Check out our incredible staff from 2010! Check back in January to get to know the staff for the 2011 season!
Year Round Staff
Tim Magill
Camp Director
Born: Northern California
Age: Unlike my wife I am unashamed to claim my full 47 years of age
Education:
Pitzer College:
B.A. Environmental Studies
George Williams College:
M.S. Environmental Education and Interpretive Services Administration
Two days after Susie and I married, in 1985, we came up to Orme as counselors, it was my fifth year and you can see my footprint in cement located in the back corner of the pool area (an Orme Camp tradition for fifth year counselors). While in school and after my graduate work, I worked with children in many venues: creating and staffing a summer camp program for the Reid Park Zoo in Tucson, serving as a Site Director for a YMCA day camp, tutoring at risk children in a public school, and serving as a Naturalist at the Heller Nature Center in Illinois. My career path took a turn into the business world where I spent seventeen years as an entrepreneur - growing and selling two successful small businesses. During this time Susie and I often harkened back to our Orme days and in fall 2001 we had the good fortune to move back to Orme. In 2002 I was hired as Orme's Annual Fund Director. Quickly realizing my dream, I became Orme's sixth Camp Director in the summer of 2003.
Quote : "I have known friendship for I had a dog who licked my face"
Susie Magill
Associate Camp Director
Born: Southern California
Age: I remember watching the first Lunar Landing - televised live.
Education
Pitzer College:
B.A. Psychology
University of Arizona:
Master of Education / Special Education
1985 was my first summer working for Orme as a living group counselor. After this 'honeymoon' summer I worked in Arizona public schools with grades K-5 for 14 years in special education. It was during these years working in education our daughter was born in May, 1992. In 2001 our family moved to The Orme School and Ranch Camp where I created the Learning Center program. For the next five years I served as Director of The Learning Center program; a support services program during the school year for students 7th - 12th grades . Before working full time in camp I was the Child Development Specialist for Camp for 4 summers and I am now thrilled to be working alongside my husband as the Associate Camp Director!
Kay Davis
Horsemanship Director Orme Ranch Camp is lucky to have Kay Davis at the helm of our horse heard and English Riding program. Kay has worked for The Orme School for many years and has seen countless students riding English from the very beginning to competitions at 'A' class shows. Our students always come home with ribbons! At camp Kay gives campers a taste of riding in the English Saddle and helps beginning riders them with their 'seat' at a walk and moves from there. Not only is Kay our resident expert in English Riding she also serves our herd with amazing knowledge and expertise. She knows the temperament of every horse in the herd and can address almost any horse medical need. Our campus veterinarians trust her judgment implicitly!
Mike Schiesel
Assistant Camp Director
Mike is currently the Assistant Athletic Director, and a member of the Residence Life Faculty at The Orme School as well as an assistant coach with the football team and baseball team, and head coach of the JV basketball team. Originally from Buffalo, NY where he served as Dean of Students and Athletic Director at St. Martin's School, and coached soccer, basketball and lacrosse. Mike has a BA from Franklin Pierce College in New Hampshire.
Summer camp experience includes 10 summers as Teen Camp Coordinator at Camp Lenox in Massachusetts and three summers as CIT Director at Camp Weona in New York.
Mike is the oldest of 9 brothers and sisters who are spread out across the U.S. from Nantucket to California.
Kara Riddle
Age: 24
Camp Office Manager
This is my first time working directly for the Orme Ranch Camp (I have been working for the Orme School since late 2006) I am looking forward to helping out wherever I am needed (especially arts & crafts!). I have done volunteer work at a camp in Bakersfield, CA, and I have been around children all my life. I had the chance to go to a ranch camp when I was little, and didn’t go. I wish I had!
Seasonal Staff
Returning 6th Year
Dr. Budde
Camp Doctor
Education: Stanford Med. School
Univ Calif at San Francisco (UCSF)
My career is in Hawaii as an Emergency Physician. Madeleine and Sydney and I enjoy living on the Big Island of Hawaii. Mad and I are active in ocean paddling, swimming, and other sports, Syd tries to ride horse as often as possible. I appreciate the chance to be at camp in Orme with my daughter, yet not be in her way. It's a very enjoyable lifestyle while I'm there (just like camp! for me). Also it's good to be able to get to know so many kids and see them having a great time. At the medical level, it's nice change of pace from the e.r. in that I can get to know my "patients" as people and spend some time with them, rather than the usual rapid, hectic e.r. "cases".
