CAMP NAME:   Alfalfa

COWABUNGA EXPERIENCE:  Eight-year camper.  Second-year counselor.

Where are you originally from and how long have you lived on the Treasure Coast?

I was born in Charlottesville, Virginia and lived there for just over a year. I then lived in Fort Myers, Florida for about 2 years before finally coming to the Treasure Coast where I have been for about 12 years.

Do you have brothers and/or sisters?

I have one younger sister.

What are the reasons you are working at Cowabunga Surf Camp and what are your goals for this summer?

I am working at surf camp because I love both surfing and working with kids. This camp gives me the opportunity to do both! My main goal at the camp is to make sure all the kids enjoy the week and love surfing by the time its over.

In what other jobs or service activities have you worked with children?

My favorite activity with children was being a Cowabunga counselor last year. I enjoyed spending time with the kids, and that is one of the reasons I want to be counselor again. In addition, I also have volunteered for sports and arts camps at my school.

What is your favorite subject of study and why?

My favorite subject to study in school is history. I find it very interesting how the world came to be. It’s also very cool to see how even minor instances changed the world in both good and bad ways.

What do you plan to do after you graduate or, if graduated, what are you doing now?  What are your plans or dreams for the future?

After graduating from high school, I want to further my studies in business. I hope to major in either business management or marketing.

What is your favorite thing about living in Florida and/or the Treasure Coast?

My favorite thing about living in Florida is the coastal atmosphere. I love living so close to the beach and the water and being able to spend time outside. Living near the water allows me to go fishing or go to the beach almost anytime I would like to. It also makes outdoor activities such as paddle boarding, biking, or walking year-‘round possible. Overall, there is a tropical feeling throughout the Treasure Coast that is calm and relaxing.

What are your hobbies or favorite activities?

I enjoy many outdoor activities such as kayaking, paddle boarding, surfing, biking, and running. I also play tennis on the team for my school. Additionally, I am a member of my school’s band.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

In my spare time I like to do things outside like biking and going to the beach. I also enjoy boating and fishing, especially in the Florida Keys.  I do like to read as well.

Tell us about your favorite water sports!

I love surfing and while I haven’t taken any special surf trips, I think that would be great one day. I actually began surfing at Cowabunga when I was a camper and have enjoyed it ever since.  I’m excited to share that passion with campers this summer. I also enjoy paddle boarding and snorkeling, both of which I love doing in the Florida Keys as well as other places throughout Florida such as on the Rainbow River.

What are your favorite team sports?

I enjoy playing tennis as well as watching most major sports games. I’m a Heat, Dolphins, and Gators fan. Its  especially great going to Dolphins games with my dad each year!

Do you have any pets?  If so, tell us about them!

I have two dogs and two cats. My dogs names are Luna and Teddy. Luna is an 11-year-old Great Dane and Teddy is a 4-year-old Shitzu. We have lots of fun going out for runs and going to the beach as well.  I also have two cats:  a young black cat named Wednesday and an older white cat named Wahoo.

What are your favorite foods / snacks / candies?

Pizza, salt and vinegar potato chips, and Smarties top my list!

What is your favorite restaurant and what do you like to order there?

My favorite restaurant is the Brick Oven Pizza Company in Palm City. The atmosphere is great — and the food is especially great!  I particularly like their pepperoni pizza and fried ravioli.

What is the best vacation or trip you have taken and why?

The best vacation I have ever gone on was a trip to Alaska a long time ago with a lot of my extended family. Alaska has beautiful landscapes and its very cool to see a new place so far and different from here.

Tell us anything else of interest!

While I was born in Virginia, I have lived in Florida for the majority of my life. I love the tropical atmosphere and year ‘round warm weather. One of my favorite things is to go to sporting events, especially football games. My favorite team is the Miami Dolphins and its great to attend their games whenever I can!

CAMP NAME: Baja

COWABUNGA EXPERIENCE: Three-year camper. First-year counselor.

Where are you originally from and how long have you lived on the Treasure Coast?

I was born in Wellington, Florida but moved to Vero Beach when I was just a year old. I have lived here, in Vero, for the past 14 years.

Do you have brothers and/or sisters?

I have 5 siblings: two brothers and three sisters, all who are younger than I am.

What are the reasons you are working at Cowabunga Surf Camp and what are your goals for this summer?

I was a camper at Cowabunga for 3 years and enjoyed the experience tremendously. I learned so many new things such as surfing, skim boarding, and paddle boarding. The environment was so welcoming and friendly. I’ve never had to be nervous showing up on my first day of camp because a counselor was always there to start friendly conversation.

My goals as a counselor are to help campers enjoy the same experience at camp that I had and to learn how to surf and have fun! I think it is important for kids to stay active and have fun while in the water all at the same time.

In what other jobs or service activities have you worked with children?

I have helped out in many theatrical settings teaching younger kids how to sing or dance. I have also helped them learn to play the piano.

What is your favorite subject of study and why?

My favorite subject in school is StageCraft. I love building sets and working behind the scenes in theatre productions. I enjoy it so much that I think its a class I could never give up on. Besides, the theatrical environment is super open and friendly.

What do you plan to do after you graduate or, if graduated, what are you doing now? What are your plans or dreams for the future?

I plan on going to college to become an ultra sound technician. It seems like a fun job where I would be able to work around the topic of babies, something that has always peaked my interest.

What is your favorite thing about living in Florida and/or the Treasure Coast?

I love living in Florida, because of the amazing environment. The beaches are beautiful and always full of people. There always seems to be friendly crowds wherever you go.

What are your hobbies or favorite activities?

I am secretary of the International Key Club at my school. It helps bring people together and to help them stay involved in the community.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

In my free time I usually swim in my pool and relax in our backyard.

Tell us about your favorite water sports!

I’ve learned how to surf from going to Cowabunga Camp and since have enjoyed going out in the water to continue surfing in my free time.

What are your favorite team sports?

I find both football and volleyball very exciting to watch.

What are your favorite foods / snacks / candies?

I love pasta! Baked ziti is probably my favorite. And strawberry Mentos is my favorite candy.

What is your favorite restaurant and what do you like to order there?

My favorite restaurant is Waldo’s located right on the beach in Vero. They have amazing homemade food that is to die for.

What is the best vacation or trip you have taken and why?

One of my best vacations was a trip to Orlando with a friend. We stayed in a hotel just walking distance from Sea World where we went on all the rides and then kept a record of how many new things we tried, how many times we rode each ride, and how many shows we saw. It was so much fun that we went back again several times!

Tell us anything else of interest!

I’ve learned so much during the years I attended Cowabunga. it’s probably the most favorite camp I’ve ever gone to. Now, to be a counselor here is like a dream come true.

CAMP NAME:  Big Z

COWABUNGA EXPERIENCE:  Five-year camper.  First-year counselor.

Where are you originally from and how long have you lived on the Treasure Coast?

I was born in Palm Beach Florida but only lived there for about 2 months before moving up to Jensen Beach.  From the time I was 2 months old to now, I have been enjoying my time on the beautiful Treasure Coast.

Do you have brothers and/or sisters?

I have one brother. He is 20 years old and is attending the University Of Florida. There, he is studying computer science.

What are the reasons you are working at Cowabunga Surf Camp and what are your goals for this summer?

Growing up on the Treasure Coast, I have learned to love the water in every aspect. So as a counselor I want to help the campers share that same awesome passion that I have. By doing this I hope to make every camper feel like they are having the best day ever no matter what!

In what other jobs or service activities have you worked with children?

For the past 5 years I worked at Ohana Surf Camp where I learned valuable skills and important lessons. Last year, I helped lead the camp and was in charge of a majority of the aspects.  I actually won Counselor of the Year two times!

What is your favorite subject of study and why?

My favorite subject in school has to be science. I’ve always enjoyed science because I learn things that I use in my everyday life. Reading and social studies aren’t my favorite subjects, but I still enjoy those as well.

What do you plan to do after you graduate or, if graduated, what are you doing now?  What are your plans or dreams for the future?

After I graduate in the spring of 2024, I plan on attending either the University of Hawaii, Florida State University, or Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.  At college, I plan to study and major in meteorology, which will lead to a future in broadcasting or field meteorology. (The weatherman you see on TV)

What is your favorite thing about living in Florida and/or the Treasure Coast?

My favorite thing about living on the Treasure Coast is the accessibility to water. Whether it’s going to the beach to surf, skimboard, or boogie-board or going to the riverside to paddle board, go on the boat, or fish, there is always something to do on the water.

What are your hobbies or favorite activities?

My favorite hobbies are anything that has to do with the water, but especially surfing. I focus most of my free time on surfing, building my skills so I can become the best surfer in the world!!!

What do you like to do in your spare time?

In my spare time, I usually go skateboarding. I really like the feeling of gliding across the pavement. And, it helps improve my surfing a ton!

Tell us about your favorite water sports!

I surf, skim, boogie-board, paddle board, free dive, and much more but surfing is my main focus. I learned how to surf about 10 years ago at Cowabunga Surf Camp and have been hooked ever since! I’ve taken many awesome surf trips all across the globe to destinations including Hawaii, California, Puerto Rico, Costa Rica, and many others. What I particularly like about surfing is how relaxed I get when I’m in the water.

What are your favorite team sports?

My favorite team sport is either football or soccer. I’ve never played football but I love to watch it and talk about  it with friends and family. I grew up playing soccer, but stopped playing a couple years ago to focus more on surfing. My favorite football team is the Miami Dolphins and favorite soccer team is FC Barcelona.

Do you have any pets?  If so, tell us about them!

Currently, I have a 7-year-old dog named Duke. My family and I rescued him from Big Dog Ranch Rescue and love him. He is a complete mutt, meaning a mixture of a ton of dog breeds. I love to spend lots of time with him, and especially love to take him on long walks on the beach, and sometimes even take him surfing!!!

What are your favorite foods / snacks / candies?

My favorite food has to be a good steak and lobster. But when it comes to candy, Snickers is by far the best. It has the perfect blend of caramel and chocolate.

