2010 Camp Leadership

SummerWorks follows in the tradition of Rowland Hall School by hiring only the very best summer staff, many of whom return year after year.  Specifically, SummerWorks staff are energetic and engaging individuals who are dedicated to the positive growth of each SummerWorks camper.  Staff are trained in youth development techniques, as well as health and safety practices that include CPR, First Aid, and sun safety.

Laurie Browne

Director

In addition to leading SummerWorks, Laurie is earning her Ph.D. in Youth Development at the University of Utah.  She earned her M.A. in experiential education from the University of Utah and her B.S. in kinesiology from the University of Illinois (her home state).

Laurie has managed residential and wilderness-based summer camp programs in Wisconsin and in Utah.

She is the proud mother of three young children and, in her rare spare time, an avid runner and triathlete.

Beth Ott

Assistant Director

Beth earned her MS in Parks, Recreation, and Tourism from the University of Utah and her BA in Sociology from Denison University. 

She has experience working in residential summer camps, in environmental education, and currently works as a Recreation Therapist. 

Beth grew up in Indiana and relocated to Salt Lake City to pursue graduate studies.  She enjoys traveling, swimming, skiing, and cooking.

 

Counselors

Erin Faulkner

• My nickname is "Nernin"
• My birthday is July 10th and I love that time of year because I love the hot weather and because I can play outside
• My quirkiest talent is Irish Dance
• If I could only eat three food items for the rest of my life, I would eat salad because I love the crisp crunchiness of salad, coffee because I love the flavor, and rive because I love the smell and taste.
• My favorite playground game is either lava or ont he bank in the rive on the shore.
• If I could "go pro" in one of my hobbies, I would be a pro singer!
• I am looking forward to having a great time with the little munchkins this summer.
• "I am the coolest camp counselor in the world because..." I love to PLAY!

 

Virginia Simmons

 

 

 

 

Becky Engh

• My nicknames include Beck, Rudy, Becker
• My birthday is June 5th and I like it because it is technically spring but feels like summer.  I like that everythin starts to come alive including people that have been shut up all winter.  This is the time of year when people really enjoy the outdoors.  people don't take the warm for granted yet.
• My quirkiest talent is that I can bake anything that is sweet and chocolate.
• If I could only eat three foods for the rest of my life, they would be applease, cheese, and Nutella because apples and cheese fo so well together and i always have a sweet taste in my mouth after dinner.
• My favorite playground game is Queen Bee- a jump rope race game that I could play for hours.
• If I could "go pro" in one thing, it would be volleyball.
• I am really looking forward to just having some fun with the kids outdoors this summer.
• "I am the coolest camp counselor in the world because..." I love the outdoors, and I love kids.  Kids plus the outdoors equals fun.

 

 

Christina Nelson

• I have many nicknames but Kina is the primary one that everyone calls me.  A couple of other nicknames are Kinalainen (it's Finnish.  I'll teach you how to say it), Special K, and Skeens.
• My birthday is December 25th.  Yep, that would be Christmas day!  I always say that everyone receives a gift on my birthday.  I love the season I was born in because of the spirit of Christmas along with the snow, the colors, the scents...I just love it all!
• I think that my ability to speak in a Minnesotan accent is probably my most unique talent.  I tend to work hard at developing accents to speak in because I get bored speaking in my normal accent.  I'm currently working on my Scottish accent but it's harder because I tent to resort to my British accent in the middle of sentences.
• If had to choose three foods to each for the rest of my life, they would be (a) authentic fish tacos from Mexico because theyr're so good and fish is good for you, (b) Swedish hard bread with Harvarti cheese, lingonberry preserves, and goat butter because it's a good breakfast snack throughout the day, and (c) American cheeseburgers because I adore cheeseburgers!  So good!
• My favorite playground game is basketball.  Aside from basketball, I would have to choose marshmallow dodgeball because it is so much fun and you can play over and over again.
• is it possible to go pro in hiking?  Because I would do that!  I love hiking every chance I get because it is an awesome opportunity to get out and see the beauty of nature and explore the world around you.
• I am looking forward to getting to know the kids!  I cannot wait to welcome the kids to our camp and teach them new knowledge and skills while having fun. It is going to be a great summer!
• "I am the coolest camp counselor in the world because..." I can speak in a Minnesotan accent on command.  Can you get much cooler than that??
 

