Stratton Shook grew up in Southern Maryland and went to high school in Washington DC (about 10 blocks from the Capitol). He headed off to Washington State for college, where he went to Gonzaga  in Spokane, WA. While at Gonzaga he joined the outdoor recreation dorm, went snowshoeing, skiing and climbing. Stratton graduated with his business degree, and after a year working in the corporate world, he moved to China to teach English. He hopes to complete his MBA in the future and combine business with his love for the outdoors.

Throughout his life, Stratton has been to 23 distinct countries (24 if you count North Korea at the DMZ) and 46 of the 50 states. Recently, he returned from a National Outdoor Leadership School course in Northern India and a side-trip to Everest Base Camp. This will be Stratton’s first year at North Star as he joins us as a wilderness trip leader.

Your three favorite movies of all time: Apollo 13, Ocean’s 11, Shawshank Redemption

What is your dream job: Owner of an adventure travel company.

Best place you’ve ever traveled to: Every place is so different that it’s hard to pick just one. The place I would go back to right now is Iceland. I drove around the island one spring break with a friend and had an amazing time.

Favorite cartoon character: Calvin and Hobbes (I know it’s cheating to pick two but you can’t have one without the other).

If you could have lunch with any two people, dead or alive, who would they be?: George Washington- would be awesome to hear his perspective on the current state of America. Michelangelo- I studied his works in college and got to see many of his sculptures in person.

How did you learn about North Star and why did you apply?: I learned about North Star through NOLS and applied because the camp seemed awesome. Also, who doesn’t want to spend the summer working in the great outdoors?

What noteworthy/random/menial jobs have you held?: Spent 2 summers umpiring Little League Baseball and Softball games, worked as an English Teacher in China, interned for a Congresswoman for one summer.

What did you do last summer?: Last summer I spent working at Casual Adventure (an independent outdoor retailer) while I trained for my NOLS Backpacking course. 

What, if any previous camp experiences have you had?: I played baseball all summer so I never got the traditional camp experience but did spend a week at a photography camp in Maine. 

I grew up in the Pineywoods of East Texas in an off the grid home over a mile from the nearest telephone pole. I was raised to appreciate the outdoors and owned my own canoe paddle when I was 5 years old. I was too young to remember my first overnight canoe trip, but my parents tell me that it was a 5 day trip on the Rio Grande river below Big Bend National Park. Since then I have traveled around the US paddling on lakes and rivers, backpacking, fishing, climbing, and camping. The outdoors is one of my biggest passions. 

Since the age of 15 I have spent my summer working at outdoor camps through Stephen F. Austin State University in my hometown and through the Boy Scouts where I had the opportunity to be a camp counselor in Texas and a canoe guide Canada. I love sports, and fishing is my favorite hobby. I am an engineering student at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville where I love to go hiking and fishing in my spare time.

 

Your three favorite movies of all time: The old Star Wars Trilogy, A Knights Tale, and Django Unchained.

What is your dream job: Fishing Guide in Alaska or Australia

Best place you’ve ever traveled to: The Crow Land of Ontario Canada

Favorite cartoon character: Tom for Tom and Jerry

If you could have lunch with any two people, dead or alive, who would they be?: Bill Dance and Bill Nye the Science Guy

How did you learn about North Star and why did you apply?: The Outdoor Pursuits Director At Stephen F. Austin State University, and I applied because I have a passion for the North Woods and love to teach and learn through the outdoors

What noteworthy/random/menial jobs have you held?: I’ve worked at a silkscreen t-shirt shop, I have been a farmhand on an organic chicken and cattle ranch, and I worked at Advanced Auto Parts.

What did you do last summer?: Last summer I was a canoe guide in Canada for the Boy Scouts of America

What, if any previous camp experiences have you had?: I worked as a Lifeguard and counselor at a day camp in my hometown, I was a Merit Badge teacher at two Boy Scout Camps, and worked at Northern Tier High Adventure Base in Canada.

