Big Spring Staff 2026!

We are so excited for campers to arrive in a few short days! Our staff has been hard at work during our 10 day staff training. Keep reading to learn more about the 2026 Big Spring Staff!

Noah Rabil

Hey guys! My name is Noah Rabil and I’m from Virginia. I was a summer camp camper for most of my life, but this will be my first summer at Sanborn! I am a freshman at Sewanee, The University of the South, in Southern Tennessee. I’ve played soccer and tennis my whole life, and I like spending time outside and being with friends. I’m excited to meet everyone this summer and I’m looking forward to being in Colorado for the first time.

Lucius Ibershoff

Hi! I’m Lucius Ibershoff, He/Him. I hail from Berea, Kentucky, and this is my first summer at Sanborn! I’m 18, and I just graduated. I’m hoping to do a lot of traveling in the next few years, and also learn more about building! Fun fact: I’m pretty good at using Flower Sticks. They’re like a cross between juggling and baton. I’m hoping to bring some of my sets, and show the Junior campers how to use them. Or anyone who wants to learn!

Ryan Files

Hey Everyone! I’m really excited to be here and it is my first time at camp. My name is Ryan, I go to A&T State University (go AGGIES). I’m a business management major with a minor in entrepreneurship. I love to play basketball and watch anime from time to time. I’m big into acting, though mostly for my school. I’m most excited to see the stars at night since where I live I don’t see the stars that often–and also to spend my summer outside, to meet everyone and to have fun.

Deklyn Gommier

Hey! I’m Deklyn. I’m 19 years old, from San Antonio, Florida, currently obtaining my Associate in Arts Degree from Pasco-Hernando State College. This will be my first summer at camp (which I’m super stoked for). I absolutely love anything to do with the outdoors, but my favorite hobby would have to be backpacking. There’s just something about eating instant noodles and not showering for days that I just can’t get enough of! This summer, I’m definitely most excited to go hiking, as well as get to know all of the campers.

Noah Larsen

Hello! My name is Noah, and I am really excited for my first year at camp helping out with the Junior program! I am not a native Coloradoan, I actually am a Marylander (marylandoan?). I just recently graduated high school and turned 18 and am very excited to be at camp this summer. I love being outside, whether it’s going to the beach, going on hikes, rock climbing, snowboarding, etc. I also love music a lot, and it is a passion I intend to pursue later in life. I am VERY excited to be with Sanborn, and I look forward to meeting everyone!

Haytham Shoul

I’m a 21-year-old student based in Chicago, originally from Raleigh, North Carolina. I come from a multicultural background and speak French fluently. I’m currently studying biology at Harold Washington, with the goal of transferring to a university and pursuing a career in healthcare, possibly in medicine or research. Alongside school, I enjoy staying active and spending time outdoors. I’m always open to meeting new people and building meaningful connections. I’m driven to create successful and fulfilling life through education, travel, and new experiences.

Austin Johnson

Hi y’all! I’m Austin Johnson, and this will be my first summer at Sanborn. I’m originally from just outside Nashville, Tennessee, and I recently graduated from Harding University where I studied Information Systems. Since then, I’ve been down in Florida participating in the Disney College Program. I’m a huge hockey fan, and I love hiking whenever I get the chance. I’m especially excited to unplug from the distractions of everyday life, be fully present in nature, and build great relationships while having a ton of fun at camp this summer!

Henry Ahn

Hi! My name is Henry Ahn and this will be my 7th year at Sanborn (5 as a camper and now 2 as staff). I recently graduated from Drake University with a bachelors in Elementary Education, and I’ve been substitute teaching to see what my local schools are like. I’m a big reader (mostly comic books), and I really enjoy arts and crafts. I’m excited to be out in nature again this summer and hope to summit Mt. Sherman.

Charles Furneisen

My name is Charles! I have always loved playing basketball, listening to music, hiking, and running. I live in New Jersey and go to college in North Carolina where I run cross country and track. After school I hope to work for the National Park Service and continue to help improve people’s adventures throughout our beautiful country. I am looking forward to this summer to meet all my fellow staff and especially all the campers whom we will be having a great time alongside!

