2024 Summer Staff
2023 Summer Staff
2022 Summer Staff
2021 Summer Staff
2019 Summer Staff
Meet Our Leadership Team
Brad Cripe -Executive Director
Hometown: Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Lived and worked in 3 states and 4 different countries!- Degree or experience:
Bachelors in Recreation Management-Emphasis on Children and Adult programs
22 years in the industry - Favorite past experience working with young people:
Over the course of 20+ years I have found that each year is its own experience with laughter, smiles, and learning opportunities. When you see the sparkle in a camper’s eye because they discovered something new about themselves or nature–I feel accomplished knowing that I helped provide the opportunity that allowed such a discovery. - What you like about working for LGFAA:
The Campers!! The staff!! The culture that we have created of being an inclusive, understanding program that is able to help all of our participants no matter where they are in life. I appreciate the autonomy to be able to do what is RIGHT for our campers and staff. This models the attitude that we want our campers to adhere to throughout the entire agency. - Future Plans:
My plans for the future include growing the LGFAA! Id like to be able to serve more amazing kids, while having programs and a facility that our campers can be proud of. Keep watching… there are big things to come. - Random facts:
I love Rock Climbing, Hiking, Camping, and having adventures! Hobbies also include building cars and Starwars. When I was a counselor my Camp name was “TOAD” and I still have Toad decorations all over my office!
Cierrae Caver-Chouhan – Camp Director / Associate Executive LGFAA
- Hometown: Chicago,IL | Downers Grove,IL
- Degree or experience: Bachelors in Recreation Parks and Tourism Administration | Emphasis – Youth Development | Minor – Nonprofit Management. Master’s in Applied Anthropology – Youth and Community Development
- Favorite past experience working with young people: I find it difficult to answer this question because working with youth brings countless sunshine moments! However, to name a few, it’s amazing to witness a camper conquer a fear in just a 6-day Camp Session, see the growth of a camper over the years and become an ELITE teen, or witness the bonds created amongst all the campers and staff at the end of each session. These moments warm my heart, knowing that I had an impact on these young people and helped them to have an experience that they will remember for a lifetime.
- What you like about working for LGFAA: Where do I begin, and most importantly, what’s not to like? Have you met our summer staff, full-time team and most importantly OUR CAMPERS? Being on the LGFAA team is not only fun but also rewarding work, and our mission is something I am proud to say I’m a part of. Also, I love working for a camp community that values diversity, inclusivity, and growth (educational, mental and personal). LGFAA’s work culture provides opportunities for everyone to feel empowered to share their unique perspectives and ideas. When you love what you do, it doesn’t even feel like work – and I can definitely say that’s true for me at Holiday Home Camp!
- Future Plans:
- Random fact: While I played Rugby during all four years of my Undergrad. During my time completing my master’s degree in London, I had the opportunity to play in a competitive Women’s Basketball League that hosted players from various countries. It was an amazing experience to build connections and friendships with women from all corners of the world who were ambitious and driven. It was loads of fun!
Adriana Miranda – HHC Community Outreach / Registrar
Hometown: Woodstock, Illinois- Degree or experience: I graduated from Western Illinois University with a Bachelors in Social Work and minored in Spanish. I was blessed with a life-changing experience in my junior year of undergrad and started as a camp counselor. It was hard for me to stay away from HHC after an AMAZING summer and I returned the following two summers as the Waterfront Director. After graduation, I continued to work with the ELITE Teen Program and I’m now a part of HHC full time! As I said, IT’S HARD TO STAY AWAY!!
- Favorite past experience working with young people: I loved being the head “Mermaid” (Waterfront Director) as we call our lifeguards at HHC. Being able to assist campers to conquer fears of the lake, teaching them how to swim, to joining them on their first ever boat ride. Seeing those gigantic smiles and hearing their laughs really brought tears to my eyes and are memories engraved in my heart.
- What you like about working for LGFAA: I really enjoy working with children. I am a huge fan of our mission. I love that I am surrounded by hardworking individuals who want to make a difference. Some of the most AMAZING souls I have ever met!
- Future Plans: I want to continue to assist with everything I can to change the life of our campers and ELITES. I want to help as many children as possible. I plan on networking and continuing to grow in my new role. In my personal life, I plan on furthering my education and traveling the world.
- Random facts: On my free time, I love to go out on hikes and love to go swimming as well as laying out and tanning as much as possible. I love competitive sports and play in a soccer league for self-care. I love being able to spend time with my loved ones and I’m a huge fan of anything TIE-DYE!
Mark Feldman – O.W.L.S. Director – Associate Director LGFAA
-
Hometown: Buffalo Grove, Illinois - Degree or experience: I have a Bachelors in Outdoor Recreation Leadership and Management from George Williams College of Aurora University. I have had 7 years in the industry. I am also a certified Challenge Course Manager as well as a Red Cross Life Guard.
-
Favorite past experience working with young people: I absolutely LOVE seeing people do something for their first time. Whether it is learning to throw a ball, getting to ride a boat, catch a fish, or fly down the zipline. The look on their face and the feeling of joy that they have is infectious and facilitates the same reaction in myself.
-
What you like about working for LGFAA: Creating connections with people from all walks of life is incredible. Interacting with staff, participants, donors, volunteers, and community members keep things exciting and fun. When I go home at the end of the day and ask myself “Did you have fun today?” 99 out of 100 days the answer is “YES.”
-
Future Plans: I am hard at work improving my leadership and management skills so I can set my self up to become a well rounded executive director in the future.
-
Random fact: I am a rabid fisherman! In the past I spent 4 years working at Bass Pro Shops as the de facto Master-Guru of Marine Electronics. If you need anything fishing or boating related I am the man to go to!
Gary “Big Dog” Cwidak -Keeper of the Flame & Guest Appearance Facilitator
- Hometown: South Bend, Indiana
- Degree or experience:
Undergraduate Degree Indiana University – BA in Psychology
Graduate Degree: University of Wisconsin Whitewater – MS in Counselor Education - Favorite past experience working with young people:
Working with ten 8th grade boys who had every difficult label the school could put on them. We co-created an amazing, heartfelt experience that left the school counselor and me in tears of joy by the end. - What you like about working for OWLS:
Professional staff, high quality programming, and diverse clientele. - Future Plans (post-OWLS):
What? Big Dog leave OWLS? Shame on you! ½ way there semi-retired - Random fact:
The nickname “Big Dog” not only reflects my nature, but after a day of bicycling, I really smell like a big dog.
2019 Facilitators
2018 Facilitators
OWLS Staff ACCT Certifications
Mark Feldman Level II Challenge Course Manager (CCM)
Big Dog Level II; Challenge Course Manager (CCM)
Deb Fritz Level II; Challenge Course Manager (CCM)
