Sue “Bart” Barthold “Bart” is a retired History and Sociology teacher at East Kentwood High School. She is very active in her community, volunteering at the food bank, coaches little league softball, prepares taxes for seniors and drives senior citizens on bus outings. She has been an active camp volunteer since she was a camper, CIT and counselor in 1958-68 She is President of the Michigan High School Coaches Association and also is a Swim Official and writes a sports column. She attended camp when the original lodge burned down, attended when there was no lodge, worked in the middle lodge and has contributed to the newly renovated Lang lodge. Bart re-joined the board in 2010.
Jelanie BushJelanie has been an Advisory Board member since 2007. She has also served on the TrueNorth Board of Directors for over 20 years. Although Jelanie was never a camper herself, she participated many years ago in TrueNorth’s Camp Confidence program. During 2 summer one week sessions, her time as a cabin chaperone for 2nd graders gave her an opportunity to view how individual confidence and group team building skills are increased through participation in camp programs. As a Camp Newaygo volunteer, Jelanie enjoys watching the interaction of girls from diverse geographic and economic backgrounds as they strengthen their own personal self worth and leadership skills. Following 36 years as an elementary educator, Jelanie retired in 2006. Jelanie is thrilled to have the time to donate to organizations such as Camp Newaygo that work proactively for a better world.
Eileen Chamberlin
Never having gone to any camp as a child, Eileen was introduced to Camp Newago through her mother-in-law, Jane Chamberlin, who was a camper many years ago and through her sisters-in-law, Ellen and Anne, and her nieces, Meg, Alice, Carolyn, Delia, and Jean. Now her two daughters, Lillie and Katie, are avid campers, too! Eileen grew up in a suburb of Chicago and has been involved in numerous careers, including cooking, retail management, and higher education program development. Upon moving to Grand Rapids 1995, she became Executive Director of the East Grand Rapids Schools Foundation and then Director of the Home Builders Association Foundation before leaving the work world to raise her children. She is currently a stay-at-home mother, a Girl Scout troop leader, and a part-time student at Grand Valley State University working on her masters in social work. Eileen joined the board in 2011.
Clarice Drew
Clarice is a graduate of Howard University, Washington, D.C. She attended Winsalm College, Winston Salem, North Carolina for her post-graduate work. Her professional background includes experience in the travel industry, education, fashion merchandising and modeling. She is the founder and president of Image Counts, an image consulting company, and writer, producer and host of a telephone show by the same name. Formerly the contributing fashion writer for Grand Rapids Magazine, and the Grand Rapids Press. As a style expert, she does presentations for groups in the private sector as well as several major corporations. A native of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania she has lived in Grand Rapids since 1988. Clarice and her husband Steve have four sons and one daughter, Sahara who has been a true lover of Camp Newaygo, attending two summers in a row, last summer for two weeks! Sahara is anxious to spread the word about her love for Camp Newaygo to all of her 10-year old girlfriends and is truly excited to have her mother as a member of the Board.
Nina FoxAs a neighbor to Camp Newaygo, Nina Fox appreciates the pristine view of Camp Newaygo and understands what a perfect location it is for campers and events. She currently works at Experience Grand Rapids, the Kent County Convention and Visitors Bureau. Her experience as the Convention Services Specialist allows her to share ideas to help promote Camp Newaygo as a destination for events and meetings. Nina is married to Bob Fox and they purchased the “Cooper Inn” location in the summer of 2008. They have 2 grown boys—Clint who lives in LA and Jason who lives in Grand Rapids. However, their “almost human” German Shorthair, Soffee, still lives at home and keeps them feeling like parents. The Foxes enjoy both summer and winter recreation on the lake. Nina is also involved with the Pickerel/Kimball Lake Association coordinating the 4th of July Boat Parade and the Pirates Poker Run.
Keely FriarKeely was a camper at Camp Newaygo for 6 years and a counselor for 2. She served on the Teen Advisory Board in the late 80s while her mom served on the Advisory Board. She has a 3 year old girl and plans to have her participate in many different camp activities. She owns Shabby to Chic Hair Boutique in Newaygo. Her mother owns This Old House Antiques and takes consignment donations for Camp Newaygo.
Susan Hojnacki
Susan Hojnacki joined the board in 2011. She lives in Grand Rapids with her husband, Dave and their three daughters; Sophie, Lily and Grace, all of whom are Camp Newaygo Campers! She teaches German at Aquinas College and is currently enrolled in the Ph.D. Program in German Studies at Michigan State University. As a girl, Susan was herself an avid camper attending Camp Gallahue in Brown County, Indiana, every summer. She believes that summer camp is an indispensable part of childhood and should be available to children everywhere.
Lisa Drzick
Lisa Drzick was introduced to Camp Newaygo by a yard sign in her neighborhood in early Spring 2011. She had been hoping to find a fun summer camp for her 13-year-old daughter to attend. When she came with her family to Camp Newaygo's open house that April, it was love at first sight. Lisa grew up in Adrian, MI, and attended church camps most summers. She fondly remembers the new friends that were made and the tears that were shed when camp was over each year. So when she learned that she could come back to camp through Camp Newaygo's Mom and Me program, she jumped at the chance! Lisa plans to keep coming to camp each year as long as her 5-year-old daughter will have her. She is thrilled to be a part of the Advisory Board, to help spread the word about Camp Newaygo!
