Category Archives: Wilderness Trips

Welcome Trippers… Now Get Outta Here

We pride ourselves on our hospitality, and we tend to think that we’re pretty welcoming of our new staff. Unfortunately, for our trip leaders, we wish we could have taken some time to chat, maybe give them a meal, and give them the North Star treatment. Unfortunately, for three of our new trip leaders, we had to send them away almost as soon as they got here.

Today was a big day for the summer of 2012; we had our first new staff arrive. Yup, its still May, but trip leaders get some extra training. Each of our trip leaders has to be a certified Wilderness First Responder and life guard. The WFR course is the industry standard, a nine day certification course that gives our trip leaders the skills to deal with the situations that arise in the back country. We hire great trip leaders, and giving them the WFR certification means that all of our campers are going on trips with folks who have top notch training.

So for four lucky trip leaders, this meant heading to Camp Manito-wish for their WFR training. Kyle Beecher, Sarah Crockett and Eli High all started their days in faraway places. The three of them caught early flights, leaving their hometowns as early as 6am, and they headed to Minneapolis, where our driver picked them up. After their flights, they drove three hours to North Star, but only for a short time. Since the WFR course starts tomorrow morning, they spend the night at Manito-wish, which is two and a half hours away. Just in time for their arrival, a heavy rain was falling in camp. In typical trip leader fashion, they were unfazed. They unloaded their stuff, repacked, and then, less than an hour after arriving at camp, they were headed to Manito-wish.

At the course, they’ll meet up with our other new trip leader, Youssef Azmani. Youssef is from Milwaukee, so he drove straight to the WFR course. This is the tripper’s life, and seeing how easily they dealt with a day full of hectic travel gave us lots of confidence that we’ve got another great group of trip leaders.

Staff Spotlight: Youssef Azmani

Youssef Azmani comes to North Star as a wilderness trip leader. A native of Hales Corners, WI, he’s spent the last year and a half as the operations manager of a fitness center in the Chicago area. He’s also worked as a swim coach and head life guard in the Milwaukee area. He received his masters degree at the European University for Peace and Conflict Studies and would like to work with children as part of his career, so a job at camp seemed perfect for him.
A native cheese head, he’s the oldest of eight children. His family took lots of camping trips to places like the Boundary Waters in MN and the Flambeau Flowage, one of the rivers that our campers take trips on. He’s a real ourdoor enthusiast and we’re glad to have Youssef on our trip staff!
More About Youssef:
Best place you’ve ever traveled to: Austria
Sports team(s) that you root for: Packers
How did you learn about North Star and why did you apply: Not sure how and what a better way to spend the summer outdoors with kids.
What did you do last summer: Was working as a personal trainer in Chicago
What noteworthy/menial/random job(s) have you previously held: I started cleaning the gym and worked my way up to Operations Manager, both menial and noteworthy
What, if any previous camp experiences have you had: I went to camp back when I was in grade school but cannot recall the name of the camp.

If you had a super hero power, what would it be: Invisibility
Best Christmas present that you’ve ever gotten: Downhill Skis

Staff Spotlight: Youssef Azmani

Youssef Azmani comes to North Star as a wilderness trip leader. A native of Hales Corners, WI, he’s spent the last year and a half as the operations manager of a fitness center in the Chicago area. He’s also worked as a swim coach and head life guard in the Milwaukee area. He received his masters degree at the European University for Peace and Conflict Studies and would like to work with children as part of his career, so a job at camp seemed perfect for him.
A native cheese head, he’s the oldest of eight children. His family took lots of camping trips to places like the Boundary Waters in MN and the Flambeau Flowage, one of the rivers that our campers take trips on. He’s a real ourdoor enthusiast and we’re glad to have Youssef on our trip staff!
More About Youssef:
Best place you’ve ever traveled to: Austria
Sports team(s) that you root for: Packers
How did you learn about North Star and why did you apply: Not sure how and what a better way to spend the summer outdoors with kids.
What did you do last summer: Was working as a personal trainer in Chicago
What noteworthy/menial/random job(s) have you previously held: I started cleaning the gym and worked my way up to Operations Manager, both menial and noteworthy
What, if any previous camp experiences have you had: I went to camp back when I was in grade school but cannot recall the name of the camp.