What is your favorite restaurant and what do you like to order there?

My favorite restaurant is Millers Ale House in Jensen Beach. It is close to my house and they have amazing food! My favorite there is the Zingers Mountain Melt.

What is the best vacation or trip you have taken and why?

The best vacation I ever went on was a two-week trip to Costa Rica last summer. A couple of buddies and I flew down and stayed at a world-famous surf break called Pavones, surfing it everyday. I learned so much about surfing, traveling, and Costa Rican culture.

Tell us anything else of interest!

Something cool about me is that I’m a pretty successful competitive surfer. I’m currently ranked #1 in South Florida for both Jr. Men’s Longboard and Open Longboard. Plus, I have accumulated multiple sponsors including Ohana Surf Shop, Ital Bowls, Stoke Surfboards, Sand Cloud towels, Howler Bros, and Freestyle Watches.

CAMP NAME:   Bones

COWABUNGA EXPERIENCE:  Nine-year camper.  First-year counselor.

Where are you originally from and how long have you lived on the Treasure Coast?

I was born in Florida and I have lived on the Treasure Coast my whole life.

Do you have brothers and/or sisters?

I have two brothers, one older (19 years old) and one younger (12 years old).

What are the reasons you are working at Cowabunga Surf Camp and what are your goals for this summer?

I am working at Cowabunga Surf Camp to help kids have an amazing summer experience, enjoying the beach every day.  I look forward to being able to teach kids to surf and hopefully build a passion for the sport.

In what other jobs or service activities have you worked with children?

I volunteered at my school for a special Halloween event where we helped out the teachers and made special snacks and played zombie tag with the kids.

What is your favorite subject of study and why?

My favorite subject of study in school is TV production because it allows you to express your creativity and be able to see your work first hand. As well, it allows you to have fun coming up with different shots and angles,  editing them into your own personal movie.

What do you plan to do after you graduate or, if graduated, what are you doing now?  What are your plans or dreams for the future?

I plan on going to the University of Florida to pursue my dreams of becoming a cosmetic dentist to help people feel good about their smile and build their confidence.

What is your favorite thing about living in Florida and/or the Treasure Coast?

My favorite thing about living in Florida and on the Treasure Coast is being able to just go to the beach without any planning.  Also, it is great always having the sunshine and overall tropical feeling you get when just driving around.

What are your hobbies or favorite activities?

My hobbies are playing lacrosse and skateboarding. I have been playing lacrosse for 10 years now, learning new things every practice and enjoying practice with friends. I have been skateboarding my entire life following in my dads footsteps since he used to skateboard when he was a kid. We built a half pipe in my back yard to further our interest in skateboarding.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

In my free time during the Spring, I spend most of my time at practice five days a week but I also help my dad out at work if needed or go to the gym with my friends any time I can!

Tell us about your favorite water sports!

I started surfing when I was little with my dad pushing me on small waves.  Then I started coming to Cowabunga when I was old enough to go to camp. I enjoyed it so much that I would go every year for a few weeks of the summer!   I learned more about the sport at camp and kept going surfing with friends, especially when I got to old to go to camp.

What are your favorite team sports?

My favorite team sport is lacrosse because I understand the game more then any other sport and can relate to it.  I also like to watch it because I learn information and skills that the higher level players use in their style of play.

Do you have any pets?  If so, tell us about them!

I have two dogs. One is a 165-pound Great Dane named Tux! And the other is a small and fluffy SheepaDoodle named Finley. My favorite thing to do with them is ride a longboard around the block and let them run beside me.

What are your favorite foods / snacks / candies?

My favorite food is steak and rice and my favorite snack is a big bowl of strawberries and raspberries.  My favorite candy is Air Head Extreme Bites because of how sour they are.

What is your favorite restaurant and what do you like to order there?

My favorite restaurant is Tiki 52 in Jupiter Fl because they have live music and it is a fun environment. It’s always a good time there whether you are with family or friends and the food is amazing. My favorite thing to order is the mahi-mahi because it tastes so fresh every time and is especially good with their mango salsa. 

What is the best vacation or trip you have taken and why?

The best vacation I have ever taken was to Costa Rica in 2017.  We stayed in a house on top of a hill over looking the beach and went cliff jumping and zip lining. We also went white water rafting and it was awesome!

Tell us anything else of interest!

A funny story about me was a few years ago when we were tubing in the Florida Keys behind the boat going 60 mph. It was so fast that the tube started flying in the air!  We went up at least 15 feet and came down to get smacked onto the water.  It was both scary and fun!

CAMP NAME:  Buster

COWABUNGA EXPERIENCE:  One-year camper.  First-year counselor.

Where are you originally from and how long have you lived on the Treasure Coast?

I was born in Stuart, FL and have lived here my entire life.

Do you have brothers and/or sisters?

I have one younger step brother.

What are the reasons you are working at Cowabunga Surf Camp and what are your goals for this summer?

I remember how much fun I had when I went to Cowabunga Camp, so I want to be a counselor and be able to help the kids have as much fun as I did.

In what other jobs or service activities have you worked with children?

Every year I volunteer as a counselor for MCHS’s cheerleading kiddie camp. I work with kids from ages 4 to 12 and teach them cheers, chants, and dances. At the end, every age group performs a routine they were taught in front of the other campers and their parents.

What is your favorite subject of study and why?

My favorite subject is Math.

What do you plan to do after you graduate or, if graduated, what are you doing now?  What are your plans or dreams for the future?

When I am older, I want to become an orthodontist so I can help make people be more confident about their smiles.

What is your favorite thing about living in Florida and/or the Treasure Coast?

I love living in Florida because we are so close to the water. On the weekends, I love to surf, e-foil/hydrofoil, and wakeboard.  I also enjoy spending time with my friends at the sand bar and beach.

What are your hobbies or favorite activities?

My hobbies are aerial silks and painting. I have been painting for as long as I can remember and have been doing aerial silks (what some Cirque de Soleil performers do) for about 4 years now.  One of my most favorite performances was at the Hard Rock.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

I spend time practicing and improving my surfing, e-foiling, tumbling for cheer, aerial silks, and painting.

Tell us about your favorite water sports!

I started skim boarding at age 12 and I like to surf with my friends on the weekends.

Do you have any pets?  If so, tell us about them!

I have a BernieDoodle named Aspen who is 3 years old, a Yorkie-Poo who is 6 years old, and a hairless dwarf Sphynx kitten. My favorite thing to do with Aspen is throw a ball for her at the sand bar.

What are your favorite foods / snacks / candies?

My favorite snacks are warm cookies, brownies, and Cocoa Pebbles and my favorite foods are steak and waffles (but not together!).

What is your favorite restaurant and what do you like to order there?

My favorite restaurant is The Gafford because they easily have the best fried chicken in town!

What is the best vacation or trip you have taken and why?

The best vacation I have been on was a big family ski trip this year to Breckenridge, Colorado. It was my first time hiking to a major bowl and then dropping in off of a cornice.

Tell us anything else of interest!

I’m currently learning how to kite board so when the wind is too strong for surfing I can kite instead.

CAMP NAME:   Doodles

COWABUNGA EXPERIENCE:  Second-year counselor.

Where are you originally from and how long have you lived on the Treasure Coast?

I was born in Kansas but moved to Florida when I was age 12.  I’ve lived on the Treasure Coast for the past for 10 years.

Do you have brothers and/or sisters?

I have one younger brother and an older sister.

What are the reasons you are working at Cowabunga Surf Camp and what are your goals for this summer?

I love working with kids! I think they’re amazing and to be able to work with them at a beach is just a dream.

In what other jobs or service activities have you worked with children?

I’ve volunteered at several VBS and Winshape camps, and also was a church intern working exclusively with the youth and children’s ministries.

What is your favorite subject of study and why?

I’m an English major and a French minor! I really enjoy understanding other languages and I want to learn as many as I can.

What do you plan to do after you graduate or, if graduated, what are you doing now?  What are your plans or dreams for the future?

I would love to go into editing and publication.  With that, I hope to move and work abroad for a bit, preferably somewhere in Europe.

What is your favorite thing about living in Florida and/or the Treasure Coast?

I love being near the beach. My favorite thing is to go on drives on the Island, no matter the weather. I think it’s absolutely beautiful here and the beach is a place where it’s easy to just exist.

What are your hobbies or favorite activities?

One of my biggest hobbies is photography and it’s probably my biggest passion. I also enjoy writing, especially poetry. I find that the two activities go very much hand-in-hand.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

I love to go out with a camera and just take photos. I also enjoy going to beach with friends to watch the sun rise. When I have the time, I also go snorkeling as much as I can.

Tell us about your favorite water sports!

I actually first tried surfing as a Cowabunga counselor!  I loved it and thought it was so much fun. For the most part, I paddle board but recently have been getting back into surfing more and more.

What are your favorite team sports?

My favorite sports are baseball and soccer, though recently I’ve had more interest in hockey. My favorite team is the KC Royals.

Do you have any pets?  If so, tell us about them!

I have two dogs! Their names are King and Lulu.  King is a King Charles Cavalier and Lulu is a Shitzu.  They both enjoy long walks but King also loves to go swimming in our pool.

What are your favorite foods / snacks / candies?

Quesadillas and tacos are my favorites for sure!

What is your favorite restaurant and what do you like to order there?

My favorite restaurant is Taco Shack in Downtown Stuart where I order the tacos with fried plantains.

What is the best vacation or trip you have taken and why?

Recently I took a trip to Arizona and Utah with my family and it was so much fun! I took a ton of photos!

Tell us anything else of interest!

This May, I am traveling to Greece on a missions trip and this Fall, I will begin studying abroad in Scotland!

CAMP NAME:   Fozzie

COWABUNGA EXPERIENCE:  Seven-year camper.  First-year counselor.

Where are you originally from and how long have you lived on the Treasure Coast?

I was born in Ft. Lauderdale and grew up in Delray Beach and Pembroke Pines, Florida.  I don’t actually live on the Treasure Coast but my grandmother lives on Hutchinson Island and I visit her quite often.  I’ll be staying on the Island this summer while I work camp.

