Russell Link – Executive Director
	Russell began his employment as Executive Director of Camp Olson YMCA in March of 2003. Like many typical camp staff members, Russ spent his summers during college working at a camp. Russ spent these summers enjoying the outdoors at the Wisconsin Lions Camp in central Wisconsin near Stevens Point. It was at camp where he met his wife Jolene. In 1987 Russ became the Assistant Director of the Wisconsin Lions Camp, and in 1998 he accepted the Director position where he stayed until 2003. Russ has been a member of the American Camping Association since 1987 and currently serves on the ACA Northland Section Board of Director and as an ACA Standards Visitor for the ACA standards accreditation process. Russ served as chairperson for the Conference of Lions Camps of the United States in 2002 and secretary from 1990-1995. .
Russ says he was drawn to Camp Olson by the rich tradition of honoring the environment and its strong emphasis on family values. Russ believes that a camp experience is important for every child. I am who I am because of my camp experiences. Russ lives at Camp Olson in Longville with his beautiful wife Jolene and 9 year old sons Connor and Micah.

Colton Altobell - Camp Director
	My first summer at Camp Olson remains vivid in my memory. I was a proud Homesteader, cooking my breakfast over a fire and working to chisel out the joints for the first level of the now-finished barn. We sang and joked constantly as we worked. We idolized our counselor and the entire staff. During our last night at camp, as we talked around the fire about all we had learned over our three weeks (rare personal reflections for teenage boys) our leader made us aware that our next summer was our chance to start giving back. That lesson has stuck with me ever since. It encompassed the self-perpetuating magic of Camp Olson. There indeed was no better way to give thanks for your time at camp than to pass your knowledge and experience on.
At Camp Olson, I learned self-reliance, gained self-confidence, witnessed indescribable beauty in the nature and the people, and made many of my most lasting friendships. Now, I feel honored to take on the role of Camp Director as it gives me the great opportunity to give back some of what Camp has given me. I live at Camp Olson year-round in a beautiful house on Little Boy Lake.

Jay T. Mahon – Facilities Manager

In the fall of 2003 Jay approached the family with the opportunity for him to apply for the facilities manager position at camp. Hmmm, the opportunity to call this place home once again, after serving for three years in the same position from 1998-2000, and raise our boys Jacob now 9 and Owen 7 in this extraordinary place? That was a no-brainer. With regrets Jay left his job as construction manager for Habitat for Humanity in Rochester, MN and moved back to Camp Olson. Nothing could have made mommy, Susan (Brown) Mahon, more proud than to raise her children in the culture of the Camp Olson spirit which was such an important part of her life. Susan was a long time camper (86-91) and worked on staff from 1992-1998. Jay and Sue reside at Camp Olson on Cooper Lake.

Amy Johnson – Office Manager/Health Care Coordinator

Amy began her employment with Camp Olson September 2004 as a part- time Office Manager. “I got the ‘Spirit of the Northwoods’ within the 1st week of my employment. It permeates everyone. I believe it stays with most forever. Just talking to the different families and staff associated with Camp Olson and to hear their energy for this place, it didn’t take me long to understand the magic it brings to the children and families who experience it.”

Amy grew up on a Fishing Resort on Big Boy Lake north of Longville. She attended UM-Duluth and then nursing school. Her experience in nursing has been in Home Care & Dermatology in St. Cloud, and then Family Practice in Longville after she and her husband Craig moved “back home.”

Amy and Craig have 6 year old twins, Trevor & Heidi. They reside in the woods with Girl Lake nearby. “Both Craig and I grew up in the Longville area. As resort kids, we were brought up with the lakes and the woods and many opportunities to experience nature. It is something we found very important in our up-bringing and made us the people we are today. To have our children growing in the same environment is one of our proudest accomplishments. I’m very fortunate and proud to be part of an organization that provides that to other children in such a wonderful way.”

