2023 Counselor extravaganza!

We’re so excited about all the amazing counselors we have coming to Aloha this summer! Some are joining us for the very first time, and some are returning after a little time away. Here’s just a small sample of all the wonderful folks we can’t wait to introduce you to!

ANA VACA teaches in Ecuador, the country of the Galapagos Islands where Charles Darwin refined his theories of evolution. She is thrilled to be joining an experiential learning environment here at Aloha! You can find her at the Art Barn this summer. She told us that she is really looking forward to being a camp counselor. “I am an educator at heart… from what I have heard from previous camp leaders, the experience is full of opportunities to teach with a different methodology than the traditional one and I love teaching and coaching!”

If Ana could be any mythological animal, she would be a dragon!

JADEN TONNER is from Largs, a small seaside town on the west coast of Scotland and looking forward to ALL the group activities, singing, and playing games with everyone!

“What drew me to the role is the chance to be there to support campers’ wellbeing. Being that safe person that a child feels they can open up to with any problems or feelings, and being there for them to make sure they feel supported and cared for whilst away from home is something that I would love to be a part of. I have a lot of compassion and patience for young people, and it would mean a lot to me to help guide them in a summer of unforgettable experiences.”

Jaden strives to embody resilience, compassion, and determination all qualities she associates with her mythological creature choice: a phoenix!

MARYAM USMAN is an industrial designer from Pakistan who will be heading up Woodworking this summer! As part of her degree, Maryam has done a lot of modelling and woodworking and brings the skills and confidence to teach and lead within the wood shop. Maryam also has her own online business selling papercrafts and stationery she loves all mediums for arts and crafts.

She says “I feel that nature has a deep connection to me and the power to help me grow. Happiness for me comes from taking in the sights and sounds of the natural world, I’m always happy when I look at nature and other living creatures!”

If Maryam could be any creature she’d be a unicorn because associates them with nature, and happiness (and cuteness)!

EDEN EDWARDS was a counselor in 2019 and is rejoining us from New Zealand in the Kayaking department. In a letter to Char, Eden wrote: “I was so impressed by the everpresent theme of ‘girl power’ and leadership opportunities for the campers, especially Club. Every day I was in awe of how Aloha fostered young women to be their most authentic selves through confidence building and self-reflective activities like Wishing Fire.”

If Eden could be a mythological creature, she would be a Mer person because she loves all things water. It’s a long swim from Aotearoa (New Zealand), but you can count on Eden to bring her love of yoga, bouldering, and birthday cake decorating with her to the shores of Aloha!

ELLIE POHLIG is returning to us from Concord, Massachusetts as a counselor in Canoeing. A former subclubber in 2019, Ellie loves to read and make friendship bracelets during free time at camp. Ellie told us “Mythology has been one of my leading interests since my best friend introduced me to the Percy Jackson series (by Rick Riordan) in fourth grade. Greek and Roman mythology fascinate me to the point where I now study both Latin and Greek, and plan on majoring in Classics alongside Biology.”

If Ellie could be a mythological creature, she would be a (friendly!) dragon so she could fly around and see the world from a new perspective.

CHARLIE HAIGH will be spending the summer at Woodchuck Hole a favorite spot from their camp days. Charlie’s coming to camp from Bucks County, PA and loves to play board and card games. A reference had this to say: “Charlie is gentle, patient, and kind. Charlie is so very empathetic and will no doubt make even the most difficult situation with a camper as comforting and supportive as possible. Combine that empathy with a maturity and wisdom and you have a person who your organization would be proud to have.”

Charlie also loves to read and write stories especially fantasy stories! As a mythological creature in their own fantasy story, Charlie would probably be a sphinx (though a phoenix comes in a close second!).

HIKE A NEW MOUNTAIN

PADDLE, KAYAK, OR SAIL TO THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF LAKE MOREY CHAT WITH A FRIEND ON THE MAIN HOUSE’S PORCH SWING

INVENT A NEW AWKWARD DANCE MOVE WITH YOUR TENT FAMILY

INTRODUCE YOURSELF TO SOMEONE NEW EVERY DAY GO DOWN THE SLIDE AT SWIMMING

THROW A POT OR MAKE A PIECE OF JEWELRY IN ARTS & CRAFTS

DELVE INTO A BOOK AT REST HOUR

SIGN UP FOR A BIKE TRIP

MAKE A WISH AT WISHING FIRE

FIND A NAME YOU RECOGNIZE (OR SOMEONE WITH YOUR SAME FIRST NAME) ON THE NAME BOARDS IN THE HALE

LEARN OR TEACH A NEW CARD GAME

PRACTICE BUILDING THE PERFECT CAMPFIRE

MAKE A FRIENDSHIP BRACELET

GO ON A LAKE WALK

WAIT IN LINE FOR THE SALAD SHIP

TIE A FRIENDSHIP KNOT

PLAY SPUD

START A SONG WITH YOUR TABLE DURING A MEAL

TIE KNOTS IN BREAD WITH SHEL

SHOOT A BALLOON AT ARCHERY

ENTER THE CAMPER-COUNSELOR TENNIS TOURNAMENT

PERFORM AT ALOHA ENTERTAINS

HELP OUT DURING TABLE SETTERS

LEAD A SONG AT ASSEMBLY

STAR GAZE ON THE ATHLETIC FIELD

MAKE A S’MORE IN THE WOODCHUCK HOLE DECORATE YOUR NAMETAG

READ IN THE GARDEN DURING SCATTERED EVENING VISIT THE TREEHOUSE

WRITE A NEW ANNOUNCEMENTS SONG IN THE DINING HALL GO TO MUSIC APPRECIATION IN PERFORMING ARTS

WRITE A LETTER

CALL “A-LO-HA!” FROM THE BLUFF DRESS UP FOR A THEMED EVENING PROGRAM

DO A TENT FAMILY MEAL

LISTEN TO THE SOUND OF RAIN ON THE TENT FLAPS PLAY BADMINTON DURING 12-1

TRY TO VISIT EVERY DEPARTMENT AT LEAST ONCE!

LEARN THE NAMES OF EVERY CAMPER & COUNSELOR IN YOUR UNIT