Director Jud's Blog

NOELLE - UTAH via OREGON

Noelle is a new AOP originally from Oregon, however she has recently moved to the state of Utah where she is also studying at the University of Utah. She is super excited for rock climbing in particular but also the mountain biking, white water rafting and days on the boat in general! She’s got big dreams of entering the medical field, either becoming an EMT or a nurse. If her life was a movie, it would be called ‘Living life to the fullest!’ as she is always up to challenge herself to new experiences. If Noelle could be any cartoon character she would definitely be Brave, she is highly determined, extremely independent and also warm hearted. Her favourite ice cream is Tillamook mudslide, and her favourite food has got to be raspberries! If she could be any animal for a day, she would choose a dolphin to explore the ocean through a new pair of eyes.

KEVIN - COLUMBIA

Kevin is joining us from Pupiales, Colombia. He graduated at the University of Nariño with a degree in International Business where he now hopes to live a stable life in every way. He loves mountain biking, soccer, music, and meeting new people. His superpower is having a lot of patience, something that comes in handy when working with kids! Kevin’s funniest camp story so far is arriving in New York and feeling like he had completely forgotten how to speak English. If his life were a movie, it would be called Uncertain Destiny, and if he could spend a day as a superhero, he’d choose Spider-Man. With his positive attitude and easy going personality, Kevin is ready for an unforgettable summer.

CILLIAN – NEW YORK

Cillian joins us for his 4^th summer as part of the staff team however he was also a camper here with us for 3 years! He is from Bronxville, New York, and is always ready for his next outdoor adventure. As a sagittarius, he loves backpacking, hiking, camping, and rock climbing, he’s happiest when exploring the great outdoors. Cillian is currently studying to become a historian and brings plenty of curiosity and enthusiasm to camp life. One fun fact about him is that he wears hearing aids, proving that nothing gets in the way of his adventurous spirit. If his life were a movie, it would be called Cillian’s Adventure, a fitting title for someone who is always looking for the next trail, climb, or challenge. Whether he’s climbing rocks, paddling across the lake, or sharing stories around camp, Cillian is always up for the next adventure.

CHARO - SPAIN

Coming all the way from Murcia, Spain, Charo is always looking for her next challenge. Whether she’s learning a new language, playing sports, exploring the outdoors, or planning her future as a teacher, she loves keeping busy and trying new things. She already speaks three languages and is currently working on a fourth, making communication one of her many talents. This summer, she’s especially excited for waterfront activities, hiking, and rock climbing. If her life were a movie, it would be Everything, Everywhere, All at Once, which makes perfect sense for someone with so many interests. You can usually find Charo on a volleyball court, exploring a new place, or making new friends wherever she goes.

TANNY - INDIA

Tanny is joining us from India and proudly considers himself a global citizen (as he has visited 67 countries!) believing that everywhere is home. This adventurous Leo is passionate about rock climbing, travel, and collecting currencies from around the world, with a love for Indian curry and coconut gelato to keep him fueled along the way. His self-proclaimed superpower is being able to sleep anywhere, and if he could be any animal for a day, he’d choose a mountain goat. Tanny dreams of helping facilitate amazing climbing experiences this summer and brings a fun-loving attitude wherever he goes. If his life were a movie, it would be called Travel with Tanny, and if he could spend a day as a superhero, he’d pick Superman. With his enthusiasm for adventure and easygoing spirit, Tanny is sure to make this summer one to remember.

SUMMER - ENGLAND

Summer is joining us from Burton-on-Trent in the United Kingdom. She is excited to hit the water rafting course this summer and enjoys wakeboarding, baking, and traveling whenever she gets the chance. She considers communication to be her superpower, making it easy for her to connect with others and create a positive atmosphere. One of her favourite past roles was working as a TUI Magic Life entertainer, and if her life were a movie, it would be called The Devil Wears Prada. If she could spend a day as a superhero, she’d choose Superwoman, or Harley Quinn if she could step into the shoes of a comic book character. She’d also happily spend a day as a puppy and never says no to honeycomb ice cream. With her energetic personality and love for adventure, Summer is ready to make this an unforgettable summer.