I grew up in the Pineywoods of East Texas in an off the grid home over a mile from the nearest telephone pole. I was raised to appreciate the outdoors and owned my own canoe paddle when I was 5 years old. I was too young to remember my first overnight canoe trip, but my parents tell me that it was a 5 day trip on the Rio Grande river below Big Bend National Park. Since then I have traveled around the US paddling on lakes and rivers, backpacking, fishing, climbing, and camping. The outdoors is one of my biggest passions. 

Since the age of 15 I have spent my summer working at outdoor camps through Stephen F. Austin State University in my hometown and through the Boy Scouts where I had the opportunity to be a camp counselor in Texas and a canoe guide Canada. I love sports, and fishing is my favorite hobby. I am an engineering student at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville where I love to go hiking and fishing in my spare time.

 

Your three favorite movies of all time: The old Star Wars Trilogy, A Knights Tale, and Django Unchained.

What is your dream job: Fishing Guide in Alaska or Australia

Best place you’ve ever traveled to: The Crow Land of Ontario Canada

Favorite cartoon character: Tom for Tom and Jerry

If you could have lunch with any two people, dead or alive, who would they be?: Bill Dance and Bill Nye the Science Guy

How did you learn about North Star and why did you apply?: The Outdoor Pursuits Director At Stephen F. Austin State University, and I applied because I have a passion for the North Woods and love to teach and learn through the outdoors

What noteworthy/random/menial jobs have you held?: I’ve worked at a silkscreen t-shirt shop, I have been a farmhand on an organic chicken and cattle ranch, and I worked at Advanced Auto Parts.

What did you do last summer?: Last summer I was a canoe guide in Canada for the Boy Scouts of America

What, if any previous camp experiences have you had?: I worked as a Lifeguard and counselor at a day camp in my hometown, I was a Merit Badge teacher at two Boy Scout Camps, and worked at Northern Tier High Adventure Base in Canada.

Christopher Rodriguez was born and raised in Fort Worth, Texas. He stayed in the Lone Star State and headed to Nacogdoches, TX to attend Stephen F. Austin State University. There he’s a Junior majoring in Radio/TV Production. At school he also leads trips for the Outdoor Pursuits organization.

Lately Christopher has been busy working and schooling. In the past couple of months he hase been to Colorado for skiing, North Carolina for a WEA conference, and Jackson Falls, Illinois for rock climbing. He just celebrated his 26th birthday and rented out a roller rink so he could have a 70’s Roller Disco. His favorite holiday is Texas Ranger’s Opening Day, this year was his 15th year in attendance! We’re excited tpo have Christopher join us as a trip leader.

Your three favorite movies of all time: This is hard because I’m a big time cinephile.

1.) Good Will Hunting

2.) Shawshank Redemption

3.) Forrest Gump

What is your dream job: Outdoor Educator

Best place you’ve ever traveled to: In 2008, I did a cross country trip for two weeks with my mom. We went to St. Louis, Chicago, Detroit, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, NYC, Nashville, and Memphis. That trip was the best because it was with my travel buddy and we got to see a lot of cities and ballparks.

Favorite cartoon character: Goofy

If you could have lunch with any two people, dead or alive, who would they be?: My mom, so I could talk and laugh with her again. Second, would be my best friend Jake Owens because we don’t get to see each other that much and its always a good time when we get together.

How did you learn about North Star and why did you apply?: I found North Star through a NOLS job listing and after reading about the camp, I felt we would fit very well together. I love leading trips and spreading my passion and knowledge for the outdoors.

What noteworthy/random/menial jobs have you held?: I was a technician on RV’s without knowing anything about RV’s. I also fried french fries for Fresh Fries at numerous fairs in southern Wisconsin and Minnesota.

What did you do last summer?: Last summer I stayed in Nacogdoches, Texas to take a full course of classes and work for SFASU Outdoor Pursuits.

What, if any previous camp experiences have you had?: I grew up in the Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts going to a variety of monthly camps and summer camps. Now I lead outdoor trips for SFASU Outdoor Pursuits.

Christopher Rodriguez was born and raised in Fort Worth, Texas. He stayed in the Lone Star State and headed to Nacogdoches, TX to attend Stephen F. Austin State University. There he’s a Junior majoring in Radio/TV Production. At school he also leads trips for the Outdoor Pursuits organization.