We have hand picked yet another incredible staff and very much look forward to working with them this summer!!
Returning 2nd Year
Steve Goslee
Age: 25
Head of Camp
/ Lifeguard
Illinois University
Major: History/Secondary Education
Hometown: Palatine, IL
"This will be my second summer at Orme and I am very excited! I am originally from Palatine, IL and am in my last semester studying at Western Illinois University. I think this experience will be great for me because I love the outdoors and anything involving the West. In my spare time I enjoy any type of sport (I'm kinda competitive), music, and mountain biking. I can not wait to meet all of the new campers and I hope to make their experience here as good as mine. See you on the dusty trails!"
Quote: "I once complained about having shoes that did not fit...until I saw a man with no feet."
Returning 2nd Year
Jesse Roth
Age:28
Wrangler / Camp Liaison
Education: Oregon State University
Major: B.S. Animal Sciences
M.S. Science Education
I am currently a Science teacher at Dobson High School in Mesa, Arizona. I recently moved from Oregon. I always wanted to be a veterinarian; however, after almost a full year in veterinary school at OSU, I chose to follow my true calling to be a teacher. While at Oregon State, I served as President of the OSU Pre-Veterinary Club, Vice-President of the Animal Welfare Club, was on the OSU Animal Sciences Senior Research Team, and competed for the University's Intercollegiate Equestrian Team. I have worked with Boy Scout camps in Oregon since 1996 in many positions including wrangler, Head Wrangler, Business Manager, Program Director, and Camp Director. I enjoy outdoor activities, and especially riding horses. In the next few years I hope to be able to move from the city to settle down and raise a family."
Returning 5th Year
Rachel Kline
Age: 22
Assistant Director of Horsemanship
University of Georgia
Classical Culture
This is my 5th summer at Orme and after working as a wrangler, and then the head wrangler, I am extremely excited to be stepping up as the Assistant Horsemanship Director working under Kay Davis (the smartest horsewoman in the world). I am currently a Classical Culture major at the University of Georgia and have had horse experience with jumping, equitation, barrels, you name it! Over the past few years Orme has become my second home and the staff is most definitely a family. The lessons I have learned working at Orme inspire me and I can’t wait to work with the new staff and campers that are coming in this year as well as meet back up with old friends. This ‘job’ is definitely the best summer a girl could ask for and I cant wait to get back out west.
The summer cant get here fast enough!
Quote: "The air of heaven is that which blows between a horse's ears." - Arabian proverb
Returning 2nd Year
Brooke Stirling
Age:20
Wrangler
Education: BYU
Major: Communications
Hello my name is Brooke and this is my trusty steed Boulder! I am currently a freshman at BYU in Utah, but I grew up in Gilbert Arizona. I love the rain, black olives, roller blading, laughing, writing, and most of all horseback riding. I started riding western when I was nine, and it has been my passion ever since. This will be my first sumer working at Orme Camp and I could not be more excited!!
Quote: "who you are is more important than who you were, and who you become is more important than who you are" - unknown
Returning 2nd Year
Sarah Neal
Age: 22
Wrangler
Northern Arizona University
Major: English / Secondary Education
Working with horses and kids is my passion in life. I have done everything from teaching preschool to coordinating teen camps, and I have enjoyed every second of it. I started riding at a young age when I was given a years worth of riding lessons as a Christmas present, and I haven’t stopped riding since. I am a western pleasure rider, but I have dabbled in English riding as well. I love to do barrels, or anything that requires a run. I have owned two thoroughbred horses, but sadly I had to sell when I left home for college. I am an Arizona native. I grew up in Peoria, and I am currently in school in Flagstaff. I am extremely excited for this summer, and I can’t wait to be a wrangler!