Jacob Wiley

Hi! My name is Jacob. This is my first ever year at Sanborn! I am super excited. I am from Gainesville Florida, and I am studying nursing at Santa Fe Community College. A few fun facts about me are: I have 2 dogs at home, one of which is deaf (his name is Orbit), my hearing dogs name is Amos. I am obsessed with dinosaurs! I can tell you a million dinosaur facts. I love fishing! If I’m not working, you can find me fishing. I am really looking forward to canoeing, fishing, and hiking when we arrive at camp.

Lance Klueh

Hi! My name is Lance Klueh; this will be my first summer at Sanborn Western Camps! I am currently studying at Indiana State University to get my bachelor’s degree in nursing. When I’m not studying for school, you will find me shopping at fun antique stores, hiking at trails near me, or just having a good time with friends! A fun fact about me is before I decided to come to Sanborn, I was a retail worker at a theme park, I worked there for four seasons. I am most excited to meet new people, as well as get to see Colorado for the first time!

Ben Lee

Hello, my name is Benjamin Lee, and this will be my first summer at camp! I go to school at UNR, or the University of Nevada, Reno and I am studying mining engineering. I am also a wrestling coach at Wooster High School. I cannot wait to meet everyone this summer!

Finn Jones

Hi I’m Finn! I am a rising sophomore at Elon University in North Carolina studying outdoor education and music. I am very active and love exploring the outdoors, playing guitar, singing/songwriting, and playing sports. I play club baseball at Elon and lead a band that’s part of a student-run record label. This will be my first summer at Sanborn and I’m looking forward to forming great connections with campers and staff! I’m so excited to be getting the opportunity to go on overnight hiking, horseback riding, canoeing, rock climbing trips at camp this summer!

Zane Baker

Hi, my name is Zane and this is my first summer at camp! I am from Northern California and just finished my first year at UC Berkeley studying cognitive science (an interdisciplinary study of the mind). Outside of my studies, I enjoy playing and writing my own music on the guitar and piano. I also enjoy photography, snowboarding, and playing chess! At camp, I most excited to be away from technology and to hike different mountains.

Jonas Cabrera

I was born in Memphis, Tennessee, but live in a small town called Millington. I have 2 older brothers. I had 6 dogs growing up, but now we have one dog named Chase. I was part of the high school jazz band, and I also love drawing, doodling, painting, etc. I am currently a college student at Middle Tennessee State University, studying theater with the hope of pursuing an acting career in film.

Howie Trotter

Howdy! My name is Howard Trotter (everyone calls me Howie). This will be my first year as a camp counselor at Sanborn. I am a freshman at the University of Tennessee studying mechanical engineering. In my free time, I love driving to the Smoky Mountains and fly fishing. I am also currently working on obtaining my scuba diving certification. A fun fact about myself is that I love to cook. I won the People’s Choice award for a local chilli competition! When I was a camper, I remember how the counselors were able to make camp so fun for me, so I am excited to give the campers the same experience.

Gavin Loshnowski

Hi I’m Gavin Loshnowsky I’m from Philladelphia, Pa and I attend Chatham University in Pittsburgh. I am getting my major in Criminology and a minor in business. I am so excited to climb a bunch of mountains and go mountain biking. I can’t wait to meet all of you!

Logan Gast

Hi! My name is Logan Gast and I am from Saginaw, Michigan. I am studying Supply Chain Management at Saginaw Valley State University. I am super excited to meet everybody and have some amazing adventures!

Peter Fouts

Hi! I’m Peter and I am so glad to be returning to Sanborn as a staff member. I spent seven summers here as a camper and many of my beliefs, interests, and the way I see the world can be traced back to the lessons and experiences I had at camp. I am originally from Point Verda Beach, Florida and I will be attending CU Boulder in the fall. It’s gonna be a great summer!

