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Camp Director Beth Banks has worn many hats during her time and tenure at Brevard College. Beginning as a student in 1993, Beth earned her A.S. from Brevard before transferring to Northland College in Wisconsin to complete her B.S. in Outdoor and Environmental Education with a Natural History emphasis. She returned to Brevard College in 1998 to teach classes such as “Life in a Stream” for Campus Adventures. Since then, she has worked as a biology lab instructor and now serves in the roles of Administrative Assistant for the Division of Science and Mathematics and Camp Director for Campus Adventures. Extending her expertise beyond Brevard College, Beth was a Troop Leader for the Girl Scouts of America and on staff at several local camps and also held positions at the Cradle of Forestry and Shenck Job Corps.
As director, Beth has designed and implemented several new programs and protocols, which benefit both campers and staff. She revamped and expanded Campus Adventures by increasing morning class offerings and extending camps to full days with the addition of Afternoon Adventures. She also pioneered the White Squirrel Book Club, which allows campers to take home free books thanks to a book donation initiative. Perhaps the most vital program Beth has put into practice as director is the addition of the Teaching Assistantship & Leadership Program, which provides training for teenagers who are interested in pursuing leadership roles like mentoring, teaching, small-group advising, and assisting. TAs are often former campers and are definitely the backbone of Campus Adventures, some even join the staff after graduating High School. Beth truly loves having campers return full circle as TAs and staff who in turn help institute new procedures like color-coded bandanas, color-coded schedules for campers, and beaded spirit necklaces for campers to use and enjoy.
Out of her exuberance for the many activities Campus Adventures has to offer, Beth built a side business called “LittleTree Crafts and Games”, where families and friends of all ages can find eclectic, original crafts, gifts, jewelry, and mini-games to entertain and enjoy. Designing for LittleTree is a favorite pastime of Beth’s, and she loves spending her off-campus hours in her studio creating. Otherwise, you can find her swimming in the Davidson River, relishing delightful homemade meals from her husband Oliver, playing with dog Freya or cats Tilly and Raptor, or trying to keep up with beloved daughter Piper and brilliant son Charlie. Beth can’t wait to see you this summer on the campus of Brevard College for Campus Adventures!
This will be Laura’s fifth year with Campus Adventures and fourth year as Assistant Director. Laura has taught for 18 years at Brevard High School: Biology, Earth/Environmental Science and Science Research. She attended UNC- Greensboro majoring in Biology and Secondary Education with a concentration in Environmental Science and received her Masters in Science Education from Montana State University. Laura grew up north of Asheville, spent her childhood summers at a camp in Vermont, where she have also worked on and off for 9 years. She has traveled to 43/50 states, Mexico, Canada, 5 European countries, and worked with sea turtles in Costa Rica! Over the years Laura has also visited 40+ National Parks/Monuments. She has a 5 year old son, Dane, who loves animals and being outside as much as his mom does. Laura is excited to be a part of the Campus Adventures team again this summer!
Steve is a local naturalist and environmental educator. He specializes in helping people connect with and form better respect for misunderstood wildlife such as reptiles and amphibians and their most important role in a healthy ecosystem. He is the executive director of Earthshine Nature Programs (ENP) - a small, local, nonprofit wildlife outreach, conservation, and rehabilitation organization that works to educate, inspire, rescue, rehabilitate and plant seeds of respect, knowledge, and understanding in the minds of our students, outreach program participants and more through hands-on outreach programs at local schools, camps, events and more. ENP also works to bring indigenous music and renewable energy experiences and knowledge to you through their programs offerings, They practice what they preach by using a fully electric vehicle for their outreach programming and powering it, and their office/classroom, on clean, renewable, "homegrown" energy from the sun captured by the student-built and locally supported classroom solar array. Learn more about Steve and ENP on their website - www.earthshinenature.com
Meet Robin, an enthusiastic educator who is passionate about both science and the great outdoors. With a background in teaching chemistry and astronomy at Brevard College, Robin brings a wealth of knowledge and excitement to Campus Adventures. This will mark Robin's fourth year at the camp, where she thoroughly enjoys sparking curiosity in young minds aged 1 to 99.
Beyond the classroom, Robin loves nothing more than exploring the scenic trails of North Carolina, often accompanied by her family and faithful dog, Archer, named after the iconic Star Trek Captain of the NX-01 Enterprise. Together, they seek out new waterfalls and camping spots, embracing the wonders of nature and fostering a love for adventure in all who join them.