Do you have brothers and/or sisters?

I have one sister two years younger than I am.

What are the reasons you are working at Cowabunga Surf Camp and what are your goals for this summer?

My goal is to help campers learn to surf and have the same great experiences I had as a Cowabunga camper for seven years.

What is your favorite subject of study and why?

My favorite subject is History because I like to learn from our past so we might have a brighter future.

What do you plan to do after you graduate or, if graduated, what are you doing now?  What are your plans or dreams for the future?

I want to be an imagineer at the Walt Disney Corporation. My dream is to help make dreams come true for people who wish very hard.

What is your favorite thing about living in Florida and/or the Treasure Coast?

My favorite thing about Florida is the people.  Florida has a mixture of people from all over the country and the world which makes us very unique.

What are your hobbies or favorite activities?

My hobby is drawing expansions to the Disney parks and resorts. I hope someday that I can bring these ideas to life.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

I like to draw on maps, changing the borders to see what the world would look like if the countries and geography looked different.

Tell us about your favorite water sports!

I started boogie boarding when I was 7 years old and still enjoy it to this day.

What are your favorite team sports?

My favorite team sport is football. I like to play in my free time and watch games on TV on special occasions. My favorite team is the Tampa Bay Buccaneers because their theme is pirates.

Do you have any pets?  If so, tell us about them!

I have one dog, a mini Golden Doodle named Roxy. My favorite thing is to throw the ball and to play with her.

What are your favorite foods / snacks / candies?

My favorite food is chicken tenders and my favorite candy is Hersheys.

What is your favorite restaurant and what do you like to order there?

My favorite restaurant is Shucker’s.  Being right on the beach, it has a great atmosphere and the food is really good as well. My favorite menu item is the chicken tenders, which I almost always order there.

What is the best vacation or trip you have taken and why?

The best vacation was a trip to Disney World with my entire family.  We visited all the Disney parks and had a great time.  It was lots of fun!

Tell us anything else of interest!

I redesigned several Disney park areas and completely redesigned Hollywood Studios.

CAMP NAME:   Iguana

COWABUNGA EXPERIENCE:  Three-year camper.  First-year counselor.

Where are you originally from and how long have you lived on the Treasure Coast?

I was born in Miami, Florida and lived there until I was 11 years old.  I have lived in Palm City for almost 5 years now.

Do you have brothers and/or sisters?

I have a younger brother, named Riley.  He is 12 years old, and he loves Cowabunga!

What are the reasons you are working at Cowabunga Surf Camp and what are your goals for this summer?

My goal is to continue the fun I have had as a camper at Camp Cowabunga. Now as a Counselor, I aim to help kids love each day of camp and have just as much fun as I did — and still do!

In what other jobs or service activities have you worked with children?

For the past 3 years, I have been a volunteer for the community kids’ events taking place in our development.  I also am happy to watch my brother anytime my parents need me to.

What is your favorite subject of study and why?

I love philosophy, a contemplative area, in which I can deeply think and hopefully apply those thoughts to my life in a positive way!

What do you plan to do after you graduate or, if graduated, what are you doing now?  What are your plans or dreams for the future?

I hope to eventually work as a criminal defense attorney.  And of course, skateboard and surf every other waking moment!

What is your favorite thing about living in Florida and/or the Treasure Coast?

I love the beach, specifically that time of the day when the blue of the sky and the blue of the sea meet seamlessly, forming an infinite blue tranquility.

What are your hobbies or favorite activities?

I enjoy reading, sailing, and skateboarding, no matter where I am!

What do you like to do in your spare time?

In my spare time, I surf, skate, and work on my family’s cars and other vehicles!

Tell us about your favorite water sports!

I started surfing right here at Camp Cowabunga, actually.  Even though I wish I was better at it, I love how much fun it is to paddle out with my friends and family!

What are your favorite team sports?

I enjoy playing basketball with my friends, even though I’m not very good at it. I love the teamwork that is incorporated into the game.  That makes it so much fun!

Do you have any pets?  If so, tell us about them!

I have a dog, Rene, who is 7 years old.  He is so chubby and small, yet he is so crazy and energetic, I love to play fetch with him and love him so much!

What are your favorite foods / snacks / candies?

My favorite foods are anything prepared by my amazing mother!

What is your favorite restaurant and what do you like to order there?

I love Chick-Fil-A! I love their waffle fries!

What is the best vacation or trip you have taken and why?

A few years ago, I went to Europe with my family.  We went to Rome, Versailles, Paris, and Normandy. We saw so many cool things but my favorite, I think, was the Colosseum!

Tell us anything else of interest!

I can’t wait to start working at Camp Cowabunga!

CAMP NAME:    Java

COWABUNGA EXPERIENCE:  First-year counselor.

Where are you originally from and how long have you lived on the Treasure Coast?

I was born in London, Kentucky and my family lived there for two years before we relocated in Bentonville, AR. My husband and I have been here on the Treasure Coast for 8 months.

Do you have brothers and/or sisters?

I come from a family with 4 kids! I have two older siblings (a brother than a sister) along with a younger sister. Out of the 4, I am third in line.

What are the reasons you are working at Cowabunga Surf Camp and what are your goals for this summer?

It has always been a dream of mine to be able to surf. Since moving to Florida, I have been able to work on achieving that dream! It’s been surreal to think about that coming true for me. The feeling alone of being in the water, popping up for a wave, and having people surrounding you with encouragement is something I want to share with others. Those things have made my learning experience unforgettable, along with making me believe in myself. It’s beyond a blessing to be out surfing. I’m hoping I can share that excitement with the campers who attend this summer.

In what other jobs or service activities have you worked with children?

One of my first jobs in high school was working at a Boys and Girls club. I was over the second grade class and was given the opportunity to coordinate activities both indoors and outside. I also grew up volunteering in the nursery at church with my mom. She was a nanny, so my sisters and I were always helping her out wherever she needed it. Something I was able to do more recently was work at a zip-line company for a summer working with both kids and adults. We would have groups come in for a full day of zip-lining and it was my job as an instructor to safely hook them up, teach them how to zip across, and encourage them whenever they felt scared. Even though it was only for a summer, that was by far one of the most rewarding and fun jobs I’ve had. Being able to be part of people conquering their fears is one of the best feelings out there.

What is your favorite subject of study and why?

I studied music in college and it was by far my favorite part of experiencing college. Specifically the songwriting and collaboration that was required under my degree was the best.

What do you plan to do after you graduate or, if graduated, what are you doing now?  What are your plans or dreams for the future?

Since graduating I have dreamt of doing many things. Something I am working towards currently is becoming an Elopement and Destination Wedding Photographer. It has been a dream of mine for years, and I am ready to chase after it.

What is your favorite thing about living in Florida and/or the Treasure Coast?

The beach is by far my favorite thing about living in Florida. There is a sense of calm and peacefulness being there. Even when it is storming, I still feel awe and calm there. I’m not sure how to totally explain it. Another reason it is my favorite is having the ability to surf! I still feel so shocked and blessed being able to be in a place where I can see a bucket list dream come true. After growing up in Arkansas and being landlocked, living by the beach is just surreal. There is so much for me to learn about the ocean! I’m so excited to be here so I can continue to learn about it up front and personally.

What are your hobbies or favorite activities?

One of my hobbies is creating functional ware pottery. I used to work at a pottery studio as a studio tech and it got me hooked on the craft. Being able to form something with your own hands and then use it within your everyday life is so special to me. Or giving it as a gift to a loved one is crazy! I love the feeling of creating something from scratch and pottery gives an endless amount of opportunity for that.

Something else that I love doing is rock climbing. I haven’t participated in it since moving to the Treasure Coast, but it is one of the most fun activities I’ve dived into. It feels like you are having to solve a puzzle, not just with your mind, but with your entire body. Being on the wall allows you to be entirely focused in the present moment. It turns off any distraction going on in your mind. I love the necessity to be fully attentive within this sport.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

I love getting outside with my dog, Conrad. He weighs 85-lbs so he needs a lot of play time. Finding a new trail is always our goal. Surfing is also finding a lot of my spare time these days, along with brainstorming ideas for photo shoots!

Tell us about your favorite water sports!

I started surfing this year at age 27. My husband and I enjoy going out with our friends who taught us! It’s fun being able to continue learning and just getting out there. We hope one day to take a surf trip once we are more advanced in the sport. We would love to go to Hawaii next year!

What are your favorite team sports?

I’m always rooting for whoever my friend or family member is rooting for! I haven’t always been a huge sports girl, but my family is from Louisiana and Texas so if the Saints, LSU, the Cowboys, or the Longhorns are on, I may lean towards those teams.

Do you have any pets?  If so, tell us about them!

I have a dog named Conrad who is a German/Australian Shepherd mix. Conrad loves anything outdoors! We enjoy going on hikes with him or playing with other dogs at the dog beach. He loves jumping into the waves and chasing after you, so going to the beach is our favorite place right now.

What are your favorite foods / snacks / candies?

Any Thai foods, tacos, or pizza is a win for me. I love snacking on pineapple or something salty and crunchy like chips. Right now, a current candy favorite is dark chocolate covered coconut almonds. They are SO good! Or anything sweet and sour.

What is your favorite restaurant and what do you like to order there?

My favorite place to eat in the area would have to be Noodle World in downtown Stuart. Their Panang Curry is the best! Thai food is some of my favorite and their menu has so many great options!

What is the best vacation or trip you have taken and why?

When I was 18, I visited the British Isles (England, Wales, Ireland and Scotland). It was one of the most memorable trips I’ve been on. I went with an organization called People to People. It is a student ambassador program and I had been nominated to attend because my older sister had gone on a trip with them before me. We did so many things, but some that stuck out to me were touring the Edinburgh Castle, riding The Eye in London, learning how to sword fight in England, repelling off of a castle in Wales, experiencing the Giant’s Causeway, and crossing the Carrick-A-Rede bridge in Ireland. Oh, and going to the dentist in Wales after breaking a braces bracket from eating a candy in London that was too sticky. This trip was one of the first big trips I did without my family and it was really a launching pad for my love to travel.

