Meet the Staff: ALEX FEIGIN

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Counselor Captain Alex Feigin

Alex Feigin
Indiana University, Music Production Major; from Scarsdale, NY
Years at Camp: 12
Position this Summer: Group Leader
Previous Positions: General Counselor and Basketball instructor…but I have helped out in Tennis, Radio, Rock band, and cooking too!
Favorite Camp Memory: Besides all of the random silliness that takes place day to day, I’d have to say Colorwars 2006 and 2011 were very memorable. 2011 was very special for me being Counselor Captain and working with the first campers I ever had (Freshmen 2007!) as they lead their CIT Colorwar! I can’t wait to see some of them be a part of the staff this summer 🙂
Advice for first year staff: Be open to trying new things, and be ready to work hard every day because in doing so, you will absolutely have the best summer of your life!!
One thing you’re going to do this summer that you’ve never done before: Well, last summer I conquered my fear of the high ropes course after losing a bet with my camper, so I’m still in disbelief that I can take that off my camp bucketlist…but I guess the clear difference in my job this year is that I will be a Group Leader for the first time, and I’m very excited about it!
Advice for a first time camper: It may be a little scary coming to a new place with people you don’t know, but just keep trying things you’ve never tried before and making new friends and I promise you’ll never want to stop coming back every summer! It’s amazing to see how many friends you will retain over the years 🙂

Meet the Staff: CARLI SUKONIK

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Carli in the middle of a CIT 2009 hug by the lake!

Carli Sukonik (CJ)

Lehigh University studying Graphic Design; from Penn Valley, PA

Years at Camp: This will be my 9th summer

Position this Summer: General Counselor, with some lacrosse on the side 

Previous Positions: JC!!

Favorite Camp Memory: A memory that has stuck with me to this day was from my first summer at camp in 2003. I was 10 years old and went camping for my first time. Although nervous at first, I ended up really enjoying all the activities that were planned for my friends and me. The first activity I loved was the trust walk. All of us walked in a single file line with our eyes closed and our hand on the shoulder of the girl in front of us to help guide the way. The leader of the walk (who fortunately had their eyes open  ) guided us to an opening in the woods where we could see the stars perfectly and hear the water of a nearby waterfall rolling in a short distance away. I remember the next morning was even more exciting because we got to make blueberry pancakes with blueberries that we picked fresh off the bush on our morning walk. What a great way to start off an amazing camp experience at Canadensis!

Advice for first year staff: Being around kids on such a regular basis can be overwhelming at times, but you have to remember how special they make your summer, along with how special you make theirs. Make sure you develop great relationships with the campers; you are their role model and it is the best feeling in the world knowing how much respect a camper has for you and the impact you can make on their life.

One thing you’re going to do this summer that you’ve never done before: Even after being at camp for half of my life, and participating in and enjoying nearly every activity, I have still never tried to ride a Honda. For those of you who do not know, we refer to the small, motorized dirt bikes as Hondas at Canadensis. I definitely want to try them this summer!

Advice for a first time camper: Whenever you get homesick, simply take a step back and look at what you are surrounded by. Not only is there a beautiful camp around you that offers every activity under the sun, but there is also a close-knit family that is there to help you whenever you need. Believe me, I know it is a lot easier said than done, but try to appreciate how lucky you are to be a part of the incredible Canadensis family.

Meet the Staff: CAILA COHEN

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Captain Caila applies gold face-paint to one of her campers...

Caila Cohen

Melville, NY

Years at Camp: This will be my 9th summer

Position this Summer: General Counselor

Previous Positions: CIT (Color War Captain of Gold Arcade in 2011)

Favorite Camp Memory: My favorite camp memory would have to be when the CITs and I went out in a huge rainstorm and just danced. It was still warm out but since the rain was heavy we got soaked in less than a minute. We just went around the senior girls tennis courts, laughing and running. Then, we all went inside and dried off and had a great BUNKO day. This was amazing and was something we never had a chance to do until this past summer.

Advice for first year staff: Though I have never been a counselor before, I have learned from my camper experiences that it really means a lot to the kids when the staff member is there for them, for both support and for a good time. Yes, a counselor has a job to make sure that the kids follow the rules and have a safe camp experience, but it is also very important to make sure that the campers’ summers are the best and have endless opportunities to have fun and create memories.

