Meet the Spring 2018 Outdoor Education Staff
Curious. That’s how the Fall 2018 Outdoor Education Staff feels this season. Curious about themselves, nature, and the natural world. Curious about all the students, parents, and teachers who will be coming to visit this fall season in order to discover the outdoors, grow as individuals, and build community. You’re probably curious to meet them.
Mongoose
Mongoose is blessed to live here at Tecumseh year round as the Outdoor Education Director. After spending most of his childhood in Michigan and North Carolina, he found himself in the sunshine state at the University of Miami where he earned a degree in Microbiology and Immunology. After college he was accepted into Teach For America as a high school Biology and AP Biology teacher. It was during his time in the classroom that he fell in love with education and the impact that an experience outside of the classroom can have on the culture within. In his role here at Tecumseh he loves the opportunity he has each and every day to support our teachers in the life-changing work they do. In his free time he enjoys reading a good book, going for a run, traveling with family and friends, and lounging with his dog Dash. Looking forward to having you out to Tecumseh!
Jalapeno
Jalapeño grew up in Crawfordsville and graduated from Purdue University with a degree in Human Services. She met her husband here at Camp while they were summer camp counselors in 2010 and got married in June of 2014. They live here at Camp with their son Zeke, and dog Miley. Jalapeño started working at Tecumseh the summer of 2010, and then stayed to work Outdoor Education for a few more seasons. This summer will be her third year on full-time staff. Some of her favorite things include her son’s laughter, singing, crafting, and movie theater popcorn.
Joules
Joules is a ball of energy! 😉 She moved to Indiana from colorful Colorado this past January to join Camp Tecumseh’s full time team. She loves being outside and you can usually find her at home cooking spaghetti after a long day of hiking. Joules has a degree in Zoology and worked at three different zoos and four different camps before deciding to put her roots down with the corn in Indiana. She is passionate about reconnecting kids with the natural world and making sure that every student knows they can be a scientist!
Kilimanjaro
As the sun shines, casting a shadow, a mountain emerges in the safari. This is Kilimanjaro. Hello, everyone. Kilimanjaro is one of the full time staff in the Outdoor Education department. His humble beginnings started him as a pile of rocks, stones, and dirt in Belleville, Illinois. As he summited his training as a mountain, he attended MacMurray College and Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary. He’s worked with three other Camps before repositioning as the current rock formation of Kilimanjaro of Indiana. When he’s not the mountain, people call him Brother Nature. He supervises and cares for the live animals in the nature center. He’s also Camp’s beekeeper. Hiking, campfire dinners, hammocking, and playing with reptiles are things he enjoys. Enjoy your time at Camp, and be an advocate for nature.
Dingo
Dingo is from Frankfort, Illinois. Not to be mistaken with Frankfort, Indiana, home of the hotdogs. Frankfort, Illinois is more like one of the biggest craft booth gathering places in the United States (yes, she’s serious. She has spent hours walking from booth to booth). She is currently taking classes online working towards her degree in business administration with a focus on project management. She has been part of Camp Tecumseh since the summer of 2012. This is her 9th season with the Outdoor Education program and she’s so excited to be back for another season to see what impact these experiences have on teachers and students!
Wildcat
Be in the lookout for Wildcat as he is prowling around Camp all the way from West Lafayette, Indiana! Wildcat grew up playing sports, going on random adventures, and going to Camp T as a camper. Out of high school, Wildcat attended Western State Colorado University for a year before deciding to take a semester off and eventually transfer to Ball State University where he will study Sports Administration. Wildcat’s favorite things in life haven’t changed much since he was a kid. Every chance he gets he is playing sports or going on random, spontaneous adventures. Wildcat also loves superheroes, and often wonders what the world would look like with a CatMan. If you see Wildcat around, make sure to give him a high five and tell him your favorite superhero!
Armadillo
Armadillo? That’s his father’s name. You can just call him Dilla! He grew up in Lake Zurich, Illinois and went to school just down the road at Purdue University. This is his third season here at Camp Tecumseh and he’s so excited to be back! In his free time he loves to hoop it up, watch movies that range in quality, drink copious amounts of coffee, and visit his favorite spot at Camp: The Eagle’s Nest. If you see him around Camp be sure to say hi!
Jupiter
Hey look! It’s Jupiter, swinging into orbit! She’s so excited to be here with y’all for her second season as an Outdoor Education staff member! Her Great Red Spot began to form not too far from here in Indianapolis, IN. After she got a few rings under her belt she decided to go to college at Purdue University to study about her many moons along with many other cool facts! (Not to mention one more ring last spring when she got engaged to her dreamy fiance Oscar.) She recently graduated from Purdue with a Bachelors of Science in Human Services. When she’s not in view, Jupiter tends to gravitate towards hanging out with her friends, playing her guitar and singing, as well as reading her favorite book, the Bible! Well, looks like she’s gotta blast! Jupiter, over and out!
