Big Spring Staff 2017

Antero

Will Parnitzke

Hello everybody! I’m Will Parnitzke, a first time Sanborn Westerner and a long time lover of the wilderness. I’ve just completed my undergraduate degree in political science at Edgewood College in Madison, WI, and currently live in Milwaukee, WI. I paddle down the Milwaukee river whenever possible, and enjoy the mountain biking and hiking trails along the river as well. I’m up for anything that gets me outside and gets my blood pumping, but I also love decompressing with friends in a quiet setting where conversation is open and trusting. I cant wait to get to know everyone here at Sanborn Western Camps, teach what I can, but then learn from so many others that have come from all over the country and all over the world. If there’s one thing I know, it’s that I don’t know everything, but the answers are out there if we all engage with each other!

Justin Malone

My name is Justin Malone and I was born and raised less than an hour away from Camp Sanborn in the amazing city of Colorado Springs, Colorado. I’ll be attending Colorado State University Fort Collins this Fall with a Major in Business Finance and Economics. I’m excited for all that the future has in store for me. But for now I am beyond happy to be here at Big Springs Ranch. I have a huge passion to inspire kids and to enjoy all that beautiful Colorado has to offer!

Andy Rotering

Hiya! I’m Andy Rotering and this will be my first year as a staff member, but I’ve been a camper here for 8 years. I’m from Chicago Illinois, but will be heading down to New Orleans, Louisiana to attend Tulane University to major in biology. I’ve been trained in improv comedy at Second City. My favorite part of camp is the chance to explore and experience the mountains. I’m looking forward to adding a few more mountains to my list this summer, and I hope you’re as excited about camp this summer as I am!

Blanca

Michael Rainey

Hello! My name is Mikey. This will be my second summer as a counselor at Sanborn. Currently I am studying to become a teacher, while at the same time working as a Paraprofessional at a K-8 school in the Denver area. Also, I coach middle school cross country and track. When I’m not busy with all of that, I enjoy going for runs, hiking, reading a book, or just being out and trying something new. I can’t wait to get out on the trails, take some awesome trips, and camp out under the beautiful Colorado night sky! See you all at camp!

Kevin Schilling

Hey! My name is Kevin Schilling and this will actually be my first summer at Sanborn. I have two siblings that have been counselors here before and I am excited to continue to add to the impressive culture here at camp. I am a home grown Georgian & ATL-alien. I went to school at the University of North Georgia and got my BA in Business Management in 2015. After college I began working as an IT consultant and have been in Charlotte NC for the last year. I’m always down for a good joke and am a huge Falcons fan but after the Super Bowl, the joke might be on me… This summer I’m planning on taking advantage of all the wonder the Rocky Mountain State has to offer, whether that’s breath taking views, adrenaline inducing hikes, gut busting laughs, and hanging with the coolest campers in the land.

Maxx Byerly

Hello! I am Maxx Byerly and this is my first summer as a Big Springs staff member! I currently a senior in high school at Discovery Canyon Campus in Colorado Springs and will be going to college at Colorado University in the fall! I love everything about the outdoors from the ground to the sky. Some of my favorite activities are biking, backpacking, and skiing (but we can’t do that in the summer!) I’m extremely excited to help kids learn in and about the outdoors. I’m also looking forward to meeting all the new faces of campers over the time they are at camp with us!

Crestone

JP Hayes

Hi my name is J.P. Hayes and I was a camper for three summers prior to being a counselor. Sanborn has a special place in my heart and the experiences here are unparalleled to others offered in the US. Currently, I go to Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, North Carolina and am going into my junior year. At WFU I’m majoring and Economics with minors in global trade and commerce and statistics. Originally, I was born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia. Besides school and where I’m from, I’m passionate about hiking, fishing, and hunting. One fun fact that I have is I’ve hiked over a dozen fourteen thousand foot peaks, all thanks to Sanborn! This summer, I’m excited for all of the new faces at Sanborn and hope to lead outdoor experiences of a lifetime.

