ABOUT OUR STAFF
LEADERSHIP TEAM SETS THE TONE
TRUST
Our Leadership Team sets the tone for our staff approach and our community feeling each summer. We know that you need to trust the people leading the community in which your child will spend the summer, and you can't do better than these three. We live on-site full time in the summer, and are actively out and about all over camp each and every day. We interact with campers, supervise staff, guide program, oversee safety and health, and create the fun and magic of a Hawkeye summer.
GARRETT
Colgan-Snyder
Camp Director
As the Founder and Director, Garrett continues to be involved in activities and trips on a daily basis. "I love the balance of the physical and intellectual challenge that Hawkeye provides. I am committed to the training, supervision and ongoing growth of our staff, and there is no place I'd rather be than out around camp with our campers."
Email Garrett
DANI
Aron-Schiavone
Camper Advocate
Dani is a camp person, a people person, a growth person. She is someone whose playfulness is complimented and supported in the camp environment. Dani is a positive, creative, and optimistic problem solver who supports Hawkeye campers, families, and staff. As a key member of the Leadership Team Dani works with families and campers year round as she completes her MSW.
JESSICA
Colgan-Snyder
Assistant Camp Director
You can't miss the energy and positivity Jess brings to Hawkeye and to the camp community. "My favorite part of camp is developing relationships with our camper families. Sharing in parents' goals for their kids, watching them grow in our program, makes me so happy!" Jess also runs swim lessons, supervises bunk staff and leads trips.
Email Jess
DE ANN
Kelsey
Camp Nurse & Head,
Health Management Team
Coming up on her 20th summer at camp, DeAnn oversees our health services and much more! Her own children have grown up at camp and now her grand-daughter brings the community joy. DeAnn loves being involved around camp too; leading Arts activities, sneaking in to play the piano, and even gardening.
SUMMER MEMBERS OF THE LEADERSHIP TEAM
In-season, our Leadership Team expands to include two Head Counselors, a Program Coordinator, and a Leadership Coordinator. Learn more about these roles.
OUR STAFF TEAM IS TOP NOTCH!
WE LOVE OUR STAFF!
And, we know you and your child will too. Our staff is well-trained, patient, understanding, experienced in our program, diverse and reflective of our camper diversity (something we feel strongly about and work hard to ensure). They consistently put campers' needs ahead of their own, and most of all, they simply enjoy working with kids. Most staff are returners, providing solid leadership throughout the team and allowing campers to reconnect with mentors year after year. Many counselors on our team have graduated from our leadership development program (CiT and JC) to staff, and they play a significant role in keeping the culture, tradition and community alive at Hawkeye.
INTERVIEWS AND BACKGROUND CHECKS FOR ALL
Staff members are chosen through an in-depth application process that includes a series of phone/Zoom and/or face-to-face interviews and nationwide background checks. Most of our counselors have come to us through personal recommendations from current and former staff members and camper families. We check multiple references, connecting with people who have known staff applicants in a professional setting, and we conduct several layers of background checks.
OUR STAFF REFLECTS OUR CAMPER DIVERSITY
Hawkeye’s commitment to a diverse community extends beyond our campers to our staff members. We promote an environment that includes hiring staff from myriad backgrounds, income levels, backgrounds, and countries of origin. Our staff come from around the US as well as Canada, England, Ghana, the Netherlands and Spain, to name a few!
EXTENSIVE TRAINING PREPARES STAFF WELL
Our staff arrive long before our campers for a rigorous instructional and hands-on training period prior to camp opening. While building the basis of the summer's community, they delve into topics ranging from how we implement our mission to safety, policies, camp culture, childcare, behavior management, camper engagement, program delivery and much more. During this time, many staff review and renew certifications such as lifeguarding and archery.
THE STAFF ROLE: MENTORS, INSTRUCTORS, GUIDES
As you would hope, the first priority of our staff is to provide a safe, nurturing and caring environment where your camper will feel welcome and from which they will return physically, socially and emotionally healthy. In addition, our staff live in cabins with campers, overseeing daily living and providing help where needed. They are instructors in our activity areas, as well as a listening ear and a guiding support for campers.
WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO EXPLORE NEXT?