Dinosaur
Coming in all the way from the Cretaceous period, Dinosaur is excited to start his first season on the Outdoor Education staff! Dino is from West Lafayette, IN and has worked a few summers here at Camp. He graduated from Butler University this past May after studying Middle/Secondary Education. Dino enjoys spending his free time reading, hiking, and watching Jurassic Park!
Chuckwalla
Good tidings from the lands of Tecumseh where one can find the mighty Chuckwalla engaging in activities like running through the woods, hammocking in the trees and napping in warm, comfy spots. Originally from West Lafayette, he has recently graduated from Purdue University with a degree in Organizational Leadership and Supervision. With several years of Tecumseh experience, he is super excited to be a part of the Outdoor Education program and have some fun this year!
Eagle
The Eagle has landed. Four years ago, while soaring in from Texas, she saw a shimmering light. It turned out to be a Camp Tecumseh bonfire through the rustling leaves. She stopped for the night and gave her heart and soul to Camp T. She could check out anytime she’d like, but she really didn’t want to leave. Eagle grew up in Waco, Texas, where she developed her passion for horses through a saddle club from a young age. The grass looked bluer at the University of Kentucky where she graduated with a degree in Equine Management and Animal Sciences. An eagle’s nest is big, sturdy, and comfortable for devouring delicious treats and sprawling out for rejuvenating naps. She also enjoys running, rowing, kickboxing and spending time with her family.
Jumbo Shrimp
Jumbo Shrimp hails from the mighty seas of Indianapolis. He rose from the hoosier waves 22 years ago and has spent multiple summers at Camp Tecumseh as both a camper and counselor. After 10 years of floating around the Tecumseh waters, this will be his second season on outdoor education! Jumbo shrimp is hoping to find a career in engineering. Jumbo loves being in nature and swimming around in pretty much any body of water he can find. Despite his name, Jumbo shrimp is actually the tallest member of the OE team, and likes everything from playing sports to reading books. That’s right, Jumbo shrimp is a nerd.
Red Wolf
Red Wolf was born 24 years ago in Effingham, Illinois and spent her cubhood years in a little town ten miles west called Altamont. She graduated in 2016 from the University of Illinois with a Bachelor’s in Animal Sciences and a minor in Leadership Studies. This is her third season as part of the OE team and she’s excited to see what God does with the group this fall! When Red Wolf isn’t busy spending time with her pack (also known as loved ones), she can be found doing crafts, reading, doing puzzles, horseback riding, watching NCIS or Hawaii 5-0, or making food to share with others. She was raised in 4-H and FFA, and enjoys bringing those values with her wherever she goes. Her favorite place on Earth is Kettlehut Chapel or walking the trails at Camp T.
Monsoon
Hello! My name is Monsoon and I am quite excited to be back at Camp Tecumseh for a fourth season! I live in Lafayette, Indiana with my wife where I obtained my Master’s degree in Mathematics from Purdue University. We have two adorable cats, Pepsi and Houdini. In my free time I enjoy challenging my mind by playing strategic board games, completing puzzles, and reading books. My favorite board game is Camel Up, a silly game where camels stack on top of each other as they race around the board and my favorite book is Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss.
Egg
Egg is super ‘egg-cited’ to be at Camp T this Fall! As an endless source of fun energy, you won’t ever see him ‘crack!’ He’s also ‘egg-celent’ in the kitchen and loves baking and pastry. He ‘egg-joys’ local Indiana history and collecting antiques. He specializes in antique glass pre 1880. Also, this winter Egg will be ‘rolling’ up to Alaska to serve the Yup’ik that live there. Stay on the ‘sunny side up!’
Raptor
Without feather ado – Hello! Raptor’s the name. Many years ago, I hatched in the nearby town of Lafayette, Indiana. I grew up coming to Tecumseh and have been flitting around either as a camper or on staff for the past decade. I recently flew back north after going out on a limb and heading to Indiana University (Go Hoosiers!), where I earned a degree in Outdoor Recreation. I overshot a bit and spent the summer in Wisconsin, but I’m glad to have found my way back for a second season as a full-fledged member of the Outdoor Education team. I consider myself a jack of owl trades and enjoy things like woodworking, exploring the great outdoors, and learning to play guitar. I gotta fly – hope to see you all soon!