Michelle Standley
Wrangler
Newman University
England
Major: Education: Teacher Training
This will be my first year at Camp Orme. I am from Birmingham, England and am in my second year of studying to become a primary school teacher. I have been around horses all of my life. I have three horses of my own and from a young age I have competed in local shows and practiced dressage and show jumping. Last summer I worked at a summer camp in New York as a horseback riding instructor, teaching western. This was an amazing experience and I met some great people. I am very excited about this summer and cannot wait to meet everyone, I am counting down the days!!
Becca Caulfield
Age: 21
Wrangler
Colorado State University
Major: Equine Science and Psychology
This will be my first experience at Orme Ranch Camp and I am just thrilled to have this new adventure. I have been around horses for 16 years, and I have tried just about anything that you can do on the back of a horse from jumping, to cattle work, to endurance and colt breaking. For the last few years I have been focusing on eventing, and absolutely cannot get enough of it. I love working with kids and horses and have been a riding instructor, riding staff at camps and trailguide. My greatest passion is teaching others about horses and continuing to see how they can affect our lives. When I am not with horses I enjoy traveling, the outdoors, cooking and road trips. I love being social, talking to new friends and especially laughter. Above all I enjoy new people, new experiences and learning about the world around us. I always want to make the most of this amazing life we are given.
Quote: “Do not fear death, fear the half lived life.”
Megan Baker
Wrangler
Age 19
College: Mt. San Antonio College
Major: Animal Science
Hi ya’ll, I’m so excited to be joining the Orme Team for the first time. I live in a small town called Norco, otherwise known as Horsetown USA, in California. I have been riding from a very young age. At this time my family and I own three horses. I love riding around town, in the nearby riverbed and in the hills. I mostly ride western and am hoping to someday compete in barrel racing. I currently attend San Antonio College in my sophomore year and will be transferring to Cal Poly Pomona to study to become an Equine Vet. Every week I help teach Sunday school and have had experience working at two other summer camps as a wrangler. I enjoy being outdoors, listening to music and of course riding. All in all, I love to have fun!
Quote: "No hour of life is wasted that is spent in the saddle" – Winston Churchill
Stephanie Teskey
Wrangler
Age 17
Orme High School Graduate: May 2010
Attending Colorado State University in Fall 2010
I have recently graduated from the Orme School after five years of attending, starting in middle school. I first came to Orme Summer Camp when I was 10 and continued to attend for 5 years. After three of my camp years I began school at Orme. I have been a competitive member of the rodeo team, I breakaway rope, team rope, barrel race, pole bend, and have some experience with goat tying.
In addition I have played major leadership roles on campus. I have been a horsemanship prefect, day student prefect, Key Society president, and Caravan prefect just to name a few. I originally came to orme for its proximity to my family’s cattle ranch. I am a 6th generation rancher on the Dugas Ranch, located across I-17 from Orme. My family settled in this area about 50 years prior to the Orme family’s arrival, since their arrival we have maintained a constant friendship with the Orme family and those associated with them. I am looking forward to sharing my passion for horsemanship and ranching with many the campers this summer!
Quote: "No hour of life is wasted that is spent in the saddle" – Winston Churchill
Brittany Magill
Wrangler
Age 18
Orme High School Graduate: May 2010
Northern Arizona University in Fall 2010
I was raised at The Orme School and Camp. My parents came to work at Orme in the fall of 2001 when I was nine years old. I have participated in the horsemanship program since we moved here. I performed well in Barrels and Poles in both Arizona Junior Rodeo Association as well as in High School rodeo and I trained both of my horses myself. Growing up at Orme was a great experience for me as I had so much freedom, and my horses Maui and Cash lived right here with me. While attending Orme I was on the Prom Committee, I ran concessions for fund raising, was a Key Society Member as well as in Honor Society. I have actually worked for Orme for five summers before this. At first, when I was 13 they called me a Barn Rat, last year I graduated to Junior Wrangler and this is my first year as a full fledged Wrangler. I plan to major in biology and psychology at NAU and then I hope to attend Veterinary School at Colorado State University. My desire is to become an equine vet. I look forward to a great sixth summer here at Orme working with the campers and the horses!
