From hiring camp counselors to ordering enough food to fill up hungry campers to reassuring first time “camper parents” your Girl Scout Camp Directors are currently hard at work preparing for an exciting summer of outdoor fun. Let’s meet these hard working staff members.

Amanda Atwood – Outdoor Program Specialist,
Director - Camp Daisy Hindman
In her second year as Camp Director for Camp Daisy Hindman Amanda brings with her nine years of working as camp staff. Amanda started as a Wrangler Aide then became a Wrangler, she moved on to be a Unit Counselor and Unit Leader, from 2004 to 2006 she was the Assistant Camp Director. In 2007 Amanda served her first year as Camp Director. Amanda has a Bachelor Degree in Elementary Education from Kansas State University in Manhattan, Kan. She is certified in First Aid and CPR and is currently a certified archery instructor. In the off season, you will find Amanda running archery programs across the council. When asked about the benefits girls receive from going to Girl Scout Camp, Amanda said, “I am excited about the huge impact camp makes on girls even though they are only at camp for a short time.”

Kara Kellerman – Outdoor Program Specialist,
Director - Camp Oakledge
With a Bachelor of Science in Recreation and Park Administration from Kansas State University in Manhattan, Kan. Kara brings with her knowledge of outdoor stewardship and a love for the outdoors. Kara has worked as seasonal staff at Camp Oakledge for 10 years holding several positions including Counselor, Rappel Instructor, Canoe Instructor, Waterfront Director and Assistant Camp Director. She is also a volunteer for the American Camp Association as a visitor. Kara also spends her time working directly with the girls and you may have seen her leading teen backpacking trips, shivering at a Winter Survival Camp or teaching the girls about Traverse Climbing. When asked why she chose to work with Girl Scouts, Kara said, “When I look back at the years I spent as a camper at Prairie Schooner and Oakledge, I see the positive impact my camp experiences had on who I am as a person, on my work ethic, and on my goals and ambitions. What a great opportunity I have to help today’s girl’s experience some of that same ‘camp magic!’”

Nicole Rottinghaus – Outdoor Program Specialist, Director - Camp Prairie Schooner
Nicole holds a Bachelors Degree in Leisure, Youth and Human Services focusing on Outdoor Recreation from the University of Northern Iowa. Nicole brings to her position six years working at a Girl Scout Camp in Clear Lake, Iowa where she worked as a Counselor, Lifeguard, Waterfront Director and Assistant Camp Director. When asked why she decided to dedicate her career to Girl Scouts, Nicole said, “There are so many skills that are brought to Girl Scouting from all over the country and the world. I am very glad to have been a part of that since I was young. I was taught from the very beginning that girls who come through the Girl Scouts and through camps are the girls of the future. It is our job and duty to do our best at helping to build these girls into strong and bright young women – nothing could be better!”

Jane Twyman – Outdoor Program Specialist,
Director - Camp Winding River
With a Bachelors Degree in Therapeutic Recreation, Jane has been working in the Human Services industry for the past 23 years, the past eight of which have been for Girl Scouts. Her professional experience includes working with youth experiencing emotional challenges and in the criminal justice system to community based recreational facilities and geriatrics. Jane has her certification as a riding instructor from the Certified Horsemanship Association. When asked about her position at Winding River, Jane said, “‘Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the number of times it takes our breath away.’ [author unknown] Working with girls and horses at Winding River has provided me with many of these breath taking moments. I am definitely a lucky person.”