Tell us anything else of interest!

Something else about me is that I love to go hiking. While Florida has some amazing outdoor activities, big hiking isn’t quite one of them. Two years ago I went on a girls’ trip with three of my closest friends to Colorado. Our goal was to simply hike the entire time we were there. Our big goal though was to accomplish a “14er”. This means climbing a mountain that is at its highest elevation more than 14,000 feet. We found that the most recommended 14er for beginners is called Grey’s Peak. Something that makes this mountain so popular is that it sits right next to another 14er named Torrey’s Peak. Many experienced hikers will climb both in one day. Since this would have been our first time we decided to only climb Grey’s Peak. Our trip started with us being brought to the wrong trailhead, which added on additional mileage increasing the intensity that we were prepared for. Once we finally reached the top and saw Torrey’s Peak from Grey’s we felt confident about conquering another 14er. So we went for it. The downside to this decision was that we ended up having to re-hike Grey’s Peak since we were parked on the opposite side of the mountain. In total we hiked three 14ers in one day! That hike made me believe that I truly could do anything and it created a bond with my friends that I couldn’t have imagined. We also got up close and personal with some mountain goats! So, if you ever need a hiking buddy, I’m your girl.

CAMP NAME:   Jay

COWABUNGA EXPERIENCE:  Eight-year camper.  First-year counselor.

Where are you originally from and how long have you lived on the Treasure Coast?

I was born in West Palm beach but have lived in Palm City my entire life.

Do you have brothers and/or sisters?

I have a twin sister, P B. I am two minutes older than she is.

What are the reasons you are working at Cowabunga Surf Camp and what are your goals for this summer?

I was a camper at Cowabunga Surf Camp for years and have always wanted to be a counselor. It seemed like so much fun to play with the campers and talk to them. When I was a camper the counselors would always engage with me so I would have someone to talk to. Now I have the opportunity to do that as well.

In what other jobs or service activities have you worked with children?

I have worked with children at volunteering events involving Scouts. Recently some cub scouts have joined my troop and I have been teaching them first aid and how to tie knots.

What is your favorite subject of study and why?

My favorite subject in school is History. I especially loved learning about civics and the government system. We just finished learning about WWI and are moving in to the roaring 20s, which has been very interesting so far.

What do you plan to do after you graduate or, if graduated, what are you doing now?  What are your plans or dreams for the future?

After I graduate I want to go into business. Specifically, I would like to be a financial advisor who helps their clients invest and retire.

What is your favorite thing about living in Florida and/or the Treasure Coast?

I love the weather in Florida because I am able to do outdoor sports and go to the beach, usually without having to worry about the weather being too cold or snowy.

What are your hobbies or favorite activities?

I started playing flag football three years ago and now play in three different leagues. I also started running cross country this year to build endurance and run with my friends. I participate in Scouts and have an all girls troop. I am currently star rank and am working on life rank.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

When I have spare time I usually spend time on my phone or with friends. We throw the football around or watch a show on Netflix.

Tell us about your favorite water sports!

I started surfing, skim boarding, paddle boarding, and boogie boarding at Cowabunga Camp at age 6. Since then every summer, I go surfing and paddle boarding. Actually, I can’t skimboard at all but I’m still trying!

What are your favorite team sports?

I don’t watch a lot of sports but I do sometimes watch soccer. My favorite teams are Portugal and France. I was very upset when France lost against Argentina. Messi is good but Ronaldo is the best.

Do you have any pets?  If so, tell us about them!

I have a cat and a dog. My cat is a Black and White and will follow you around everywhere. My dog is a miniature Golden Doodle and is the cutest thing ever.  Her name is Ruby.  Actually, I am more of a cat person, so the cat usually hangs out in my room and chills. Ruby loves to go on walks, but does not like to play fetch. She will just sit and stare at you when you try to throw the stick.

What are your favorite foods / snacks / candies?

I love pizza! It has always been my most favorite food in the world. Pasta is a close second though. I’m not a sour candy lover so I just stick to chocolate, like Reeses.

What is your favorite restaurant and what do you like to order there?

My favorite restaurant is Anna’s Pizza. I have been going there with my sister and my dad since I was young. We used to go there every Saturday to grab pizza and cannolis.

What is the best vacation or trip you have taken and why?

The best vacation I have taken was when I went to Ireland with my family. We visited as many ruins as we could and I still have a sweater that says Ireland on it from one of the shops there.

Tell us anything else of interest!

I have been to all countries in Europe except England. It is one of the places on my bucket list.

CAMP NAME:   Luna

COWABUNGA EXPERIENCE:  Eight-year camper.  Fourth-year counselor.

Where are you originally from and how long have you lived on the Treasure Coast?

I was born and raised in Jensen Beach Florida and have lived on the Treasure Coast all my life.

Do you have brothers and/or sisters?

I have four older brothers and they range from age 24 to 31.

What are the reasons you are working at Cowabunga Surf Camp and what are your goals for this summer?

I have been working for Cowabunga Surf Camp  since I was 14 years old have loved every single second of it. I am also a former camper as well. My goal is to make every single child feel the same great way I did as a camper.

In what other jobs or service activities have you worked with children?

Because I just love being around kids, I tend to work with them A LOT. I play competitive softball so in my free time I give private lessons to young girls striving to be better at softball. I also have volunteered at a special needs camp to help kids learn how to do ordinary tasks for their daily lives.

What is your favorite subject of study and why?

My favorite subject to study in school is Anatomy and Physiology because I love to learn about the body and how to keep it strong and healthy. I plan to study Sports Medicine in college and one day become an athletic trainer.

What do you plan to do after you graduate or, if graduated, what are you doing now?  What are your plans or dreams for the future?

After high school I will be attending Stetson University, majoring in Sports Medicine.  I will be interning for a combined camp with many athletic trainers from major league baseball to gain experience and knowledge for my future profession.

What is your favorite thing about living in Florida and/or the Treasure Coast?

My favorite thing about living on the Treasure Coast is that I am able to drive 5 minutes and sit on absolute paradise no matter what time a day it is. I also very much love being able to surf all the time and enjoy that sport with my friends and family.

What are your hobbies or favorite activities?

I very much enjoy surfing and I also play softball, which I will be playing in college in the fall.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

Even though I do not have much spare time, when I do get the chance, I love going out on the boat with my friends and family and enjoying a nice long day at the sandbar.

Tell us about your favorite water sports!

My dad introduced me to surfing at the young age of five and ever since, I could never get enough of it. Surfing will always bring my family together because we enjoy paddling out together and absorbing the salt water and nice hot sun as a family.

What are your favorite team sports?

My favorite team sport definitely is baseball and my favorite team would have to be the Marlins because I always have to support the Florida teams!

Do you have any pets?  If so, tell us about them!

I have two dogs, Chloe and Lexi. Chloe is a small, 5-pound Toy Fox Terrier and Lexi is a big, 55-pound Yellow Lab.

What are your favorite foods / snacks / candies?

My favorite food definitely is pizza because it can be so simple but also so complex at the same time. You are able to choose so many different options on pizza so eating never gets old.  That’s why I enjoy it so much.

What is your favorite restaurant and what do you like to order there?

My favorite restaurant is Key West Diner. I go every Sunday with my family after church. I can never get enough of the Western Omelet, which is by far one of the best in town!

What is the best vacation or trip you have taken and why?

The best trip I have ever been on is to the Bahamas with my family last Spring Break.  We swam with stingrays and enjoyed the beaches that look like the postcards you buy for your families who live up north.

Tell us anything else of interest!

One of my best Cowabunga Surf Camp stories has to be when I had a camper come in on Monday and was so scared of the ocean because he did not know how to swim. Every day we got closer and closer to the water, taking it step by step. By Friday he was able to compete in the weekly Cowabunga surf competition and his parents were astonished to see their child surf the way he did!

CAMP NAME:    Mac

COWABUNGA EXPERIENCE:  One-year camper.  Four-year counselor.

Where are you originally from and how long have you lived on the Treasure Coast?

I was born in Washington DC but after just a year, moved to the Treasure Coast where I have lived ever since.

Do you have brothers and/or sisters?

I have no siblings.  I am an only child!

What are the reasons you are working at Cowabunga Surf Camp and what are your goals for this summer?

I work at Camp Cowabunga because I love spending time with all the amazing campers. I also love coming to work everyday in the beautiful outdoor environment!

In what other jobs or service activities have you worked with children?

I volunteer at a Nature Center teaching kids and families about Florida wildlife while also handling baby alligators, snakes, tortoises, lizards, and various other insects and reptiles. I co-choreograph an annual elementary school musical and also assistant teach an advanced-intermediate hip hop class for kids. I’m also high school advisor for a middle school French club.

What is your favorite subject of study and why?

My favorite subject is Math and Science because I like when you get the long, complex equations that take five steps to correct.

What do you plan to do after you graduate or, if graduated, what are you doing now?  What are your plans or dreams for the future?

I plan on studying biomedical/biomechanics engineering with the goal of someday creating prosthetic limbs.

What is your favorite thing about living in Florida and/or the Treasure Coast?

My favorite thing about living in Florida is that you can go on beautiful outdoor adventures to parks, beaches, springs, and many other natural beauties our state has to offer.

What are your hobbies or favorite activities?

I sprint, throw, and jump in track and field, play volleyball, and dance. I lead and participate in a model rocket club.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

I like to go to the beach and go out on the boat with my friends. Other then those activities: What spare time?!

Tell us about your favorite water sports!

I started surfing at Cowabunga when I was 14. I love it and wish I could do it more often than I do. Even if I don’t catch any waves, I always enjoy the paddle out.

What are your favorite team sports?

My favorite sport to participate in is track and field.  And to watch?  Basketball. 

Do you have any pets?  If so, tell us about them!

