Youth Day Camp Staff 2020

 
 BINDER ADVENTURE CAMP
 AJ Ferrell A.J. Ferrell, Leader, Level 2

Hello, I'm AJ! I am a high school English teacher throughout the school year at Versailles High School. I have a passion for working with children and encouraging them to become the best versions of themselves that they can possibly be! I love to be outside whenever I possibly can and love to stay active. I look forward to creating many new memories this year at camp!

  Taylor Kuhlman, Assistant Leader, Level 2
  Kaleb Pecher, Counselor, Level 1 & 2

 noah Noah Evers, Counselor, Level 1 & 2

Hello, I’m Noah Evers! I’m a sophomore at State Fair Community College. I’m majoring in History in Secondary Education, so I can’t wait to be around kids and get experience to my profession. My favorite hobbies are fishing and canoeing. At Binder Adventure you will have the opportunity to do those things. I can’t wait to help kids and make some memories.

 Maddy Lepper Maddy Lepper, Leader, Level 1

Hi I’m Maddy! I’m a sophomore at Missouri State University and majoring in Exercise and Movement Science. My favorite hobbies include hunting, hiking, and fishing. I love the outdoors, and Binder Adventure Camp provides the perfect opportunity to do just that. I can’t wait to play some new and creative games and activities with campers. I look forward to another great year with some wonderful kids and the great outdoors.

 Emily Picture Emly Massman, Assistant Leader, Level 1

Hi! I’m Emily Massman and I am super excited to be a camp counselor this summer! I am currently majoring in Anthropology, Sociology, and Pre-Elementary Education at Truman State University. I can often be found reading, hiking, biking, or kayaking in my free time. I love working with kids and am passionate about helping kids engage with the outdoors!

 Maddie - Copy Maddie Veltrop, Counselor, Level 1

Hi! I’m Maddie Veltrop and I’m beyond excited to be working at Binder Adventure Camp this summer for my first full time year. I am a newly Fatima High School graduate, and will be advancing my studies at Missouri State University to major in Communication Sciences and Disorders. In my free time I can be found working for the JC pools, kayaking, and going on hikes with my Australian Shepherd, Jane. I look forward to helping your kids grow in their knowledge of the outdoors, and the fun we are going to have this summer. 

   
CAMP STAR 
 Leigh Anne Long

Leigh Anne Long, Leader
Summer camps are my second career! I have been a camp counselor since 2002, a special education teacher since 2006, and a school counselor since 2013.  Obviously, my passion is working with kids! I'm excited to be back for a new adventure at Camp Star.  I feel this camp allows kids all kids an opportunity to have a camp experience!! I'm looking forward to another great summer and I can't wait to see how this new camps comes to fruition. 

 Kristi - Copy Kristi Wortmann, Assistant Leader
Hi! I am Kristi! I am so excited to hanging out at Camp Star this summer! I have work many positions through parks and rec, but this is my second year as a camp counselor! I have been a camp counselor at Camp Barnabas a few years ago. I am currently studying at Central Methodist University to become a high school Special Education teacher. A few of my hobbies include a mix of sports, hiking, camping, and hanging out with family and friends! I am excited to be able to play games and hangout this summer!!
   
CAMP GREEN BERRY 
 emma - Copy

Emma Helm, Leader
Hi there! My name is Emma and I am a Biology major at the University of Missouri-Kansas City. I am excited for an opportunity to be a camp leader this summer. I love being outside, especially when hiking, running or horseback riding are involved. I am always up for having fun and coming up with entertaining games, and cannot wait to share that with some great kids!

 Sam - Copy

Sam Helton, Assistant Leader 
My name is Samantha Helton, and this will be my third summer at JC Parks summer camps, though I took a break for a couple summers while I was in graduate school at East Carolina University in North Carolina. Being 30 minutes from the beach was fun, but I am so happy to be back home in mid-Missouri and am excited to be back at camp! I will begin my career as a school Speech-Language Pathologist in August but look forward to spending time with the kids at camp until then! In my free time I enjoy camping, hiking, running, spending time with my friends and family, and doing anything that involves using my creativity. Camp is always a blast, and I look forward to what this summer has in store!

 Dustin

Dustin Jeffries, Counselor
Hi, I'm Dustin! I'm so excited to be spending time with you at Camp Green Berry this summer! This will be my first year as a JC Parks camp counselor, but I'm eager to share my passion for the outdoors with you! I have a Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education and I'm currently pursuing my Master's Degree in Elementary Administration - working with children is truly my calling! I'm looking forward to spending time with you this summer! 

