Towering Pines Blog

Meet the All-Star Support Staff

This blog is dedicated to the faces of those whom we could not do without at camp, yet who often go without mention. The Towering Pines Support Staff are “behind the scenes” magicians. They support EVERYTHING we do!!  From fixing anything and everything around camp, to cracking enough eggs to feed 100 people, caring for the health needs of all our camp family and making sure the very littlest ones are engaged in camp life.  We would like to introduce our maintenance super hero, kitchen staff, nurse and nanny! 

Ricky (Maintenance Staff & Facilities)

Hometown: Puebla, Mexico

What have you been doing this past year? Studying and working

Topic/s you could talk about for hours: Soccer

Most valuable piece of advice you’ve ever received: Things don’t have to be perfect to be wonderful

Looking forward to this summer? Meeting wonderful people!!

Where will you most likely be spotted at camp? Workshop

Summers at camp: First summer YAY!!

Drinka (Chef)

Hometown: Kenosha, Wisconsin

What have you been doing this past year? Teaching at a Montessori school and taking classes

Topic/s you could talk about for hours: Cooking, baking and books

Most valuable piece of advice you’ve ever received: Breathe and never give up!

Looking forward to this summer?  Re-energizing and breathing in the northwoods

Where will you most likely be spotted at camp? Kitchen, the dock or County Road D

Summers at camp: 20 years!!

Joe Fitzsimmons (Assistant Chef)

Hometown:  Chicago area

What have you been doing this past year?  Teaching and being “super uncle”

Topic/s you could talk about for hours: Travel, music and history

Most valuable piece of advice you’ve ever received:  Trust the process.

Looking forward to this summer?  Seeing old friends and new faces

Where will you most likely be spotted at camp?  In the snack area with a frisbee

Summers at camp: 19 summers

**From left:  Ricardo, Anibal, and Hector**

Ricardo (Kitchen)

Hometown: Tlaxcala, Mexico

What have you been doing this past year? Studying

Topic/s you could talk about for hours: TV series and music

Most valuable piece of advice you’ve ever received:  Do whatever makes you happy!

Looking forward to this summer? Enjoy and make memories

Where will you most likely be spotted at camp?  Kitchen

Summers at camp: 2

Anibal (Bal)(Kitchen)

Hometown:  Zacapoaxtla, Puebla, Mexico

What have you been doing this past year? I have been learning new things in school and started a new business. I have a mini barbershop at home, and I also work at clients’ homes.

Topic/s you could talk about for hours: Soccer and music

Most valuable piece of advice you’ve ever received: Cultivate balance, find the right combination that allows you to feel in harmony with your values and priorities.

Looking forward to this summer? I want to enjoy all these experiences — all the trip from Mexico to the camp, all the work, activities, meeting new people and learning about them. I’m very excited because this is a completely new experience.

Where will you most likely be spotted at camp? Kitchen, I guess

Summers at camp: First summer YAY!

Hector (Hec)(Kitchen)

Hometown: Puebla City, Mexico

What have you been doing this past year? I’ve been studying my 2nd year at University

Topic/s you could talk about for hours: About technology and gym

Most valuable piece of advice you’ve ever received: The obstacle is the way.

Looking forward to this summer? Meeting people from all around the world, learning more about the US culture and making memories

Where will you most likely be spotted at camp? Kitchen

Summers at camp: First summer YAY!

Sam (Nanny)

Hometown: Chapel Hill, North Carolina

What have you been doing this past year? I went backpacking in California to do trail work.

Topic/s you could talk about for hours: Art and writing

Most valuable piece of advice you’ve ever received: The most valuable piece of advice I’ve received is from my mother, and she always says, “How people treat you is a reflection of themselves and not you.”

Looking forward to this summer? I am looking forward to being around wonderful campers, staff, and, of course, having fun!!

Where will you most likely be spotted at camp? I am most likely to be found at the beach playing in the sand : )

Summers at camp: 1st YAY!!

Cara (Camp Nurse)

Hometown: Saratoga Springs, Utah

What have you been doing this past year? Finishing nurse practitioner school

Topic/s you could talk about for hours: Lord of the Rings, the Titanic, and Taylor Swift 

Most valuable piece of advice you’ve ever received: Enjoy the little things. 

Looking forward to this summer? Going to Disneyland! (After camp : )

Where will you most likely be spotted at camp? Reading on the bench outside the health center

Summers at camp: 1st YAY!!

If you would like to write a word of encouragement to any of our ROCK STAR Support Staff, please send to: Towering Pines, 5586 County Hiway D, Eagle River, WI, 54521 or email angieziller@gmail.com.

Angie Ziller

• Camp Mom at TP
• Leadership Staff at TP/Office Manager
• Marketing TP/Woodland
• Leadership Team TP/Woodland
• Assistant Waterfront Director at Woodland
• Counselor at Woodland
• “Building in our hearts fond memories, Towering Pines for you.”