Jack Powell

Hey guys! My name is Jack Powell and I am from Columbia, Missouri. This will be my first summer at camp, and I can’t wait to be a part of it! I just finished a NOLS (National Outdoor Leadership School) expedition in Patagonia, Chile, where I was gone from January to April. After camp, I will return to the University of Arkansas to complete my sophomore year where I am studying Finance Real Estate. I love everything to do with the outdoors, especially in Colorado. I also love playing all sports and games, and I am always down to try new ones. A fun fact about me is I am an avid noodler, which is catching fish with nothing but your hands, and my favorite fish to catch are gar. I cannot wait to meet the campers at Sanborn and grow our outdoor and social skills together!

Caleb Wilner (not pictured)

Hi everyone! My name is Caleb Willner and I am excited to be back at Sanborn this summer, this time as a counselor instead of a camper. I am going to Cornell this upcoming fall to study engineering. When I am not doing school work, I enjoy playing sports (soccer mostly), seeing new places, and spending time outdoors. I love to get competitive about anything from board games to basketball. I’m especially excited to spend my days outside this summer with camp activities, bring a positive attitude to every part of the day, and have a fun, memorable summer in the mountains.

Dom Levy

My name is Dom this will be my first summer working at Sanborn, and I am so excited to push for summits and build a community in nature! I believe taking little dance breaks every once in a while and having fun are very important parts of thriving in the outdoors. I spent the previous two semesters studying outdoor leadership, risk management, Leave No Trace, and wilderness medicine in Chilean Patagonia. I will be continuing my education in the fall, studying outdoor leadership!

Wilder Clark

I’m Wilder and this is my first year as a staff member at Big Spring, but I was a camper for 8 years! I’m from Austin, Texas, but I am going to attend the University of Colorado Boulder for the next few years. I love rock climbing, hiking, and campfires. I am excited to get on top of new 14ers this summer!

Jacob Womack

My name is Sawyer Womack and I am studying software engineering with a minor in Aerospace studies at Auburn University to hopefully become a officer in the Air Force. This is my first year at Sanborn and I’m incredibly excited for my first season. I enjoy almost everything outdoors from backpacking to canoeing, but rock climbing has my heart right now. I also am really into fitness, and try to keep a running and workout routine consistently. I am incredibly excited for the summer to meet like-minded folk and to watch all the campers I teach learn and get excited about the activities. So excited to meet everyone!

Yahk Perkins

Hello, hello, I am Yahkeem! This is my first summer at camp and I’m ecstatic to be in an environment where I can contribute, grow, and be around people who bring out the best in each other while working toward something bigger than ourselves. All while helping create a positive experience for the campers! A little bit about me, I am a student at Motlow State where I’m studying to become an EMT-Basic. I balance school, work, sports, and life by spending time outdoors, recharging in nature, or even spending time with the people I love and care for. I am someone who enjoys laughter and making jokes, I turn a lot of everyday moments into a joke, but I also know when it’s time to be serious and lock in. I love being outdoors, whether that’s just sitting outside, exploring, or taking my dog–Poppa–on walks. I’m a very active person (sometimes it feels like I can’t sit still), I’m a runner, I enjoy hooping with the boys, skateboarding and anything that gets me moving. As active as I am, I still enjoy relaxing and taking a load offatc: watching movies, playing video games, reading books, or enjoying music. I also spend lots of time with my family, siblings (I’m the youngest of 4) and friends, they’re my biggest motivation. This summer I’m most excited to connect with campers, meet new people and gain new experiences! I can’t wait to bring good energy to the team and help create a space where everyone feels comfortable, included, and ready to make memories that stick long after camp is over!

Dom Wilkinson

What’s up! I’m Dom, and I’m hyped to be a counselor this summer. I love staying active, being outdoors, and bringing good energy to everything I do. Whether it’s games, sports, or trying something new, I’m all about getting everyone involved and making sure no one feels left out. At the same time, creating a safe, positive, and supportive environment is really important to me. I want every camper to feel comfortable, confident, and excited to be here. My goal is to help everyone have fun, build friendships, and leave camp with great memories they’ll always remember. I’m looking forward to an awesome summer with everyone!

Seb Filoni

Hey everyone! My name is Seb, and this is my first summer as a counselor. I’m currently in college studying art and design, and I hope to go into theme park design one day, so I’m always thinking creatively and dreaming up fun ideas. A few fun facts about me: I love playing sports (especially soccer and football), I’m always creating something new and using my imagination, and I’m all about having fun and trying new things! This summer, I’m especially looking forward to getting to know every camper, building awesome connections, and making tons of unforgettable memories together. I couldn’t be more excited to meet you all!

