Meet the Staff Series: 9-12 year old Counselors

Last week we introduced you to the Health Team. This week meet the 9-12 year old counselors!

•  Gina Belcastro will spend her second week at Camp Heart Connection this summer. Gina is a student at the University of Iowa.
• Erin Draminski is a first year counselor. Erin is a student at the University of Iowa.
• Kelly Rupkey is serving as an Oncology Staff member for the third summer. Kelly is a student at the University of Iowa.
• Dawanda Ryder will spend her fourth week as a counselor at Oncology Camp this summer. Dawanda is a student at Upper Iowa University.
• Caroline Van Vorrhis will spend her fourth week at Oncology Camp in 2012. Caroline is a student at Iowa City West High School.
• Lucas David will spend his 8th summer at Camp Heart Connection. Lucas is a student at Iowa State University.
• Tim DeLong will be returning to Camp Heart Connection with summer for the 14^th week!
•  Ryan Fessler is a student at the University of Iowa. This is his 3^rd week at Camp Heart Connection.
• Scott Iosbaker will spend his third week at Camp Heart Connection this summer after gaining experience at both Oncology and Sibling Camp in 2011.
• Jamie Lick will spend his 3^rd week at Camp Heart Connection this summer and his first at Oncology Camp. Jamie is a student at the University of Iowa.
•  Nick Lynn will spend his third week at camp in 2012. Nick is a student at the University of Northern Iowa.
• Jessica Medinger will spend her third week at Camp Heart Connection this summer.
• Kyle Merrill will join the Camp Heart Connection team for the 2^nd summer. Kyle is a student at the University of Iowa.
•  Rachel Nash is a student at the University of Iowa. She will spend her 2^nd summer at Camp Heart Connection this year.
•  Laura Nielsen will spend her fifth week at Camp Heart Connection. Laura is a student at the University of Iowa.
• Nick Petersen will be returning to Camp Heart Connection for his 8^th week at Oncology Camp. Nick is a student at Iowa State University.
• Bobby Petersen will spend his first week at Camp Heart Connection this summer. He is a student at the University of Iowa.
• Kelli Pool will spend her second week at Camp Heart Connection. Kelli is a student at St. Ambrose University.
• Tom Salter is a student at the University of Iowa. Tom will spend his fourth summer at Camp Heart Connection in 2012.
• Alexis Storbeck is a first year counselor and student at Des Moines Area Community College.
• Alex Thompson will spend her 7^th week at Camp Heart Connection. Alex is a student at Iowa State University.
• Tucker Kline will spend his 11th summer at Camp Heart Connection. Tucker is a student at the University of Iowa.
• Brennan Tesdahl is a student at Loras College. Brennan will return to Camp Heart Connection for the 13th summer.
• Meghan Young is joining the Camp Heart Connection staff for the first summer. Meghan is a student at Des Moines University.
• David Walker is returning to Camp Heart Connection for his 19^th week at camp!
• Josh Waters will spend his second summer at Camp Heart Connection Oncology Camp in 2012. 
• Erin Draminski is a first year counselor. Erin is a student at the University of Iowa. 

Counselors feel free to add more information about yourselves below or share a note with your campers and their families! Next week’s Meet the Staff Series will introduce the Kitchen Crew.

Meet the Staff Series: Health Team

(From left to right): Mary Schlapkohl, Carolyn Bygness, and Mary DeValois at Oncology Camp 2011.

Last week we introduced you to the 5-8 year old Oncology Camp counselors. This week meet the Health Team! These medical professionals make sure everyone can enjoy their week at camp by providing any medical attention that may be needed.

•  Carolyn Bygness is returning to Camp Heart Connection Oncology Camp in 2012 for the 27^th week!
•  Laura Cady will spend her third summer at Camp Heart Connection this year.
• Mary DeValois is serving as a member of the Health Team for the fifth summer.
•  Dr. Natalie Kamberos is joining Camp Heart Connection Oncology Camp for the fourth summer.
• Mary Schlapkohl will serve as the Health Director for Oncology Camp 2012. This will be Mary’s 18^th year at Camp Heart Connection.
•  Dr. Wendy Woods-Swafford is returning to Camp Heart Connection Oncology Camp for the fourth summer.
• Dr. Carla Schwalm will returning to Camp Heart Connection Oncology Camp this summer.

