Camp Sweyolakan 

Hi Guys! My name is Miss Erica, and I am incredibly excited to embark on this new adventure as the Camp Sweyolakan Director. I am originally from Spokane, and grew up going to Sweyolakan and Dart-Lo as both a camper and staff member. I was also a Camp Fire member throughout my school years and received my WoHeLo as a senior in high school. After high school, I left Spokane, and explored some pretty cool cities while working on my education. I hold degrees from Chaminade University of Honolulu and the University of Colorado Denver Anschutz Medical Campus. I am a self-professed science geek, and I like nothing more than to bring science into everyday happenings and experiences. Three years ago I moved back to Spokane to take the position of Program Director at Camp Sweyolakan, and Ive been working with Camp Fire and Sweyolakan ever since. Most recently I served as an AmeriCorps VISTA member, in partnership with Camp Fires 21st century Community Learning Center at Shaw Middle School. I had a fabulous year working towards increasing our youths academic success, and getting them to come to camp as a reward! This past summer, in addition to my work as a VISTA at Shaw, I also took on the position of Assistant Camp Director of Sweyolakan as a volunteer. I am so grateful for the opportunity to again put all of my energy and focus back into Camp Sweyolakan as your Camp Director.

When Im not at camp you will most likely still find me outdoors; camping, hiking, snowshoeing, playing in the water, or just soaking up some sun. I am a big fan of fall and winter college sports, so you might hear me cheering on your favorite football team, or definitely the Zags come baseketball season. You might also catch me singing to myself or dancing around the room unexpectedly as I trained in classical ballet for 12 years. As a member of the Northeast Kiwanis I like to give back to my community and our youth. I also like to be crafty, so if you have a free moment come find me and maybe we can make something together. I look forward to greeting all of our new and returning Sweyolakan campers, singing you in from the dock of course, as soon as you can join me out at camp.

Camp Aowakiya

Jon Campbell (A.K.A. Mr. Skeeter) Campbell was raised in Wallace and graduated from Wallace High School, and is well versed in the camp. His mother was a Camp Fire leader who brought his sisters to the once all-girls camp. I was too young to stay home so my mother brought me along and I taunted my older sister and her friends. His father also volunteered at the camp-helping install the electrical system. Campbell received a Bachelor of Science from the University of Idaho in Resource Recreation and Tourism with a minor in Recreation Leadership. He has been working at various camps with Camp Fire USA Inland Northwest Council since 2005. I am excited to take this position. It gets me back to the Valley where I want to be. "I am REALLY OLD. Some of you may know that already, but just remember that age is a flexible number that changes with conditions and goals. I also love it when things don't go as planned some times. It is a chance for us to learn how to be flexible, and learn the value of that experience. I am hoping to learn more from the campers this year than they learn from me; maybe learn a little from the staff too."

"But this is just the beginning. Beyond camp, I look forward to rebuilding the Camp Fire youth programs back in the Silver Valley."  I have plans to start year around Camp Fire Clubs for youth, and othe leadership programs. Camp Fire USA's tagline is 'Today's Kids, Tomorrow's Leaders'.  I know there is a generation of people here in the Valley that camp to Camp Aowakiya that want this same experience for their children. We need those former campers to step up as leaders to make it happen. I will be seeking parents interested in leading clubs, and community groups interested in donating time, expertise or money to club programs and Camp Aowakiya.