Lately Christopher has been busy working and schooling. In the past couple of months he hase been to Colorado for skiing, North Carolina for a WEA conference, and Jackson Falls, Illinois for rock climbing. He just celebrated his 26th birthday and rented out a roller rink so he could have a 70’s Roller Disco. His favorite holiday is Texas Ranger’s Opening Day, this year was his 15th year in attendance! We’re excited tpo have Christopher join us as a trip leader.

Your three favorite movies of all time: This is hard because I’m a big time cinephile.

1.) Good Will Hunting

2.) Shawshank Redemption

3.) Forrest Gump

What is your dream job: Outdoor Educator

Best place you’ve ever traveled to: In 2008, I did a cross country trip for two weeks with my mom. We went to St. Louis, Chicago, Detroit, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, NYC, Nashville, and Memphis. That trip was the best because it was with my travel buddy and we got to see a lot of cities and ballparks.

Favorite cartoon character: Goofy

If you could have lunch with any two people, dead or alive, who would they be?: My mom, so I could talk and laugh with her again. Second, would be my best friend Jake Owens because we don’t get to see each other that much and its always a good time when we get together.

How did you learn about North Star and why did you apply?: I found North Star through a NOLS job listing and after reading about the camp, I felt we would fit very well together. I love leading trips and spreading my passion and knowledge for the outdoors.

What noteworthy/random/menial jobs have you held?: I was a technician on RV’s without knowing anything about RV’s. I also fried french fries for Fresh Fries at numerous fairs in southern Wisconsin and Minnesota.

What did you do last summer?: Last summer I stayed in Nacogdoches, Texas to take a full course of classes and work for SFASU Outdoor Pursuits.

What, if any previous camp experiences have you had?: I grew up in the Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts going to a variety of monthly camps and summer camps. Now I lead outdoor trips for SFASU Outdoor Pursuits.

Kacy Lebby has been spending the last four months living in Guatemala and volunteering for Quetzaltrekkers where she was able to hike to some beautiful places while raising money for a local school and a children’s home. Once she’s done there, she be heading straight to the north woods. Kacy returns as our Trip Director.

Kacy was a camper at Camp Thundebird in Minnesota and worked as a wilderness trip leader there. Amongst the trips she led was their Pacific Northwest trip. She’s also been a canoeing and backpacking guide for Outward Bound. Kacy is a graduate of Puget Sound University in Tacoma, Washington and next year she’ll be going to graduate school for an Elementary and Environmental Education Masters program in Seattle, Washington called Islandwood.

More About Kacy

Favorite tombstone pizza: pepperoni

Favorite activity I don’t instruct: fishing

Three favorite movies of all time: High Fidelity, Amelie and She’s the Man 

Preferred wanigan offering: twix

Best evening program: Friday night service

Favorite cartoon character: Mulan

Favorite camp card game: Farkle or yaniv (new game alert!)

If you could have lunch with two people living or dead: Robert “leb” Lebby age 23 and Sue Lebby age 23.

Dream job: National geographic photographer

Little known fact: My favorite pie at Norske nook is raspberry sour cream and my birthday is June 9th… Wink, wink.

Don’t mess with Kacy!

Kacy Lebby has been spending the last four months living in Guatemala and volunteering for Quetzaltrekkers where she was able to hike to some beautiful places while raising money for a local school and a children’s home. Once she’s done there, she be heading straight to the north woods. Kacy returns as our Trip Director.

Kacy was a camper at Camp Thundebird in Minnesota and worked as a wilderness trip leader there. Amongst the trips she led was their Pacific Northwest trip. She’s also been a canoeing and backpacking guide for Outward Bound. Kacy is a graduate of Puget Sound University in Tacoma, Washington and next year she’ll be going to graduate school for an Elementary and Environmental Education Masters program in Seattle, Washington called Islandwood.

More About Kacy

Favorite tombstone pizza: pepperoni

Favorite activity I don’t instruct: fishing

Three favorite movies of all time: High Fidelity, Amelie and She’s the Man 

Preferred wanigan offering: twix

Best evening program: Friday night service

Favorite cartoon character: Mulan

Favorite camp card game: Farkle or yaniv (new game alert!)