I have a 6-year-old Australian shepherd/chocolate Lab mix. He loves to hang out at our neighbors construction site, sunbathe outside, go for walks, and run alongside me during bike rides. My favorite thing to do with him is go for a car ride down the beach.

What are your favorite foods / snacks / candies?

My favorite food is tacos. I could eat tacos morning, day, and night.  I LOVE tacos!

What is your favorite restaurant and what do you like to order there?

I don’t really have a favorite restaurant. I more enjoy cooking and making food at home.

What is the best vacation or trip you have taken and why?

The best vacation I’ve taken so far is going to Alaska one summer with my parents. I got to drive a big charter fishing boat and then we went dog sledding on a glacier.

CAMP NAME:   Moola

COWABUNGA EXPERIENCE:  One-year camper.  First-year counselor.

Where are you originally from and how long have you lived on the Treasure Coast?

I was born in Palm City, Florida and have lived here all my life. 

Do you have brothers and/or sisters?

I have a twin sister who is one minute older than I am.   She is a fraternal twin and does not look like me at all.

What are the reasons you are working at Cowabunga Surf Camp and what are your goals for this summer?

I really wanted to work at Cowabunga this year because I love helping kids and just being around them makes me happy!  Spending my entire summer with kids sounds like such fun. My goal this year is to help the campers have  great days on the beach and to help them have the best summer ever!  And of course, to ensure that they are safe on the beach and in the ocean.

In what other jobs or service activities have you worked with children?

Last summer, I was a lifeguard at the MCHS swim pool for extended day care kids.  The job required me to help kids in the water to and teach them how to behave properly at public pools.  Most of the kids left with the biggest smiles in their faces.

What is your favorite subject of study and why?

My favorite subject in school is Health Science. It is my second year in the program and I have loved it so much that I will be taking it for a third year as well.  It has taught me so much about the nursing program and caring for patients and has definitely increased my interest in health care for the future.

What do you plan to do after you graduate or, if graduated, what are you doing now?  What are your plans or dreams for the future?

After I graduate, I plan on going into a nursing program and then hope to receive my bachelors degree to become a labor and delivery nurse.  My biggest dream, though, would be to become a sports Physical Therapist and to work for a specific team at their practices and home and away games.

What is your favorite thing about living in Florida and/or the Treasure Coast?

My favorite thing about living in Florida is that 99% of the time it is sunny and bright outside which allows me to go with friends to do outdoor activities like going to the beach, relaxing at the pool, golfing, or fishing.   Florida always has something interesting to do, especially outside, and is never boring. 

What are your hobbies or favorite activities?

I am a member of the MCHS Tigerettes dance team.  I am also the captain of the MCHS swim team. Participating on these teams allows for a great high school experience as I get to perform in pep rallies and at many other high school activities. Swimming keeps me in shape and I have amazing friends on the team. 

What do you like to do in your spare time?

In my spare time I like to go on long runs with my friends or go boating with my family and friends.  I also really enjoy baking as it is very relaxing and when I’m finished, I can eat whatever I’ve made!  

Tell us about your favorite water sports!

My favorite water sport is paddle boarding, which I started when I was about 10 and find to be very relaxing and fun.  I currently have two inflatable paddle boards that I am able to bring on the boat with me and use when we anchor or dock.

What are your favorite team sports?

Swimming is my favorite team sport to participate in.  I particularly like being in swim meets because I like the competition and think that they are very interesting.  Football is my favorite sport to watch because I enjoy going to my sister’s flag football games and I like watching it with my dad as well. 

Do you have any pets?  If so, tell us about them!

I have a dog named Bailee. She is a mixed breed that we got as a rescue.  I love teaching her new tricks and taking her to the beach.  Her favorite thing to do is go camping where she excitedly meets other dogs and new people.

What are your favorite foods / snacks / candies?

My favorite food is pasta, my favorite snack is either kettle corn or movie theater popcorn, and my favorite candy is Sour Patch Kids. 

What is your favorite restaurant and what do you like to order there?

My favorite restaurant is Tropical Smoothie Cafe, a restaurant I go to a lot with my friends.  It is a relaxing place with great smoothies and food!

What is the best vacation or trip you have taken and why?

The best vacation that I have ever been on was a cruise with my family to the Bahamas. We spent a week there enjoying the beautiful waters and swam with dolphins, went surfing, and paddle boarded. The inflatable jungle that they had in the water was so much fun!

Tell us anything else of interest!

Once, I went zip lining in Tampa Florida.  It was an obstacle course zip line and when I got to the top level, one of the workers had to get me down because I was scared of heights. 

CAMP NAME:   Neptune

COWABUNGA EXPERIENCE:  Six-year camper.  Fourth-year counselor.

Where are you originally from and how long have you lived on the Treasure Coast?

I was born in Stuart, Florida and have lived here my entire life.

Do you have brothers and/or sisters?

I have one older brother.

What are the reasons you are working at Cowabunga Surf Camp and what are your goals for this summer?

My goals at surf camp are to create a fun, safe environment and help the campers have an amazing summer with new memories and exciting experiences. I am working at Cowabunga to help keep campers safe and provide new learning and fun summer activities.

In what other jobs or service activities have you worked with children?

I have volunteered at a camp for kids with special needs, helping them with fun learning activities and sports and art activities. I have also worked at Cowabunga for 3 years, helping teach kids how to surf and skim board, and helping them create new friends and new memories while having fun and being safe.

What is your favorite subject of study and why?

My favorite subject to study in school is History.  I like that there is so much to learn and so much changing in the world with many interesting facts.

What do you plan to do after you graduate or, if graduated, what are you doing now?  What are your plans or dreams for the future?

I plan to go to college on an athletic scholarship, playing soccer and majoring in business. I plan to travel and start my own business eventually.

What is your favorite thing about living in Florida and/or the Treasure Coast?

My favorite thing about living in Florida is the small towns along the beaches and the sunrises that you can see in the mornings.

What are your hobbies or favorite activities?

My favorite hobbies are to play soccer and flag football, surf, and be with my friends at the beach. I also like to build legos and listen to music.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

In my spare time I like to surf, go to the beach, workout, and play flag football and soccer.

Tell us about your favorite water sports!

I began surfing when I was 9 and learned how to skim board and paddle board when I was 10. I enjoy surfing with my friends or by myself and like to go to the beach in the mornings.

What are your favorite team sports?

My favorite sports are volleyball, soccer, lacrosse, and flag football, and my favorite water sports are surfing, water polo, and swimming.

Do you have any pets?  If so, tell us about them!

I have one dog named Tico who I take with me to the beach and play fetch.

What are your favorite foods / snacks / candies?

My favorite foods are açaí bowls, sushi, and mango.

What is your favorite restaurant and what do you like to order there?

My favorite restaurant is Taco shack where I almost always order the nachos.

What is the best vacation or trip you have taken and why?

The best vacation I have taken was to New York with my family for my birthday in October. We saw the Statue of Liberty, the Empire State Building, and walked through the city trying lots of new foods.

CAMP NAME:   Pebbles

COWABUNGA EXPERIENCE:  First-year counselor.

Where are you originally from and how long have you lived on the Treasure Coast?

I was born in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. I lived by the beach and I loved the island! I moved to Florida when I was 10 years old, moved to Broward County, and have lived on the Treasure Coast for 2 years.

Do you have brothers and/or sisters?

I have 4 siblings, two brothers and two sisters. My brothers are 6 and 26 and my sisters are 21 and 13. I am a middle child but currently, I only live with my youngest brother.

What are the reasons you are working at Cowabunga Surf Camp and what are your goals for this summer?

I am so exited to work at Cowabunga so that I can make an impact in other kids lives like my counselors did for me when I was a camper. I want to ensure that all the kids are having a blast, forgetting about their worries for the duration of the day. I want to be outside more and enjoy the beautiful beaches of the Treasure Coast and experience working such a fun job, making memories for the campers and gaining valuable experience.

In what other jobs or service activities have you worked with children?

I used to volunteer weekly at the children’s library at Nova South University. There, I helped organize books, make crafts, and help plan activities for the kids. For example, once we had a Harry Potter inspired night where kids came dressed as their favorite characters and enjoyed the activities we had planned for them.

What is your favorite subject of study and why?

My favorite subjects are math and English. I love to write and be creative through scripture but I’m also good at math.  I also like being able to listen to music while doing my homework! I am good at both subjects and I enjoy them the most when I am in school.

What do you plan to do after you graduate or, if graduated, what are you doing now?  What are your plans or dreams for the future?

I plan to move to the West Coast of the U.S. to attend college and study computer science. I think it is a major that will give me a lot of creative freedom and it uses a lot of critical thinking and math as well. I dream of living by the beaches or mountains of California and working a job that allows me to travel and see the world.

What is your favorite thing about living in Florida and/or the Treasure Coast?

I love living in Florida because its close to my true home, only a 2-hour plane ride to Dominican Republic which allows me to go every year. I also like the beach because of the boardwalks, the peace, and the aroma of salt water.  I enjoy collecting sea shells and listening to the sounds of the ocean waves.

What are your hobbies or favorite activities?

I am a cheerleader! I cheer for my high school’s varsity football team and am a member of the high school competitive team.  I’m also a member of All-Star Cheerleading outside of school. I love cheering and through it, I have made friends, travelled and competed in big competitions, and developed new skills. I also love to read books.  Last year I read 32 novels! I am learning to play the electric guitar, I like to crochet stuffed animals, and recently I’ve also gotten into running!

What do you like to do in your spare time?

I spend a lot of my time at practice, at competitions, or completing assignments for school. I like to draw in my spare time or watch TV while I crochet. I also enjoy spending time with my friends, watching tv shows, making açaí bowls, and chatting. I like to run by the beach or somewhere with a lot of trees when I am more motivated.

What are your favorite team sports?

I love cheer because the routines are so intricate and impressive to watch.  Every team has something unique to offer and all the stunts and tumbling are super cool as well as the music and dance routines. The sport keeps me engaged and I never get bored watching it — or doing it! I also love to watch gymnastics and volleyball because they look like they would be lots of fun to play.