Lindsey KostenLindsey has a Masters degree in Educational Leadership and recently completed an Educational Specialist in Leadership degree from GVSU. She has taught in Coopersville Area Public Schools for 6 years - 5th Grade and is the K-5 Math Coach, improving math instruction and reaching at-risk students. In her free time she enjoys running, golfing, traveling, gardening, spending time at Lake Michigan and picking up a good book in the summer. Lindsey found her love for camps while working 3 years at Camp Blodgett as a head counselor, assistant director and coordinator of registration.
Sue McKinley Waalkes
Sue worked for Amway corporation and is now retired living in Grand Rapids. She joined the advisory board in 2008 to support camp’s efforts to continue its progressive programs for girls and woman. She was a camper in the 1950’s as well as a CIT and Counselor through 1962 and is a great example of the long lasting influences Camp Newaygo provides. She keeps in touch with many friends from the time she was at camp.
Sarah Pooler
Sarah attended Camp Newaygo as a Camper, CIT, and Staff member. She truly loves camp - and has many stories to share about rough trips and great friends. She now works for the American Cancer Society and lives in Fenton, Michigan. Her daughter, Maggie, carried on the family tradition by serving as an LIT in 2011 and will be a counselor for 2012.
Nancy Riekse-NordenNancy has been an Advisory Board member since 1995. Nancy was a camper at Newaygo from 1959-1965. She attended camp with her 3 sisters and her mom was a substitute nurse. Nancy continued her camp days as a CIT in 1966 and joined the staff for 1967. Since Nancy only had boys, they were only able to attend Mom & Me but she also had 2 nieces attend as well. Nancy has been a Women’s Weekend attendee since 2003. Nancy has been married to her husband John since 1971. She loves being on the board and meeting campers and staff from other decades and spending time working at camp with her camp friends Stormy and Bart. Currently, Nancy is a Special Education teacher for Grand Rapids Public Schools.
Katie SchirmerKatie is connected to camp through her long association with another Michigan’s girls resident camp, Camp Keewano. She attended the Camp Fire Girl’s Camp first as a camper then as a CIT and then lived at camp year-round from 1978-1997. Through those years she raised two sons, was a swim instructor, life guard, waterfront director, CIT director, counselor and school group leader. Now Katie lives on the White River and is a fourth grade teacher with Fremont Public Schools, where she has taught for the past fourteen years.
Michelle SeifShelly is a school bus driver for Northview Public Schools, and self employed hair stylist. She is an active volunteer for camp using her driving skills to help transport our campers to their campouts and adventure trips in the summer. In 2009 Shelly joined the advisory board. Her experience in high school working at camp as a kitchen’s assistance and living at camp in the summers give her a great perspective.
Michelle Van DuinenMichelle comes from a family of Camp Newaygo Alumni. Her mother attended camp in the 1950’s and her two younger sisters attended in the 70’s and 80’s. Michelle attended camp for the first time in 1975 as a camper. She continued every summer until 1983 when she became a Counselor-In-Training. Michelle was also on staff as a counselor, Assistant Waterfront Director, and a “does whatever needed” gopher from 1984 to 1988. Michelle joined the Camp Committee in 1995 and has continued to take an active role in Camp for the past 15 years. Michelle is a mother of 4 children, all of them girls who attend resident camp. She is a 3rd/4th grade teacher in Wyoming Public Schoolsat Taft Elementary. She has been in the district for 8 years. Needless to say, her life is extremely busy, but Michelle says it wouldn’t be the same if she didn’t have camp in her life!
Erin Evans
Erin Evans is a retired accountant turned stay at home - homeschooling mom of three. In her spare time she loved to sew and run a small etsy shop. She is a graduate of GVSU and has made Grand Rapids her home for the last 20 years. She discovered Camp Newaygo as her dad, Tom O'Brien constructed the Wetland Trail. As an adult she has enjoyed sharing Camp Newaygo with her two oldest daughters by attending Mom and Me camp. Camp Newaygo has created some of her fondest memories both as a child and an adult.
Betsy WilleyBetsy was a camper at Camp Newaygo from 1957-1962. She grew up in Grand Rapids and graduated from University of Michigan in 1968 with a degree in English and History. Betsy was a part time teacher in East Grand Rapids, teaching a leadership class she developed. For 18 years, she has led groups of students and adults to the Boundary Waters of Minnesota. In addition, Betsy seeded the Youth Development Program there with a friend. Betsy is currently developing another aspect of her life which includes spiritual direction and Healing Touch work. She has written a book, Footprints of the Soul: A Creative Guide for Spiritual Journey Groups and Individuals, works with individuals and lead group retreats and workshops. Her website is www.footprintsofthesoul.com.