Troy Ektnitphong

Hey ya’ll, I’m Troy Ektnitphong and this is my first summer here at Sanborn and cannot wait to get started! I hail from Worthington, Minnesota and I’m going to be a junior at Gustavus Adolphus College in the fall where I’ll be majoring in Exercise Physiology with a minor in Public Health. In addition, I play football and run track at college while also participating in Orchestra and Habitat for Humanity. Although this is my first summer at Sanborn, I’ve gone on multiple backpacking and hiking trips in Colorado and Canada. I’m most looking forward to meeting new people and having new experiences.

Max Wernher

My name is Max Wernher, I live in So Cal in a city called Redlands, and have been coming to camp as a camper for three years! This is my first year as an Assistant Counselor, and I’m super excited to meet all the campers and create some great relationships as well as be the best role model I can be for all of them. I have just graduated high school, and am planning to go to University of Colorado, Boulder in the fall. I absolutely love music and play guitar, piano, and drums, as well as sing quite a lot! Sports are also a big party of my life, as I love to play basketball and soccer especially! I love people and would consider myself a very social guy, and am always ready to make new friends and build strong relationships every single day!

Democrat

Dylan Morris

Hi everyone! My name is Dylan Morris, and this will be my third summer at camp. I also spent a ton of time up at Sanborn throughout my high school years, and I can’t get enough of it. When not at Sanborn, I’m studying at the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs. There I’m double majoring in Mechanical Engineering and Physics, and I’ll be finishing up my second year shortly. I love being outdoors, be it hiking, climbing, swimming, horseback riding, or anything really. I’m really hoping to do all of that at camp this summer, especially ride horses since I didn’t get too much my previous two summers. Overall though, I’m just excited for the entire camp experience, atmosphere, and community.

Nate Wagner

Matt Kind

I was born and raised in La Crosse Wisconsin -I am a Freshmen at Harvard College -I’m studying Government and Economics (or Environmental Policy) -This will be my first summer at the camp -I will be a Junior Counselor this summer -I heard about Sanborn online and it sounded like the most lively and engaging camp -Some fun facts about me are I can say the alphabet backwards and enjoy anything to do with outside activities. Growing up with an older and younger brother taught me that any situation can be turned into a fun activity is you have enough imagination. I look forward to bringing that mindset to Sanborn camp!

Elbert

Jordan Unger

Hello! My name is Jordan Unger, and I am from Boise, Idaho. This will be my third summer here at camp. The perfect mix between fun and seriousness has kept me coming back to camp. Sanborn is a place where everybody, staff and campers alike, can grow and truly be themselves. Meanwhile, it has provided me with an endless supply of laughs and positive memories. I recently graduated with a degree in History and am consequently not on any particular career path. I have been traveling and working random jobs since graduating. My favorite thing I did recently was go on a bike tour from Boise to San Diego. I am now excited to be back at Sanborn and one of my favorite aspects of camp is building positive relationships with all the campers!

Kevin Conchieri

Kit Carson

Ben Cartwright (standing left)

Hey Campers! The name is Ben and this will be my first Summer working as a camp counselor at Big Spring. I am more than excited to hang out and go on adventures with you all Summer. Born and raised in Kansas, I have always had an urge to get outside and explore. My admiration for the outdoors started when I was younger exploring Kansas and Colorado with my father and grandfather. My Grandfather was an avid hiker and bird photographer who made a point to teach me how to observe my surroundings and identify some of the plants and animals that we stumbled upon. As a kid, I loved spending my time finding bugs and other creatures whenever I was outside (something that I still find myself doing on occasion as a 20 year old in college). Now, as a sophomore at Kansas State University, I plan on graduating with a degree in Park Management and Conservation, hoping to extend my love of the outdoors into an actual career. Though I grew up spending my time in the outdoors, I had never been on any serious endeavors until recently. My last Summer, I worked on a Trail Crew In Idaho’s great Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness. This was an experience that taught me many skills in working with everything I carried on my back, as well as being very observant of the things that were around me. This Summer, I not only want to help you extend your love for the outdoors, but I would also like to learn a thing or two from you as well. I cannot wait to see you all soon at camp!

