Camp Directors

Kelly & Erik Rossebo

Kelly Rossebo has been directing Camp Eagle Ridge for the past 33 years! Kelly holds degrees in Organizational Communications and Child Development and has also taught middle and high school English, speech and communication. Kelly is an American Red Cross Lifeguard Instructor, lifeguard, certified sailing instructor and certified archery instructor.

As part of the American Camp Association, Kelly has taught the Basic Camp Director Course for the A.C.A. and has sat on the Board of the American Camp Association – Wisconsin Section and served as the Public Relations chair. Kelly has also served as the spokesperson for the American Camp Association in Wisconsin. Kelly has appeared on Oprah, Steve Harvey and the Today Show! Kelly has also authored a book, “Lessons In Leadership” and several magazine articles on summer camp and summer camp staff and leadership training.

In 2025, Kelly was the recipient of the Wisconsin Acorn Award, the highest honor given by the American Camp Association, Wisconsin. The Acorn Award recognizes outstanding character and a long history of dedication and service to the camping community.

Erik Rossebo serves as our Site and Facilities Director. Erik is constantly looking for ways to improve our program and our site. Erik is a certified lifeguard and certified food service manager. He also teaches rock climbing, pickleball, fishing, and facilitates our river trips.

In 2018, Erik and Kelly built our new Dining Hall/Lodge! The new 5,000 square foot building has an amazing view overlooking the lake, a 50 foot deck, and cathedral ceilings in the dining room. In 2021/22, Erik & Kelly built a new cabin that houses our youngest girls during camp and is available for rental during the non-camp season! They also did a major upgrade to our shower house. In 2024, Erik resurfaced and repainted our courts and in 2025, he updated our amphitheater/campfire area!

Erik and Kelly are the proud parents of four children between the ages of 25-33.

Erik and Kelly Rossebo

Our Staff

Kenzie McKowen

Kenzie McKowen is ecstatic to be returning for her 19th summer at camp!

Kenzie attended Camp Eagle Ridge as a camper, Counselor in Training, and a Junior Counselor. This is Kenzie’s 8th year on staff.

She is originally from New Berlin, Wisconsin, and graduated from Gettysburg College in Pennsylvania with degrees in Psychology and Spanish. Kenzie now teaches high school Spanish in Milwaukee.

At camp, Kenzie loves to do anything and everything on the water! She also loves teaching outdoor living skills and yoga. Her favorite nights are Talent and Skit nights, but nothing tops cooking over the fire on the overnight tent trips! She looks forward to making many more friends (and, of course, friendship bracelets) this summer!

Nick Baar is delighted to be returning for 2025 as our Assistant Director and Junior Counselor Director!

This will be Nick’s 16th summer at camp and 7th on staff. Nick is from Hinsdale, Illinois, and went to college at American University in Washington D.C. where he studied political science and psychology. He is currently a math teacher at a public charter school in Washington D.C.

During college, Nick was President of his college’s club ultimate frisbee team (a sport he first learned at camp!) and a member of the school’s ambassadors program which works to help students transition into college life from high school.

At camp, Nick’s favorite activities include sailing, canoeing, ultimate frisbee and biking. He can’t wait for another great summer of meeting and getting to know all the amazing people!

Ash Colvin is pumped to be back at camp this summer – as she has been for 20+ years!

Ash has been a camper, Counselor, CIT Director, and Mental Health Coach at camp over the last couple of decades. This year, she returns as part of the Health Care team.

Outside of camp, Ash works as a coach/trainer at a local gym and as a Virtual Assistant for small businesses. She loves supporting people, both in the moment and behind-the-scenes. Hiking, rock climbing, and listening to live music with her family are some of her favorite hobbies.

At camp, Ash loves campfires, Outdoor Living Skills, theme nights, star gazing, and all the moments in-between activities that create connection and magic!

Emily Bilot

Emily Bilot is so excited to be returning for her 7th summer at camp. Emily was at Camp Eagle Ridge as a camper, CIT and JC. After a short (20+ year) break, she is now returning for her second summer as Health Manager.

