Summer Staff 2015

Meet our Camp Leaders! Camp Leaders are basically the counselors of Camp I Am Special.  They all were buddies in the past.  Camp Leaders are trained in Professional Crisis Management (PCM), they are Lifeguard certified and are also certified in CPR and AED usage! They spend a week together in training before our Summer Sessions start. They learn how to do proper wheelchair lifts and transfers.  They learn seizure protocol and are fully trained in all emergency procedures such as fire drills, tornado drills, etc.  As you can see, we fill their training week to the brim!  We do this to ensure that your Camper or Buddy is always safe and protected, so they can focus on having fun!

Without further ado, I present your Camp Leader Team for 2015!

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Andrew C.

Andrew will be attending University of North Florida where he plans on majoring in Health Science in hopes of becoming a physical therapist. He works at camp because he loves spending time with the campers and giving them the best week of their year. When he isn't at camp, he enjoys playing paintball and exercising.  Andrew's favorite camp activity is pool time, and his favorite camp meal is mac n cheese.
FUN FACT: Andrew is an Eagle Scout!

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Andrew W.
 

Andrew attends Florida Atlantic University.  He is currently working towards his Associates degree before attending the fire academy to become a paramedic.  Andrew works at camp because he loves to make people happy.  He says camp taught him that no matter how small something may seem to him, it can mean the world to someone else and that's all that matters.  When he's not at camp, he enjoys fishing and hanging out with his friends.  Andrew's favorite camp food is grilled cheese.  His favorite activity is pool time.
FUN FACT: Andrew can juggle! 
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Bailey H.

Bailey attends the University of North Florida. She is majoring in Exceptional Student Education with a minor in American Sign Language. She works at camp not only because it's her favorite place in the world, but it also provides her with more experience and more fun than anywhere else. Camp is also how Bailey became passionate about Exceptional Student Education. Outside of camp, she likes to volunteer at Camp Boggy Creek and go on cruises with her family.  Bailey's favorite camp activity is pool time because she loves to swim. Her favorite camp meal is grilled cheese.

FUN FACT: Bailey is a member of Phi Kappa Phi Honors Society!
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Caitlin F. 

Caitlin will be attending University of Florida where she plans on majoring in either Pediatric Physical or Speech Therapy. She works at camp because it is her favorite place in the world. She finds it to be the happiest, most open, and most fun place to be. For fun, Caitlin enjoys hanging out with friends and family and playing sports. She has also been involved with several Varsity sports and Honor Societies. Caitlin's favorite camp activity is the talent show and the camp dance, and her favorite camp food is fruit and grilled cheese. 

FUN FACT: Caitlin can drive a manual! 

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Caroline K.

 

Caroline attends Florida State University. She is majoring in Special Education. Caroline works at camp because she enjoys all the fun activities and making lifetime memories. For fun, she likes to play sports and do puzzles. She also is involved in Autism Speaks, her school's Dance Marathon, and her sorority. Caroline's favorite camp activity is sing alongs and her favorite camp food is hot dogs. 
FUN FACT: Caroline can whistle through her teeth! 
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Caroline K.
   

Caroline attends Wake Forest University. She is Pre-Med student majoring in English with minors in Psychology and Chemistry. She works at camp because she loves hanging out with the campers and being in a place where there is so much joy, service, and compassion. When she isn't at camp, Caroline volunteers in a special needs classroom, mentors middle schoolers, and gives tours of her college. Her favorite camp activity is singing and dancing, and her favorite camp meal is grilled cheese sandwiches. 

FUN FACT: Caroline absolutely loves chocolate chip cookies! 

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Ceci M.

Ceci attends Florida State University where she is majoring in Social Work. She works at camp because she can't think of anywhere else in the world where she can hang out all day with the coolest people. When she isn't at camp, Ceci is involved in FSU Track and Field and is an active member of the Catholic Student Union and her sorority. Her favorite camp activity is singing camp songs, and you can find her waking up bright and early to sing with all of her camp friends. Ceci loves any camp food that will fuel her for a fun exciting day.

FUN FACT: Ceci hopes to one day to white water raft through the Grand Canyon. 

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Charles M.

