– Our Staff –
Summer 2022 Camp Staff
Michael Barger (Assistant Camp Director)
How old are you? 40
Where are you from? Little Rock
What have you been doing this past year?
Teaching high school math and waiting for camp to start again!
What are your plans after this summer?
Back to high school math and hoping for snow days.
What brought you back to work at Lake Nixon for another summer?
What this camp offers our community.
What’s something unique about you?
I love collecting rare houseplants!
Cindy Moody (Food Service Coordinator)
How old are you? 48
Where are you from? Aberdeen, Maryland
What have you been doing this past year?
Working at Chenal Elementary
What are your plans after this summer?
Working at Chenal Elementary 🤣
Atmosphere
what is your favorite thing in the world?
Family, especially my grandkids
Katie Knutter (Camp Administrator)
How old are you? 34
Where are you from? Healdton, OK originally, Little Rock currently
What have you been doing this past year?
I’ve been working on dual Masters degrees in social work and public service.
What are your plans after this summer?
I’m finishing my final year of my masters programs.
I loved the beautiful location. It inspiring to have an outdoor camp experience available so close to the city.
what is your favorite thing in the world?
I love naps.
Emma Lackey (Support Staff)
How old are you? 18
Where are you from? Sherwood
What have you been doing this past year?
Completing my senior year of high school
What are your plans after this summer?
Attend Arkansas State University
There is such a cool dynamic when working at a summer camp, I couldn’t resist having fun all day every day
What is your favorite thing in the world?
One of my favorite things in the world is reading
Glenna Ratcliff (Support Staff)
How old are you? 19
Where are you from? Little Rock
What have you been doing this past year?
I was a freshman at Ouachita Baptist this year, and so adopted a kitten!
What are your plans after this summer?
I’m going back to OBU this fall, where I’m studying to become a speech pathologist.
I decided to work here this summer because I remember loving being a camper at Lake Nixon when I was a kid! I wanted to provide kids now with the experiences that I had and still remember very fondly!
What is your favorite thing in the world?
My favorite thing in the world is spending time with my kitten, Ty. I adopted him at the end of April, and he always brightens up my day!
Sam Williamson (Head Counselor)
How old are you? 25
Where are you from? Little Rock
What have you been doing this past year?
Substitute teaching in schools, writing, playing loads of music, and now working at Lake Nixon! Most importantly, I got married 3 months ago!
What are your plans after this summer?
Still figuring that out! But working!
What brought you back to work at Lake Nixon for another summer?
The community here. There never fails to be an amazing staff! Not only the staff, the campers are amazing too. They have such a sense of adventure, humor, and excitement that is contagious.
What’s something unique about you?
Something unique about me is I naturally have a white eyebrow.
Alivia Allen (Counselor)
How old are you? 20
Where are you from? Little Rock, Arkansas
What have you been doing this past year?
Going to college
What are your plans after this summer?
Return to school
What brought you back to work at Lake Nixon for another summer?
The kids and the staff
What is your favorite thing in the world?
My favorite thing in the world is music. I love listening to music, drumming out beats, and spontaneously singing songs
Alex Swindle (Counselor)
How old are you? 19
Where are you from? Little Rock
What have you been doing this past year?
Attending the University of Arkansas
What are your plans after this summer?
Continue my education in accounting and Spanish
What brought you back to work at Lake Nixon for another summer?
The outdoor environment and the potential to make positive impacts in the lives of others
What’s something unique about you?
My favorite thing in the world is to jam out in the car with my friends during a road trip
Danica Yates – (Upper Camp Counselor)
How old are you? 26
Where are you from? Little Rock
What have you been doing this past year?
Working on my Bachelors Degree at UALR for Elementary Education
What are your plans after this summer?
A cruise to the Bahamas with my husband, son, an extended family
If you’re coming back to work at LN, what brought you back?
This is my first year, but I’m loving it!
What made you decide to work at camp?
Getting the opportunity to work with kids in a fun and exciting environment
What’s something unique about you?
I‘m a mom to a 2 year old and bonus mom to a teenager. They are my favorite things in the world!
Kidist Brown (Counselor)
How old are you? 20
Where are you from? Arkansas
What have you been doing this past year?
My second year of college
What are your plans after this summer?
Continuing college
What brought you back to work at Lake Nixon for another summer?
The kids and other workers
What’s something unique about you?
I was born in another country
Daniel Ledbetter (Counselor – Upper Camp)
How old are you? 33
Where are you from? Conway
What have you been doing this past year?
Teaching middle school
What are your plans after this summer?
Continue teaching
What brought you back to work at Lake Nixon for another summer?
The fun and the experience of working with middle schoolers towards my teaching experience
What’s something unique about you?
I have a twin sister
Shelby Tripcony (Counselor)
How old are you? 20
Where are you from? Little Rock
What have you been doing this past year?
Attending Ouachita Baptist University
What are your plans after this summer?
