Staff Spotlight – Allyson Ballinger

I was born and raised in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. I am currently finishing up my sophomore year at Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa where I am majoring in Biology with a focus on Wildlife and Conservation! I loved the water when I was little and always wanted to swim; in 7th grade I began competitive swimming and fell even more in love with water. I first got certified as a lifeguard because I wanted to work outside in the summer and be around the pool. Then I became a water safety instructor because I realized how much I love teaching kids to swim, and now I am certified to train lifeguards! I have been a lifeguard and water safety instructor for 5 years now! This summer I will be working of course on the waterfront and helping out Mandy as the Assistant Waterfront Director and also teaching some ecology!

More about Allyson

How did you learn about North Star and why did you apply?
– I’ve always wanted to work at a camp, so I decided this summer to go ahead and explore my options! I found North Star and emailed them and they had the perfect position open for me of Assistant Waterfront Director.

If you could be any animal (besides a human), what would you be and why?
– Definitely an owl because they get to fly and explore everywhere; they see the world from a different perspective!

What is your dream Job:
– I would love to work in a national park educating people or doing research!

If you had a super hero power, what would it be:
– I think it would be cool to be able to blow bubbles filled with super powers so people could pop them and get whatever super powers for a time!

What noteworthy/random/menial jobs have you held?
– In May I am working with a graduate student at Iowa State to capture fawns and tag them so he can monitor their progress all summer!

What are your top three movies of all time:
– Frozen has a special place in my heart, I also really enjoy sappy Nicholas Sparks movies and Comedies such as The Wedding Ringer.

What did you do last summer?
– I managed a pool in my home town.

What is a little Known fact about yourself:
– I once did a triathlon, I would also really like to do another.

What, if any previous camp/outdoor experiences have you had?
– I used to go to a YMCA camp in Iowa when I was little every year, I think I went for a total of 7 years in a row. I’ve also gone on many outdoors adventures, including a camping trip to Arches National Park in Moab, Utah last year. Climbing up all the red rock hills was a challenge, but I had so much fun exploring the natural arches!