If you had a super hero power, what would it be: Invisibility
Best Christmas present that you’ve ever gotten: Downhill Skis

Staff Spotlight: Sarah Crockett

We seem to have a plethora of staff who have spent time in Africa, and perhaps none more than Sarah Crockett. Sarah is finishing up her studies at St. Lawrence University (New York) with her bachelor of science in biology and a minor in African studies. She spent a semester abroad in Kenya and also participated in a NOLS (National Outdoor Leadership School) semester course. 
At St. Lawrence, she’s active in the outing club and she volunteers at a local organic farm. She lives in the Woman’s Resource House and has been extremely active running some of their activities, including a hike for “Take Back the Night”. Sarah grew up in Raymond, Maine and her family has always been active outdoors. She’s spent plenty of time pitching tents and operating campfire stoves and we know that she’ll be a great fit as one of our trip leaders.
More About Sarah
Favorite TV show: Friends
Best place you’ve ever traveled to: Lamu, Kenya
Sports team(s) that you root for: Red Sox!

How did you learn about North Star and why did you apply: I learned about North Star from a NOLS alumni email. I decided to apply after watching the video!
What did you do last summer: I have worked at Migis Lodge on Sebago Lake for the past seven summers. In high school I worked in the Children’s Program and for the past three summers I was a waitress.
What noteworthy/menial/random job(s) have you previously held: Working at ski school at Sunday River has been my favorite job… so far
What, if any previous camp experiences have you had: Growing up I attended numerous sports camps, but was never a camper at a multi-week traditional summer camp
If you had a super hero power, what would it be: To breath under water
Best Christmas present that you’ve ever gotten: A super fast sled that steers
Preferred chicken nugget dip: honey mustard

We have to include a pic of Sarah doing something outdoorsy!

Staff Spotlight: Sarah Crockett

We seem to have a plethora of staff who have spent time in Africa, and perhaps none more than Sarah Crockett. Sarah is finishing up her studies at St. Lawrence University (New York) with her bachelor of science in biology and a minor in African studies. She spent a semester abroad in Kenya and also participated in a NOLS (National Outdoor Leadership School) semester course. 
At St. Lawrence, she’s active in the outing club and she volunteers at a local organic farm. She lives in the Woman’s Resource House and has been extremely active running some of their activities, including a hike for “Take Back the Night”. Sarah grew up in Raymond, Maine and her family has always been active outdoors. She’s spent plenty of time pitching tents and operating campfire stoves and we know that she’ll be a great fit as one of our trip leaders.
More About Sarah
Favorite TV show: Friends
Best place you’ve ever traveled to: Lamu, Kenya
Sports team(s) that you root for: Red Sox!

How did you learn about North Star and why did you apply: I learned about North Star from a NOLS alumni email. I decided to apply after watching the video!
What did you do last summer: I have worked at Migis Lodge on Sebago Lake for the past seven summers. In high school I worked in the Children’s Program and for the past three summers I was a waitress.
What noteworthy/menial/random job(s) have you previously held: Working at ski school at Sunday River has been my favorite job… so far
What, if any previous camp experiences have you had: Growing up I attended numerous sports camps, but was never a camper at a multi-week traditional summer camp
If you had a super hero power, what would it be: To breath under water
Best Christmas present that you’ve ever gotten: A super fast sled that steers
Preferred chicken nugget dip: honey mustard

We have to include a pic of Sarah doing something outdoorsy!