I will continue attending Ouachita Baptist University with a degree in theatre/speech education
If this is your first year, what made you decide to work at camp?
I went to Lake Nixon when I was little, and I have always enjoyed working with kids! It’s why I feel called to teach!
What’s something unique about you?
Something unique about me is that I live on a lake!
Ana Grace Gustafson (Counselor)
How old are you? 21
Where are you from? Arkansas
What have you been doing this past year?
I have been on a volunteer mission trip in Slovakia!
What are your plans after this summer?
I will be attending school in Provo Utah!
If this is your first year, what made you decide to work at camp?
The kids! I love working with kids.
What’s something unique about you?
I have a big family of 8 and I love them so much!
Garrett Tripcony (Counselor)
How old are you? 18
Where are you from? Little Rock, Arkansas
What have you been doing this past year?
Finishing up high school
What are your plans after this summer?
Going off to college at U of A
If this is your first year, what made you decide to work at camp?
It seemed like a lot of fun. It’s also super close to my house.
what is your favorite thing in the world?
My favorite thing in the world is accomplishing something I’ve worked really hard for.
Gracie Swindle (Counselor)
How old are you? 19
Where are you from? Little Rock
What have you been doing this past year?
I have been up at the University of Arkansas studying Spanish and Anthropology
What are your plans after this summer?
I am premed so I will be continuing working towards my goals and building myself
If this is your first year, what made you decide to work at camp?
I heard so many glowing recommendations, especially from my twin who worked here last summer. After thinking about it and talking with several of my now coworkers I decided to apply and have loved it ever since
what is your favorite thing in the world?
My new puppy!
Gillian Henneberry (Counselor)
How old are you? 21
Where are you from? Benton, Arkansas
What have you been doing this past year?
I study psychology at Hendrix College
What are your plans after this summer?
I will be moving into my Senior year of classes
What brought you back to work at Lake Nixon for another summer?
The staff culture is very important to me. Some weeks our staff nights gave me the reassurance and energy to feel my best at camp
What’s something unique about you?
I was a military brat! My mom was in the Air Force, so I got to spend my youth making friends in different states and countries. I loved going on field trips to the German Christmas markets when I was in third grade, and I think it inspired me to pick 2nd-3rd grade as my age group.
Bret Hall (Counselor)
How old are you? 19
Where are you from? Little Rock
What have you been doing this past year?
Attending college at Arkansas State University
What are your plans after this summer?
Pursue a career in physical therapy at Arkansas State University
If this is your first year, what made you decide to work at camp?
Friends that worked here during previous summers recommended the job to me and said it was a great experience.
What is your favorite thing in the world?
My favorite thing in the world is music. Life would not be the same without it.
Nick Greenwood (Counselor)
How old are you? 20
Where are you from? Little Rock, but I spent a few years in Northeast Arkansas
What have you been doing this past year?
I was nannying two girls up in Maryland
What are your plans after this summer?
Continuing to nanny most likely, if not do some sub work at elementary schools
If this is your first year, what made you decide to work at camp?
There was always an open line of communication if there were any problems, and I really enjoyed the pace of the job!If you’re coming back to work at LN, what brought you back?
What is your favorite thing in the world?
My favorite thing in the world is music. I grew up going on night drives with my dad and we would talk about music for hours. I play multiple instruments because of my love for it.
Ryan Jones (Counselor)
How old are you? 21
Where are you from? Little Rock
What have you been doing this past year?
I have been finishing my junior year at Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, Arizona.
What are your plans after this summer?
I will be heading back out to Phoenix to finish my degree in sports management at GCU.
What brought you back to work at Lake Nixon for another summer?
Getting to know so many awesome kids and also work in such a fun-filled environment is so rewarding and really hard to find.
What is your favorite thing in the world?
My favorite thing in the world is spending time with my family and friends.
Courtney Lane (Counselor)
How old are you? 19
Where are you from? Cabot, Arkansas
What have you been doing this past year?
Pursuing a Journalism degree at the University of Kansas and teaching dance classes.
What are your plans after this summer?
Continue with my degree, hopefully study abroad in Italy or Greece next spring and intern at a Newspaper/website.
If this is your first year, what made you decide to work at camp?
The staff seemed nice and inclusive and was the only Summer Camp I found to not be a pure church camp. I really wanted this summer to be about outdoors, teaching, and being with cool people and that’s exactly what Nixon offered!
What’s something unique about you?
My favorite thing in the world would probably be music and dance… Of course those two things go well together but I’ve been a dancer for 16 years and I love every minute of it. Music is more accessible most of the time and just being able to find a song that validates all the unnamed feelings that exist or to know you’re not alone, or just having a good song to vibe to is the best feeling in the world. I’m a huge music person especially physical music most of the time you’ll find me listening to my vinyls or shopping for vinyls!
Parker Monk (Counselor)
How old are you? 19
Where are you from? Little Rock, Arkansas
What have you been doing this past year?