If you could have lunch with two people living or dead: Robert “leb” Lebby age 23 and Sue Lebby age 23.

Dream job: National geographic photographer

Little known fact: My favorite pie at Norske nook is raspberry sour cream and my birthday is June 9th… Wink, wink.

Don’t mess with Kacy!

One of our goals at camp is to get campers active. While we have to spend our first full day doing things like swim tests and camper physicals, we make sure that everyone is active, playing games like continuous dodgeball and all camp capture the flag. We jump right into the full program on day two. The first night that our campers arrive they complete their activity requests, and less than 36 hours later, they’re on the program climbing, waterskiing and playing. 

Day one of the activities was great. Inclement weather held off and we were able to get in a full morning of activities. We did have to go into a rainy day program in the afternoon, but we took advantage of that time to make sure all campers learned the basic North Star games like spoons, euchre and mafia. The evening was our staff introductory talent show. At North Star talent is pretty loosely defined, but our campers were more than a little bit entertained by skits, songs and other random performances. 

Today the sun was out and with the second day of our full program, our campers really start getting into a groove. Things become routine for new campers and everyone starts progressing on their first set of activities. Its so much fun to see a camper get up on skis for the first time or actually hit the target down on archery. Our evening program was a great night of field games, organized by several of our counselors. Camp was split into four groups and everyone rotated amongst four different games. For our campers, the games were just fun, but many of them had a deeper purpose. My favorite one was Alaskan Baseball, where two teams were pretty much running all over the field, but in the meantime, they were learning names of everyone else on their side. 

Over the last two days our staff has really helped get the summer off to a successful start. Organizing great evening activities is just the start. Making sure that campers are engaged and having fun on a rainy day can be challenging. Our counselors really stepped up! To say that we’re proud and impressed with our staff is an understatement.

We also have four cabin groups out on trips. Our Pine and Manor cabins left yesterday bright and early for the Canadian wilderness. They hit the lakes of Quetico Provincial Park this morning. Cabins S-1 and S-2 left today for the Porcupine Mountains in the upper peninsula of Michigan. The trips will continue with I-4 heading out on the Flambeau River tomorrow.

One of our goals at camp is to get campers active. While we have to spend our first full day doing things like swim tests and camper physicals, we make sure that everyone is active, playing games like continuous dodgeball and all camp capture the flag. We jump right into the full program on day two. The first night that our campers arrive they complete their activity requests, and less than 36 hours later, they’re on the program climbing, waterskiing and playing. 

Day one of the activities was great. Inclement weather held off and we were able to get in a full morning of activities. We did have to go into a rainy day program in the afternoon, but we took advantage of that time to make sure all campers learned the basic North Star games like spoons, euchre and mafia. The evening was our staff introductory talent show. At North Star talent is pretty loosely defined, but our campers were more than a little bit entertained by skits, songs and other random performances. 

Today the sun was out and with the second day of our full program, our campers really start getting into a groove. Things become routine for new campers and everyone starts progressing on their first set of activities. Its so much fun to see a camper get up on skis for the first time or actually hit the target down on archery. Our evening program was a great night of field games, organized by several of our counselors. Camp was split into four groups and everyone rotated amongst four different games. For our campers, the games were just fun, but many of them had a deeper purpose. My favorite one was Alaskan Baseball, where two teams were pretty much running all over the field, but in the meantime, they were learning names of everyone else on their side. 

Over the last two days our staff has really helped get the summer off to a successful start. Organizing great evening activities is just the start. Making sure that campers are engaged and having fun on a rainy day can be challenging. Our counselors really stepped up! To say that we’re proud and impressed with our staff is an understatement.

We also have four cabin groups out on trips. Our Pine and Manor cabins left yesterday bright and early for the Canadian wilderness. They hit the lakes of Quetico Provincial Park this morning. Cabins S-1 and S-2 left today for the Porcupine Mountains in the upper peninsula of Michigan. The trips will continue with I-4 heading out on the Flambeau River tomorrow.