Nate Thorne

Nate Thorne is studying at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City to become a speech-language pathologist and minoring in theatre (don’t get him started talking about theatre because he’ll never stop). He loves visiting national parks, and his favorite outdoor activity is hiking! In his free time he likes to practice yoga, listen to music, try new coffee shops, and read.

Jude Bush

My name’s Jude Bush, and I’m from Austin, TX. I was a camper at Big Spring for 8 summers, and I’m hyped for my first year on staff! Starting this fall, I’ll be attending the University of Texas where I’ll be studying film. In my free time, I play the banjo and guitar, and I’m also a huge baseball fan. This summer, I’m excited to summit more peaks, enjoy the cool mountain weather, and spend some time around horses!

Will Mitchinson (not pictured)

Hi everyone! My name is Will, and this will be my 5th summer back at Big Spring—I can’t wait for another awesome session! During the year, I teach 2nd grade in Chicago. I graduated with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and am currently working on my master’s in special education. A couple fun facts about me: I love being outside, whether it’s camping, hiking, or fishing. I play basketball whenever I can, and I also enjoy doing ceramics. This summer, I’m most excited to build connections with campers, be out in the mountains, unplug, and spend all my time outside with friends.

Marley Kuys

I was born in New Zealand and moved to America when I was 2 years old, my family and I lived at a summer camp year round in the Redwoods in Northern California for 4 years. I moved back to New Zealand when I was 7 and grew up in a small surfing town on the west coast of New Zealand with less then 1000 people in it. I grew up flying gliders and my lifelong dream is to become a pilot, I have plans to join the NZ air force when I return home after summer camp. This year, when I finished high school I got a job at my summer camp in California and left NZ to travel the United States. I fell in love with camps and decided I wanted to take a year off of life to travel and do camp work. Ive been doing seasonal work in the US ever since as-well as taking a trip where I went to Hapan, Sri-Lanka and Singapore.

Miller Reid

Hi everyone!! My name is Miller Reid, I am a freshman studying business at the University of Missouri and this will be my first time at camp. A couple fun facts about me is that I grew up inside of a State Park and I love to go skiing! At camp this summer, I can’t wait to take in the views and make lifelong memories!

Alex Lloyd

Hey everyone! My name is Alex Lloyd and I’m from Charlottesville, Virginia. I’m currently a senior at William and Mary, studying public policy & business analytics, and will be moving to Houston, Texas, for work next fall. This will be my first summer at Sanborn and I am excited to spend the summer in Colorado!

Ritter Carlstorm

My name is Ritter Carlstrom. I am from Reno, NV, I grew up in the outdoors and I have a passion for being outside. I enjoy doing basically anything and always looking to have a good time. I love rock climbing, mountain biking, hiking and so much more. I’m a glass half full kind of person who focuses on all the positives and how I can build a better team. I love sports and I can’t wait for this summer!!

Carlos Ochoa

Hi there! My name is Carlos Ochoa, and I am a current freshman studying Molecular and Cellular Biology at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. This will be my first year as a staff member at Sanborn, but I was a camper for five years. Some facts about me are that I enjoy running, writing stories, and making ceramics. A fun fact about me is that I competed in Western horseback riding at my school. I am excited to get to know the campers, go on new adventures, and have a great summer in Colorado!

Layton Hutchison

My name is Layton and this will be my first summer here at Big Spring and I am super excited to be apart of the team this summer! Ever since I graduated from high school I have focused on working to gain experience before heading back to the classroom. Before my time at Big Spring, I worked at the Oakley Store in Disney Springs for 2 years where I met lots of cool people on the guest and coworker side. I would say that I am very much a people person and I find that I have a lot of unique ways of connecting with people. Some things that I like to do when I have free time are anything involving music, especially music from the 70s and 90. Some of my favorite artists currently are King Crimson, Neil Young, Stone Temple Pilots, and Ween–although I enjoy all sorts of different genres. This summer I am extremely excited to disconnect from the busy touristy area that I am from and to get out into nature and help influence a new generation of youth!