I’ve been studying business at Ouachita Baptist University
What are your plans after this summer?
I’m going to the beach and continuing my studies at Ouachita Baptist University
If this is your first year, what made you decide to work at camp?
I always enjoyed going to camp as a kid. Being a leader for young kids and teaching them valuable skills is something I have always wanted to do.
What is your favorite thing in the world?
My favorite thing in the world is going to the lake to enjoy a variety of water activities, ride in a boat, and hang out with my friends in a neat settings.
Chloe Hoffman (Counselor)
How old are you? 19
Where are you from? Cabot, Arkansas
What have you been doing this past year?
Studying clinical laboratory sciences at Arkansas State University
What are your plans after this summer?
Going back to school
If this is your first year, what made you decide to work at camp?
I wanted to have a fun summer and one of my friends said she had a lot of fun working here and she recommended it for me.
What’s something unique about you?
I’m half British
Madison Aldy (Counselor)
How old are you? 22
Where are you from? Little Rock, Arkansas
What have you been doing this past year?
I received my undergraduate degree in public relations from University of Central Arkansas
What are your plans after this summer?
Start work as a sales developer at Apptegy
What brought you back to work at Lake Nixon for another summer?
The campers! they make this job so worth it!
What is your favorite thing in the world?
My favorite thing/person in the whole world is my sister! She is my best friend and is always there for me and if you know me you know I will never love anything more than her!
Celina Mize (Head Lifeguard)
How old are you? 25
Where are you from? Conway, Arkansas
What have you been doing this past year?
I am a 7th grade middle school math teacher.
What are your plans after this summer?
Go back to my teaching job. In May I will be traveling to Napa and San Francisco, CA for the first time ever.
I love working with kids. I also really enjoy lifeguarding. It’s a stressful job but it’s also rewarding to know that the kids are safe while they are having fun. I like to provide kids with as many opportunities to have fun and have time to just be a kid.
What’s something unique about you?
One thing unique about me is that I am learning to become fluent in American Sign Language.
Will Green (Lifeguard)
How old are you? 18
Where are you from? Little Rock, Arkansas
What have you been doing this past year?
Attending Ouachita Baptist University
What are your plans after this summer?
Start my sophomore year at OBU
If this is your first year, what made you decide to work at camp?
It is a fun place with an atmosphere geared towards changing the lives of the campers.
What’s something unique about you?
I am left handed and skipped a grade of high school.
Maddie Ragan (Support Staff/Lifeguard)
How old are you? 24
Where are you from? Little Rock, Arkansas
What have you been doing this past year?
Writing scripts for future films
What are your plans after this summer?
I will be attending/teaching at The University of North Carolina Wilmington getting my MFA in Film Directing
If this is your first year, what made you decide to work at camp?
I wanted to be outside and Lake Nixon seemed like such a stellar place!
What is your favorite thing in the world?
My most favorite thing in the entire world is making movies
Cody Pallen (Lifeguard)
How old are you? 19
Where are you from? Little Rock, Arkansas
What have you been doing this past year?
College at Ouachita Baptist
What are your plans after this summer?
Work as a lifegaurd and make music and work on my thesis.
The people and the beautiful location
What is your favorite thing in the world?
my favorite thing in the world is to make music!
Cade Burk (Lifeguard)
How old are you? 18
Where are you from? Little Rock, Arkansas
What have you been doing this past year?
Graduating high school and working
What are your plans after this summer?
Going to college and working on my degree for criminal justice
The kids
What is your favorite thing in the world?
My favorite thing in the world is swimming
Victoria Chan (Lifeguard)
How old are you? 19
Where are you from? Little Rock, Arkansas
What have you been doing this past year?
Studying for biology major at asu Jonesboro
What are your plans after this summer?
Go back to school and move into my apartment
A great summer and love for all the kids
What is your favorite thing in the world?
My favorite thing in the world is the ability and freedom to travel
Patricia Haislop (Lifeguard)
How old are you? 19
Where are you from? Little Rock, Arkansas
What have you been doing this past year?
I have been studying at the University of Arkansas to get a degree in biology to later become a dentist
What are your plans after this summer?
Go back to school and finish my sophomore year of college
I absolutely enjoy the environment and they people I work with. I also am so happy to work with these kids and see old and new faces!! For me, Lake Nixon is a place that I can call home and am just so comfortable being there.
What’s something unique about you?
Something unique about me is I am bilingual in Spanish and I go to Spain every summer to spend time with family because my mom is from Spain
Zoe Rhodes (Lifeguard)
How old are you? 18
Where are you from? Little Rock, Arkansas
What have you been doing this past year?
I just finished up my senior year of high school and graduated!
What are your plans after this summer?
Move to Idaho and start college at Brigham Young University- Idaho!
The friendships and connections I made with staff and campers!
what is your favorite thing in the world?
My favorite thing in the world is music!