When she’s not at camp, Emily is raising her 3 kids- ages 9, 6, and 3. Emily works as an RN at a Level 1 Emergency Department Trauma Center in Milwaukee, and is PTA president at her kids’ school. She loves the beach, backyard fires and crossword puzzles.

As a camper, Emily’s favorite activities were the overnight tent trips, mountain biking, OLS and canoeing.

Emily knows the amazing impact camp can have on a child’s life. She’s seen the skills and lessons she learned at camp as a kid show up all throughout her life. She’s excited and grateful to keep making that camp magic for the next generation.

Oliver Hayes is absolutely ecstatic to return to Camp Eagle Ridge this summer for his 4th year on staff! Ollie is currently living in a small town called Kenilworth, England. He has just graduated from the University of Sheffield with a degree in Psychology! He loves academia and has taken a gap year to explore his postgraduate degree options. During his gap year he is also hoping to travel, spending time in early 2026 exploring Eastern Europe & New Zealand.

 

Ollie is an avid movie buff, and a big board and video game fan. He also likes to spend his free time in nature as much as possible, going on frequent hikes, and walking trails in the countryside. At Camp Eagle Ridge, you’ll find Ollie obsessed with Archery, Biking, and all the hiking trips. In becoming a lifeguard this past summer he has also developed a love for the lake and everything on it, with the Brule river trip being one of his favourite memories in 2025. His favrite night at camp is always the Overnight Tent Trip, and he especially loves any excuse to cook burritos over the fire.

He cannot wait to be at camp next summer, to see all the friendly faces he’s met over the past 3 years, and hopefully make many new friends as well!

Zoe Adelstein

Norah Doyle

Danny Risko

Danny Risko is thrilled to be returning to camp in 2025 for his fourth year! After spending two years as a camper and one as a CIT, Danny is excited to return to Eagle Ridge.

Hailing from Apex, North Carolina, Danny recently finished his college applications, where he plans to study Biological Sciences. In high school, he was a member of the National Honor Society and frequently volunteered, primarily serving children and adults with cognitive disabilities. Although Danny didn’t play on any sports teams, he’s an avid sports fan, especially passionate about basketball and football.

At camp, Danny’s favorite activities include soccer, football, basketball, and capture the flag, and his top night is always the overnight tent trip. He’s ecstatic to return, meet new people, and make more memories!

Sadie Pierzchalski

Sadie is so excited to be returning for her 9th year at camp and 1st year on staff!

Sadie is from Greendale, Wisconsin and attends Greendale High School, where she participates in Varsity Cheer and Varsity Soccer. In 2024, Sadie’s Varisty Cheer team won UCA Nationals for the first time in the Game Day Live category.

Sadie will be attending The University of South Dakota in the fall of 2025, where she will be studying nursing.

Sadie’s favorite camp activity’s include sailing, gaga ball, kayaking, archery, and soccer! Her favorite night of all is obviously Capture the Flag! Sadie is looking forward to another fun filled summer at camp!

Liam Keating

Liam Keating will be travelling from Christchurch, New Zealand to start his journey at Camp Eagle Ridge! Being from New Zealand, you can find Liam spending much of his spare time in the outdoors. Liam loves exploring and outdoor activities such as Soccer, Tennis, Hiking, Kayaking and Surfing.

When Liam returns to New Zealand from America, he plans to complete the long distance trail called ‘The Te Araroa’ which spans the length of New Zealand. Once he’s completed that, he plans to then attend the University of Canterbury in his home town and study either Engineering or Psychology.

Liam is very excited to travel across the world to embark upon a new adventure and is very excited to be one of Camp Eagle Ridge’s new counselors!

Payton Sobacki

Payton Sobacki is so excited to return to camp for her 6th summer and 1st on staff! She has spent her last two summers in the Counselor In Training and Junior Counselor program.

Originally from Vernon Hills, Illinois, Payton attends Vernon Hills high school. She plays varsity lacrosse, and spends her free time participating on her schools student council exec board and mental health awareness clubs. Next Fall, Payton plans to study public health on a pre-law track.