Do you have any pets?  If so, tell us about them!

I don’t have any pets but my sister has a guinea pig named Copito! He loves to snack on lettuce and runs around playing with her dog, Jade.

What are your favorite foods / snacks / candies?

I love smoothie bowls because they are sweet and refreshing, I also really like pasta and pizza.

What is your favorite restaurant and what do you like to order there?

I don’t really have a favorite restaurant but I do really like Mexican food!  My favorite things to order are steak tacos and horchata.

What is the best vacation or trip you have taken and why?

When I was 15, I went to Dubai with my grandmother who owns a travel agency and gifted it to me as a surprise.  It was so much fun! I saw camels and went to the desert, dined in a spinning restaurant, and visited the tallest building in the world! I also went to Mexico with my family for New Year 2023. It was a lot of fun too!  We rode hot air balloons over pyramids.

Tell us anything else of interest!

When I was 10, I couldn’t speak English and it was difficult for me to communicate, make friends, and excel academically. I overcame that by working hard to learn English and by middle school, I rose to the top of my class. I was able to communicate with ease as well as make friends that speak both English and Spanish. I became proficient in the language and have won awards for my writing as well as have received top test scores in college level English and literature classes.

CAMP NAME:   Pickles

COWABUNGA EXPERIENCE:  Two-year camper.  First-year counselor.

Where are you originally from and how long have you lived on the Treasure Coast?

I was born in Denver, Colorado and lived there with my Mom, my baby brother (who was born when I was 6), and my step Dad. I left Colorado for Florida when I was six and have lived on the Treasure Coast for the better part of nine years.

Do you have brothers and/or sisters?

I have one younger brother and but no sisters.

What are the reasons you are working at Cowabunga Surf Camp and what are your goals for this summer?

The reason I joined the Cowabunga Surf Camp team is that I want to help kids going to this camp have the same amount of fun that I did when I went here. Scratch that, MORE fun than I did when I attended this camp! The most important thing I remember from camp and that I hope for campers to remember too is that I felt like a rockstar every day when I came home. I want the same for these kids when they go through this amazing camp experience.

In what other jobs or service activities have you worked with children?

I have worked and will continue to work with kids in the K-5 ministry at TC3 church.  I have volunteered at their VBS as well. I have two years of experience working with kids in this age group am very comfortable and cool with them. Basically on Sunday mornings, I make sure the kids are engaged in the message, not fooling around and being distracting, while still letting them enjoy the time and be safe.

What is your favorite subject of study and why?

My favorite subject is debate because I appreciate the relationships I have with my classmates and the way that we learn to interact. I really enjoy semantics and finding all the loopholes and fallacies in an opponent’s argument. its just the way that my mind works so its the perfect class for me.

What do you plan to do after you graduate or, if graduated, what are you doing now?  What are your plans or dreams for the future?

As of right now, I don’t have any solid future plans yet.  I do think I might like to be on the school board — or even its Director. Or maybe I might attend a trade school and learn a type of manual labor.

What is your favorite thing about living in Florida and/or the Treasure Coast?

The reason why I love living in Florida is because of how close we are to the Keys and also to Orlando. Its a great state with lots of diversity!  Also, we didn’t feel the effects of Covid like many other states and people jumped to help and rebuild after the hurricane. Its also nice not to have to get on a super highway just to go to the grocery store.

What are your hobbies or favorite activities?

I’m not in any school clubs, but I’m on the tech team at my church, TC3.  Often, I am able to run the lighting for worship and the message for a Sunday service.  I also run the cameras which means that I carry a large, mobile camera and follow the worship leader, the musicians and vocalists, or the pastor as he is presenting the message.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

I started playing video games when I was old enough to hold an Xbox controller. Ever since, my gaming platform collection grew and grew. Eventually, I built my own gaming PC (with help of course).  When I’m not playing video games, I like visiting friends, rowing or working out with my team, or playing pickle ball.  I started rowing and working out in 7th grade. That’s when I started to thin out into the stick bug you see today. And, I started playing pickle ball at the beginning of my high school freshmen year.

Tell us about your favorite water sports!

I began surfing at Cowabunga Camp. I don’t own a board, but if I could I would. I think surfing is such a cool sport  to watch and experience because its a lot of fun and there’s so much you can learn from it.

What are your favorite team sports?

I enjoy watching hockey, but I don’t actually go out of my way to watch it.  I don’t really have a favorite team but if had to choose one, it would be the Colorado Avalanches because I’m from Colorado. I also enjoy watching football. I like the Broncos and root for them every game because I hope they will make a comeback after Peyton Manning retired. Pickleball is my favorite game to play but I think its boring to watch. I also love to row because it is the first sport that I was actually able to excel at — and it also thinned me out and gave me confidence.

Do you have any pets?  If so, tell us about them!

I have two dogs. a purebred Beagle named Bailey, and a black mouth Curr-Golden Retriever mix named Georgia. I love to take them on car rides and go camping with them as well. Sometimes when I’m watching TV, they’ll sit on my lap or snuggle with me.  I’ll end up sitting and watching TV way longer than i should because I want to sit and hang out with them. They’re also fun to horseplay with because they get the zoomies and play fight each other and with me too.

What are your favorite foods / snacks / candies?

I love fried rice because its delicious and there’s so much you can do with it like adding chicken and vegetables. My favorite snack is Funyuns.  They taste so good and are filling as well!  And my favorite candy is a Three Musketeers bar because its simple and the nougat is so fluffy and chocolatey.

What is your favorite restaurant and what do you like to order there?

Benihana is the best because everything is good but their fried rice is amazing. Plus, you get a great meal while watching a great show!  The staff is always so nice and personal and they are the best part of the experience.

What is the best vacation or trip you have taken and why?

The best trip I ever took was a 10-day Alaskan cruise with my family. We left from Vancouver, Canada and it was my first time out of the country that I remember. I made so many friends on that trip and on and off the boat, everything was an adventure.  It was the trip of a lifetime!

Tell us anything else of interest!

Once when I was nine or ten, I went offshore fishing. We saw a huge bull shark in the water and I got so scared that I climbed up into the tower of the boat thinking that the shark was going to jump in the boat and eat me!

CAMP NAME:  Reeses

COWABUNGA EXPERIENCE:  First-year counselor.

Where are you originally from and how long have you lived on the Treasure Coast?

I was born in Lexington, Virginia and I lived there for four years before moving to Maryland where I lived for ten years. I have lived on the Treasure Coast for almost two years.

Do you have brothers and/or sisters?

I have one brother and one sister, both younger than I am. My sister is 13 and my brother is 9.

What are the reasons you are working at Cowabunga Surf Camp and what are your goals for this summer?

The reason I am working at surf camp is because I love being around kids and I love being at the beach. My goal for this summer is to make sure all of the kids that come to Cowabunga have an amazing, fun, and safe week and want to come back next summer.

In what other jobs or service activities have you worked with children?

When I lived in Maryland, I worked with kids every summer at lacrosse and basketball camps. I was a counselor at a local college and my job was to teach all of the younger kids how to play lacrosse and basketball. We played games and made it a really fun time for all of the kids.

I also help out with all of the younger kids at my school. Last summer I did an art camp for campers, teaching them different art styles. I also worked with aftercare teachers during the summer where I helped entertain the kids every day so that their parents could work. Everyone had a really fun time and we played lots of games and did fun activities all day. 

What is your favorite subject of study and why?

My favorite subject in school is Photography. I love taking pictures of things outside and mainly focus on close up pictures of nature.

What do you plan to do after you graduate or, if graduated, what are you doing now?  What are your plans or dreams for the future?

After I graduate college, I want to become a teacher. I plan to major in elementary education and become an elementary school teacher.

What is your favorite thing about living in Florida and/or the Treasure Coast?

My favorite thing about living on the Treasure Coast is all of the things there are to do here. I love being able to go to the beach, enjoy Intercostal Waterway activities, go mini golfing, bowling, and to the drive shack. Anytime I am free, I always have things to do.

What are your hobbies or favorite activities?

My biggest hobby is playing basketball. Anytime I am home or in a gym, I have a basketball in my hands. I play travel basketball as well as school basketball and have practices a few times a week. I also participate in tournaments most weekends. I also love photography. I love going outside and taking pretty pictures of flowers and animals.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

In my spare time, I love to bake. I mostly bake cakes and really enjoy decorating them. I always make birthday cakes for my siblings and decorate them according to the theme of their party.

Tell us about your favorite water sports!

I’ve been paddle boarding since I was little and I still love to do it on the weekends.

What are your favorite team sports?

My favorite team sport is basketball. I love to watch and play basketball. My favorite women’s teams are Iowa and LSU.  I also really enjoy volleyball and lacrosse and play them when it’s not basketball season.

Do you have any pets?  If so, tell us about them!

I have a dog and her name is Stuffing (yes, like the food).  She is a boxer mix and is 3 years old. My favorite thing to do with her is throw a ball for her in the backyard.

What are your favorite foods / snacks / candies?

My favorite food is mac and cheese and my favorite candy is Reeses Peanut Butter Cups (but only when they are frozen).

What is your favorite restaurant and what do you like to order there?

My favorite restaurant is Tijuana Flats. I love Mexican food!  I most always order fajitas or tacos but rice, beans and chips, and queso also top my “favorites” list.

What is the best vacation or trip you have taken and why?

The best vacation I have taken was with my family to the Bahamas. We went to the water parks, swam with dolphins, went to the beaches, and went to fancy restaurants. My favorite part was relaxing at the beautiful beaches and going on the fun rides at the parks.

CAMP NAME:   Rex

COWABUNGA EXPERIENCE:  One-year camper.  Second-year counselor.

Where are you originally from and how long have you lived on the Treasure Coast?

I was born in Florida and I have lived here my entire life.

Do you have brothers and/or sisters?

I have two younger siblings, a 7-year old brother and a 12-year old sister.

What are the reasons you are working at Cowabunga Surf Camp and what are your goals for this summer?

