Meet the 2026 Staff

Dottie Myers-Hill- Camp Director — Hello, I’m Dottie your camp Director. Super excited to work with this amazing staff team to lead your campers through an excellent 76th season at VBYC. We are ready to make this summer great!

Hannah Powless- Assistant Director — Hello everyone! My name is Hannah, and I am so excited to embark on my 10th summer on staff! Camp is seriously the highlight of my year. When I'm not at camp, I work at Western Michigan University and spend my free time reading and writing children's literature. I am eager to dive back into nature and make memories with you all this summer. See you soon!

Julia Spiegel- Office Manager — Hi! My name is Julia and I'm excited to be back for a second year as Office Manager. Camp has been my favorite place in the world since my first summer as a Great Bear. I'm currently a Nursing student at Western Michigan University. When I'm not at camp or class, you can find me working on puzzles, learning new hobbies, or translating Latin manuscripts.

Madelin Lapp, OST- Grant Coordinator —

Hollie Powless- Head Counselor/Nature Instructor — Hello everyone! My name is Hollie and I am so excited to be back at VBYC for my 5th year on staff! When not at camp, I can be found hiking and digging holes, as I am an archaeologist. In my free time, I am an avid crafter and enjoyer of a good book and a cup of tea. I can’t wait to make new memories with you this summer!

Niki Makin- Initiative Low Ropes — Hi I'm Niki! I'm from Australia and this will be my 3rd year at VBYC! I love painting, reading, cooking, and traveling. I am so excited to be coming back and making new memories this year!

Emmie Kolosowsky- Song and Dance — Hi! My name is Emmie and I am from Southwest Michigan. I study Music Education at Western Michigan University. I love to sing and create music. I am so excited to be your Song and Dance instructor this summer!

Eric McKewin- Waterfront — My name is Eric and I’m super excited to be back on the Waterfront for my third summer as a Staff member! I’ve been coming to VBYC since I was 9 and feel so lucky to get to work here now as an adult, helping make the “camp magic” that was so special to me as a kid. I just graduated from Oberlin College, so this summer is my one last hurrah before entering the so-called “real world”—let’s make it count!!

Abi Wilma- Waterfront — Hi! 😊 My name is Abi and I’m from Bolivia! I’m currently working on my final project to complete my degree in Production Engineering at UPB. I’m the kind of person who can’t stay still or quiet for too long, so I love staying active and trying new things! Some of my favorite activities include CrossFit, crochet, cooking (my brother is a chef, so I’ve learned a lot!), swimming, running, taking photos, and driving. I’m so excited to meet everyone and make amazing memories together this summer!

Jeannie Zhang- Waterfront — Hello everyone. My name is Zhang Keying. In Chinese, my name carries the meaning of being lovely and crystal-clear like a jade. I come from Heze, Shandong Province, known as the hometown of peonies in China. I am currently a senior in college. I enjoy swimming, mountain climbing and running. Sports have been helping me become a better version of myself. I also love trying new things. I am really looking forward to having a wonderful and unforgettable summer vacation with all of you.

Facundo Aviles Malbran- Waterfront — I’m from La Falda, Córdoba, in the interior of Argentina. I really enjoy nature, going for walks while listening to music, and hiking. I’m physically active and love being outdoors, especially when it’s raining-I’ve always felt a special connection with water. I’m a sociable and friendly person, and I enjoy meeting new people and sharing good moments.

Isabel Durkin- Yonder Way — Hello! My name is Isabel, and I’m thrilled to return to this year’s Yonder Way Program! Camp has been a huge part of my life, I’ve grown from camper to counselor, and I’m thrilled to be back on the staff for this summer. We have some amazing and unique plans for Yonder Way this summer, and I can’t wait to meet everyone, make memories, and be part of the adventure! Outside of camp, I love to swim, read, spend time with friends and family, and listen to music. Looking forward to seeing everybody soon!!

Dallas Ray- Yonder Way — My name is Dallas, I’m from Melbourne Australia and this summer will be my 3rd. My first summer I was in the waterfront and last year I was at Yonder Way, where you’ll see me this summer too. I’m really excited to see friends and meet new people.

Max Sedlak- Yonder Way — Hello! My name is Max and this will be my first year as staff but my 6th year at camp overall! I'm from South Haven, MI and I'm going to Northern University this fall for art and design! I love hiking, drawing, and swimming!

Geneva Webber- Arts and Crafts — Hello everyone! My name is Geneva, I am a 10-year former camper and I am beyond stoked for my first time on Staff this summer. I grew up in Michigan but am a recent graduate of the University of Pittsburgh, where I studied journalism, political science, and gender. I love to meet new people, read and write, cook vegetarian, pet cats (and other friendly animals), bike, swim, and otherwise relish in nature. I am so excited to be refreshed on old camp traditions as well as to learn new ones. Find me around for some cards, reading and chat! I can't wait to make memories with you all.

LG Little-Garner- Archery — Hello! I'm LG, and I will be the archery instructor this year! This will be my first year on staff, following 5 years of counseling. I am going to Grand Valley State University for Special Education. I aim to be a very loud and bright person, doing my best to channel my energy into others. You can often find me reading, painting, and admiring aspects of nature, mainly little critter friends.

Jathan Rasnake- Riflery — Hi! I’m Jathan, I’m from Rockford MI and I’m so excited to be here at camp this summer. Even though this is my first year on staff, I’ve been a part of camp for about 8 years! I’m studying psychology at Wayne State University. In my free time, I love to hike, take photos, teach, listen to music, collect CDs and do all sorts of other fun stuff!

Kit Swaneck- Drama — My name is Kit! This will be my second summer on staff and my 8th summer at VBYC. I'm currently studying to be an elementary school teacher. In my free time, I love to participate in my university's theater club, crochet, and I've been learning how to play the guitar! Excited for another awesome summer!

Mako Swanson- Social Media Coordinator — Hello! I'm Mako, and my pronouns are they/them. I'm currently a Music Production major online at Full Sail University, and I'm glad to be. My love for learning how things work brought me back to being a student! You'll often find me doing something creative, including but not limited to painting, drawing, crocheting, and writing. I'm so excited to be returning to camp staff after a few years of personal growth.

Helena Gutiérrez Olvera- Kitchen — Hi, I’m Helena from Mexico. Right now In studying Marketing. I love to do gymnastics, to cook, listen to music, be around my friends and family, meet new people, travel around the world and meet new people. I’m a very adventurous person and energetic. I love to make connections. I’m very grateful and happy to be part of this amazing experience!

Victor Armijo- Kitchen — Hello everybody! My name is Victor and I am excited to be a part of Van Buren Youth Camp for their 75th anniversary! I am an avid hiker and swimmer and like to read in my free time.

Zahir Aydogdiyev (Z)- Kitchen — I’m from Elkhart, Indiana (about 20 minutes east of Notre Dame). I go to Northern Michigan University where I study environmental science. I love all things nature and music. I like hiking, gardening, playing music, listening to music, and I dabble a little bit in photography.

Anni Cole- Kitchen — Hi! My name is Anni and this is my second time working at VBYC. Outside of work, my hobbies mostly consist of reading, art, listening to music (or playing it on my flute!), and hanging out with friends. I have gone to camp since I was a little kid and am excited to spend more time here!

Bryan Kocian- Kitchen/Social Media — Hello, my name is Bryan, This is my first year on staff and I am going to NMU after this summer, and I love to cook, especially Indian and Mexican food. I also love nature and whimsy and fun!!!