Get to Know our 2023 Summer Activity Leaders!
Written by: Bianca Hernandez, Development and Communications Project Manager
Get ready to meet our 2023 Summer Activity Leaders who are set to make this summer at Camp Aranzazu an unforgettable adventure for our campers! These dedicated young people have been carefully selected to bring their talents, energy, and enthusiasm to enrich the lives of children and adults with special needs and chronic illnesses at camp all summer long.
From creating an environment where all our campers can be themselves, to conquering exciting challenges, exploring the great outdoors, to inspiring imaginations, our Activity Leaders are the driving force behind the magic that happens at Camp Aranzazu. Keep reading to be introduced to the incredible group of leaders who will be leading the way and creating lifelong memories for our campers this summer!
We can’t wait for you to meet one of our many first-year activity leaders, Victoria! Not only is this Victoria’s first summer at Camp Aranzazu, but it’s actually her first time out of her home country, Mexico! Even though she knows she’ll miss her family and friends dearly, Victoria is excited to be part of Camp Aranzazu’s mission and spending time with the rest of the team who are already helping to make camp feel like home!
Join us in welcoming back Arnold for his third year as an activity leader at Camp Aranzazu! Not only does Arnold join us for the summer season, but he also returns to Camp Aranzazu regularly throughout the year to put a smile on all our new and returning campers during our spring and fall camps. As someone who once was a camper at Camp Aranzazu himself, Arnold shares, “It’s like no other camp. Here, I feel like I’m part of a team that makes a difference.”
Get ready to meet our first-year activity leader, Hevan! Hevan has a passion for adventure, creating inclusive spaces, and trying new things which makes working at Camp Aranzazu the perfect fit! She’s looking forward to helping campers have unforgettable experiences at Camp Aranzazu and making amazing memories and bonds with her fellow activity leaders. Welcome to Camp, Hevan!
Guess who’s back and ready to make waves at Camp Aranzazu? It’s Anna returning for her second summer of awesomeness! Anna is beyond excited to reunite with the returning campers and soak up tons of time on the coast this summer. In case you were wondering, Anna recently graduated from Grand Valley State University, where she majored in recreational therapy. Anna has always felt connected to the meaning of Aranzazu and has grown to really love the environment and all the amazing people she gets to work with at Camp!
Wave HELLO to our first-year activity leader, Izabelle (or as we call her, Bella)! Bella is a Dungeons and Dragons enthusiast who is looking forward to all the fun she’ll have at Camp Aranzazu this year! Bella is thrilled to meet people from diverse backgrounds and communities, and building relationships that will make this summer truly special. And she can’t wait to set sail with campers after learning the ins and outs of sailing from our sailing instructor during training.
Give a big Camp Aranzazu welcome to first-year activity leader, Emily! After interning with Life Styles Inc. in Arkansas, Emily was looking for a summer job that combines her passion for camping with her dedication to serving special populations. Emily loved summer camp as a kid and understands how fun and impactful camp can be for all people. After reading Camp Aranzazu’s mission to enrich the lives of children and adults with special needs and chronic illnesses, Emily was hooked, and she can’t wait to meet all the campers this year!
Welcome to Camp Aranzazu, Esteban! With his determination and genuine kindness, Esteban is ready to make his mark as a first-year activity leader. He’s looking forward to creating meaningful connections with campers and fellow staff members, embracing the camp’s mission of inclusivity and fostering a sense of belonging for our campers. Esteban has dreams of becoming an aerospace engineer and exploring the wonders of space, which is the perfect fit for this summer’s theme, Stay Stellar!
Welcome, Caitlin! Caitlin is a first-year activity leader from Wyoming who has a mission to make all people feel included whenever she can. Whether it be on the soccer field, in student government, or with her classmates, Caitlin is always looking for ways to be a friendly face and give people a sense of belonging. Caitlin will bring this same passion for acceptance and inclusion to Camp Aranzazu, and we can’t wait to see all the good work she’s bound to do this summer!
Our team is excited to welcome Denali to Camp Aranzazu! As a first-year activity leader, Denali can’t wait to help campers climb to new heights as they tackle the challenge course at Camp Aranzazu! She knows the challenge course will be a great opportunity to step out of her comfort zone and see tons of smiles on campers’ faces. With her passion for helping others feel included in every space, Denali found the right fit at Camp Aranzazu!
Our team can’t wait for you to meet our first-year activity leader, DQ! Currently attending Huston-Tillotson University and majoring in kinesiology, DQ is all about bringing the excitement to Camp Aranzazu. With previous experience coaching, babysitting, and mentoring kids, he’s the ultimate expert in creating unforgettable moments, and we can’t wait to see all the incredible moments he’ll create for our campers!
Get ready to meet Endia, a first-year activity leader and student at Huston-Tillotson University! With a heart full of kindness and a positive attitude, she has gained valuable experience through internships serving special populations. We can’t wait to see Endia help our campers have the best summer at Camp Aranzazu!
Help us welcome Katya, one of our first-year activity leaders this year! As a kinesiology major from Texas A&M University — Corpus Christi, Katya is pumped to join forces with this year’s group of activity leaders. With her passion for connecting with people from diverse backgrounds, she’s a master at making everyone feel right at home. Katya’s looking forward to using everything she’s learned at past jobs and volunteering with Special Olympics to help our campers make lasting memories at Camp Aranzazu!
It’s time to give a warm Camp Aranzazu welcome to one of our first-year activity leaders, Kilee! Kilee is on a mission to create a sense of belonging for every camper. She’s all about building connections and can’t wait to help create experiences full of joy for all the campers who will come through our gates this summer!
We can’t wait for you to meet, Tabitha! She’s a first-year activity leader who is majoring in biochemistry at Texas A&M University. Tabitha is eager to see campers dive headfirst into new experiences, especially on the challenge course where they’ll be flying through the air. With her cheerful spirit and love for inclusivity, Tabitha is here to ensure that everyone feels right at home!
We can’t wait to hear all the laughter in the dining hall, all the screams from campers on the screamer, all the splashes from the party pool, and so much more that our special group of activity leaders are helping to make happen! If you’re curious about upcoming opportunities to become an activity leader in the future, check on our website for more details.