See some of our amazing staff we have hired for the summer!
	Jake Woodworth Position: Program Director Year on Staff: 10th School: ALUM! University of Utah Favorite Color: Blue (secretly orange)
	Aiden Windebank Position: Boathouse Director Year on Staff: 5th School: Senior at Arizona State U Dream Job: Anything involving boats or the ocean
	Ree Reents Position: Counselor Year on Staff: 2nd School: Sophomore at Fort Lewis College Favorite Food at Camp: TACO BAR!
	Hannah Lipsky Position: Riding Counselor Year on Staff: 2nd School: Sophomore at Skidmore College Favorite Camp Song: Wildflowers
	Stephanie Rogers Position: Craft Shop/ CIT Leader Year on Staff: 2nd School: Recent Graduate of St. Olaf Favorite Animal: Loons
	Annie Schwartz Position: Counselor Year on Staff: 2nd School: Junior at the University of Northern Iowa Favorite Camp Activity: Puddle Jumping!
	Kelsey Nielsen Position: Counselor Year on Staff: 1st School: Sophomore at Gustavus Adolphus College Best Camp memory: Horseback riding around the Shurds!
	Emily Wellen Position: Assistant Counselor Year on Staff: 1st School: Senior at Stewartville High School Favorite Book: The Great Gatsby
	Tommy “the Nature Boy” Rodengen Position: Nature Director Year on Staff: 5th School: 1st year Ph.D student at Simon Fraser University Favorite Camp Activity: Bog Walks!
	Nicole Hecksel Position: Counselor/ Nature Assistant Year on Staff: 1st School: Sophomore at the U of M Twin Cities, College of Education and Human Development Dream Job: Middle School Science Teacher or Race Car Driver
	Jill Eikenhorst Position: LIT Counselor Year on Staff: 4th School: Sophomore at the University of Puget Sound Favorite Color: Bright pink
	Carlye Proeschel Position: Assistant Counselor/ Trading Post Year on Staff: 2nd School: Freshman at Simpson College Why come back to Camp Olson: “It’s the most beautiful place on Earth; it’s why I believe in magic; the people!
	Ann Owen Position: Assistant Counselor Year on Staff: 1st School: Senior at Rochester Mayo High Favorite Camp Memory: “Sailing in my first Regatta!”
	Devan Neuvirth Position: Target Sports Director Year on Staff: 2nd School: Senior at Rochester Mayo High Favorite Camp Song: All of them!
	Chris Rogers Position: Counselor Year on Staff: 2nd School: Freshman at either Luther College or Truman State Favorite Book: Crazy Horse
	Matthew Byrnes Position: CIT Leader/ Outpost Director Year on Staff: 4th School: Recent Graduate from Hamline University Favorite Animal: Tommy “the Nature Boy”
	Natalie Haugen Position: Assistant Counselor Year on Staff: 1st School: Senior at Southwest High Favorite Book: Everything is Illuminated
	Maggie Allexsaht Position: Assistant Counselor Year on Staff: 1st School: Senior at Southwest High Dream Job: Elementary School Teacher
	Greg Schieber Position: Counselor Year on Staff: 1st School: Senior at St. Thomas University Interests: Playing and listening to old-time, folk, and bluegrass music
	Sarah Boutcher Position: Trading Post/ Crafty Queen Year on Staff: 2nd School: University of Ottawa Favorite Animal: Fruit Bat
	Kara Mason Position: Corral Assistant Year on Staff: 4th School: Junior at Minnesota State University Mankato Favorite Camp Food: “grilled cheese sandwiches, and when you dip them in the tomato soup-it is simply delectable”
	Matt Spanier Position: Trip guide/ Outpost Leader Year on Staff: 2nd School: Sophomore at Colorado College Favorite Animals: Leatherback Sea Turtle and the Manatee
	Jane Qualey Position: Counselor Coordinator/ CIT Leader Year on Staff: 4th School: Recent Graduate of Hofstra University Hobbies: Candy eathing, reading, walking fast, traveling
	Carolyn Fritz Position: Counselor Year on Staff: 3rd School: Sophomore at College of St. Benedict/ St. Johns University Why Camp Olson? “Every day at camp, it is beautiful, and there is not a place I have been yet that gives me the same feeling of ‘home’ as Camp Olson”
	Carl Bergquist Position: Assistant Counselor Year on Staff: 1st School: Senior at Century High School Favorite Camp Song: Baby Shark!
	Lindsey Woodworth Position: Corral Director Year on Staff: 5th School: Senior at Northern Arizona University Favorite Food at Camp: “Cheese pizza, with ranch dressing smushed together with a peanut butter sandwich—my mouth waters just thinking about it!”
	Brenna Anderson Position: LIT Leader/ Counselor Year on Staff: 2nd School: Graduating from UW-La Crosse Dream Job: Running shoe tester
	Chelsey Jonason Position: Counselor Year on Staff: 2nd School: Freshman at Depauw University Favorite Camp Song: The Pony Game Hobbies: Playing the Pony Game
	Alyssa Offutt Position: Counselor Year on Staff: 2nd School: Freshman in College Hobbies: Ballroom Dancing, Singing, Painting, Ultimate Frisbee

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