Anna Claire McLean

Anna Claire McLean

Hi everyone! My name is Anna Claire and I’ve called camp my second home since I was 6 years old! I am currently a student at the University of Georgia studying psychology. Back home I love football games, traveling with friends, and taking walks around campus! My favorite view at camp is from the Junior Lodge, especially at sunset! I can’t wait to be back in Brevard this summer seeing some familiar faces and many new ones!

Fun Facts

A Surprising Thing About Me

I want to be a Dentist!

Sing, Dance, or Both?

BOTH

Personal Interests

Snowboarding, Scuba diving, traveling

Favorite Camp Food

Mac & Cheese

AC Phillips

AC Phillips

Hi! My name is AC Phillips. This will be my 8th year at camp and I can’t wait! Im from Richmond, VA and this fall I will be a sophomore at CNU studying applied math. My favorite thing about camp is the lovely scenery and fresh mountain air! I can’t wait to hang out at the alpine tower all day teaching climbing. Im super excited to see everyone again! YAY CAMP

Fun Facts

Favorite Quote

"It does not do well to dwell on dreams and forget to live" Albus Dumbledore

Favorite Movie

Mamma Mia

With an hour of free time, I like to...

play with my dogs, bash and hobie :)

Sing, Dance, or Both?

Both!

Personal Interests

climbing, kayaking, dancing, stickers, naps

Favorite Camp Food

Chicken Salad with Pita Chips

Coen Fidura

Coen Fidura

I grew up in a town in South West London, UK, but both my parents are originally American and are from Virginia. I decided that I wanted to go to camp when I was nine so that I could be closer to my family, but also because I had a bit of an obsession with the movie ‘The Parent Trap’! Coming from a big city, I had never really been exposed to the beautiful nature and wildlife that Brevard offers, and that is only one of the many reasons I kept returning to camp. I adore the community that Rockbrook brings to my life, and my summers at camp have changed me for the better as they’ve helped me grow into the independent and kind person I strive to be. I hope that this summer will only provide me with more wonderful memories and that I can help others find the happiness I find at Rockbrook.

Fun Facts

A Surprising Thing About Me

I have both an American and British accent and I can switch between them!

Favorite Quote

Ignorance is peace, but knowledge is freedom.

Favorite Movie

Fear Street: 1994

With an hour of free time, I like to...

Get cozy with a book and a cup of tea.

Sing, Dance, or Both?

Sing! I have no coordination!

Last Book I Read?

This is How You Lose the Time War by Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone

Personal Interests

I love to play guitar and ukulele, and I used to play lacrosse.

Favorite Camp Food

Oatmeal!

Emily Niemen

Emily Niemen

Hello!:) I’m Emily, I’m 23 and I live in The UK. I grew up just outside of Leeds with my family, and twin sister (Grace) who is also a counsellor at Rockbrook this summer! I’m really looking forward to getting stuck in, learning new things and getting to know each camper individually. I have three little brothers also, who are growing up so fast! I’m currently in my second year at university, studying International Development and Education. I love my course and in the future I would love to work for The UN and also go into teaching possibly.

Fun Facts

A Surprising Thing About Me

I'm competitive!

Favorite Quote

"May the odds be ever in your favour" or "Sanka, you dead?" or "Do whatever is in your hands to do at that time."

Favorite Movie

Defiance!

With an hour of free time, I like to...

Go for a walk, get a coffee with a friend, sew, see family

Sing, Dance, or Both?

Always both

Last Book I Read?

The Guernsey Literary Potatoe Peel Pie Society

Personal Interests

I love being outdoors, spending time with loved ones. I also love photography and sewing, I wanted to go into the textiles industry straight after school.

Favorite Camp Food

I've not tried it yet, but definitely excited too!:)

Laura Shay

Laura Shay

I grew up in Skowhegan, Maine. It’s a small town located in central Maine surrounded by lakes and forest and, most importantly, only an hour from Sugarloaf Mountain where I’ve been skiing since I was three. The surroundings provided me with ample opportunity to go out and wander, just be a bit wild, to explore my surroundings. It’s the sort of place that attracts artists and craftsmen. My dad’s best friend is a sculptor and one of my best friend’s, Emmy, her mother is a potter, who was like a second mom to me over the summers. I got to dabble in crafts and didn’t realize how important those experiences would be for me until many years later. Back to Emmy, though. We had camps on a lake next to each other where we lived during the summer. We spent our days water skiing, riding bikes and causing general, fairly benign mayhem on the dirt road. Except for when she’d go away for two weeks to a camp in Montana. I never really understood why she went away. We had such a good life on the lake! But I was always a bit curious and now I have my chance…30 years later. I am very excited for the experience of connecting with young women and guiding them through woodworking, as well as experience the camaraderie of summer camp (Emmy didn’t have woodworking!)

Fun Facts

A Surprising Thing About Me

I played rugby until I was 29

Favorite Quote

I long to accomplish a great and noble task, but it is my chief duty to accomplish small tasks as if they were great and noble. -Helen Keller

Favorite Movie

The Secret of Roan Inish

With an hour of free time, I like to...

Read

Sing, Dance, or Both?

Oh gosh...

Last Book I Read?

We Don't Know Ourselves -Fintan O'Toole

Personal Interests

Rugby, hiking, woodworking, crafts in general

Favorite Camp Food

I can't wait to find out!

Andrew Ikalowych

Andrew Ikalowych

I was born and raised in sunny Southern California. I spent time all throughout the state – from the beaches of San Diego to the hills of San Francisco, and most places in between. Before coming out to Brevard, I was living, working and exploring in the desert of Joshua Tree, California. The outdoors are a passion of mine and I love to share this passion with others. The activities I enjoy most are: rock climbing, hiking, camping, and backpacking. I am excited to share these activities with the campers and show them experiences that will stay with them for a lifetime.