Dr. Stow is a professional musician and educator on the saxophone, flute, and clarinet. Dr. Stow has a music studio ranging from 6th grade through adult learners and teaches at many colleges in North Carolina including Pfeiffer University, South Piedmont Community College, Rowan-Cabarrus Community College, Mitchell Community College, and Brevard College. Dr. Stow plays with the local bands Unpaid Bill and the Bad Czechs and the Heavy Lifters. When not playing or teaching music, Dr. Stow enjoys hiking, biking, kayaking, and thrift store shopping; we have a family of pets including cats, dogs, guinea pigs, and fish.
Meet Jim Brooks, a seasoned educator and a new instructor at Campus Adventures! With years of experience teaching 3rd, 4th, and 5th grades, Jim now enhances educational experiences at Brevard College as their Educational Technology Specialist, where he also teaches a course on the subject. His expertise with 3D printing technology is particularly exciting for us, as he's eager to guide our campers through designing and printing their own creations.
Jim's connection to Campus Adventures is personal and deep-rooted, as all four of his children have enriched their summers with
us. This unique perspective fuels his enthusiasm to contribute positively to our camp's legacy. Beyond the classroom, Jim is an active community volunteer, doing rescues with the Transylvania County Rescue Squad and refurbishing computers for those in need with Upcycle Tech. His commitment to service and technology education makes him a perfect fit for our team.
We are delighted to welcome Jim Brooks to Campus Adventures, where his passion for teaching and technology promises to inspire
our campers in an unforgettable summer experience.
Meet Nolan, a dedicated member of the Campus Adventures family for the past 9 years, transitioning from a camper to a Teaching Assistant (TA) over the years. This year, Nolan will be on staff as our Games Station Leader in the afternoon, a position he has supported extensively during his time as a TA. He is also teaching a class called "All About Games! in the morning. With a passion for staying active, Nolan actively participates in track and cross country, along with indulging in basketball and various other sports.
As a rising freshman in college, Nolan plans to pursue a degree in biomedical engineering at a four-year university.
Nolan is ready for his first year on staff and excited at the prospect of meeting and engaging with all the campers!
Introducing Molly Knye, a vibrant 19-year-old on the cusp of graduating from Brevard High School this June. With dreams of becoming an occupational therapist specializing in pediatrics, Molly's passion for working with children shines through her experiences.
From camper to Teaching Assistant, and now as an Afternoon Group Leader, Molly's journey with Campus Adventures has been nothing short of remarkable. Her dedication extends beyond camp, as she has honed her skills through various roles such as volunteering at VBS, babysitting, and working with children at the Rec Center.
Molly's unwavering love for Campus Adventures is evident in her continued involvement. Her enthusiasm knows no bounds as she eagerly anticipates the opportunity to ensure your children have an unforgettable week filled with fun and adventure at Campus Adventures.
Meet Adam! He is thrilled about his upcoming opportunity to teach at Campus Adventures for the first time! This summer, he will be leading an Introduction to Chess class and a Game Theory class, where participants will explore how studying and playing games can provide insights into solving real-world problems.
Having recently commenced teaching at Brevard College during the spring semester, he instructs a course titled Topics in Computer Science. Prior to this, he served as a software developer at SAS, located in Cary, NC. His interests span across mathematics, physics, computer science, and, of course, indulging in games and biking adventures. He eagerly anticipates the chance to connect with everyone at the camp!
Meet Reanna Edwards, an experienced science educator with five years of teaching experience to middle and high school students in both Denver and Asheville. With a deep love for nature, Reanna enjoys incorporating the outdoors into her classroom curriculum. She is teaching two sections of Nature Crafts this summer! Excitedly embarking on her first year with Campus Adventures, she looks forward to an enriching and adventurous summer ahead!
Sarah Hajkowski is a theatre artist, educator, and writer and this is her first summer with Campus Adventures. She is driven by curiosity, learning, creativity, and community. These passions and more will be a part of instructing “Theatre Comes Alive” and “Writers Unite” with this year’s campers. Sarah is eager to connect with everyone at camp.
Oliver is a current Senior at Brevard College, studying Theatre and plan to go back to school to be a Geologist. Oliver is teaching Geology for 3rd-4th graders and Theatre for 1st-2nd graders. This is their first year teaching and being a part of Campus Adventures, but they are excited to be a part of the camp!
Meet Jonis, affectionately known as the “Guru Joni”! Though he's trapped inside the body of a 25-year-old Brazilian from Caçapava, São Paulo, Jonis still sees the world through the eyes of a child. He loves playing sports (especially soccer), discovering new things, crafting, cooking up delicious concoctions, and soaking up the energy of nature. As a senior Exercise Science student at Brevard College, Jonis is passionate about understanding how to take care of his body to maintain the agility and abilities of his younger self. He’s excited to share his enthusiasm and energy with everyone at camp!