Charles will be attending the University of Florida. He plans on majoring in Statistics. He works at camp because it is the place where he is happiest -- it is impossible for him not to be smiling at camp. Outside of camp, Charles loves playing soccer and is involved with St. Vincent De Paul. His favorite camp activity is pool time because it is the most relaxing and fun time of the day. Charles' favorite camp food is sloppy joes. 

FUN FACT: Charles once fit all 166 flavors from the coke machine into one cup!

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Coleson P.

Coleson will be attending USF and plans to major in electrical engineering. He works at camp because he loves helping buddies grow relationships with their campers. When he isn't at camp, Coleson enjoys throwing discus for his track team. His favorite camp activity is pool time because he likes seeing all the campers and buddies interacting. His favorite camp food is sloppy joes.

FUN FACT: Coleson went to state for Track and Field!

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Eamon W.

Eamon attends Stetson University. He is majoring in Mathematics with a minor in English. He is working at camp this summer because of how fantastic the campers are. He loves getting to know them individually and helping them have a terrific week. When he is not at camp, Eamon is involved in his campus Catholic Ministry and loves playing football, basketball, and tennis. His favorite part of camp is the sing alongs as he enjoys hearing all of the different silly songs people have sung throughout the years. His favorite camp food is peanut butter and jelly.
FUN FACT: Eamon knows all the words to Bohemian Rhapsody!

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JP O.

JP attends Flagler College.  He is majoring in Exceptional Student Education and Elementary Education. He works at camp because it is a place to build once in a lifetime relationships with the campers, the buddies, and his fellow camp leaders. Camp is also the best experience he can get in his field. JP is currently the president of Best Buddies at Flagler and volunteers with Special Olympics and Surfers for Autism.  JP's favorite part of camp is the water Zumba sessions because he loves dancing around in the pool with all the campers and buddies. His favorite camp food is the tacos.

FUN FACT: JP has a daily goal of obtaining queso.

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Libby C.

Libby attends Jacksonville University. She is majoring in nursing. She is working at camp this summer because she thinks it is incredible to see the bonds made between the campers and their buddies and the impact these relationships have on their lives. She also finds her experiences at camp to have made her into the person she is today. In her free time Libby likes to go to the beach and she is involved in the Student Nurse's Association. Her favorite camp activity is mass with Father Ron.  Libby's favorite camp food is mac & cheese. 

FUN FACT: Libby enjoys instructing water aerobics!

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Marc T.

Marc attends the University of Florida. He is majoring in Family Youth and Community Sciences. He works at camp because he loves seeing how happy the campers are and how much buddies grow throughout the week with their camper. He also loves how camp is a place where everyone can be themselves. When he isn't at camp, Marc enjoys working on cars and is involved in the Medical Journal Society. His favorite camp activity is pool time because he loves playing water games with all of the campers and buddies. His favorite camp food is sloppy joes.

FUN FACT: Marc recently rebuilt a 1986 BMW engine!

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Mary Rose T.

Mary Rose will be attending University of Florida where she will be majoring in Elementary and Special Education. She works at camp because it helped her find her passion and she also loves to give back. When she isn't at camp, Mary Rose likes to watch Disney movies and play club tennis. Her favorite camp activity is the talent show. She loves seeing all of the campers' talents and how much fun they have doing them. Mary Rose's favorite food is sloppy joes. 

FUN FACT: Mary Rose's favorite ride at Disney is splash mountain!

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Mary L.

 

Mary attends Saint Louis University. She is majoring in Flight Science. She works at camp because being at camp is her favorite part of the summer and she could not imagine doing anything else. Outside of camp, Mary is involved in Women Aviation, Autism Speaks, and her sorority. She also loves being outdoors. Her favorite camp activity is sing alongs and her favorite camp food is the fried chicken. 
FUN FACT: Mary can touch her tongue to her nose! ______________________________________________________________

Matt I.

Matt will be attending Virginia Tech where he plans on majoring in Economics. He works at camp because he considers it his second home and he cares deeply about all the campers. Outside of camp, Matt works at a rental company and enjoys reading and hanging out with friends. His favorite camp activity is sing alongs, and his favorite camp food is mac n cheese.  

FUN FACT: Matt can make my eyebrows wiggle! 

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Michael W.

Michael attends Mount St. Marys University. He is a sports management major. He works at camp because he loves seeing the smiles on all the camper's faces. When he isn't at camp, Michael likes to weight lift and Irish tap dance. His favorite camp activity is pool time because he loves seeing all of the campers with smiles on their faces in the pool. His favorite camp food is the taco bar.  