(left to right) Scott Josephson

Hey y’all my names Scott Josephson and love to live in the mountains. I have spent 1 previous year working at a summer camp in Maine and am excited to be joining the team here in Colorado. I recently graduated from Sterling College in Vermont in December with a B.A in Ecology. Immediately after graduating I drove out to Colorado and am currently working as a Kids Ski Instructor in Breckenridge. Some fun facts about me are I have driven from California back and forth to Connecticut twice, I have hiked only 50 miles of the A.T, I play guitar like Bob Dylan, and I love to be outside everyday doing anything from hiking, to skiing, to rock climbing I love it all. I am super excited to spend another summer at camp because It is a fun and exciting time. I love getting to know new people who are like minded. I can’t wait to share my knowledge and time with some great kids who will make my summer awesome. I also am very excited to become part of a great company that may open up more doors for job opportunities in the future.

Ben Miller

My name is Ben Miller, I’ll be working as an Assistant Counselor this summer. This will be my first summer on staff at Big Spring, after being a camper for 9 years. There’s nothing I love more than spending time up in the mountains with my brothers! I just graduated high school and am attending the University of Colorado next fall. I divulge in backpacking trips and mountain biking, but am also always on the look for a good place to set up my hammock.

Collin Johnson

Hello! My name is Collin and this will be my first summer at Big Spring! After growing up in Wisconsin I ditched the snow and moved to Austin Texas in pursuit of music performance and audio production. After spending nearly four years in the lone star state I headed north again this time to Colorado to join the Sanborn family this summer. I am very excited to lead canoeing trips and to climb my first 14er. On top of that I am most excited to spend time with a group of young men growing learning and teaching amongst some of the most beautiful landscapes this country has to offer. I am looking forward to creating unforgettable memories that will last a lifetime!

Bryce Kapsner (bottom by tree)

Hi, my name is Bryce Kapsner and I was a camper at Sanborn for eight years. I currently go to a boarding school in Colorado Springs called Fountain Valley School and I am attending college at Saint John’s University in Minnesota next year. I plan on studying communications as my major and a minor in coaching because I want to be an NFL general manager. I love football as well as superheroes. I also love to climb Fourteeners, go scuba diving, and rafting. I’m super excited to add some more Fourteeners to my list as well as give back to a place that has really helped me grow so much over the past eight years of my life.

Longs

Elias Longenecker

My name is Elias Longenecker and this is my first year at Sanborn Camps. I have recently graduated high school and will be working as an assistant counselor. In the past I have spent my summers at a camp in North Carolina but this year I have chosen to venture further from my home in South Carolina. I am looking forward to an exciting summer in the mountains of Colorado before attending The College of Charleston in the Fall.

Tijler deJong

Hi!, my name is Tijler deJong. I’ve been coming to Sanborn as a counselor for going on three years now. I am currently in school at Pikes Peak community college studying child psychology in the hopes of someday being a school counselor. I am a passionate hiker and mountain climber, love to swim and will play any board game or card game that is put in front of me. I want to try some new 14er’s with everyone who shares the same interests as me. I can’t wait to meet everyone this summer and make a lot of new friends.

Will Davis

Hi! My name is Will and I’m a first time Big Spring Counselor! I’m a native of Arkansas where I attend college at the University of Arkansas studying Theatre! I’m a lover of the outdoors and enriching the lives of kids; which is why I feel that Sanborn is a great place to spend my summer!

Massive

Jack Polk

What’s up everyone, I’m Jack Polk and this will be my second summer as a Sanborn staffer and eight total at Sanborn. I was born and raised in Saint Louis and currently attend the University of Virginia where I plan to study international relations, global development, or anthropology. Outside of class, I’m super into fly fishing, backpacking, and hanging out around a campfire with my friends. Can’t wait for another fun summer at Big Spring!

