Every summer we honor selected outstanding campers and staff. These awards are voted on by the summer staff and celebrated in the Log Book. Featured below are the award recipients from Summer 2021:

**Rookie of The Year – Taisia Kalinina, a first-year staff member**

**Appreciation – Natalie Kreutz, a staff member or volunteer**

**Dedication – Angie Gornik, The highest honor given to a staff member or volunteer**

Independence Day Grommets – Hannah Nagorski, Meg Dyke (Staff); Nora Brenner (Camper)
One outstanding Camper & Counselor given the grommets from our flag retirement ceremony

July Torches – Londyn Wallace and Sophie Fonte
Two campers (one from units & one from cabins) that light the final campfire of Session 4

August Lights – Faith: Fiona Bratton, Hope: Elaine (Ellie) Anderson, Love: Eliza Harris
Three campers (one from cabins, one from young units, and one from older units) that light the wishing boats for the ceremony

Dedicator – Alyssa Divozzo
A Last-Year-Camper (LYC) who writes the staff award pages in the log book. The highest award you can earn as a camper

Volunteer Awards

Program – Clara Priest
A volunteer who assists with Camp programs. Clara is originally from White Cloud, MI, and worked as a Day Camp Counselor and Waterfront Director at Camp Newaygo. After getting married and relocating back to Newaygo County, Clara volunteered weekly at camp driving wilderness trips, running errands, and helping camp with day-to-day tasks.

Facility- Jim Merkel
With a handy truck Jim took on the task of weekly cardboard pickups to help Camp Newaygo continue its commitment to recycling. He is a regular at volunteer days, holiday decorating events, and facility opening & closing seasonal tasks. He is a Newaygo County resident, and he and his wife Sandy enjoy coming out to Camp Newaygo for year-round events.

Admin- Kristin Paulson
For the past five summers, Kristin has spent a week at Camp Newaygo, volunteering as a Registered Nurse. As an emergency room nurse with two kids (both Camp Newaygo campers) she is calm under pressure, and a huge asset to assist the health office. During her volunteerism she also drives for wilderness trips, helps with daily tasks, and completes store runs.

Congratulations to these fantastic recipients for their achievement. The beautiful tradition of these awards is one of the pieces that makes Camp Newaygo such a special place.