FUN FACT: Michael played in the national championship game for his rugby team!

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Mike N.

Mike will be attending Belmont Abbey College where he plans to major in sports management. He is working at camp this summer because he enjoys working with others, meeting with new people, and giving campers the best week of their lives. When Mike isn't at camp he likes to play tennis and go fishing with friends. His favorite camp activity is dance parties because he loves seeing all of the campers being themselves and having fun. Mike's favorite camp food is grilled cheese.
FUN FACT: Mike can play the ukulele!

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Nicky H.

Nicky attends University of Florida and is majoring in Occupational Therapy.He works at camp because he says it's the best place on the planet.  He says it's the gift that keeps on giving.  For fun, Nicky enjoys playing intramural sports such as softball and beach volleyball.  He also likes going on lots of vacations.  Nicky is involved in a Christian fraternity at UF called Kappa Phi Epsilon and he is the head of the Sidney Lanier Fitness Program at UF.  His favorite camp food is meatball subs and his favorite camp activity is a sing-a-long.

FUN FACT:Nicky would like to go on survivor, win the million dollars and rap "everything is awesome" on the live finale.

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Paige S.

Paige is attending Santa Fe College where she is majoring in Business. She enjoys working at camp because she learns something new everyday and her experiences at camp last forever. For fun, Paige likes to play volleyball and she actively involved with Best Buddies. Her favorite camp food is tacos in a bag, and her favorite camp activity is singing camp songs. 

FUN FACT: Paige's favorite animal is an owl!   _________________________________________

Sam H.

Sam will be attending the University of Florida in the fall where he plans to major in business administration.  Sam works at camp because he says he loves the opportunity to meet so many amazing people at a place where you can be yourself and have the time of your life.  When he is not at camp, he enjoys running, going to the beach, and playing music.  Sam has been involved with NHS and student government.  Sam's favorite camp food is sloppy joe's.  His favorite camp activity is pool time. 
FUN FACT: Sam has over 50 cousins!

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Sarah M.

Sarah will be a junior at the University of Florida, where she is studying Psychology with a minor in Public Health. She is planning to go to nursing school.  She works at camp because she says it is a place like no other, allowing her to grow as a person and to meet amazing people. For fun, she likes to dance, hang out with friends, exercise, and be outside.  When she's not at camp, she is involved with her sorority and the Sidney Lanier Fitness Program at UF.  Her favorite camp activity is the camp dance and her favorite camp food is grilled cheese.

FUN FACT: Sarah says Dunkin Donuts coffee is necessary for her well being.

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Stephanie J.

Stephanie attends Rollins College and is majoring in Psychology.  She likes to work at camp because she believes the job is fulfilling and fun and cannot imagine a better way to spend her summer. Stephanie enjoys playing soccer and going to the beach.  She is a Bonner Leader at Rollins and volunteers at the Paragon School in Orlando.  Her favorite camp food is pasta and her favorite camp activities are the dance and talent show.
FUN FACT: Everyone in Stephanie's family has a name that begins with S, even her seven pets!

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Trish R.

Trish will be attending the University of Florida in the fall and is planning on majoring in Applied Physiology and Kinesiology.  She works at camp because she thinks it is the happiest place on earth and full of love, laughter, and the best people.  For fun, Trish likes to swim, go to the beach, kayak, and go on adventures.  Trish participates in TOPS, a soccer program for children with special needs, and The Mayor's Young Leaders Advisory Council. Her favorite camp food is fruit and grilled cheese and her favorite camp activities are arts and crafts and PE.  
FUN FACT: Trish can do a cartwheel while holding a football and then throw it when she lands!

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Wyatt G.

Wyatt graduated from Bishop Snyder High School, and he plans to join the Marine Corps. He comes back to work at camp each year because he considers it his second home and a significant part of his life. He loves seeing the smiles on the campers' faces and how the buddies interact with each camper. Outside of camp, he plays lacrosse and indoor soccer. Wyatt also works for BAE Systems at Mayport Naval Station. His favorite camp food is the tacos and his favorite camp activity is activity time.

FUN FACT: His favorite colors are Red, White, and Blue, and believes no other color combination can compare!

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