 

Vanessa Vest

• My nicknames include Ness, Sess, Nessie, Van, V, V-squared, chiquita, and chica just to name a few
• I was born on January 25th, 1987 and what I like best about the winter season is the snow.  I like tos nowboard on a nice powder day.  Covering myself with a blanket and laying by the fire sipping some tea while reading a book or watching a movie is one of my favorite things to do in the winter.
• My quirkiest talent is to get together with a buddy and link together and do double cartwheels, two legs go down and two are up in the air.  If you can't picture this, I will demonstrate for you!
• If I had to choose three foods to eat the rest of my life, they would be lemons because I love to put lemon juice on and in everything.  If veggies fall under one food item I would have them all.  If I had to shoose one then it would probably be sweet potatotes, I love baked sweet potato fries.  And last would be fish, but more specifically salmon with lots of lemon on it.
• My favorite playground game is a game called lava monster.  There are probably a few differetn names for this game.  The person who was it had to stay on the ground and then tag someone who was on the playground but they could not go on the playground.
• If I could "go pro" in one thing, it would be snowboarding.  Although, I have always wanted to surf and will learn how to somwday. I would love to be a pro surfer.
• This summer, i am excited to take the kids out into the community doing different activities that engage them in their surroundings.  I really like to be outdoors and am excited for the many adventures to come this summer.
• "I am the coolest camp counselor in the world because..." I can put aside my adult responsibilities and be a kid, getting into adventures and being carefree no matter how cooky I look.

 

 

Parker Bushnell

• I am not a big fan of nicknames, but my Western Civilization teacher calls me Bushwack.
• I was born on May 16th, 1994 and I like the fact that is is usually nice and warm, it is not too bot or too cold!
• My talents include graphic design and playing QB in football.
• If I had to choose three foods to eat for the rest of my life, they would be steak...becaus it is amazing and my favorite food; mint chocolate chip ice cream because I love ice cream, and milk...I don't know why, I just have always liked milk. 
• My favorite playground game is football.
• if I could "go pro" in one thing, it would be football.
• This summer, I am really looking forward to working with kids I might have worked with last year.
• "I am the coolest camp counselor in the world because..." I love working with kids, I am always upbeat and work well with anyone, I am patient and most of all awesome!

 

 

Will Badenhausen

• My nickname is Bathhouse or Kramer or Scarecrow
• My birthday is on August 13th and I like how there is never any school on my birthday!
• My quirkiest talents are juggling and riding a unicycle.
• If I have to choose three foods to eat for the rest of my life, they would be tacos cuase they are just amazing, lasagna because I am Italian and I love Italian food, and Caesar salad...yet again a great food that goes well with almost anything.
• Capture the Flag is my favorite playground game.
• If I could "go pro" in one thing, it would be football.
• This summer, I am looking forward to teaching classes and working more with the kids.
• "I am the coolest camp counselor in the world because..." I can act like a child and not be ashamed.

 

 

Julia Bodsen

• My nicknames include Julia Goolia, Hulia, and Juliama
• I was born on February 18th and my favorite thing about winter is when it is over.
• My quirkiest talent is singing the national anthem while swimming...just not very well!
• If I had to choose three foods to eat for the rest of my life, they would be latkes, respberries, and Lucky Charms- they're magically delicious.
• My favorite playground game is Ultimate Hopscotch.  It's a big deal.
• If I could "go pro" in one thing, it would be Harry Potter
• This summer, I am looking forward to going on adventures!
• "I am the coolest camp counselor in the world because..." at night, I don a superhero costume and fight crime.

 

 

Christi Fujinami

• My nickname is Christi
• I was born on September 15th and my favorite thing about this season are the pretty colors on the trees.
• My quirkiest talent is winning against anyone at a marshmallow stuffing contest!
• If I had to choose three foods to eat for the rest of my life, they would be cheese enchiladas, white rice with soy sauce, and popcorn with hot sauce on top.  I love all these foods and would love eating them everyday (I practically already do!).
• My favorite game to play on the plagroun is tag.
• If I could "go pro" in one thing it would be track and field because I LOVE to run.
• This summer, I am looking forward to going on all the fun field trips!
• "I am the coolest camp counselor in the world because..." I can make anything fun!