Henry Ewing

Hi, my name is Henry Ewing. I just graduated from Depauw University. I was a counselor at Big Spring last summer, and worked with Juniors. This was one of my favorite summers, and I look forward to all the adventures this time. When I was a camper at Sanborn, my favorite activities were horseback riding, and hiking. the same hobbies are what I still enjoy most about camp. I am really looking forward to meeting your children, and know we will have a great time.

Garrett Barber

My name is Garrett Barber. This is my first summer with Sanborn Western Camps, but my fifth summer spending time at camp! I attend Harding University in Searcy, AR. I am studying economics with goals of attaining a master’s degree and then attending law school. Most notably about me, I have never left the country! I have a deep love for animals, and I love to make friends!

Max Rivera

Hi, my name is Max Rivera. This is my fist summer as a counselor, but I spent four years as a camper from 2011-2015. I’m a high school student right now, and I haven’t exactly chosen where I would like to go for college, but I would like to study Marine biology and Oceanography. Right now I’m just studying for the big tests I have in early May. A couple cool things about me are; I love sports and being active (played soccer in school, and free running and snowboarding in my off time), I love photography and film a lot (I hope to make a film this summer for each session to show at the end of camp), and I’ve had my scuba certification since I was 14. The best thing I’m looking forward to at camp is being back there, and also seeing and meeting new people.

Oxford

Garrett Robinson

Waddup! My name is Garrett Robinson and I’m from Tulsa, Oklahoma. From an early age I knew I wanted to live in Colorado, so when the opportunity to continue my education in the Rockies presented itself I took advantage. I’m now going into my junior year at Colorado Christian University and I’m a double major in English creative writing and outdoor leadership. Outside of school I spend a lot of time working with high school students as a YoungLife Leader in South Jefferson County. I consider myself a pro frolfer (disc golf) and a music enthusiast and I love climbing, snowboarding, writing, hiking, and watching documentaries on Netflix. Lastly, this is my first summer at Sanborn, so this is my newest adventure and I’m absolutely stoked.

Tyler Kurten

Hello! My name is Tyler Kurten. I was a Big Spring Warrior from 2009 starting as a Junior until the Summer of 2015 when I completed my year in the Outbacker program. This fall I will be studying Biomedical Engineering at the University of Iowa. I can’t wait to get back into the swing of things and become involved in all of the activities that camp has to offer like Rock Climbing, Hiking, and Mountain Biking!

Marc Anthony Fernandez

I am Marc Anthony, this is my first time at camp! I am currently studying Physics at the University of Colorado at Boulder. SKO BUFFS! I served 4 years in The United States Cavalry, 1-10 Cav The Buffalo Soldiers “Ready and Forward”. I wish to provide mentorship and instill a strong sense of self into my campers. As well as have a great summer!

Princeton

Wilson Rawlings

Hey everyone! My name is Wilson Rawlings. I was a camper at Big Spring for 9 years, but this will be my first summer on staff and I could not be more excited! I am from Seattle, Washington and I will be starting at the University of Colorado in the fall studying environmental design. I love hiking, mountain biking, rock climbing, and summiting 14ers! I love the mountains of Colorado and I can’t wait for the summer to start and the adventures to begin! BOOM!

Nick Romano

Hello everyone, My name is Nicholas Romano everyone calls me Nick or Nicky. I was born and raised in this great state of Colorado so I know the mountains pretty well. I am going to be a senior at the University of Colorado Boulder and I will hopefully continue on to medical school. This is my first year as a staff member and can’t wait to meet all the new camper faces. Although I have lived in Colorado my whole life, because of alpine ski racing I have been able to travel Europe as well as taking a semester abroad in Australia. So I would like to think I’m culturally well rounded and can’t wait to hear all about the campers stories.