Staff Spotlight: Eli High

Eli High comes to us from Nature’s Classroom, a year round outdoor education center. There he met Kacy Lebby, who, as our trip director, knows a thing or two about what we’re looking for in our trip leaders. Kacy recommended that Eli apply, which he did, and now he’s on board as a member of our trip staff. 
Eli was born in Georgia and moved to the St. Louis area when he was 12. He was an accounting major for the first three years of college before he realized that wasn’t what he wanted to do with his life. He changed his major and has spent the last few years educating kids in outdoor settings. He’s worked at Nature’s Classroom for the past two years and we’re looking forward to all that he’ll bring to North Star.
More About Eli:
Favorite TV show: SportsCenter
Best place you’ve ever traveled to: Hawaii
Sports team(s) that you root for: St. Louis Cardinals, the Atlanta Falcons, and the St. Louis Blues
How did you learn about North Star and why did you apply: Kacy Lebby turned me onto North Star
What did you do last summer: Last summer I went to a bunch of Cards games and worked at the local animal shelter in my home town.
What noteworthy/menial/random job(s) have you previously held: Have had thousands of jobs.
What, if any previous camp experiences have you had: Worked with host organizations that coincide with Nature’s Classroom. Camp Jewell, etc.
If you had a super hero power, what would it be: To Fly!!!
Best Christmas/Hanukkah present that you’ve ever gotten: A puppy around the age of 6 that lived till I was in high school.  A true friend that is still deeply missed.
Preferred chicken nugget dip: Depends on the style/taste of the nugget.  Probably honey mustard or BBQ.

Staff Spotlight: Eli High

Eli High comes to us from Nature’s Classroom, a year round outdoor education center. There he met Kacy Lebby, who, as our trip director, knows a thing or two about what we’re looking for in our trip leaders. Kacy recommended that Eli apply, which he did, and now he’s on board as a member of our trip staff. 
Eli was born in Georgia and moved to the St. Louis area when he was 12. He was an accounting major for the first three years of college before he realized that wasn’t what he wanted to do with his life. He changed his major and has spent the last few years educating kids in outdoor settings. He’s worked at Nature’s Classroom for the past two years and we’re looking forward to all that he’ll bring to North Star.
More About Eli:
Favorite TV show: SportsCenter
Best place you’ve ever traveled to: Hawaii
Sports team(s) that you root for: St. Louis Cardinals, the Atlanta Falcons, and the St. Louis Blues
How did you learn about North Star and why did you apply: Kacy Lebby turned me onto North Star
What did you do last summer: Last summer I went to a bunch of Cards games and worked at the local animal shelter in my home town.
What noteworthy/menial/random job(s) have you previously held: Have had thousands of jobs.
What, if any previous camp experiences have you had: Worked with host organizations that coincide with Nature’s Classroom. Camp Jewell, etc.
If you had a super hero power, what would it be: To Fly!!!
Best Christmas/Hanukkah present that you’ve ever gotten: A puppy around the age of 6 that lived till I was in high school.  A true friend that is still deeply missed.
Preferred chicken nugget dip: Depends on the style/taste of the nugget.  Probably honey mustard or BBQ.

Staff Spotlight: Kyle Beecher

Kyle Beecher was born in Georgia before moving to Indiana in 7th grade. In high school he took a camping trip to the Red River Gorge in Kentucky, and this is where his outdoor interests were born. He took up back packing, rock climbing and mountaineering. He’s done solo backpacking trips and has led small groups on multiple day trips He’s hiked extensively in Colorado and also spent two weeks hiking in New Zealand. 
A graduate of Ball State University, he worked at Uncle Dans Outfitter in Chicago and remembers outfitting some of our campers before they headed to camp for the summer. He’s also got extensive video editing experience, so in addition to being one of our trip leaders, he’ll be responsible for our summer video.
More About Kyle

Favorite TV show: Its a toss up between Top Gear and almost anything on the Science Channel

Best place you’ve ever traveled to: South Island of New Zealand

Sports team(s) that you root for: Manchester United and Chicago Bulls

How did you learn about North Star and why did you apply: I use to work for an outdoor store in Chicago where I would outfit the campers of NSC for the summer.  I applied to North Star because I knew it would give me the opportunity to do what I love, be in the outdoors and share my skills and knowledge with the youth.