Ben Thoma

I’m Ben and I am so excited to be back at Sanborn for the summer. I was a camper for two summers back when I was in middle school and camp was my first opportunity as akid to realize my love of the outdoors. Some of my biggest role models have been the counselors and guides that have helped me along the way and I would love help inspire the next generation of outdoors-people. I am currently a student at the University of Vermont studying Computer Science. I am so excited for this summer!

Miles Hupert

Hi everyone!! My name is Miles Hupert, I am a graduating senior at Brandeis University studying English and Education, and I am on the path to becoming a high school teacher. This will be my first summer at Sanborn but my camp experience ranges from sailing camp on the water, to camp in the heart of New York City! Some fun facts about me: I am a diehard fan of the New York Yankees and am an avid baseball/softball fan as well as player. Also, I’ve practiced different types of dance for over 8 years!! I am so excited to meet everyone, go on some amazing adventures and maybe even play some volleyball now and again!

Erik Clark

Hi, my name is Erik Clark and I am super excited to begin my adventure here at Sanborn as it’s my first time! I love adventure and was raised in the outdoors: hiking when I was a kid, fishing when I was a teenager, and now have begun riding horses as I’ve gotten older! I am currently attending Santa Barbara City College and absolutely love it there. I am studying economics and plan to transfer to either USC or University of Hawaii. Fun fact I am actually Swedish and even have European citizenship. Another cool fact is that I’ve been on local TV for football a few times. I am glad to have selected Sanborn and excited for what’s to come!

Tobin Davis

Hey, I’m Tobin and I’m very excited for my first summer as a counselor at camp! I am currently attending Arizona State University for Film and Media Production. I am from Phoenix, and enjoy hiking, camping, writing and producing short films, watching movies with my friends, and going on night drives while listening to music. I am very excited to get to know the campers this summer and go on awesome outdoor adventures with them, especially the hiking and camping trips. This is gonna be legendary!

Denzel Chavez

Hey everyone! My name is Denzel and I am so excited to spend the summer with you outside in Colorado. I was born and raised in Costa Rica but have spent the last 10 years living in Arkansas. I have worked at a few other camps in California over by Lake Tahoe and am an RA at my college. Someday I hope to be a soccer coach and I am so glad to continue to spend my summer with kids. It’s gonna be a great summer!

Brian Bruno

Hey! My name is Brian, I’m from Pennsylvania, but I’ve been living in California since September working at an outdoor education center called Pali. Working at Pali has been a lot of fun, but nothing quite gets me as excited as working at Sanborn! The experiences you make, the people you meet, and the growth you gain is extraordinarily rare. I graduated from DeSales University in 2024 with my MBA. For fun, I enjoy running, playing guitar, mountain biking, and I love to summit mountains! This will be my third summer and I’m excited to make more unique experiences with the whole camp - BOOM!

Tom Rusch

Hey my name is Tom Rusch (last name pronounced Rush!) There’s a million ‘Tom’s’ out there so I go by my last name! :) I am originally from the Dallas, Texas area but I have lived in and out of Colorado since 2018. I attended Colorado State University for a few years in Fort Collins studying Interdisciplinary Liberal Arts. I specifically studied the branches of the broad humanities before I left college with the intention of originally being involved in specialized counseling. After that I went to work for real estate field and realized it wasn’t for me after a few years as well. I then took the leap back into the ‘wild’ and just wrapped up working the 2025-2026 ski season in Aspen at the Aspen Highlands resort! I found that it is my passion to be outdoors and be involved in the operation and function of sports (of all kind) and any outdoor activities. Plus I love snowboarding and got over 100 days of snowboarding this year! (and some skiing too :)) When I was in my teens through middle-high school I was involved in week long summer camps! Those camps were absolutely wonderful experiences and I always loved going. I made lots of lifelong friends at the camp I went to and each year was a unique memory. I am grateful to be involved in summer camp again as an adult! I am particularly excited to make new friends and have fun around a campfire or two! I love traveling and seeing my favorite rock bands across the world. Last year I went to Greece, New York, Maryland, Texas, and (many) concerts in Colorado just to see my favorite bands! Food is one of my favorite things of all time. I love traveling to try local cuisine and to deeply experience culture! After camp I will be traveling to South America with my best friends and then to New Zealand! I hope to have a great time with you all and have the best camp experience ever!!