Ayden Bolin

Hey there! My name is Ayden and I am currently majoring in Biology at the University of Puget Sound. This will be my second summer at Sanborn. I had a rad time as an AC last year, but I am looking forward to spending more time with the campers, going on hikes, and getting to know the Big Spring family. I am marking days until camp, and getting super pumped for this summer. I look forward to going on some good hikes, singing some folksy tunes, and meeting everyone in the community. See ya soon!

Quandary

Zachariah Cowan

I grew up in a small town in Ohio in love with my tree house and playing in my barn. I went to a community college as a philosophy major, but feeling empty of purpose, I tried taking a calculus class and fell in love with the sciences. I graduated from Ohio state university with a degree in geology with a focus in physics. Getting my dream job at the United States Geological Survey, I moved to Denver and fell in love with the mountains, but not the lab work. Having been in the sciences for so long, I broke away and worked as a carpenter and painter for the next two years, loving something new and being outside. But sure enough, my hunger for new growth tugged at me, so I quit my job to work with kids, my true passion. Being a fun sized kid myself, I’m excited to not only hike and be outdoors, but also teach kids how mountains are born using my degree :)

Lane Daniels

What is up everybody my name is Lane Daniels! This is my first year at Sanborn and I couldn’t be more excited for all the adventures to come this summer. I grew up in Delaware (yeah the 96 mile long state that you’ve probably never heard of) and am currently pursuing a degree in advertisement and film at Orange Coast College in California! Aside from school, I love being outside and I have three incredible younger siblings who are my inspiration in sharing my passion for the outdoors. Little more about me, I like to surf, hike, play any sport there ever was, throw down for a card game, and read! FUN FACTS, I’m willing to do just about anything for a Klondike bar, I once ate 7 hotdogs in under a minute and I’ve even eaten a cliff bar….on a cliff. Again, I am super excited for this summer and I can’t wait for all the adventures to come!!

Redcloud

Trevor Atkeson

Hey Guys, My name is Trevor Atkeson and I am currently a rising sophomore at the University of Virginia! Right now, I am studying to be a double major in biology and Chinese. As a camper, I attended Sanborn and had a blast at Big Spring from 2006 to 2011. Some important stuff everyone should know about me is that I lived in China for fourteen years, I am fluent in Chinese, and I love to run, travel, and hike! This summer, I can’t wait to get back to Colorado to experience the sights and sounds of Big Spring and I am excited to climb and explore all the trails around camp. See everyone soon!

Drew Barnicle

My name is Drew, I am from Middlebury, Vermont and I go to school at University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, Washington. My favorite thing to do is go boogie boarding but I enjoy most things involving moderately sized waves. I grew up in the outdoors of Vermont and enjoy exploring the outdoors. I also grew up playing sports and played soccer in college last year. That’s pretty much me in a couple sentences.

Andy Karasevick

Howdy, My name is Andrew Karasevich, but I got by Andy. I’ve lived all over the country in my life, from Texas to New York and half the places in between. I very proudly spent a majority of my life growing up down South which is why I chose to move back down for college. I am finishing out my freshman year at the University of South Carolina in Columbia SC, and I have been loving it. I am dual majoring in International Studies and Russian. IS because I love learning about different places in the world, and Russian because I am fascinated learning about the country of my ancestors. More importantly than my studies however, is my commitment to the NROTC Program and my future commission into the United States Marine Corps as an Officer. Military service is a long-standing tradition in my family that I couldn’t be happier to continue. This will be my first year at Sanborn, it is definitely the camp I always wished I could have gone to as a kid myself. I couldn’t be more excited to be working at the camp this summer and help expose campers to the natural world that I have come to love and enjoy in my life.

Ian Wilson

Sherman2.jpg?ixlib=rails 2.1

Sherman

Elliot Abbott

My name is Elliott Abbott, and this will be my 7th summer at camp (my 2nd on staff). I just finished my sophomore year at St. Olaf College in Minnesota, where I study Spanish and K-12 Education. I am originally from Vermont, and have had a love for the outdoors since I started skiing and hiking at age 4. I was the Under-9 New England log-rolling champion, and I also met the Dalai Lama in high school. My favorite thing about camp is and always been climbing mountains, and I can’t wait to help spread my love of hiking with all the campers this summer!

