Our Primary Focus Is On Excellence In Instruction
A successful camping season depends on the counselor staff. Nakanawa recruits young women who enjoy camping, have a skill to teach, like the out-of-doors, and, most importantly, give of themselves to the girls. Nakanawa is selective, and the counselors are carefully chosen after formal application and a personal interview. They have successfully completed at least one year of college, and many are college graduates.
The counselor serves, first, as a cabin counselor and, second, as an activity instructor. In Junior camp a counselor will have approximately six girls in a cabin; in Senior camp, approximately eight. Helping girls to live harmoniously as a unified cabin group is the counselor’s first and most important responsibility.
Head Counselors
Cindy Alexander DuBose (TR’86) will be returning for her sixth summer as the Head Counselor for Junior Camp. This year, she will be joining us for both the two-week and the four-week sessions! Cindy has been a counselor and a camper at Camp Nakanawa since the 1980′s. Cindy coached tennis for 15 years and is the Academic Dean for Social Studies at Johnson High School in San Antonio, Texas. Cindy’s fantastic experiences and memories from camp have inspired her to bring fun, friendship, and love of camping to the young ladies of Nakanawa. She is organized, well-prepared, and always ready to listen to campers and counselors. Cindy is likely to be in the middle of fun, whether leading a hike or a late-night prank (following camp rules of course). Cindy and her husband David live in San Antonio, Texas with their dogs, “Buster” and “Lulu.”
Senior Camp is kept in order and runs smoothly under the amazing leadership and guidance of Head of Senior Camp, Maegan Henry. Maegan has been able to provide campers and counselors a positive and supportive environment through which she strives to help everyone accomplish their personal best, meet their goals, and create an engaging community that encourages teamwork and promotes self confidence. Maegan’s sense of humor, enthusiasm, and organizational skills contribute to campers and counselors successful and amazing experiences each summer. When she is not at Camp, Maegan is a PhD candidate at Carson Newman, teaches at Sullivan East High School, and is a Track & Field coach for King University.
Counselors
Margaret has worn many hats at Camp Nakanawa including camper, counselor, TR Mama, Office Assistant, and more! In addition to her many roles at Camp, Margaret enjoys teaching canoeing and swimming, and can usually be found down by the docks encouraging campers in Waterfront activities. Campers and counselors enjoy the positive energy, support, and enthusiasm that Margaret brings to Camp each summer!
Pringle was a former camper from 2007-2014, and has been on the Nakanawa Counselor Staff for many years. Pringle is known for her outstanding organizational skills, and ability to help campers and counselors problem solve and figure out effective solutions. Pringle spends most of her time on the docks in Senior teaching diving and canoeing. When Pringle is not at Camp she is a Kindergarten teacher in Mississippi.
Mary is part of Junior Camp’s backbone. A former camper, TR2001, and an experienced counselor, Mary can be found wherever a helping hand, hug, or positive attitude is needed. Canoeing, Milk Break, and the Office are all part of Mary’s regular routine, but campers and counselors also get the joy of seeing Mary as she goes from activity to activity, getting smiling photos of campers, and offering encouragement and support to everyone!
While Britney was never a camper at Nakanawa, she is a much loved and important part of the Junior Camp’s counselor staff. Britney has been a key contributor to Camp Nakanawa’s Operetta’s over the last several years, assisting with choreography, production management, and teaching campers theatrical techniques. Britney enjoys teaching campers a love for acting and music, and also learning from the campers ways to improve her role as a teacher. She is looking forward to another summer at Camp!
Anna has been a part of the Nakanawa team both as a camper, TR 2020??, and an enthusiastic and talented counselor. Anna has been a part of the Nature staff, riding staff, and tennis staff during her counselor years at Camp, and enjoys working with campers to accomplish their goals and have a positive Camp experience. When she is not at Camp, Anna is studying at Nicholls State University to become a teacher.
Mary is excited to be back at camp after taking a summer off after her TR year in 2022. Mary has lots of Camp Nakanawa experience as a camper, and is looking forward to working with all my old friends and meeting new campers and counselors this year. Mary is a talented tennis player, and wants to share her talent and passion for tennis with others. When she is not at Camp, Mary attends Vanderbilt University where she is studying psychology. One of her favorite memories at Camp was planning the TR dance with the 2022 TR Mamas. She stated that it was great to see the counselors jump in to dance and that they made the whole summer smooth and fun.
Lake joined the Nakanawa counselor staff in 2023, and was an instant hit with campers and counselors. She comes from Covington, Louisiana where she studies at LSU and is earning her degree in Architecture. Lake fell in love with Nakanawa, the campers and counselors, the encouraging environment, and the fun traditions. Lake is very excited to return to Nakanawa for another summer, and teach swimming and be on the waterfront again. Lake’s positive energy, willingness to help in any area, and enthusiasm for campers and their success makes her a Camp Counselor favorite and successful team player.
Tiny is a Legend of Camp Nakanawa. She is a former camper, has been a parent and a grandmother to campers, and is a beloved ER (Ever Returning) counselor. Songs have been written about Tiny’s contributions to Nakanawa, as she provides leadership, love, and makes sure all of the Junior campers shower daily. Tiny’s musical talents are reflected by campers and counselors correctly singing Camp songs, and by the near Broadway level productions of Nakanwa’s annual Operetta. Sitting at Tiny’s table in the Dining Hall, a camper is sure to gain confidence in themselves along with incredible etiquette and manners!
There are few roles at Camp Nakanawa that BJ has not filled! A legendary counselor, BJ has been an active part of the Nakanawa experience for countless camp sessions. BJ has been running the Waterfront in Senior, teaching lifeguard certification to brave individuals, keeping both campers and counselors in line, and providing necessary encouragement, feedback, and insight to help Camp run smoothly and efficiently since 1979. BJ has brought class and style to the Nakanawa waterfront with her antics, brings a sense of fun to the Dining Hall aides with Dance parties, and has been a source of inspiration and leadership to all at Camp. But don’t underestimate her sense of humor, BJ also falls into the Nakanawa Prankster Club!