At camp, Payton loves being on the lake! She enjoys swimming , paddle boarding, and most of all, sailing. When she’s not on the lake, Payton likes biking and the overnight tent trip.

Payton can’t wait for another exciting summer and she can’t wait to be a part of the team!

Tom Watts

Tom Watts is beyond excited to be a part of Camp Eagle Ridge for the first time this summer as a Camp Counselor! Tom is from a small town in Hampshire, all the way from England. Tom is completing a two year course studying Outdoor Adventure at Sparsholt College.
Tom can be found participating in all sports with his friends and family, He has also done a lot of traveling all over the world; however, one of his favorite things to do is to have a movie marathon.
Some of Tom’s favorite sports are: soccer, basketball, kayaking, white water rafting, and canoe polo. He hopes to play and teach all of these sports to his campers. Tom says he “cannot wait for an adventurous summer at Camp Eagle Ridge!”
Olive Merrill

Olive is thrilled to be returning to Camp Eagle Ridgefor her 6th year at camp and 2nd year on staff!

Originally from Oak Park, Illinois, Olive is currently living in Burlington, Vermont, where she is in her first year of studying studio art and psychology at the University of Vermont.

Olive is an avid artist, spending most of her free time in her sketchbook or at a pottery wheel. She has exhibited her work in the Museum of Contemporary Art in Chicago and the Bridgeport Art Center. She also enjoys bouldering, figure skating, and exploring the beautiful outdoors!

Olive’s favorite activities at camp include: arts and crafts, yoga, kayaking, and the rock climbing trips. Olive is super excited for another amazing summer and to make more wonderful memories!

Owen Jenkinson

Owen Jenkinson is very excited to be returning for his 3rd summer on staff! He is from a small village called Mawdesley in England, though he is currently doing a working holiday in Queenstown, New Zealand. Owen is excited to be starting a Finance degree at the University of Nottingham in the September of 2026. 
 
Prior to his time in New Zealand, Owen enjoyed an exciting year of travelling, having visited places such as Hong Kong, Macau and Australia. He also enjoys many sports such as football (soccer), skiing and swimming. 
 
Inside of camp, Owen’s favourite activities include capture the flag, football (soccer), pickleball and of course, the overnight tent trip! He is thrilled to return for another fun packed summer at Camp Eagle Ridge!
Lexi Krumdick

Lexi KrumdickLexi KrumdickLexi Krumdick is thrilled to be back for her 7th summer at camp and her first summer on staff.  Lexi spent the past two summers as a Counselor in Training and Junior Counselor.

Originally from Lisle, Illinois, Lexi plans to study finance next Fall. Outside of school, she loves spending time in her community as President of her high school’s Best Buddies chapter, President of the Junior Board for a local food pantry, and co-founder of her school’s positivity club.

She also enjoys hiking and playing lacrosse with friends. At camp, Lexi’s favorite activities include arts and crafts, fire building, dance, and the overnight tent trip. Lexi can’t wait for another summer filled with new friendships and unforgettable memories!

Fynley Bouck

Fynley is so excited to be back at CER for her sixth summer, and her first season on staff! She has spent her last two summers in the CIT/JC Program.

Hailing from Kohler, WI, Fynley is currently a senior at Kohler High School where she is Communications Officer of her school’s Key Club, as well as Social Media Coordinator of a nonprofit called Girls Reaching Out. She also enjoys singing, and participates in two a capella groups as a soloist and choreographer. In addition, she is a musical theatre enthusiast, and participates in shows at her school and in local theaters in her community. 

This fall, Fynley plans to attend Miami University (Ohio), studying Marketing with a minor in Musical Theatre.

At camp, Fynley’s favorite activities include: arts & crafts, paddleboarding, kayaking, improv, and the overnight tent trip!

Fynley is so excited for another summer at Camp Eagle Ridge, and is looking forward to meeting new people and having another summer she’ll never forget!

At Camp Eagle Ridge, we take pride in selecting and training an amazing staff! Many of our staff have been a part of Camp Eagle Ridge for 10 years or longer! We believe that it is the staff that works with your child that matter most.