What did you do last summer: I spent the summer backpacking on the Colorado Trail and ascending 14ers.  Also spent some time sport climbing in Boulder Canyon and Clear Creak Canyon.

What noteworthy/menial/random job(s) have you previously held: I sold sweet corn from a trailer on the side of the road in a really small town outside of Lafayette, IN.

What, if any previous camp experiences have you had: When I lived in Georgia, I attended a camp for a few years offered thru the YMCA. 


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


Best Christmas present that you’ve ever gotten: ENO Doublenest Hammock


Preferred chicken nugget dip: Honey mustard

Staff Spotlight: Kyle Beecher

Kyle Beecher was born in Georgia before moving to Indiana in 7th grade. In high school he took a camping trip to the Red River Gorge in Kentucky, and this is where his outdoor interests were born. He took up back packing, rock climbing and mountaineering. He’s done solo backpacking trips and has led small groups on multiple day trips He’s hiked extensively in Colorado and also spent two weeks hiking in New Zealand. 
A graduate of Ball State University, he worked at Uncle Dans Outfitter in Chicago and remembers outfitting some of our campers before they headed to camp for the summer. He’s also got extensive video editing experience, so in addition to being one of our trip leaders, he’ll be responsible for our summer video.
More About Kyle

Favorite TV show: Its a toss up between Top Gear and almost anything on the Science Channel

Best place you’ve ever traveled to: South Island of New Zealand

Sports team(s) that you root for: Manchester United and Chicago Bulls

How did you learn about North Star and why did you apply: I use to work for an outdoor store in Chicago where I would outfit the campers of NSC for the summer.  I applied to North Star because I knew it would give me the opportunity to do what I love, be in the outdoors and share my skills and knowledge with the youth.

What did you do last summer: I spent the summer backpacking on the Colorado Trail and ascending 14ers.  Also spent some time sport climbing in Boulder Canyon and Clear Creak Canyon.

What noteworthy/menial/random job(s) have you previously held: I sold sweet corn from a trailer on the side of the road in a really small town outside of Lafayette, IN.

What, if any previous camp experiences have you had: When I lived in Georgia, I attended a camp for a few years offered thru the YMCA. 


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


Best Christmas present that you’ve ever gotten: ENO Doublenest Hammock


Preferred chicken nugget dip: Honey mustard

Staff Spotlight: Jason Mann

Jason Mann returns to North Star for summer #3. Originally from New Berlin, WI, he’s currently studying at the University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point in, you guessed it, Stevens Point, WI. There he’s a soils and waste management major.
Jason actually first came to us as a referral from Camp Timberlane and we’re glad that they didn’t have any remaining trip leader spots that summer. This will be his third summer as one of our trip leaders. Occasionally, when he’s not on trips, you can find him out long boarding, one of his big hobbies. Our campers and staff really love Jason’s sense of humor and having him as their trip leader!
More About Jason:
Favorite tv show: dual survival
Best place you’ve ever traveled to: glacier national park Montana
Sports team that you root for:  brewers
Favorite camp meal: portabella mushroom burger with tomato and cheese or the awesome salad bar…yes I’m a vegetarian whooop!

Favorite spot at camp: tripper shack

Earliest camp memory or notable camp memory: my first night in camp eating dinner in the lodge sitting with Leb and Ben Mizel and talking about life and past experiences. I had know clue who Mr. Mizel was at the time and did not know what an impact he has had at North Star. I’m now glad to say were friends and have many fond memories at camp with Ben.

If you had a super hero power, what would it be: master of every outdoors skill…oh wait already have that, I wish I could fly because I tried once and it did not end well.


Best Christmas/Hanukkah present that you’ve ever gotten: Osprey Crescent 90 Liter backpacking pack, best pack I have ever owned, thanks mom and dad.

Preferred chicken nugget dip: BBQ sauce hands down

A great shot that Jason took on the 2011 Canadian