Sky - Day Camp Director
I’m from Portland, Oregon. I received my Bachelors and Masters from the University of Oregon in Elementary Education, with a minor in Special Education. This will be my fifth time participating in the Camp Adventure program. I was a counselor in Wiesbaden, Germany in 2003, directed in Stavanger, Norway in 2004, interned this fall in Baumholder, Germany and this winter/spring in Vicenza, Italy. I have also worked in numerous childcare / camp programs outside the Camp Adventure program. I will be applying to teach for the JET or DOD’s program this fall. I enjoy traveling, being outdoors, listening to music and love sushi. I’m very exited to have yet another successful summer working for you in Tokyo.
Heather - Day Camp Counselor
I grew up on my family's ranch in Eastern Oregon. I love the outdoors and all sports. I am a senior at Oregon State University but I won't be graduating this year because I have tacked on another major. My majors are Human Development & Family Science as well as Education. I was minoring in Spanish but I decided to drop it because I'm going to move to South America after I graduate. I love working with children especially in the Camp Adventure atmosphere. I've coached for several years and this is my third summer doing camp. I've done camp in Korea, Germany, and Hawaii (spring break). I love traveling, experiencing new cultures, and meeting new people... I'm always up for a bit of adventure. I'm a very outgoing person and I love to have fun! I'm looking forward to meeting all of you and working with your children this summer!!!
Christa - Day Camp Counselor
Hi, my name is Christa Lentz and I am currently a junior at the University of Iowa majoring in History and Art History. This is my second year with Camp Adventure, last summer I went to Naples Italy. I love being near the water and I can't seem to stay away, I've taught swim lessons for the past seven years and lifeguarded for the past five. In my spare time I love to read, swim, explore, travel and be outdoors. I look forward to getting to know everyone and having a wonderful summer!
Sean - Day Camp Counselor
Hello! My name is Sean Waxman and I am a senior at the University of Toledo with a major in International Relations. I have previously done camps in Italy 2003, Germany 2004, and was here at the Tokyo American Embassy last summer. Outside of Camp Adventure, I have worked with children at a private school in Toledo. My interests include teaching people new things, swimming, learning languages, and having fun! I work with the purpose and pride in improving the lives of others.
Gbenga - Day Camp Counselor
Hi! My name is Gbenga Aleru and I currently living in Long Beach, California, working on my Bachelors degree in Sociology from the University of San Diego. I’ve been working with children for a while now, and I feel it’s the most rewarding occupation for anyone wanting to make a lasting impact on a child’s life. I started off working at the YMCA in Sacramento, California as a Youth Sports Leader, then I moved to Long beach and now I volunteer at a program called Power 4 Youth; an after school program for “at risk” teens.
Traveling is my passion. I’ve traveled all over the world and I don’t plan on stopping. I eat, sleep, and dream soccer, I snowboard, love sushi, lift twice a day and love music. I’m real excited about this summer and can’t wait to experience the Japanese culture and meet a lot of amazing people!
Lauren - Aquatics Director
Hi, my name is Lauren Mendel and I am the director of aquatics here at the U.S. Embassy. I will be teaching American Red Cross swim lessons this summer with Taylor Schaa. This is my first Camp Adventure summer and I am really excited provide an excellent swimming program. I am from the University of Northern Iowa and have worked as a lifeguard for the past year. I am also on the university swim team, and strongly believe that each child should know the basics of swimming and survival skills around water. I look forward to working with each child, and learning from them many cultural facts that I would never get to experience in the United States. I hope to get to know everyone and I wish everyone a great summer!
Taylor - Aquatics Couselor
Hello everyone! My name is Taylor Schaa and I am part of the two person Aquatics staff for this summer’s Camp Adventure program here at the U.S. Embassy. This is my first Camp Adventure experience and I can’t wait to get started! I just finished my first year at the University of Northern Iowa where I am majoring in Communications/ Public Relations with emphasis’ in Non-Profit Administration and Global Health Corps. I love to swim and be around the pool, so I am looking forward to teaching private lessons this summer. I believe learning to swim is a must-have life skill, and so I will take my lessons very serious while making them fun! I have lifeguarded and taught lessons for three years at home as well as being involved in a variety of activities! I look forward to working with your children and having a great summer!
