The most important fun fact to know about me is that I LOVE bugs. Before becoming a counselor for Camp Augusta, I spent the last three years working at an Insect Zoo, taking care of beetles, cockroaches, scorpions, spiders, moths, centipedes, and more! In this picture I’m holding Karen, an emperor scorpion who I raised. The other photo is of my friends and I in my backyard, sitting on my dock with the Mississippi River behind us. The river is great for kayaking, swimming, and catching frogs. 🙂
My hobbies are endless, thanks to my love for learning new things. Some activities of mine are rollerblading, knitting, or trying a new bird call. Half of the time when I open my mouth it’s because I have a question – I am curious about everything! Make sure to come to camp ready to ask questions (or answer some of mine).
Although I have lived in Iowa my entire life, I have been very lucky to be able to travel all over the United States. I especially love backpacking with my friends, like I did in Utah and Colorado.
Before this summer I have only been to California once, and although I’m excited to go back, it is quite different from the corn fields and small towns I grew up in. Hopefully, by the end of the summer, I can identify all the new trees and wildlife I’ll find at camp! My passion for working with children started at my very first job, teaching kids to ski and snowboard. My experience with children then moved to the classroom, where I spent three years travelling to schools around Iowa teaching children about bugs with the Insect Zoo. By the time we meet this summer I will have already graduated from Iowa State University. My major is Animal Ecology with a minor in Insect Science, which means for the last three years all I did was learn about animals, plants, and bugs…. how cool is that?!?!
This is my pug named Wasabi, who loves scrambled eggs and car rides. While you won’t see him at camp, I thought he was too cute not to include!
I am so excited to start my first of (hopefully) many summers at Camp Augusta, and bring my excitement, enthusiasm, and love of insects with me!