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Camp Staff Spotlight: Natalie Lane
If you’ve been to summer camp, or any of our outdoor events the past year or so, you may have met “Disney” — otherwise known as Natalie Lane, GSCCC’s outdoor adventures manager. Her passion for fun in the sun (or on the water, or in a cave) led her to make Girl Scouts not just a part of her life, but also her career.
Natalie first joined Girl Scouts in second grade as a Brownie, and stayed in the program through high school, becoming a Lifetime Member upon graduation. Her first experience with summer camp didn’t happen until she was 12, but she was instantly smitten. “From the very start knew that I wanted to be a camp counselor one day,” Natalie shared. “I completed Counselor in Training at the camp where I grew up in North Carolina, and became a counselor when I was 18.” She spent years working at camp, moving up the ranks from counselor to unit leader to waterfront director to assistant director.
Her college years were similarly single-focused; Natalie has a Bachelor of Science in Recreation Management from Appalachian State University (which she chose because it is accredited by the National Recreation and Park Association). She also minored in Sustainable Development. Girl Scouts was always the goal. “After I graduated from App State, I was hired by Girl Scouts of North East Ohio as the Camp Director for Camp Ledgewood and stayed there for five years before coming here to GSCCC.”
Though Natalie has been a certified lifeguard since the age of 16, she has never stopped learning new outdoor skills to share with Girl Scouts — or volunteers! “I became a Lifeguard Instructor five years ago. I’m also certified in all our outdoor program areas like canoeing, archery, challenge course, climbing wall, high ropes and axe throwing! I recently became certified to instruct Youth Mental Health First Aid, and Wilderness First Aid,” she said. GSCCC is proud to offer those courses, as well as other outdoor facilitator trainings, with Natalie at the helm.
If your Girl Scout is thinking of attending summer camp this year, “Disney” has some words of advice to pass along:
On being prepared: “Girls can come prepared by checking out our camp properties at an upcoming outdoor event, so they know what camp looks like and are familiar with it. They can practice spending time away from home or spending the night camping with their troop, and they can make sure they’re packed with everything they need to have a great time at camp.”
How parents and caregivers can help: “Caregivers can prepare by attending the parent/caregiver webinars, and making sure their campers are able to complete tasks like showering or dressing themselves. They can also spend time in the outdoors with campers prior to camp! Going on weekend hikes and exploring nature will help your Girl Scout acclimate to camp life more easily.”
When Natalie is not at Girl Scout camp, you can probably still find her outside. “I enjoy hiking in our state and national parks, visiting underground caves to see the amazing geology you can find there, as well as camping,” she said. She does have some indoor hobbies, too. “I love arts and crafts like painting, doodling, knitting, and cross stitch.”
Ready to come to camp and meet “Disney” this summer? Register before June 1 at gsccc.org/summercamp and get ready for adventure!
