What years were you at camp?
I first came to PLYC for weekend campouts w/ Indian Guides in the mid ‘70s.  I was at resident camp from 1980-1988.  Thanks Mom & Dad!

What tents were you in?
‘80 – Brigadeers w/ Mike Rule & SDP Tracy Cleveland
(I wish they all could be Brigadeers…)
’81-’82 – Vikings w/ Joe ‘Mama’ Murphy
(so hip, he slept on the floor)  

What job(s) did you have as staff member?
As an SDP, I got to work at just about every activity.

Highlights were land sports w/ Joe Diedrich, anything at the waterfront, theater, and archery.  I loved working together to come up with creative PA announcements for all of the above.

I counseled in several different tents – mostly the little guys. I always enjoyed being a part of their first experience at Phantom.

I do have to admit we had some pretty good fun in Vikings at co-ed ’86, though.  I think just about every one of those guys returned as an SDP the following summer.

I worked in the kitchen during girls’ camp that same summer and had a blast seeing camp from another perspective.

My last two summers were spent as SDP Director with Joelle Horn (’87) and Joan Brady (’88). I loved everything about it – the silliness, the creativity, the growth, the camaraderie, the good times and bad.

It’s still the best job I’ve ever had. 

What are you doing now?
I live in Brookfield, WI with my wife, Kathy, and three boys – Tom(12), Ben(9) & Andrew(4). Tom and Ben are avid PLYC campers and Andrew can’t wait for Mag 7s.

Right now, we’re all about sports, scouts, music, theater and everything that comes with having a young family.  In addition to coaching and being a scout leader, I’ve also spent some time playing drums with a couple of area bands.

At work, I’m a Financial Advisor with Robert Baird & Co. where my team has been providing comprehensive wealth management solutions for the past 17 years.

I’m also blessed to have some of my childhood heroes as regular, ‘grown-up’ friends.  To Tracy Cleveland, Joe Diedrich, Geoff & Riley Cooper, Sir G, Mike Rule, and a few others I’m probably forgetting – I hope to see you soon.


What about your camp experience has influenced you the most?
The first thing that comes to mind is recognizing the value of true friendship -- the kind that accepts you for you – and lasts forever.

Camp was always a safe place to try something new and get out of your comfort zone.  It’s as though there was a giant, invisible safety net that gave you the confidence to try anything.

Raggers was very important to me – it gave me the first real opportunity to think deeply about who I wanted to be in this world.

Giving your first taps talk, doing a side of the square, leading songs, creating PAs, staff shows, criers, teaching, listening, learning – these things all shaped my values and gave me the confidence to pursue life to the fullest.  


Is there anyone from camp to which you'd like to say hello?
*  Sybil Woodruff (Camp Nurse and neighbor) – thanks for taking me to camp the first time!

*  Mike Rule – I couldn’t have asked for a better first counselor.  I still tell my kids (and scouts) the story of the Purple Passionate Gorilla on a regular basis.

*  Chris Gibes – the man, the hat, the smile.  Miss you, bud.

*  Ted Anderson, Charlie Russell, Tracy Cleveland & Joelle Horn -- thanks for giving me a chance to be an SDP, guiding me along the way, and preparing me to return the favor to future SDPs.

*  Thanks to Joe Diedrich – a funnier, wilder and more genuine guy, there will never be.

*  Kim Zim, Debbie Simmons  & Kate Rajeck – the ’87 Mythical Unit really was the ultimate place to be, because of you guys.

*  Joan Brady & Joelle Horn – You were the best co-directors a guy could possibly have.

*  Hello to all of my amazing campers – I hope you kept your rooms as clean as we kept our tents (in your face ’86 Boot Hill ladies)

*  Hello to my fellow Ghostbusters, BoDeans, Top Gun gang and all other hilarious crier crews

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