   
CAMP OUT N ABOUT 
 Megan Distler Megan Distler, Leader

Hi, I'm Megan Distler, and I can't wait to be leading Camp Out N About this summer!  This will be my third summer at CONA, and my second one as the leader.  We can't wait to get our kids up and moving this summer through a variety of games, mixing in our old favorites with some new ones!  When I'm not at camp, you can find me working at Jefferson City High School in Special Education or coaching the Lady Jays to victory on the volleyball court.  In my free time, I love playing outside with my dog, hiking, traveling, or playing any sport I can.  I can't wait for another summer with our awesome Parks and Rec kids!

 Audrey Kruse  - Copy Audrey Kruse, Assistant Leader
Hi! My name is Audrey Kruse. This will be my tenth year with JC Parks. I started working for JC Parks in 2010 as a lifeguard when I was only fifteen years old. I was a lifeguard for four years, the Assistant Pool Manager for two years, and the Head Pool Manager of Ellis-Porter Riverside Pool for three years. Working for JC Parks has been one of the greatest experiences of my life. I have met so many people through this organization that have turned into family. I am excited to take on a new role with JC Parks this summer as a camp counselor! I just graduated from the University of Central Missouri with my Bachelors in Instrumental Music Education. This passion is emphasized through the gift of music. Working with students is truly where my passion lies. In addition, I have had the opportunity to work with many students and young adults through JC Parks by teaching lifeguarding courses and having the opportunity to teach our youth Jr. Lifeguard program. Watching the lifeguards improve in their skills and grow as an individual fuels my passion for teaching even more. I am excited to be able to step into a different position this year and be able to have a great summer with the JC Parks camp kids!
 Easton Easton Ambler, Counselor

Hi,My name is Easton Ambler! I am a senior at Newbloomfield High school. I will be graduating in June and I will be pursuing a Bachelors Degree in Science. I love hanging out with kids, I got the chance to do it everyday, when we where in session of school. My hobbies are hanging out with my family, friends, being outside, and also trying new things. When I was younger I attended Binder a lot. I had a blast always playing capture the flag, building forts, and fishing. I am very excited to become a camp counselor for Washington Park. I’m looking very forward to this summer!

 Shaina - Copy Shaina Anderson, Counselor
Hi, I’m Shaina Anderson! This will be my first year as a summer camp counselor. I am from Jefferson City, MO and going into my senior year at Saint Louis University! I am majoring in Neuroscience on the premed track with a minor in Psychology in the hopes to attend medical school. The end goal is to become a pediatrician! I enjoy working out/playing sports, volunteering, working with children, and playing my violin (I have played for 10 years now)! I have worked with children at a preschool for the past 2 years and look forward to working with older children at camp! Can’t wait to see what this summer holds!
   
CAMP WOKKA WOKKA 
 Ali Ali Linck, Leader

Hi, I'm Ali! This will be my fourth summer working summer camp, second one with Jefferson City Parks and Recreation.  I am beyond excited to be the leader at Camp Wokka Wokka this summer. I love to be outside, creating different arts and crafts projects, renovating my house and spending time with family and friends! When not working summer camps, I am a first grade teacher.  I am a University of Missouri Graduate with a B.S in Elementary Education and a recent University of Central Missouri Graduate with a M.S in Educational Technology.  I am excited to spend the summer enjoying crafts, games, swimming and the outdoors with your kids!

 Claire Muenks Claire Muenks, Assistant Leader
Hi! My name is Claire Muenks! I am a University of Missouri student majoring in Human Development and Family Sciences with a Child Life Specialist emphasis. My goal after college is to work with pediatric patients in the hospital, helping them cope with, understand, and distract them from their circumstances, procedures, and/or diagnoses. My hobbies include playing volleyball, hiking, traveling, playing games, and being outside in the warm sunshine! I’m so excited to be back at camp again this summer and I can’t wait to see some familiar faces along with meeting new faces all while making great memories!
 Gracie Gracie Geroge, Counselor 

Hi, I’m Gracie. I am almost finished with my first year at Missouri State University. I am majoring in Speech Language Pathology with a minor in Psychology. I enjoy being outside, playing with animals, reading, hanging out with my family, and playing sports. I have a passion for sports and love to work with children. I hope to continue working with children as I enter my professional field. I am excited to be a counselor at JC Parks and make friends with several kiddos.

 Emily

Emily Zerr, Counselor 
Hello, I'm Emily Zerr and I can't wait to be a camp counselor. I am currently a freshman at the University of Missouri in Columbia. I am majoring in Health Sciences with an emphasis in Rehabilitation Sciences with a minor in Psychology. I plan to go to graduate school to become a Pediatric Physical Therapist. I love hiking, doing crafts, playing games outside, and meeting new people! I look forward to having a blast with your children this summer!  