One thing you’re going to do this summer that you’ve never done before: This summer, I am going to go on the triple dare which I have not been on in quite a few years. I’m sure that I will have a chance to go on with my campers or even my friends too.

Advice for a first time camper: My advice for a first time camper is to live every moment to its fullest. Camp is a privilege and though it seems like 7 weeks are a long time, it goes by in rapid speed. The memories you create, the experiences you have, and the friendships you make are like no other and they should be treasured.

Meet the Staff: JESSIE THICK

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Karissa and Jessie celebrate Halloween at Camp!

Jessie Thick
Western Michigan University- Nursing Major
I grew up in Lapeer, Michigan and this will be my second year at Canadensis.
My favorite Camp memory: The giant water fight with lower camp after the parents leave on visiting day. Also tied with interpretive dancing to Enrique with Alex Feigin for the talent show
My Advice to first year staff: Just have fun and be yourself, don’t get all caught up in drama or you’ll miss some of the best parts of camp, which is just being friends with everyone!
My goal this summer: To go on the Summit– I didn’t get to last summer and its rough stuff.
Advice for a first year camper: Just be nice to everyone and have fun! Be yourself and don’t worry about fitting in, everyone will love you. Its way easier to be friends than spend the summer fighting.

Meet the Staff: PETE TARNOFF

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Pete as Color War Counselor Captain in 2008

Pete Tarnoff, Group Leader
Kutztown University, Elementary Education.


Years at Camp: 14

Favorite Camp Memory: Color War 2008, being a Counselor Captain for Tropical Gold.

Advice for first year staff: Care about what you do. If you care about the kids and take pride in being a great counselor, the rewards are endless.

One thing you’re going to do this summer that you’ve never done before: I want to try and learn to wakeboard during free time if possible. I’ve been wanting to try it for years.

Advice for a first time camper: ENJOY EVERY MINUTE!!! The friends you will make will be treasured for a lifetime. You don’t get to be a Camper forever. ENJOY IT!!!

INTRODUCING: CIT JUSTIN KOLE

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JKole loves the climbing wall!

Justin Kole

Hobbies when you’re at home: Lacrosse

Years at Camp: 7

Favorite Camp Activity: Lacrosse

Favorite Camp Memory: Being a wood gatherer

Best Advice for a First Time Camper: Get along with your bunk and make friends with your counselors

What you’re most excited to do this summer: Sleeping through breakfast

One thing you’ve never done at camp that you’re going to do this summer: Be OD for a younger bunk

If you could plan your own perfect camp day, what would it look like: waking up at noon, eating bagels and cream cheese, playing lacrosse, going back to sleep, NBA game, dinner, then Canteen

INTRODUCING: CIT JEN PANTOFEL

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Jen is front and center!

Jennifer Pantofel
Hobbies when you’re at home: I like to hang out with my friends, going to the beach, and skiing
Years at Camp: This will be my 7th summer
One fun fact about you: I love camp and I am always looking forward to it!
Favorite Camp Activity: Cooking
Favorite Camp Memory: My first color war
Best Advice for a First Time Camper: Make each day count because before you know it the summer will be over
What you’re most excited to do this summer: Getting to be with a bunk and going to Disney!!

INTRODUCING: CIT RIKKI PILAVIN

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Rikki is second from the Left, posing along Lenape with her 2011 bunk!

Rikki Pilavin

Hobbies when you’re at home: Tennis and Basketball
Years at Camp: 4
One fun fact about you: I can quack like a ducky
Favorite Camp Activity: Tennis and BBK
Favorite Camp Memory: Writing on the fire place in the jungle bunk and making friendship bracelets on the last night of camp
Best Advice for a First Time Camper: Just be yourself and you will have the time of your life
What you’re most excited to do this summer:be a CIT
One thing you’ve never done at camp that you’re going to do this summer: Waterski
If you could plan your own perfect camp day, what would it look like: Wake up in the morning late, go to breakfast and have a long cleanup, then have activities that you choose all day until lunch, then long rest hour and more activities leading to shower hour and dinner then free play and evening activity.