Ryan Palmer

Heyo! My name is Ryan, and I am super excited for my first year at Sanborn Western Camps! I am starting Automotive Technology at Front Range CC this fall after a couple years at CU Boulder. I love traveling (specifically plane-spotting at the airport), playing pickleball, and being a back-to-back three-time winner of my fantasy football league. As a Colorado native, I am ashamed to say that I cannot ski, but I will absolutely smother green chili on everything I get the opportunity to put it on! I am super excited to hike and explore the vast, open lands we have access to this summer and to take a break from social media, especially when it continues to remind me of that AFC Championship game.

Alex Madrid (Juniors)

Hi, I’m Alex. This is going to be my 11th summer at Sanborn, but only my second on staff. I’m currently enrolled at Penn State studying mathematics. Outside of school I can usually be found hiking, camping, skiing, reading, or listening to music. A cool fact about me is that I’m neither fully left or right handed, and I was born and raised in Colorado. I’m excited to get on the river whether for chill river days, fishing, or after a long day of hiking.

Ethan Sandberg (ABC)

I’m Ethan, and this is my second summer at Sanborn! My first was in 2024 as a counselor on ABC–now I’m back as the ABC ridge leader! I just graduated from the University of Central Florida with a bachelor’s degree in English Literature. I love photography, painting, singing, reading, writing, and more. I love goofing around with my friends. Most of all, I love being outside, and I don’t have a car, so I have to be outside a lot! This summer, I’m stoked to climb mountains (both literal and metaphorical) with my counselors and campers. I’m also holding out hope that I will be able to go on a boating trip this year. Fingers crossed!

Joey Peters (HKL)

Hi I’m Joey Peters, and I am going to be the HKL ridge leader for Summer 2026! This will be my second summer here at Big Spring and overall my 15th year attending summer camp. I have attended PSU for two years, studying English education. However, I have decided to put my academics on hold while I follow my passion for outdoor education. This past year I have been working at a thrift store while continuing to rock climb, hike, and ski. My favorite backpacking trip I’ve ever taken is a 65-mile trek through Yosemite National Park when I was 13. I’m super excited to learn more about horses and to participate in more riding trips! I can’t wait to get started this summer and to continue to reconnect with the natural world.

Dylan McCaleb (MOPQ)

Hello! My name is Dylan McCaleb, and I’m stoked for summer at Sanborn! Big Spring is at the core of my early outdoor experience (with 7 seasons as a camper under my belt), and I’m excited to return this year as a Ridge Leader. In between, I’ve studied at and graduated from Wesleyan University as an astronomy and physics double major, with a minor in planetary science. I played on Wesleyan’s Ultimate Frisbee team throughout college, my favorite animal is the spider monkey, and I believe Gregory Alan Isakov carries the soul of the mountains in his music. Speaking of which, I’ve climbed 11 fourteeners so far, and am psyched to tack on a couple more this summer. I also love rock climbing, and am looking forward to showing our campers the ropes!

Reidar Johnson (STUW)

Hey! My name is Reidar Johnston, and this will be my third summer at Sanborn. I first came to camp in the fall as a middle school student in the HTOEC program, and then worked in the Outdoor Education program during the fall and spring of 2023 and 2024. I recently graduated from the University of Colorado Boulder, where I studied Environmental Studies and Ecology & Evolutionary Biology. A few fun facts about me: I love birding and will always stop a hike for a cool bird call or something interesting along the trail. I am happiest with an early start, a long day in the mountains, and a good excuse to chase a Colorado 14er. I also really enjoy wandering around outside and seeing what we find along the way. This summer, I am excited to be back at camp, spend a lot of time outside, and get to know campers while hiking, hanging out, and laughing a lot.