I am working at Cowabunga because I love to see kids having fun and I love being a part of a team as well. My goals are to make sure every camper has a great time, and that they have something amazing to remember during their summer!

In what other jobs or service activities have you worked with children?

I was a Cowabunga counselor in 2022 and have done a good bit of volunteering for children’s activities and babysitting as well.

What is your favorite subject of study and why?

Currently, my favorite subject is Marine biology, but next year I’m taking forensics and I’m excited for that because I’ve been interested in doing something in that field!

What do you plan to do after you graduate or, if graduated, what are you doing now?  What are your plans or dreams for the future?

I plan to attend a college or university but at this point, I’m not sure which one, where it will be, or what my major course of study will be.

What is your favorite thing about living in Florida and/or the Treasure Coast?

My favorite thing about living in Florida is the beaches and all the nature they have to offer. It is a truly beautiful place to grow up and live and I consider myself very lucky to be here!

What are your hobbies or favorite activities?

A special interest of mine is axe throwing. I go once in a while and I always have a blast! I also played softball, even though I’m not on a team at the moment, but I still help my sister with her pitching!

What do you like to do in your spare time?

I like to bake cookies and all sorts of other things too! I also love to go on the boat with friends and family.  Just simply being around them makes me happy!

Tell us about your favorite water sports!

I love to surf!  Although I’m still learning, I really enjoy the sport and like to go out with good friends whenever possible. The first time I surfed was as a camper at Cowabunga Camp when I was 13.  I had a blast and wanted to surf more and more!

What are your favorite team sports?

I like to watch softball and baseball. My favorite softball team is the Gators, and my favorite baseball teams are the Mets or the Yankees. I like them because they are fun to watch and it’s a good use of my free time!

Do you have any pets?  If so, tell us about them!

I have a yellow lab named Savannah who is 9 years old. We wrestle and snuggle with her and love on her constantly!

What are your favorite foods / snacks / candies?

I love pizza, sushi, Hersheys chocolate, and Alfredo!

What is your favorite restaurant and what do you like to order there?

My favorite restaurant is Texas Roadhouse because they have the best rolls and the best butter to go with them! They are mouth watering!  I devour the rolls — and the burgers are pretty good as well!

What is the best vacation or trip you have taken and why?

The best trip I’ve taken is to Crystal River with family and friends because we rent a house on the water and bring our boat. The water is crystal clear and we go to the springs and swim with manatees! We also go scalloping and cook them for dinner when we return! They’re SO good.

Tell us anything else of interest

At a softball game, I was stealing second base, following my coach’s direction. As I was sliding, the catcher threw a wild throw that made the shortstop (who was covering 2nd base) fall right on top of me. I walked off with a bloody lip and I still have the scar to this day!  I’m pretty sure my teeth went through my lip. During the process of healing, it looked like I had a lip injection done! lol!

CAMP NAME:   Snap

COWABUNGA EXPERIENCE:  One-year camper.  First-year counselor.

Where are you originally from and how long have you lived on the Treasure Coast?

I was born in Jupiter, Florida but have lived in Hobe Sound for the past 15 years.

Do you have brothers and/or sisters?

Yes, I have two younger sisters – ages 3 and 1.

What are the reasons you are working at Cowabunga Surf Camp and what are your goals for this summer?

My reason for applying at Cowabunga Surf Camp is so I can share my love of the beach with others and to ensure the younger kids can feel the same way.

In what other jobs or service activities have you worked with children?

I have helped my grandmother at a summer camp held at her school a few times but this is my first formal experience working with children.

What is your favorite subject of study and why?

My favorite subject of study is HVAC because I feel it is a good opportunity to learn important skills for my future as an adult.

What do you plan to do after you graduate or, if graduated, what are you doing now?  What are your plans or dreams for the future?

My hope for the future is that I can enter the field of HVAC and learn other trades as well.

What is your favorite thing about living in Florida and/or the Treasure Coast?

My favorite part of living in Florida is the weather. The beach is nice almost every day and there are a lot of cool sea creatures you can find.

What are your hobbies or favorite activities?

My hobbies are playing football and video games.  Its great doing things that help develop friendships and help me connect with my peers.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

In my spare time I like to spend time with my friends and to play games with them.

Tell us about your favorite water sports!

I began surfing at about age of six after going to a surf camp for the first time. I still enjoy surfing and usually go with my cousins and sisters. I have not been on any special surfing trips but I would love to do that someday!

What are your favorite team sports?

My favorite team sport is football. I enjoy watching and playing. The Miami dolphins and the Miami hurricanes are my favorite teams because they are Florida teams and I have been to a few of their games.

Do you have any pets?  If so, tell us about them!

I have a dog named Lily who is a Pit Bull. I like to take her outside and run around with her.

What are your favorite foods / snacks / candies?

I don’t really have a favorite food.  I will eat just about anything!

What is your favorite restaurant and what do you like to order there?

My favorite restaurant is Pineapples in the Bahamas.  I love their fresh conch salad!

What is the best vacation or trip you have taken and why?

The best trip I have been on is to the Bahamas with my family. Almost every day, we went to the beaches where  the water is so clear and amazing.

CAMP NAME:   Storm

COWABUNGA EXPERIENCE:  First-year counselor.

Where are you originally from and how long have you lived on the Treasure Coast?

I was born in Stuart, Florida and have lived on the Treasure Coast all my life.

Do you have brothers and/or sisters?

I have one brother 4 years older than myself.

What are the reasons you are working at Cowabunga Surf Camp and what are your goals for this summer?

I chose to work at this camp for many reasons. First, when I was younger I would always attend some type of surf camp and I loved the counselors always being so welcoming.  I loved how much they would teach me about surfing and about the water.  Moving forward, when I would go to Jensen beach, I would see the way that the campers and counselors at Cowabunga were ALWAYS having so much fun, no matter what they were doing. The camp seems like a huge, big family when you see it. This type of camp is one that I really look forward to this summer, This camp is a very organized, safe, welcoming, and an overall FUN camp to be a part of.

In what other jobs or service activities have you worked with children?

I have babysitting experiences and I’m also a classroom helper at JBE.

What is your favorite subject of study and why?

My favorite subject in school is health/physics. I love to learn about the human body, because there are so many unknown things that could surprise you.  Learning about the human body and the way it functions has always interested me.

What do you plan to do after you graduate or, if graduated, what are you doing now?  What are your plans or dreams for the future?

After I graduate from high school, I plan on going to college to pursue physical therapy.

What is your favorite thing about living in Florida and/or the Treasure Coast?

My favorite thing about living on the Treasure Coast is definitely the beaches. They have a lot of cool sea life, GOOD SURF, and most of the time, clear water. Another thing I love about living on the Treasure Coast is how everything is pretty much warm and homey.

What are your hobbies or favorite activities?

I love to surf. Surfing is one of the things that makes me the happiest. It helps me take a break from all of my stress and gives me a time to think.  I am also on a travel softball team.  Softball is also a way for me to escape all of the stress and be able to think about other things.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

In my spare time I love to read books, specifically realistic fiction. I love to surf (when there’s waves). I also like to go out on the boat with my dad and mom, practice softball, and hangout with friends and family!

Tell us about your favorite water sports!

Surfing! My dad is a super good, talented surfer so when I was about 2 years old, he took me out on his longboard with him, and that was my first surfing experience. Skimming! I recently started to skimboard. Growing up I would ALWAYS watch my brother skimboard but I was scared to try it, especially when he was trying to teach it to me.  One day a few months ago my friends and I were at the beach and I just had to give it a shot. I did and flopped straight on my back.  But after a couple more tries, I got the hang of it and now it is one of my new favorites. Paddle boarding! My mom loves to paddle board. One day she had asked me to go with her and I took the offer.  Now I think paddle boarding is something that is super fun and easy to do!

What are your favorite team sports?

My favorite team sports are GIRLS Beach Volleyball. I sometimes play with my friends and it is a super good time. As well, I’m on a softball team and I love to play.

Do you have any pets?  If so, tell us about them!

I have 2 dogs! One is a Pit Bull / Yorkee mix whose name is Meka and the other is a Pit Bull / Ibizan hound named Macy. My favorite things to do with them is run on the beach.  Meka loves the water and most of the time she goes paddle boarding with us!

What are your favorite foods / snacks / candies?

My favorite food is sushi, my favorite snacks are Cheez-Its and Goldfish, and my favorite candy is Airheads!

What is your favorite restaurant and what do you like to order there?

My favorite restaurant is Sakura Japanese buffet in Stuart. I like to go there because it is an excellent place offering a sushi buffet and a hot buffet as well. When I go, I normally get the sushi.

What is the best vacation or trip you have taken and why?

My most favorite vacation was when I went to was to Pennsylvania with my Mom, Dad, and brother. We saw snow and went snowboarding!

Tell us anything else of interest

When I was first born, the doctors tried to wipe the birthmark off my forehead.  Nobody knew what it was at the time but my dad had the same thing and so he had to explain to the doctors what it was!

CAMP NAME:   Speed Stick

COWABUNGA EXPERIENCE:  Five-year camper.  Second-year counselor.

Where are you originally from and how long have you lived on the Treasure Coast?

I was born in Jensen Beach, FL and have lived on the Treasure Coast my entire life.

Do you have brothers and/or sisters?

I am the “middle child”. I have a younger brother in elementary school, and a sister in high school.

What are the reasons you are working at Cowabunga Surf Camp and what are your goals for this summer?

I am working at surf camp because I want to contribute to kids having an awesome and safe time outdoors.

In what other jobs or service activities have you worked with children?

I was a Cowabunga Camp counselor last summer and am very much looking forward to this summer, my second year on staff!

What is your favorite subject of study and why?

History is my favorite subject because I am pleased knowing how the world around me came to be.

What do you plan to do after you graduate or, if graduated, what are you doing now?  What are your plans or dreams for the future?

I have huge aspirations of playing professional baseball.

What is your favorite thing about living in Florida and/or the Treasure Coast?

I love the weather here and appreciate how friendly everyone is.