Logan Huntzinger

Hello future campers and staffers of Sanborn! My name is Logan Huntzinger, and this is going to be my first summer at Sanborn. Let me say that I am beyond excited. I had gone to camp Tejas for three summers when I was younger somewhere in Texas, but I forget where the camp was. Right now I’m kind of taking a break from school to learn how I want to learn, and too better understand my role and place in the future. When I was going to school, I was going to St. Mary’s University in San Antonio for electrical engineering, and I wanted to go into robotics afterwards. Though I’m no longer in school for that, I still enjoy thinking up different devices for everyday life, designed through the principles of nature. So I’d love to hear yalls ideas, and who knows maybe we at Sanborn can collectively make the next world changing device. Also after leaving school I learned through a certain dream that I needed to coexist with nature. Soooo I searched high and low trying to do that, thinking about what that meant. Until one day I found out about NOLS, the (National Outdoor Leadership School) and looked them up and knew that that was the start of the journey. Through NOLS I ended up going on a month long backpacking trip through the mountains of the Yukon territory of Canada. After that trip I knew that I wanted to work towards being a field instructor for NOLS or something similar. With that in mind i’m stoked to do more of that kind of off trail hiking this summer, as well as everything new that will be learned. I’m also super excited to see how all of the campers will allow themselves to be themselves, and how they will learn from that kind of knowledge. One main fact about me is that I’m an only child. And one fun fact is that I can’t straighten my thumbs. I look forward to meeting everyone this summer, and going through this adventure with you all. And remember to be smooth out there like butter on a hot Texas day.

Ian Thomas

Howdy hey! My name is Ian Thomas, and this is my first summer at Sanborn, and I cannot get more excited!!! I am a freshman at Colorado Mesa University and am studying Environmental Science and Technology. I’ll do anything for gummy bears, I love to build anything, be it trail, workbenches, or general cool things, and I don’t like to be sad, so I’m just… not hahahaha!!!

Torreys

Marimo Morimoto

Hello everyone my name is Marimo Morimoto. This is my first summer with Sanborn. I am from Japan. I studied Economics at University. I really like climbing and I have challenged Yosemite few year ago. I am working as a camp director in Japan. I am very excited for this summer and to meet campers!! See you soon.

Brendon Riley

Howdy y’all! My name is Brendon and this will be my very first summer at camp. I am from Fort Worth, Texas but I went to school in Boston, Mass. for automotive technologies a few years ago. I now reside in Houston, Texas where it’s hotter than the sun, so I cannot wait to be back in Colorado! I really enjoy talking about soccer, cars, food, and adventuring. Fun fact: I played for the United States U18 soccer team in Sweden at the world youth cup back in 2010 and I even turned 18 while I was over there! This summer I’m excited to get away from it all and experience nature in full. I love getting to spend time.

Luis Ochoa

Coming Soon

George Langston

Hey! My name is George and I am originally from a town called Evesham, England. I came to America with my parents to live in 2010 and currently reside in Joplin, Missouri.This summer will be my first at Sanborn and I am very excited to be part camp life! I am currently working towards a bachelor’s degree in Social Work at Missouri Southern State University. I love to be outdoors, being active, enjoying new activities and going on adventures! I also enjoy running, cycling (I cycled across England for charity in 2014), hiking, canoeing, rafting and work out in the gym daily.I’m really excited to meet the kids and my co workers and have a great summer together building memories and learning lots of new skills! I look forward to meeting you all soon!!

Dro Garcia (front)

HELLOOO name is Pedro but everyone calls me Dro. I was studying Computer Science at Indiana University South Bend but took a hiatus from school to live in Los Angeles. During my time in Southern California I focused on more artistic endeavors. I have an insatiable sweet tooth so if you’re trying to get on my good side a little chocolate goes a long way! This is my first year at Big Spring and I’m stoked to be spending all summer outdoors with some amazing people.

