The camp staff focuses on safety and the well being of each camper. The caring camp counselors put the camper’s needs first, help each child make friends, connect to nature and have a fun camp experience. Leadership Academy staff is comprised of kind, caring people who believe that connecting with nature is critical to child development. Many of our staff come from local teachers, college students majoring in education, environmental studies or recreation and high school student. Each staff member is background checked and completes an extensive interview process and staff training.
Meet Our Camp Director!
Carrie “Firefly” Howell, Camp Director
Carrie Howell is the director for Leadership Academy Camp at Warner Park. She is a nature enthusiast who backpacks, paddles, rock climbs in her spare time when not at camp. She is a Wilderness First Responder and comes to us with seven years of summer day camp experience as well as three years of experience as a science teacher. She has a passion for using children’s natural curiosity to help them make sense of the world around them.
Our Summer Staff
“Forest,” Camp Counselor
Forest wants to be a camp counselor because he loves nature, and he loves being with children. One thing he hopes to gain from this experience is a better connection to nature. He feels that it is important to be connected to your environment, and as a camp counselor, he hopes to share this with the campers this season.
“GK,” Camp Counselor
GK is a returning camp counselor at Camp Warner Park this season. After working at Warner Park and Camp Bells Bend Beaman last year, she is excited to adventure with this summer’s campers.
“Owl,” Camp Counselor
Owl loves working outdoors, and he loves working with kids. He is excited to work as a camp counselor this summer since it will allow him to work with and spread his passion for the outdoors!
“Turtle,” Camp Counselor
Turtle is very excited to be a counselor at Camp Warner Park this summer! She loves learning and teaching about ecology and conservation. She is excited to be outside and get to experience nature all day at camp! She likes to swim, SCUBA dive, and hike.
“Willow,” Camp Counselor
Willow is passionate about helping the planet and people, especially kids. Growing up, she was happiest playing field games and reading outside. She participated in a nomadic wilderness program in Utah for three months when she was seventeen. She believes that being in nature is one of life’s great joys. As a camp counselor, she encourages young campers to approach all life with kindness, self-respect, and persistence.
“Flash,” Camp Counselor
Flash loves helping kids. He knows it invests in our future since kids are our future! Campers will learn what a positive energetic role model looks like when they are around Flash. He wants to gain more experience with kids and learn more things he can take when he goes back to work as a paraprofessional at Stem Prep Academy. Flash also loves the river and loves to hike!
“Mockingjay,” Camp Counselor
Mockingjay is a fun loving counselor who loves to connect with the campers. He brings his own sense of imagination to the daily games and exploration at Camp Warner Park.
“Aquagirl,” Camp Counselor
Aquagirl is a new addition to the Camp Warner Park team who is excited to work with the awesome campers and counselors at camp.
“Antman,” Camp Counselor
Antman works hard to leave a great impact on the groups that come each week to camp. He is ready to have everyone join in with the games, hikes, and songs.
“Bird,” Camp Counselor
A jack of all trades, Bird has helped out at Camp Warner Park and Nashville Sail Camp this summer. He is known to bring his love of music into the everyday fun at camp.
“Rocky,” Camp Counselor
Rocky really loves mother nature, and she enjoys helping kids learn about ways to embrace the outdoors. Campers will learn to have fun, yet be safe, when exploring the park with the adventurous Rocky.
“Clover,” Camp Counselor and Program Assistant
Clover helped out as a program assistant intern earlier this summer, and she now works as a counselor. She loves working with the kids and making sure everyone has the best time playing at camp each week.
“Cricket,” Camp Counselor and Program Assistant
Cricket also began as a Program Assistant intern earlier this summer, and she now helps as a camp counselor. She has a knack for connecting kids with nature and making sure everyone is safe while having a great time at camp.
Meet the Founder & CEO: Laura Johnson- “Twigs”
Laura Johnson is an experienced camp director with an extensive background in risk management and camp operations. She is an outdoor enthusiast and advocate for conservation with experience as a State Park Naturalist. Laura earned a B.S. in Recreation Management from Illinois State University. Laura spent the last 6 years serving thousands of youth as a full time director at Camp Widjiwagan. Laura got her start in camping with Girl Scouts, where she spent eight years building experience as a camp counselor, waterfront director and camp director. Laura also spent eight years of her career teaching swim lessons, coaching a swim team, training lifeguards and managing community pool programs and water parks. Laura enjoys swimming, sailing, waterskiing, canoeing, biking, hiking, camping, sewing, photography, traveling and most of all spending time with family and friends.