What are your hobbies or favorite activities?

Baseball is my extracurricular activity. I am passionate because I want it in my future, and I enjoy having the team fellowship and chemistry with my closest friends.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

Working out is a hobby for me so that I become confident and get strong. I also enjoy spending quality time with my brother.

Tell us about your favorite water sports!

I enjoy surfing but I’m not super experienced.

What are your favorite team sports?

My favorite teams are the Boston Red Sox and the Miami Dolphins because both sides of my family grew up diehard fans.  So I am too!

Do you have any pets?  If so, tell us about them!

My family and I find it so entertaining to take our Great Dane, Buckley, to run on the beach.

What are your favorite foods / snacks / candies?

Lasagna and anything with cookie dough is delicious.

What is your favorite restaurant and what do you like to order there?

My favorite restaurant is Oak & Ember because I love steak.

What is the best vacation or trip you have taken and why?

The best vacation for me was to going to New York. Seeing a big city for the first time at 6 years old as well as experiencing the Macy’s day parade is something I will never forget.

CAMP NAME:   Squid

COWABUNGA EXPERIENCE:  One-year camper.  First-year counselor.

Where are you originally from and how long have you lived on the Treasure Coast?

I was born in Stuart, Florida and I have lived here my whole life.

Do you have brothers and/or sisters?

I am an only child.

What are the reasons you are working at Cowabunga Surf Camp and what are your goals for this summer?

I attended Cowabunga last summer for a couple of weeks and had such an awesome and fun time! I met some great friends who I still keep in contact with. I want to help ensure other campers have just as much fun as I did!

In what other jobs or service activities have you worked with children?

I have previously volunteered at a children’s horse camp.  I was responsible for leading the campers on horse back and helping to keep them safe!

What is your favorite subject of study and why?

My favorite subject in school is History. I am fascinated with so many different events that have taken place in years past.

What do you plan to do after you graduate or, if graduated, what are you doing now?  What are your plans or dreams for the future?

When I graduate, I plan on being a marine biologist.

What is your favorite thing about living in Florida and/or the Treasure Coast?

I love the beach because going with your friends is so much fun whether you want to swim or just watch the ocean. It’s always a good time.

What are your hobbies or favorite activities?

I enjoy playing volleyball a lot, especially with my friends.  I like it because you can play it with anyone and it really doesn’t matter how good they are.  It’s always going to be fun.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

I like to go out on the boat in my spare time. Going to the sandbar with friends is always fun!

Tell us about your favorite water sports!

When I was about 6 year old, I got to go paddle boarding for the first time and I have loved it ever since.

What are your favorite team sports?

I like watching football. My favorite football team is the Miami Dolphins.

Do you have any pets?  If so, tell us about them!

I have one dog, a Dachshund named Rambo.  My favorite thing to do with him is take him to the beach and let him run around.

What are your favorite foods / snacks / candies?

My favorite food has to be tacos, my favorite snack is goldfish and my favorite candy is Twix chocolates.

What is your favorite restaurant and what do you like to order there?

I like the Drift Kitchen at the Hutchinson Shores Resort because it’s right on the ocean.  My favorite thing to order is the mahi sandwich.

What is the best vacation or trip you have taken and why?

I love going to the Florida Keys with with family every summer.  We go jet skiing and go out on the boat in the beautiful water.   It’s always the best time ever.

Tell us anything else of interest!

I always hated roller coasters.  When I was little I would cry every time someone tried taking me on one.  But now, I think they are so much fun!  I love every roller coaster I have ever been on.

CAMP NAME:  Thunder

COWABUNGA EXPERIENCE:  Five-year camper.  First-year counselor.

Where are you originally from and how long have you lived on the Treasure Coast?

I was born in Kansas City but moved to Florida when I was only 6 months old.  I have lived in Florida almost my entire life, about 16 years now.

Do you have brothers and/or sisters?

I have one brother, older by 15 minutes. It’s Lightning and he’s also a Cowabunga Camp counselor this summer.

What are the reasons you are working at Cowabunga Surf Camp and what are your goals for this summer?

My reasons for joining Cowabunga as a counselor are to help the campers have as much fun as I had when I went to this camp.

In what other jobs or service activities have you worked with children?

I have done some volunteering and also tutored some of my peers.

What is your favorite subject of study and why?

My favorite subject in school is usually science. it is always a very interesting topic. I like learning more about the origins of life and how the body works.

What do you plan to do after you graduate or, if graduated, what are you doing now?  What are your plans or dreams for the future?

I am planning to become a physical therapist and take over my mom’s business.

What is your favorite thing about living in Florida and/or the Treasure Coast?

My favorite thing about Florida is that it is almost never cold. I don’t like the cold and can barely stand it for one week when I go skiing in Colorado.

What are your hobbies or favorite activities?

I like playing video games. The sports I play are soccer because its fun and I row so I can gain muscle. Its also good for making friends and is fun as well. I also enjoy hunting.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

I like to play sports, play video games, and hit my homemade gym when I’m free. I work out with my parents in the mornings and do sports in the afternoon. I play video games whenever I don’t have homework or have chores to do.

Tell us about your favorite water sports!

I can surf decently. I started when I was young, around 9 or 10. I don’t do it very much since I live pretty far from the beach but I do know how and enjoy it as well.

What are your favorite team sports?

The only sports teams I like are the Kansas Jayhawks (basketball) and the Kansas City Chiefs (football).  The reason I like them is because I was born in Kansas and they both are a very good teams.

Do you have any pets?  If so, tell us about them!

We have 2 girl Vizsla dogs. Mine is named Whirlwind and Lightning’s is named Lucky. They both are about 8 years old and are very hyperactive. We go on walks and watch TV together.

What are your favorite foods / snacks / candies?

My favorite food is pizza. My favorite snack is fruit snacks. My favorite candy is Reeses Peanut Butter Cups.

What is your favorite restaurant and what do you like to order there?

My favorite restaurant is Chili’s. I go there for the pizza and the chips. I don’t go out often but that is where I head whenever I do!

What is the best vacation or trip you have taken and why?

The best trips I have ever taken are each year when I go skiing in Colorado with my family. I love going down the mountain and how fun and exciting it is.

Tell us anything else of interest!

I have never broken a bone, ever. Also, I probably weigh less than most of the campers because I’m so skinny.  Don’t underestimate my strength though since I am very strong for my body type. I’m also a very good runner and I’m in amazing cardio shape and have great endurance.

CAMP NAME:   Tsunami

COWABUNGA EXPERIENCE:  Fourth-year counselor.

Where are you originally from and how long have you lived on the Treasure Coast?

I was born on Long Island, New York and lived there until I was four years old.  I have lived on the Treasure Coast since then, except for four years when I lived on the North Shore of Oahu, Hawaii.

Do you have brothers and/or sisters?

I have three brothers, all older than I am.

What are the reasons you are working at Cowabunga Surf Camp and what are your goals for this summer?

The reason I’m working Cowabunga Camp is because I love sharing my love for the ocean with other people and kids. I’m excited to share how special the ocean is and to teach kids how to take full advantage of it whether that is through surfing, swimming, skim boarding, or just even playing in the sand and looking at all the different types of shells. My goal for surf camp is to make a positive impact on every child’s life, helping them have as much fun as possible, and making them feel like a super star! I also would like to use surf camp as an outlet to connect with our counselors and hopefully play a positive roll in their lives as well, showing them how to work hard within a team framework while having fun.

In what other jobs or service activities have you worked with children?

TC3 Cowabunga Surf day – helping kids and their families learn how to surf

Cowabunga Surf Camp – Camp counselor

Nanny / Babysitting – taking care of of children age one and three and their everyday needs for a year

What do you plan to do after you graduate or, if graduated, what are you doing now?  What are your plans or dreams for the future?

I recently graduated from EMT school, hoping to pursue a career as a Firefighter/EMT. A few months ago, however,  my husband and I found out that we are expecting our first child this October!! So that definitely changed my plans.  Now, I will be getting ready for the arrival of our baby and taking the best care of myself while finishing our home that we currently are remodeling.

What is your favorite thing about living in Florida and/or the Treasure Coast?

My favorite thing about living in Florida is most definitely being close to the beach because that’s where I get to go surf and feel the most at peace. Surfing is the best because you get to just turn the world off and connect with the ocean and its waves, definitely one of God’s greatest creations in my opinion.

What are your hobbies or favorite activities?

I have lots of hobbies!  I enjoy surfing, skateboarding, snowboarding, swimming, running, hiking, traveling, cooking, taking photos, going to different coffee shops, and trying new food everywhere I go.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

I love just relaxing at home with my husband and playing with our two Australian Shepards, Tucker and Howdy. I also enjoy cooking all types of different vegan meals and desserts! I visit the gym and exercise as much as possible but prefer to be outside doing fun activities such as running, surfing, swimming, and hiking.

Tell us about your favorite water sports!

I started surfing when I was 16 years old, and yes I still LOVE surfing! One thing I enjoy most about it is paddling out with my husband because we are both passionate about the sport and about sharing that time together.

What are your favorite team sports?

I really enjoy watching the World Surf League when they have surf competitions going on. I don’t really have a favorite surfer because all the surfers have their own unique style, so its just fun to watch everyone doing their own thing.

Do you have any pets?  If so, tell us about them!

We have two Australian Shepherds. Tucker is a Red Tri who is 6 years old, and Howdy is a Red Merle who is currently 6 months old. We enjoy taking them to the beach, running and swimming with them!

What are your favorite foods / snacks / candies?

My favorite foods are vegan sushi, pickles, tacos, mango, bananas, and pasta!

What is your favorite restaurant and what do you like to order there?

My favorite restaurant is Claretta’s Ristorante in Palm City! My favorite meal there is the Mixed Grill and Ravioli!

What is the best vacation or trip you have taken and why?

The best trip I’ve ever been on was our honeymoon to Italy! We traveled all over the Northern coast.  Everything was beautiful but my favorite place was Venice!

Tell us anything else of interest!

I got to live on the North Shore of Oahu for four years!