Izzy Moser (Photography)

Hi, I’m Izzy and I am so excited to be here! I just completed the spring season experience at High Trails and am eager to see what summer camp entails. I grew up in Texas and graduated from The University of North Texas with my degree in English Language Arts and Literature. I lean towards working in alternate teaching positions, or just with children in general! I spend my time mostly outdoors; otherwise, I am probably working out, reading, or doing some kind of craft project. Looking forward to summer here in Colorado and capturing some amazing photos!

Trace Adams (Outcamp)

Hey y’all! My name is Trace Adams and this will be my first time at Sanborn. I graduated from the University of Mississippi’s Honors College with a degree in Computer Science and a minor in Mathematics. Although I am very proud of what I’ve accomplished academically, I haven’t really ventured much outside of academics. To me, Sanborn represents both a way to give back to an enriching community and a valuable opportunity for personal development. Some fun facts about me are that I’ve never broken a bone and I made a video game for my capstone project. Overall, I’m looking forward to getting away from my routine and simply being out in nature, especially alongside such great people at Sanborn.

Eli Williams (Kitchen)

How’s it going? My name’s Eli and I’ll be the kitchen coordinator this summer. This is my second summer with Big Spring but I’ve spent this past year working around property. I love to barefoot hike, take my time to enjoy views, and listen to good music. I’m stoked to get out of camp to see all the peaks and valleys in Colorado!

Nat Hernandez (Arts and Crafts)

Hi everyone, my name is Nat Hernandez and this will be my second summer at Sanborn Western Camps as the Arts and Crafts Coordinator for Big Spring! Last summer was a blast in our beloved art space and I was able to witness camper’s creativity flourish by setting out any project their minds and hearts desired! I have been studying environmental science and fine arts at my local community college in Apple Valley, CA and have been specifically focusing on learning how to build a more sustainable society for our present and the future of the generations to come. I currently work at a plant nursery where I can get hands on with the soil and I am able to provide our customers with information about the perfect shrubs and trees to plant in our semidesert, semi-forest environment, (I often like to take pictures of the arthropods I find so I can send them to my friends). Truly enriching! As for this summer, I can’t wait to take campers on hiking trips where we can attempt to summit 14ers and also get artsy and crafty in the Art Barn! ^u^ It’s going to be a blast.

Dan Thatcher

Howdy! My name is Dan, and this will be my 4th summer on staff and my 2nd as a part of the Wrangler team. I was a camper for 5 summers and I’m from Colorado Springs, CO! I was an English Major at UCCS and love to read and write! Outside of horseback riding, I love climbing mountains, rock climbing and pretty much anything that gets me outside! Can’t wait for another great summer at Big Spring!

Bella Fleshman

Hello! My name is Bella and this is my second year as a Wrangler at Sanborn. I am an Equine (aka Horse) Physiology and Agriculture Business major in Central Florida. My life revolves around learning about and working with horses, cows, and crops, and I love teaching others about them as well! When not in class or working at the feed store, I can be found spoiling my dog Willow or out riding whenever I can. I enjoy the challenge of camp cooking as well, and while it may not be a Michelin star meal, it at least fills our bellies! I can’t wait to go on adventures and make brand-new memories with everyone this summer!

Radesh Rico

Hi! My name’s Radesh! This is my first year as a Wrangler at Sanborn Western Camps! I’m in school studying for my AA in Criminal Justice! I try to dedicate my life to be a Jack of Trades!! From traveling, sports, outdoor activities, to bears and motorcycles! I love learning and growing my knowledge book. A big accomplishment of mine was backpacking throughout India for three months! I have fun, and crazy stories if you ask! I’m most excited to embark on long journeys on horseback with the campers to make memories we’ll never forget! Can’t wait to meet everyone!

Yana Thompson

Hey y’all! My name is Yana and this will be my second year as a wrangler! I’m from the big state of Texas, but I’m always finding a reason to get out of it. When I’m not exploring nature, reading books, or logging another awful thriller on my letterboxd, you can usually find me working seasonally at my local family adventure farm where I’ll be taking care of all of the baby animals that they have. I can’t wait to meet new people, teach as much as I can, and make more memories! I’m looking forward to another great summer :)