Health Team, feel free to add more information about yourselves below or share a note with campers and their families! Next week’s Meet the Staff Series will introduce the Oncology 9-12 year old counselors.

Meet the Staff Series: 5-8 Old Counselors

We are getting in gear for Camp Heart Connection 2012! The theme has been selected, “Camp is the Silver Lining” in honor of our 25^th anniversary, applications are posted online, and camp staff has been selected. Now until Oncology Camp, we will introduce you to the members of the 2012 camp staff team that make camp a week to remember. The Meet the Staff Series will start again before Sibling Camp.

This week we introduce you to the 5-8 year old counselors. These staff members lead our youngest campers and help ease many into their first week at camp.

• Tyler Adams will spend his third week at Camp Heart Connection this summer. Tyler is a student at the University of Northern Iowa.
•  Gracie Eggland is returning for her fourth week of Oncology Camp.
• Alyssa Falos will return to Camp Heart Connection for her third week of Oncology Camp this summer.
•  Leah Fenchel is a veteran member of the Camp Heart Connection Staff Team. Leah will spend her 15^th week at camp this summer.
• Anthony Gilormini is a student at Riverland Community College. 2012 will be Anthony’s fifth week at Camp Heart Connection.
• Caleb Grulke is a first year staff member. Caleb is a student at Drake University.
• Hannah Johnson will spend her third week at Oncology Camp this summer.
• Chris Juhl is returning for his second week at Oncology Camp.
•  Erin Martin is joining the Camp Heart Connection Oncology Staff Team for the third time this summer. Erin is a student at the University of Iowa.
•  Jason McManus will be a counselor at Oncology Camp for the third week in 2012. Jason attends St. Ambrose University.
• Alison Myers is one of the most experienced counselors on the staff team this year. Alison will spend her 21^st week at Camp Heart Connection this summer.
• Kylie O’Connor will serve as a counselor for the second summer this year. Kylie is a student at Allen College.
• Megan Penticoff has experience as both an Oncology and Sibling Staff Member. Megan will spend her 3^rd week at Camp Heart Connection this summer. Megan is a student at the University of Iowa.
• Sara Petersen is a student at Iowa City West High School. She will have her fourth summer at Oncology Camp in 2012.
• Sam Short will spend her fourth week at Camp Heart Connection as an Oncology Counselor. Sam is a student at DMACC.
• Amber Tilley is a student at Grandview University. Amber will join the Camp Heart Connection Staff Team for the fourth time this summer.
• Jamie Habenicht will join the Camp Heart Connection team for the 5th summer.
•  Karla Weinschenk will spend her first week at Camp Heart Connection this summer.

Counselors feel free to add more information about yourselves below or share a note with your campers and their families! Next week’s Meet the Staff Series will introduce the Oncology Medical Team.

CH2M HILL Charity Golf Tournament

CH2M HILL is a global engineering company, with an office of about 15 staff in West Des Moines. CH2M HILL is committed to partnering with the community and charitable outreach. They began a formal Community Partners program in 2005. At that time, they were looking for a charity to become involved with. One of the staff in the office, Jon Rees, had a personal connection with Children’s Cancer Connection through the Cornish family, and chose them as the charity to support. 

For the past seven years, the Des Moines office of CH2M HILL has supported Children’s Cancer Connection during the holidays through the adopt-a-family program.  In 2009 CH2M HILL hosted the First Annual CH2M HILL Charity Golf Tournament to Benefit Children’s Cancer Connection.   

The Fourth Annual Tournament is just around the corner on Thursday, May 10th. The tournament will be held again at the picturesque Harvester Golf Club in Rhodes, Iowa, just north of Des Moines. The tournament is a 12:30 shotgun start, followed by a post-golf reception, dinner, raffle and speaker. Registration for the tournament is $125 and includes 18 holes of golf, cart, sleeve of Titleist ProV1 balls, goody bags, snack and drink tickets, a chance to win a hole-in-one year-lease on a luxury vehicle, pin prizes, and trophy and awards.

"Each year we have had a wonderful family speak to our golfers on how they have been helped by Children’s Cancer Connection and their cancer journey. Each story has been touching and inspiring," said tournament chair Shani Wahl. "Through the three years we have held the tournament, we have raised over $20,000 for Children’s Cancer Connection, and hope to reach a tournament goal of $9,000 this year. Each year we hope to grow the tournament, and our following of players and sponsors."

For more information or to register: www.iowacharitygolf.com