Meet Carter, our Medical Lead & Parent Liaison this summer at Campus Adventures. He has been living in Brevard for the past 5 years! A Criminal Justice graduate of Brevard College, NC state certified EMT, and an avid fly fisherman. He is excited to be with Campus Adventures this summer and looks forward to the experience.
TAs are older campers that are enrolled in our Leadership Development Program. They help Instructors, Station Leaders, and Group Leaders with daily programming, assist the Camp Director with behind-the-scenes tasks, and help the younger campers get the most out of camp. They go through the same training that our staff go through and sometimes even join our staff after they graduate High School!
This section is updated frequently during enrollment. Please continue to check back in to learn more about our Camp TAs.
Rising 8th-12th Graders enrolled in the Leadership Development Program for 2024
My name is Kell and I have been going to Campus Adventures for 9 years. I like to ride bikes. I have also been doing Boy Scouts for 6 years. I enjoy Campus Adventures because we are always doing something fun everyday.
My name is Kinslan and I'm a rising 10th grader. I've been going to camp for 6 years, 2 of them being a TA. A little information about myself is that I play soccer, love to hike, and love music! I enjoy Campus Adventures because you get to learn and see so many interesting and cool things, and it's a really fun time!
Hi! I'm Abigail. I am a rising 10th grader going to Brevard High school and it is my 9th year at Campus Adventures. In my free time I love to play soccer, read books, and spend time with my siblings. I love doing all of the fun activities at camp, and I am so excited to meet everyone this year!
Hi, I'm Charlie. I'm a rising 9th grader. I've been at Camp for as long as I can remember and enjoy going every year because it's fun (and because my mom is the Camp Director). I play the cello and enjoy reading and building models.
I’ve been at camp for about 9 years. And I really enjoy the aspect of community and sense of welcoming it gives. I’m really big on the communal part of things so I feel as if that’s really important.
Hi, I’m Vivian! I am 14 years old and I live in Charlotte. I have been going to Campus Adventures for 8 years, and this is my 2nd year being a TA. My favorite things to do in my free time are hanging out with my friends and doing sports. I enjoy Campus Adventures because I love connecting with the kids and how they make learning so much fun.
Hi! My name is Nadia, I am 14, and I am a rising 9th grader. This is my second year as a TA! My favorite part of Campus Adventures has always been the community so I can't wait to see everyone this summer! Some of my hobbies include theater, reading, and playing the french horn.
I’m 14 and enjoy playing guitar. We live in Asheboro, NC and spend time at our cabin in Brevard a lot. This is my third year going to Campus Adventures, second year as a TA. Campus Adventures is so fun. I enjoy the outdoors, art and games we learn and play here.
This is my second year at Campus Adventures! I love to work with kids and volunteer. I’ve got two dogs in Tampa where I live, and spend a lot of time up in Brevard with my mom and grandma. I play tennis, and love to go on hikes too.
Hi I am Michaela I love snakes, taking walks, and art. I love to make art for people that I know. I love being able to make people smile and laugh. I love kids and all the adventures that come with them!
My name is Robert and I have been at Campus Adventures for 8 years. I like playing sports, helping people out, and reading! I love campus adventures and would like to help out around campus.
I've been at Campus Adventures for about five years now. I enjoy Campus Adventures because you are able to be outside and play, but also learn and see cool things. I've been at Mountain Sun Community School my whole student life, and will be going to Brevard Middle School for 8th grade in the fall. I am interested in sports and animals.
My name is Eva. I went to camp when I was younger and loved the animal classes. I'm one of ten kids and like playing with my younger siblings. I also enjoying playing the piano and making pottery and art. I also enjoy taking care of my horse, cats, dogs, and lizards.
Hi, my name is Autumn. This is my first year at camp. I'm a rising 8th grader at Rugby Middle School. I love soccer, reading, playing the trombone, and hiking/backpacking. I'm currently learning Japanese and hope to visit Japan someday. I have 2 dogs, who are nuts, but I still love them. I also like to hang out with my friends and family.
Hi my name is Kayla. This is my first year as a TA at Campus Adventures! I am 14 years old. I love working with children and helping them out. I can’t wait to be a part of the Campus Adventures community and see what they have in store for me!
I am Arlo! This is my first year at Campus Adventures. I really enjoy nature and bugs!