Uncompahgre

Kaleb Hargous

Hello! My name Kaleb Hargous and this will be my first summer with Sanborn. I was born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona and am currently a Junior at Arizona State University studying Secondary Education in English! Last year I served in an AmeriCorps program called, “City Year” in South Boston in a third-grade classroom and after the remainder of college, my next step is serving with the Peace Corps. Music is definitely the most important thing to me but I also enjoy hiking, camping, and jet skiing! This will be my first time stepping foot in Colorado and I’m definitely excited to experience the beautiful state and meeting all of you guys!

Joe Roberts

My name is Joe Roberts, and this is my second summer at Big Spring! Last summer I was the Head AC (a real position, I assure you). I’m going into my Junior year at NC State University studying Microbiology with a concentration in Microbial Research. I love fly fishing, rock climbing, and backpacking. I may not have figured out what I’m doing with my life yet, but I have figured out that I love spending my summer at Big Spring with my fellow Warriors.

Wetterhorn

Chris Maxwell

What’s up! I’m Chris Maxwell, I’m from Tulsa Oklahoma but I attend the university of Arkansas in Fayetteville where I play club ultimate and I’m involved with young life. I am majoring in marketing with a minor in theatre. I often find myself fantasizing about what life would be like if I were a corgi, not for any reason other than just raw curiosity. My favorite Power Puff Girl is obviously Bubbles, and I am a proud owner of an ultra rare set of Exodia the forbidden one, so I highly recommend staying on my good side if you don’t want to end up in the shadow realm this summer. This will be my first summer as a counselor at Sanborn and I am most stoked to bro down with a bunch of awesome dudes!

Chris Harold

Chris Harold here! I’m so excited to be working here as a counselor and although it’s my first year I have been camping my whole through a multitude of summer camps, and all that I’ve done as an Eagle Scout. Now I reside in North Texas, I’m an actor and avid filmmaker as well as a barista making coffee for sleepy people Monday-Friday at a local cafe in Denton, Tx. As connected to the force as Luke Skywalker, I too am connected to Nature and love spending every chance I get to be out in it living life to the fullest and hope to help others do the same!

Ridge Leaders

Leo Scheller

Hello friends! My name is Leo Scheller and I hail from Evansville, Indiana. I spent my first summer at Big Spring as a counselor in Red Cloud and Blanca in 2015. After spending last summer traveling Australia and New Zealand I am excited to return to Big Spring this year for another memorable and fun filled summer. I will be graduating this spring with a Bachelor’s Degree in Exercise Science from the University of Southern Indiana and am planning on attending grad school for occupational therapy in the fall. I enjoy being active and working out but prefer participating in activities with friends such as pick up basketball and flag football. Although some of these activities aren’t huge in Indiana I also enjoy snow skiing, mountain biking, and backpacking. When I’m not studying or hanging out with friends I’m usually working one of my 3 jobs: Inpatient therapy tech at a hospital, gourmet pizza chef at one of Evansville’s finest pizzeria’s and I also occasionally drive around for Uber. I’m really looking forward to getting back to camp and bonding with all my Big Spring Brothers. I especially miss all the fun and crazy camp traditions such as the counselor hunt, gaga ball, and hike the pike. Can’t wait to catch up with old friends and meet all you new ones! BOOM!

David Maxwell

Hello! My name is David Maxwell and this will be my second summer working at Big Spring. I was born and raised in Tulsa, Oklahoma, will be graduating from the University of Oklahoma this year with a degree in Microbiology, and will be pursuing a career in medicine next year also at OU. Over the past four years when I haven’t had my face buried in a textbook, I enjoyed spending time with my friends, planning homecoming for my fraternity, and taking any chance I could get to sneak away and bask in the wonder of Colorado! I love to play the guitar, climb mountains, and fish. I also deeply enjoy learning and teaching about the things I’m passionate of like the science of the outdoors. Besides hiking and generally being in the mountains, I also love meeting new people, which is something I am very much looking forward to doing this summer at Big Spring!