INTRODUCING: CIT HANNAH PRESS

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CIT Press gives Canadensis Two Thumbs Up!

Hannah Press
Hobbies at Home: Stalking the Canadensis Today and Camp Canadensis facebook page.
Years at Camp: This will be my 6th summer at camp.
Favorite camp activities: all the lake activities; water skiing, water trap and the summit
Favorite Camp Memory: Everything because every moment spent at camp is AMAZING.
Advice to a first time Camper: To cherish every moment you spend at camp because someday your going to look back on those years at camp like I am now, and hope you lived every second to the fullest.  Also remember that your camp friends are your best friends and you’ll never meet people who had more of an impact on the person you become.
Something you have never done at camp before: BE A CIT OF COURSE!!!!
Describe the Perfect Camp Day: My perfect day would start of by waking up at 8 and seeing my amazing CITs, then going to breakfast with them.  Breakfast would obviously bagels.  Then back to the bunk to get ready for the day.  I would be sporting a white hanes t-shirt with the soffee shorts of my choice.  Before line up I would go to the infirmary to fill up my water bottle and to drop in and say hi to nurse Betty.  We would dance on the stage at the amphitheater before the announcements are made.  Cits would after win honor bunk and I would be announced for my 3rd TAC of the summer, then we’re off to period 1.  We would start our day at volleyball league to get our exercise in for the day.  Then go even out with the exercise we would have double period cooking.  Good thing we saved room for lunch because it would be chicken and chips. After lunch we would have rest hour when we would play mario karts.
After I had successfully won mario kart it would be senior choice and I would go to tennis.  To my surprise Canadensis Today would be doing a special at tennis which they so nicely asked my to host.  Jcal filmed me as i performed the perfect serve and won the final point of my match against super star tennis player Brett Feldman.  Since I was so tired from my vigorous match, I had to get an apple from fruit on the fly.  At fruit on the fly LMac insisted that we should have a photo shoot.  So I start posing and before you knew it I had a new profile picture for when I got home.  After my photo shoot the CITs would have lake.  I saw from a distance that Aunt Terri was waiting for us in her pink golf cart and decided to take us for a joy ride around the lake field.  She decided that we had to hurry back before Pete and Pierce would yell at us about our tardiness.  At lake the CITs would go on the triple dare and water tramp.  Then to finish off my day I would WNBA.  Since I am so athletic I was the first pick of the draft.  During the game I had scored 24 points.  After the game we went back to the bunk for free play.  At this time we continued with our mario kart tournament, and again I won.  Before dinner I changed into a different white hanes t-shirt because it was shabbot.  Hope I dont get any soup on my clean white shirt! After dinner I would run back to the bunk to get first shower.  Then my bunk had to put the finishing touches on our MTV night dance since it was tonight.  Being so excited we sprinted to the amphitheater to get a front row seat. We performed last (best for last) and we did amazing.  Waiting for the judges was nerve racking, but with no surprise we won!  After all seniors went to canteen and that is my perfect day.

INTRODUCING: CIT CARLY FLEISCHER

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Carly in 2011 and 2004 - She's a camp lifer!

Carly Fleischer
Hobbies when you’re at home: Soccer, Track & Field, Pole Vaulting, Gymnastics, Playing French Horn, Robotics, Photography, Hanging out with friends

Years at Camp: 8 going on 9

One fun fact about you: I love photography and took over 3,000 pictures last summer! This summer I will be helping out the Media Team so look for me around camp with my camera in hand! 🙂

Favorite Camp Activity: Soccer!

Favorite Camp Memory: Every single one of the 40 days of Color War I’ve experienced in my life.

Best Advice for a First Time Camper: Enjoy and cherish each and every second of camp, this will become your favorite place in the entire world.

What you’re most excited to do this summer: Leading Color War as a CIT!

One thing you’ve never done at camp that you’re going to do this summer: Become a positive influence and role model for younger campers.

If you could plan your own perfect camp day, what would it look like: Late wake up, bagels for breakfast, and hanging out on the amphitheater or by the lake with my best friends in the world!