Fun Facts

A Surprising Thing About Me

I was homeschooled

Favorite Quote

“Do or do not. There is no try” - Yoda

Favorite Movie

Captain Fantastic

With an hour of free time, I like to...

Work on projects

Sing, Dance, or Both?

Both

Last Book I Read?

The Alchemist

Personal Interests

Climbing, building, slacklining

Favorite Camp Food

Falafel Pitas

Caitlin Toohey

Caitlin Toohey

Hi my name is Caitlin!! I was born in New York City but moved to Texas at a young age. I love getting out in nature and being in the outdoors. Self-growth and discovery is an important part of my life. This is why Rockbrook grabbed my attention because of the outdoors and female empowerment. Creativity is expressing myself through dance and arts and crafts. I enjoy bracelet making, drawing, and graphic media. I dance whenever I have time or when I need to clear my head. I have been hiking with my family a lot and the views I see are incredible. I hope to bring my love for trying new things and helping others at Rockbrook. I am so excited to meet the campers and staff and have a fun summer!!

Fun Facts

A Surprising Thing About Me

I just started playing rugby this year.

Favorite Quote

One of my favorite quotes is the 5 by 5 rule: "If it’s not gonna matter in 5 years, don’t spend more than 5 minutes upset by it."

Favorite Movie

Hunger Games

With an hour of free time, I like to...

I like to hang out with friends or watch tv while doing arts and crafts.

Sing, Dance, or Both?

I love to dance and am planning on minoring in it. I like to sing but cannot do it very well.

Last Book I Read?

I do not remember but I like graphic novels.

Personal Interests

I like dancing, arts and crafts, rugby, hanging out with friends, family, and my cats, watching tv, playing games outside, and walking in nature.

Favorite Camp Food

Smores

Hannah Neuman

Hannah Neuman

Hi, my name is Hannah! I’m from Florida and I grew up going to a sleepaway summer camp with another Rockbrook counselor by the name of Cali! I am super excited to spend my first summer at Rockbrook this year; I’ve heard so many amazing things about camp, and I can’t wait to be apart of the community. As a former camp kid myself, I understand the importance of preserving traditions and engaging camp culture, so I am incredibly grateful that Rockbrook has fostered such a dedicated and inclusive environment in which to do so. Camp is where I discovered & developed my independence, self-confidence, and leadership skills. It was the first place I learned to practice authenticity. I believe that summer camp is profoundly impactful, no matter what stage of life you’re there for. Happy and grateful to be spending this stage of mine at a camp like Rockbrook.
This will be my first summer in North Carolina, so I’m also really looking forward to experiencing some new flora, fauna, and fresh mountain air. Most of all, though, I am ready to experience the Rockbrook magic—making new camp memories, and having as much fun as possible along the way!

Fun Facts

A Surprising Thing About Me

I know every single taylor swift song by heart.

Favorite Quote

“To leave the world better than you found it, sometimes you have to pick up other people’s trash.” -Bill Nye

Favorite Movie

Aquamarine

With an hour of free time, I like to...

spend time outside: hiking, walking, reading. When the weather’s bad, I like to collage or cook a nice meal.

Sing, Dance, or Both?

I am actually the lead singer/lyricist for a small, local rock band in Tallahassee, and I can confirm that both are necessary on stage.

Last Book I Read?

Post-Colonial Astrology by Alice Kat

Melody Parish

Melody Parish

Hello! I am originally from Kentuckiana (or Indyucky), the southern Indiana-Louisville, Kentucky border, but have been in Brevard now a little over a year. This will be my second year at Rockbrook and I’m happy to be “back”: I’ve loved my time spending the fall and spring cleaning up beds, planting and transplanting new flowers and plants, and bordering the gardens around camp. Last year I immensely enjoyed my time as a photographer, hiking around camp all day capturing campers’ smiling faces and all the beauty and fun of life on camp. This year I am excited to be one of the Needlecraft specialists, sharing my love for embroidery, creative mending, and any form of creativity with a needle and thread. When I’m not on the Curosty porch, you’ll find me admiring and identifying native plants and critters, pulling errant blades of grass from flower beds, refilling the bee and butterfly waterer, and sticking my feet in the creek.

Fun Facts

Favorite Movie

Hocus Pocus

With an hour of free time, I like to...

Be outside with my dog, Pete-za, or watch something funny

Sing, Dance, or Both?

Sing-especially harmonize

Last Book I Read?

'Woodsqueer: Crafting a Sustainable Rural Life' by Gretchen Legler

Personal Interests

Playing old time and folk music, growing things, crafts of all kinds

Favorite Camp Food

I *cannot* get enough oat bars!

Emily Schwartz

Emily Schwartz

Hello! My name is Emily and I’m from Cincinnati, Ohio. I just finished my second year of college at the University of Cincinnati, studying nursing. I love spending my free time outdoors and enjoying nature. Being outside has been a great way for me to connect with my friends and I am excited to bring that to camp. This will be my first year at Rockbrook and I am excited to get a lay of the land and meet everyone! I am looking forward to a great summer of quality time and meaningful connections.

Fun Facts

A Surprising Thing About Me

I was an exchange student in high school!

Favorite Quote

It's a good day to be happy

Favorite Movie

Ratatouille

With an hour of free time, I like to...

Read, crochet, go on a walk, or hammock

Sing, Dance, or Both?

Dance :)

Last Book I Read?

Malibu Rising

Personal Interests

I like to do yoga, crochet, hike, ski, and be with my friends and family.