   
WASHINGTON PARK DAY CAMP
 carly Carly James, Leader

Hello! My name is Carly James and I am the Camp Leader for the Washington Park Day Camp.  This will be my 3rd year working as a camp counselor and 2nd year as a camp leader.  I have worked for Parks and Rec since 2013.  I am graduating in May with my Master’s in Speech Language Pathology from Missouri State University.  I will begin working for the Jefferson City School District in August.  I have always enjoyed working with children of all age groups and love helping kids meet their full potential in whichever environment they are in.  Some of my hobbies include running, hiking, traveling, and sand volleyball.  I am so excited to foster relationships and allow campers to have a great camp experience!

 alex Alex Fortman, Assistant Leader

Hello! My name is Alex and I am so excited to be working with your kids this summer! This will be my second year working camps, but my first year being an Assistant Leader. I just finished up my 2-year degree and are transferring to Mizzou this fall. I am currently studying Psychology. I have been a figure skater at the ice arena for about 10 years now and I worked as an ice skating instructor for 2 years and I love teaching kids about my passion! I can’t wait to see your smiling faces at camp!

 Haley Haley Hawkins, Counselor

Hi, I'm Haley and I am so excited to spend another summer working at Washington Park Day Camp! I am a freshman at Southeast Missouri State University perusing a double major in communication disorders and theater. I love ice skating, hiking, swimming, and being around good people. That makes Washington Park Day camp the perfect place for me. I can't wait to see what this summer has in store.

   


Administration / Subs
 Garrett Haslag

Garrett Haslag, Youth Day Camp Program Assistant
Hi, my name is Garrett Haslag and this will be my 6th year working with Jefferson City Parks and Recreation! I spent my first two years as a camp counselor, and the last three as camp leader all at Camp Out-N-About. This year I will be changing positions and taking more of an administrative role as an assistant to Angie Toebben (program manager). I am a graduate of Cole County R-V (Eugene) and William Woods University where I received my degree in physical education. I am also currently working on my master's degree in secondary school administration. I currently am employed at Cole County R-V as a health and physical education teacher. My passion is working with kids and nurturing an environment that is conducive to learning. I cannot wait for another summer making great experiences for the kids of Mid-Missouri!

 mckenzie - Copy Mckenzie Bennett, Sub

Hi! I’m McKenzie Bennett! I’m a certified 6-12 Language Arts teacher and have had 7 successful years of teaching. I’ve also coached high school JV and Varsity volleyball for the last 10 years. I’ve worked for Parks and Rec for 15 years in various capacities from volleyball official, to concession workers, camp counselor, camp leader, field supervisor, and most recently WIPA assistant manager. I love kids and people, and I’m passionate about using my skill set as a service for all people! 

Katie Ruth Katie Ruth, Sub

Hi, I’m Katie! I am currently a student at the University of Missouri, where I am majoring in biology. I enjoy running, traveling, and hiking. I am so excited to be back this summer. I love kids, playing games, and being outside, so I know this is going to be a great summer! 

Annika 16 yr Photo Annika Dimmett, Sub
Hi! My name is Annika. I'm have completed three years of high school and am highly interested in earning exercise science major in the future. One of my favorite subjects in school as of now is Pre-Calculus. Last year I was a C.I.T and absolutely loved it. I also find joy in working with kids and seeing them enjoy themselves. 

 Kara Pic Kara Beckett, Sub

My name is Kara Beckett, and I will be entering my Senior year of High School in the Fall of 2020 in New Bloomfield, MO.  I grew up participating in Jefferson City Parks and Recreation programs, and was one of the very first participants in the Counselor In Training (CIT) program when I was 12 years old!  I was a CIT for 3 summers, and when I turned 15, I used that experience to obtain a position with the Callaway County YMCA Summer Camp program as a Camp Counselor.  Last summer I came back to the Jefferson City Parks and Recreation Department, working as a Pool Attendant.  I love working with kids, and am excited to have some fun with your campers this Summer!  My hobbies include painting, crafting, hanging out with friends, and all sports in general.  I’m active in Varsity Golf, Basketball, and Track and Field, as well as the New Bloomfield National Honor Society, Student Council, and FCCLA.  After graduation, I plan to further my education with a focus in Bio-Medical Sciences. 

 kalynne Kalynne Fees, Sub

Hi, my name is Kalynne! I will be a junior at the University of Missouri majoring in Psychology. My favorite hobbies include hiking, crafting, and playing with my dog! I used to attend Binder Adventure Camp as a kid and loved it so much that I wanted to come back as a counselor. I love working with kids and being outdoors, which is exactly what this camp allows me to do. I look forward to creating new memories this summer!