Firefly is the owner of Leadership Academy Camps. She has 15+ years of science education experience working at aquariums, zoos, and schools. Her has a Bachelors in Environmental Studies and a Masters of Science Education. She worked two summers as an employee of Leadership Academy before taking over as owner in 2024. Her favorite camp activity is finding and identifying fossils. She loves convincing kids to love invertebrates as much as she does, especially snails! She is the CEO – Chief Education Officer.
Tugboat is Firefly’s husband and the de facto other owner of Leadership Academy. He has 10+ years of varied experience in the outdoors including being a SCUBA diving instructor in Jamaica. He worked for Leadership Academy as the Sail Camp director in 2022 and joined as owner in 2024. When he is not at camp, he works as an ISA certified arborist. His favorite camp activity is telling kids that they too can grow up to climb trees for a living. He is the CFO – Chief Fun Officer.
Bubbles grew up being a camper and loved it so much and was so happy to become a camp counselor! She has been working at camp for 5 years and last year moved up to director and had a blast!! Her favorite camp activity is paddle boarding. When she’s not at camp, she loves hiking and anything that has to do with the beautiful outdoors!! She is in college studying exercise science to become a Physical Therapist.
Coach Gabby is the mountain bike camp director. This is her 2nd year as camp director and 4th working with Leadership Academy! Outside of camp, she is in college in Colorado studying neuroscience and chemistry. A fun fact about her is that she has a burger restaurant named after her! She can’t wait to spend another summer on two wheels!
Cicada is a returning counselor; this will be her third year with Leadership Academy. Her favorite camp activity is playing king of the board on the paddle boards, especially on the hotter days. When she is not at camp, she loves spending time with her four cats at home! She is in college studying Forensic science with a minor in Anthropology.
Worm is returning counselor and longtime member of the Leadership Academy family! He is currently studying environmental engineering at Vanderbilt University finishing his freshman year. His favorite camp activity is silly salmon. His favorite hobbies are rock climbing and backcountry backpacking.
Shelly is new this year to Leadership Academy! Previously she spent 4 years with AmeriCorps working as a Youth Development Specialist with the Boys & Girls Club and a Student Success Coach in Detroit K-12 public schools. She worked her first week of camp this past spring break at Sanders Ferry. She loved getting to help campers reflect on their day and helping them collect trinkets to add to their nature journals! During her free time, she enjoys hiking, collecting small trinkets, crafting, taking care of her plants and spending time with family, friends and her cat!
Grant is the founder of Nature Through a Teen’s Eye – a nonprofit organization dedicated to endangered animal conservation and education. He goes to Currey Ingram Academy and has worked previous jobs at Leadership Academy and Creekside Garden Center. He loves working with his animals, and kids, and he also love rock climbing in his free time. He’s excited to join the leadership Academy team for another year!
Goose has had the privilege of working as a counselor with Leadership Academy for 4 years now, and is beyond thrilled to do so again this summer!! Having been a camper at Leadership Academy herself, she loves facilitating activities that allow her campers to make fond memories in the outdoors that they can always cherish, just as she has!! Among her favorite camp activities are birdwatching, arts and crafts, Ships and Sailors, and creek explorations! In her free time, she loves traveling to new destinations, and hiking with friends! She is currently attending college to study Health Sciences in pursuits of becoming a Physicians Assistant.
CJ is an aspiring P.E. Teacher and is currently a substitute teacher for Sumner County while also volunteering for a sporting program for people with disabilities. CJ is new to Leadership Academy this year, but his camp experience comes from WKU, Easterseals and YMCA Camp Widjiwagan, with an emphasis on outdoor exploration and discovery! At camp, you can find CJ playing “forest creations” or hosting competitive scavenger hunts. In his spare time, CJ loves to play and watch sports, plays games with his dog Teddy, and loves discovering the next great fishing and camping spot with his family!