 

 

Zack Hewlett

• I have many nicknames:  hewybear, Hewy, Bubba, Big Z, Z-Money, Hewman, and Gator
• My birthday is November 23, 1985.  I love the fall because it means football season is in full swing and basketball season is just around the corner.  I love the leaves changing and the snowy days we have in Utah mean it's almost time to go snowmobiling or slwdding.  I love the month of November.
• I think my most unique talent is my ability to make music with my teethc and a spoon.  I can do the tune of any song by tapping a spoon on my teeth.  If you wanna see this crazy talent, then come to camp!
• If I had to choose just three foods to eat for the rest of my life, they would be calamari (squid), British fish 'n chips, and spicy salsa with torilla chips.  Those three items are the best foods in the world.  I probably woulnd't be the healthiest guy, but I know I would love every meal.
• My favorite playgound game is freeze tag.  I love having someone chase you around and then having your friends come and save you.
• If I could "go pro" in anything I do for fun, I think I would go pro in basketball.  I love basketball.  Im pretty tall (6'5") and I love running around and having fun within a team sport.
• I am looking forward to learning as well as having fun.  I am looking forward to making new friends and running around until I can barely stand any longer.  This is going to be the best summer EVER!!
• "I am the coolest camp counselor in the world because" I am st camp to have fun.  No sad faces will be had!  We are going to learn and grow together while having the best time in the world!

 

Janett Ern

• My nicknames include Jen, Netti, and Nette
• I was born on November 6th, 1985.  I like best the cold and rainy weather in November because that measn I can get cozy at home with a hot chocolate without feeling guilty about it.  plus I love to see how the leaves are changing and running my bike through big puddles.
• My quirkiest talent is rhyming.  Give me any occasion and I will write you a more or less graceful poem.
• Three foods?  Hmmm, good question.  I need my German sourdough bread (it's denser than American bread), carrots, and apples.  Oh, and my gradnma's cheesecake.  That is very essential for my survival.
• My favorite playgound gameis four square.  I never heard of it or played it in Germany, but it is the most fun to me.
• Being a pro mountain biker or pro runner would be great.  I love climbing up the hills on my bike, and I loved running since I was a child.
• I am looking forward the most to going to the pool with the kids.  They always have so much fun and tiem just flies by.  But I am also excited for science and art classes where I, as the counselor, leared quite a lot last year.  And last but not least, I cannot wait for the last Friday of every week, where we have a big event planned for the kids.
• "I am the coolest camp counselor in the world because..." I am German and therefore my language and cultural heritage are different.  It also means that I can show and teach the children a different lanquage and share my German life with them.

 

 

Amanda Newman

• My nicknames include Mandymoo, Newman Girl, Half Point, and I am always open to new ones!
• My birthday is on February 29th.  I love the season of my birthday because I still get to enjoy the beautiful snow for a few weeks and I also get to look forward to spring!
• My unique talent is wiggling my ears!
• My three foods?  Bread!  (Any kind- sourbough, pumpkin chocolate chip, banana, pita...).  And kiwi fruit because it reminds me of the summer I speant in New Zealan.  And pizza because there are so many options- meat pizza, veggie pizza, even dessert pizza!
• I loved playing lava monster when I was a kid.  I miss playing it, so I am hoping to play again this summer!
• If I could "go pro" in one thing, it would be dance!!
• I'm excited to meet all of the campers, learn new things, do a little daning, maybe get a little dirty, and have tons of fun along the way!
• "I am the coolest camp counselor in the world because..." I am a smiling face, an energetic friend, a good listener and a happy dancer all rolled into one fantastic counselor!

Devin Dwyer

• My nickname is Devbot- I have had this nickname since high school.
• My birthday is May 2, 1987.  I love rainy days in the spring and the blooming flowers.
• Quirkiest talent?  Let me get back to you on that one...
• Three foods:  Eggs because they are the most delicious breakfast food, with everything!  Cheese because I love putting cheese on my eggs.  Especially Vermont Cheddar.  And Fuji apples.
• Favorite playground game?  I LOVE the game Alaskan Baseball!
• If I could "go pro" in anything I would love to become a pro skier and ski the most amazing mountains in the world.  But...it that didn't work out I would want to be a professional inner-tuber and float down the Provo and Weber rivers.
• I'm looking forward to field trips and the theme of the week.  I'm also looking forward to the ongoing search for Bob!
• "I am the coolest camp counselor in the world because..." I am super active and love being outdoors. 

Sara Bringhurst

• My nickanmes are Poncho, Squara, and Smalls
• I was born on January 28th and I love sledding in the winter.
• My quirkiest talent is skim boarding.
• Three foods?  Reeses Puffs- because they are delicious and make a great road trip snack, mashed potatoes because they are good any time, anywhere, and water...not a food, I know, but I love water!
• I love to play freeze tag and red rover on the playground.
• If I could "go pro" in one thing, it would be ultimate frisbee!
• I am looking forward to meeting new people, making friends, and especially having fun!
• "I am the coolest camp counselor in the world because..." I make friends with anyone and everyone!