MEET OUR DIRECTORS

OUR STORY

At the heart of Kippewa is a shared passion for creating a place where girls feel relaxed, empowered, and like they have found their summer home. We (Ginger and Steve) first arrived at Kippewa in 2008, stepping into the role of Directors and embracing Kippewa’s rich traditions while guiding its growth. A few years later, Jackie joined us, and it quickly became clear we all shared a vision—not just for what camp could be, but for the kind of environment we all wanted to create. 

As Kippewa continued to thrive, Jackie moved on to further her career, but the professional and personal bond between us remained strong. When making the decision to add another camp offering, there was no question about who should help make this a reality.  In 2022, Jackie returned to bring Kippewa Point to life, excited to work together at Kippewa once again to develop and lead this exciting new chapter.

Today, the three of us oversee all aspects of camp life, each bringing our unique strengths while leading a talented and dedicated team. Together, we are proud to continue shaping the magic of Kippewa, ensuring that every summer is filled with adventure, growth, connection, and unforgettable memories.

Three people smiling and posing outdoors with trees in the background.
Group of six people sitting on grass, smiling, with cabins in the background at a camp.
A woman and a child wearing blue wigs and tutus, standing outside on grass in a wooded area. The child is holding a tennis racket. Both have paper labels on their clothes.
A group of people gathered under a canopy tent. A man in a green cap and glasses is smiling at the camera. He is surrounded by young people, some of whom are smiling. Behind them is a whiteboard with some colorful circles and text. The scene takes place outdoors, possibly at an event or gathering.
Family smiling in the water, two children in swimsuits with an adult woman, enjoying a day at the beach.
A group of people outdoors near cabins, with one woman in the foreground smiling and wearing a lanyard, in a camp setting surrounded by trees.

  • Growing up on Vashon Island, one of the islands in the Puget Sound outside Seattle, I spent my childhood surrounded by trees and water and a love for the outdoors. I started attending camps as a young child and began working at them as soon as I was old enough to be a counselor. Over the years I made my way through a wide variety of roles at camp on the path to becoming owner/director of Kippewa. Along the way I was also fortunate to meet my future husband at camp!

    I attended the University of Washington where I received my BS in Psychology. I then went on to earn my masters in Occupational Therapy from Boston University, and worked as a children’s O.T. for a Seattle-area school district before entering the camping profession full-time. 

Man playing tennis on outdoor court, wearing a gray shirt and khaki shorts, holding a racket and tennis ball.

  • Growing up in New Zealand, camp was not a culture I was aware of. Instead, I realize now that I found a similar sense of community through clubs and competitions. My dad was our country’s junior national barefoot waterski team coach and I started skiing at the age of 5. My whole family was involved - I practically grew up in a waterski boat! Through training and competing, I developed my own love of coaching which eventually led me to traveling to the U.S. to spend a summer working at camp. Who knew that this decision would forever change my life path!

    Before coming to the States I earned my degree in Mechanical Engineering from a university in New Zealand. I spent time traveling and working while returning to camp every summer, experiencing a range of roles (and meeting my future wife!) before taking over at Kippewa.

Woman wearing sunglasses hugging a smiling girl in red with glasses, outdoors.

  • Camp has been a part of my life since childhood! I haven’t missed a summer at camp since 1992. Right from the start, I was drawn to the strong sense of community that camp creates. I grew up in Great Neck, NY as the oldest of three sisters—who love camp just as much as I do. 

    I studied Childhood Education at SUNY Cortland and spent a few years teaching in New York City before jumping into my full-time camp career in 2010. Over the years, I’ve held nearly every camp position imaginable, deepening my love for the community and its impact on both campers and staff. I am so happy to now be back at Kippewa!

Two smiling girls sitting at a table, embracing each other in a busy indoor setting.

CONTACT US

If you have any questions or need more information about how we make first-time campers feel at home, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We’re here to ensure that your daughter’s transition into the world of Camp Kippewa is as exciting and smooth as possible.

Email: info@kippewa.com

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