (also known as the Big Ten... its kind of a big deal).

Its "Crazy Leg's Rodheim!!!

More about Andy:

Favorite TV show: Sports Center and Law and Order

Best place you've ever traveled to: Israel

Sports team(s) that you root for: Cubs, Bears, Bulls, Blackhawks, Northwestern Wildcats

Favorite camp meal: Hamburgers and Hot Dogs, Fries, Bug Juice, and of course, the firecracker popsicles for dessert

Favorite spot at camp: The Council Ring

Favorite all camp/special program to do at camp: Glenn’s Game… Just Kidding. We’ll go with UN Day/

Pow-Wow Day.

Earliest camp memory: I still remember the first night in the summer of 2003, and having hamburgers and fries for dinner. It’s the best.

If you had a super hero power, what would it be: To Fly

Best Hanukkah present that you've ever gotten: A little background. I collect bobbleheads and have over 200. For the longest time I’ve wanted a Michael Jordan bobblehead. Finally, a few years ago, my parents got mean old school, Michael Jordan bobblehead!

Preferred chicken nugget dip: Barbeque Sauce, no question


Very few people know that Andy's life long goal is to drive a big yellow bus!

Staff Spotlight: Jeff McCormack

2012-01-15T20:07:00.000-06:00

Over the coming weeks, we are going to take some time to introduce you to all of the great staff members who are going to make the summer of 2012 so great. It goes without saying that everyone from our counselors to our kitchen staff are instrumental in creating a successful summer. We start our staff spotlight with the Big Dog, Jeff McCormack

The Big Dog, Jeff McCormack, North Star's CIT Director

Sometimes things don't go as planned, and it was a situation like that that landed Jeff at North Star. Jeff's grandparents ran Pine Crest, a resort that was on Spider Lake, and Jeff used to hang out there during the summer. He was spending one of his summers there when one of our Israeli counselors had to leave camp because of family issues and one of our counselors, Jon Biedermann suggested to Leb that we see if Jeff was interested in filling in. Well, Jeff has done much more than that, as this upcoming summer will be his 17th at North Star.

At camp, Jeff now serves as the director of our Counselor in Training program. He started out as a cabin counselor and fishing instructor and over the years rose up the NSC ranks, working first as a Village Director and now as our CIT Director. He also brought one of his passions to camp, disc golf. Jeff suggested the idea to Leb and what started out a a few disc golf baskets and a collection of discs has grown to a disc golf course that goes throughout much of camp and is one of the most popular activities at North Star.

During the rest of the year, Jeff resides in Westminster, Co with his wife, Kim and their son, Lake, both of whom also come to camp. We'll profile them later on. Jeff is a special education teacher and . Some other (not so) little known facts about Jeff... he played college football at Western St. in Gunnison, CO and he used to wow everyone during staff shows with his ability to crush a full, unopened can of soda.

We're thrilled to have Jeff back and we know that our CITs are as well!

The January 2012 Siren is Online!

2012-01-13T12:31:00.000-06:00

The January Siren is online. While we're proud of the literary masterpiece that is our opening welcome, we know that for most, the campers especially, the good stuff starts on page two. Here you'll find our first installment of returning staff. We are very excited to introduce the young (and not so young) men and women who are going to make North Star's 68th summer so great. Since the Siren went to press, we have received commitments from additional returning staff, so keep an eye out for our February newsletter which will have more returners, our 2012 class of Counselors in Training, and several new staff that we've hired over the last few weeks.

Enrollment continues to be strong, and you'll see the latest new and returning campers who have enrolled. We still have spaces remaining in some of our age groups, depending on session. If you know of anyone who might be interested in sending their son to North Star, let us know by completing the "Refer a Friend" form. We will be at camper recruitment events in St. Louis and Detroit over the coming weeks and will also be traveling to Atlanta and many other cities. We'd be happy to schedule home visits with prospective campers. As always, we appreciate your support and we know that our best salesmen and saleswomen are our camp families.