SEAN - IRELAND

Seán has joined us this year for his first year here at SMA coming all the way from Killyclogher, Tyrone, Ireland. He is a huge fan of wakeboarding and always up to meeting new people. Seán says his greatest superpower is being clumsy, bringing plenty of laughs wherever he goes. One of his favourite fun facts is that he has two different coloured eyes (heterochromia), making him truly one of a kind. If his life were a movie, it would be called Dumb & Dumber, and if he could spend a day as a superhero, he’d choose Spider-Man. He’d happily spend a day as a dog or even become SpongeBob for a bit of cartoon fun. With his outgoing personality, great sense of humor, and enthusiasm for meeting new people, Seán is sure to make this summer one to remember.

VALENTIN - FRANCE

Valentin comes to us at camp from Metz, France, bringing an engineer’s mind and an athlete’s energy. Currently studying mechanical engineering, he enjoys solving problems, staying active, and taking on new challenges. When he’s not cycling, playing soccer, or competing on the tennis court, you’ll probably find him out on a mountain bike which is by far his favourite summer activity. One of Valentin’s unique talents is being able to design 3D objects on a computer, a skill that perfectly matches his passion for engineering. If his life were a movie, it would be Rocky, which says a lot about his determination and competitive spirit. Whether he’s tackling a challenge, hitting the trails, or sharing a laugh with friends, Valentin is going to fit right in with the team this summer!

FFION - WALES

Ffion joins us all the way from South Wales, and brings a perfect mix of creativity, kindness, and adventure to camp. She’s currently studying to become an Additional Learning Needs teacher and has already worked as a one-to-one teaching assistant, helping young people to reach their full potential. This summer, she’s especially excited for wakeboarding and spending time in the art studio, though she also loves swimming and baking. In fact, one of the most interesting things about Ffion is that she used to create and sell her own celebration cakes, including beautiful wedding cakes too! If her life were a movie, it would be called Doing It Scared, a title that reflects her willingness to take on new challenges even when they feel a little intimidating. With her caring nature and adventurous spirit, Ffion is ready to make a positive impact on everyone she meets this summer.

ALEX - MEXICO

Alex joins us from Puebla, Mexico, and brings plenty of energy, enthusiasm, and adventure to camp this summer. This will be Alex’s 4^th year here with us at SMA. As a marketing and advertising graduate, he’s especially excited for wakeboarding, white-water rafting, and overnight trips, making the most of every outdoor adventure. Alex loves athletics, photography, football, American football, and all things sports-related, and his favourite food is chilaquiles. One of his most unique talents is that he can speak Esperanto, and if he could have any superpower, it would be the ability to jump really far. If his life were a movie, it would be called Carpe Diem, reflecting his outlook of making the most of every opportunity. With his adventurous spirit and positive attitude, Alex is ready to help create an unforgettable summer at camp.

ZOE - AUSSIE

Zoe is a 23 year old Aussie from Melbourne, Australia, who is excited to be back for her 2nd summer at camp and reunite with the amazing kids she met last year! When she’s not helping campers have fun, you’ll probably find her wakeboarding, swimming, exploring the outdoors, or learning something new. Zoe’s superpower is her ability to communicate with people from all walks of life. She enjoys spending quality time with her family and friends. Zoe’s favourite job she’s ever had is SMA, and she’s always up for a big bowl of pasta after a big day of adventure. She’s even been bungee jumping before! If she could be any living thing for a day, she’d be a bird so she could fly anywhere to see the world. She loves chocolate and Nutella ice cream and if she made it to the Olympics, she’d definitely be competing in swimming! Get ready for a summer full of laughs, adventure, and plenty of Aussie energy!

JEFF – NEW JERSEY via PLANET EARTH

Jeff is a 28 year old from Branchville, New Jersey who’s proof that “young at heart” is a legitimate life goal. He is returning for his 4th summer as a counsellor and his second year as our assistant director, although he also spent many years here as a camper too! With degrees in Civil & Environmental Engineering and Sustainable Systems, he’s got the brains to save the planet but his true superpower is definitely Spikeball! When he’s not gardening, doing yoga, running, or climbing, you might find him sharing stories from the time he worked on a coffee farm in Hawaii. Jeff’s favourite food is pesto and his go to ice cream flavour is hazelnut. If he could spend a day as any living thing, he’d soar around as a Great Blue Heron. His personal life motto? “Whatever Works” which also happens to be the perfect title for the movie of his life. This summer Jeff is ready for adventure, laughs, and plenty of time in the great outdoors!