Slayter Marwitz

Howdy! My name is Slayter Marwitz and this will be my third summer back at camp! I’m currently enrolled at UNT as an ad major. I play ultimate frisbee for the UNT men’s team and I love designing logos and artwork on the computer and taking pictures. I’m so stoked to get back to camp this year. I’m ready for the wild adventures to the lost treehouse and the calm reflection and bonding of vespers on little blue. Look forward to see some familiar faces and meeting many more! BOOM!

Emerson Underwood

Whaddaapp! I am Emerson and I will be spending my 3rd summer at Big Spring - my 2nd summer as the junior ridge leader. I just graduated from the University of South Carolina with a B.S. in Environmental Science and am coming back to camp to continue to learn and gain experience in youth development. Fun fact: I think I have more fun at camp dances than the campers. I’m excited for everything that camp has to offer but I’m most excited to make that first summit of A-Bluff with the 1st-session junior campers. I can’t wait to spend another summer in Colorado with some awesome humans.

Ben Cole

Hi my name is Ben Cole! This spring I graduated from the University of South Carolina where I studied International Studies and Spanish. This will be my third year at Sanborn and I couldn’t be happier to be back. In my free time I enjoy going backpacking and fly fishing. This summer I will be running the fly fishing program with my good friend, Joe Roberts. I am excited to share my passion for the sport and help others find theirs as well.

Wranglers

Oliver Fisher

What’s up Big Spring! I am so excited to be spending my 9th summer here at Sanborn. Some of my best memories as a child are here at Sanborn and I feel that I owe a lot of who I am today to this place. Being from Chicago, I always did everything I could to get outside, but nothing ever compared to being in the mountains. After graduating from the University of Missouri last year I decided to come out and help with the horse program year-round. Now, I am in the office during the winter, but I am lucky enough to continue wrangling during the summer. There is nothing quite like a horse trip, and I am very passionate about the riding program. I can’t wait to get this summer started and have an awesome time with all of you! I’m very excited to see familiar faces and meet all the new campers! BOOM!

Drew Foster

Stephen Van Asdale

Art Barn

Will Gundlach

Kitchen

Kyle Gilbert

Outcamp

Kevin Fernandez

Climbing

Adam Ressegurie

Photo

Travis Monroe

Nurses

Phil Hackmann

Hello, This is my second summer at camp. I grew up in Northern Idaho and would spend most of my vacations in Colorado visiting family and enjoying the mountains. During my senior year in college I student taught in New Hampshire which then lead to working in New Hampshire. I met my wife and we started a family living in New Hampshire. After teaching science and working as an athletic trainer for 20 years I decided to return to school and become a nurse. Currently I work as an emergency department nurse and school nurse in New Hampshire. I am fortunate that my work schedule allows me be flexible and be away while I am at camp during the summer. Our daughter will be attending Big Springs for the second year and is excited to be at camp as well. I love being outdoors and look forward to going on some trips or playing games while at camp.

Teresa Day

I am one of the nurses at the Boy’s Camp during second session. I have worked at Sanborn off and on since the summer of 2005, working both the summer sessions and fall school weeks. During the winter I teach skiing to anyone who no matter the ability or disability. I am looking forward to my daily hikes/rides/runs etc. See you all soon.

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Travis Monroe
About Travis Monroe

Travis spent the past 30+ years working in government finance for several of Oklahoma’s governors as well as public television, teachers’ pension and ultimately the state’s bonding authority. His summers have been spent in the Rocky and Cascade Mountains, backpacking, climbing, rafting, reading and drinking coffee. He earned his WFR on a NOLS course in 2016 and is currently transitioning to a career in experiential education. Photography is one of his hobbies.