Meet Welty’s 2022 Summer Camp Staff

Summer is full steam ahead!  We have completed three weeks of camp. Highlights include: wheel day Fridays (bike, skateboards, scooters), building water filters, bird watching at Nygren Wetlands, and playing oh-so-many nature themed games. Our staff keeps our campers moving and interested in the wonders of ecological science and outdoor fun. When it gets hot, we cool off with sprinklers and popsicles. The joys of summer are endless at camp.

Camp Staff at Sweet Allyn Park after hosting a CareerTek Academy on water quality. L to R, from back: Oliver, Madison, Ava, Maison, Patrick, Alec, Aaron, Darien.

Darien Becker, Environmental Educator (year-round) – Darien joined us in the summer of 2021. Her high-energy enthusiasm for science helps focus our campers and keep them on task. She also manages camp staff, and helped with their training. Darien received her B.S. in environmental biology at Cornerstone University in Grand Rapids, Michigan; and her M.S. in wildlife and fisheries resources at West Virginia University.

Madison Suttman, Summer Environmental Educator – Madison started with Welty in 2018 as a program volunteer assisting with afterschool programming and outreach programs. She has completed several internships with Welty. She graduated from Beloit College in 2020 with her B.S. in Biology & Environmental Justice and Citizenship and is now completing her M.S. in Biology from Appalachian State University in Boone, NC.

Oliver Devlin, Camp Educator – Oliver attends BMHS. He hopes to attend college to become a high school science teacher. He is very active in theater, volunteering as part of the audio crew. He played hockey, basketball, wrestling, track and field, and softball.  

Ava Dabek, Camp Educator – Ava is a former Welty camper. She enjoys theater and has participated in KFAD productions. She will start at BMHS this year. Her favorite part of camp is working with the campers. She has also assisted with No School Day Camps.

Alec Rougvie, Camp Educator –Alec is a former Welty camper hailing back to when Welty was located at Beckman Mill. He attends BMHS and is active in both the Concert and Jazz bands. He likes to work with his hands. One of his favorite projects was from a social studies class taken at Fruzen Intermediate where he built a functioning crossbow.   

Patrick Rochester, Camp Educator – Patrick is completing his Eagle Scout merit badge. He attends BMHS. He also has fond memories of Welty Camp at Beckman Mill. Partick enjoys being outside and learning what nature has to offer. He has plans to study as a chiropractor.     

And you already know me, Mr. Aaron, Welty’s Program Director. I hope to join in at camp when I can, but you just might see me around town or at a local library with Welty-style environmental education fun for all. 

Welty Camp is for ages 6 to 12 years old. Our camp is from 8am to 3pm, with options to extend camp to 5pm. There are still a few spaces open. If the week you are interested in looks full, email us to get on the waiting list. Register now!

Here is to a fun-filled summer!