Tia Johnson
Living Group Counselor
Camp Photographer
Age 26
College: Augusta State University
Major: Mass Media/Spanish
Hey hey, I'm Tia and this is will be my first summer at Orme Ranch Camp. I'm super stoked ! I am a Mass Media major/Spanish minor at Augusta State University. I also happen to be a former Air Force Medic who has lived is some extremely cool places. I currently live in Georgia and although I love the south, it will be great to get back to green chilies and unsweetened ice tea. Prior to joining the AF, I worked as a Girl Scout counselor. I have also worked with children in Turkey and South Korea, coordinating events for Project Orphanage. I am a huge drama buff and I love all things theatre. I can't wait to meet everyone and make Summer 10 legen...wait for it...dary.
Quote: “When you make a world tolerable for yourself, you make a world tolerable for others.”- Anais Nin
Ariel Anderson
Living Group Counselor/Lifeguard
Age 20
College: Western Illinois University
Major: Elementary Education with a Science endorsement
This will be my first summer at Orme Camp and I am so excited! I have never been to Arizona in my life, so this will be an experience! I am currently a junior at Western Illinois University, where I am a member of the Hooligans, the women’s rugby team and am pledging to become a member of the Alpha Sigma Tau sorority. I spend my free time working out, doing homework, hanging out with friends and of course spending time with my dog, Conan. I am looking forward to meeting and learning from all of the campers this summer! ?
“Keep your dreams alive. Understand to achieve anything requires faith and belief in yourself, vision, hard work, determination, and dedication. Remember all things are possible for those who believe.”
Donnie Menezes
Head of Pool /Living Group Counselor
Age 24
College: SPSU
Degree: Biology
Hello my name is Donnie Menezes I am 24 years old and this is the first time I will be working at Orme camp. I recently graduated from Georgia’s Southern Polytechnic State University with a degree in biology and am excited to journey out west again to take in the great sights and wildlife. At my university I played on the Varsity Baseball team and I love being outdoors and playing sports. I will be working as the Head of Pool this year and look forward to many refreshing days by the pool with the campers.
Quote: "Life is not measured by the breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away"
Lisa Williams
Living Group Counselor
Age 21
College: University of Georgia
Major: Early Childhood Education
This will be my first year at Camp Orme and I am so excited for this upcoming summer because I have never been out west during the summer and have only heard fabulous things. I have worked with children in all types of settings from tutoring, mentoring, teaching, and swim coaching. I love working with kids and am passionate about my experiences with them. I really enjoy the outdoors and can't wait to see what camp has in store for me. I'm anxious to meet all the campers and spend the summer in Arizona!
Quote: "Life is not measured by the breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away"
Jeff Liles
Counselor/Lifeguard
College: Western Illinois University
Hey everybody! My name is Jeff Liles and I’m from Northwest Illinois. I currently am a sophomore at Western Illinois University. This will be my first year at Orme Ranch and I’m very excited to meet everyone and make your summers as enjoyable as possible. I am an Eagle Scout and love the outdoors. My hobbies include running, playing piano, camping, and anything that has to do with the outdoors. I can’t wait for camp to start so I can meet everyone! Jeff
Quote: "It's not whether you get knocked down; it's whether you get up." ~ Vince Lombardi
Averil Eagle
Living Group Counselor
Age 19
College: Georgia Institute of Technology
Major: Science, Technology and Culture
Concentration: Biomedical
This is my first year at Orme Camp and I am very excited. I am from Savannah Georgia where the tea is real sweet and the temperature is on the humid side. I am a Ramblin’ Wreck from Georgia Tech and I’m studying Science, Technology and Culture with a Biomedical Concentration. I have worked at a summer beach camp for the past three summers and personally attended a mountain summer camp. I have also coached soccer for the past three years. I love spending time with kids and always walk away with a little insight. Some of my favorite things are sweet potatoes, backpacking, puns, fruit and playing any type of game. I enjoy being outside and meeting new people. I am looking forward to this summer and cannot wait to see how this beach girl will do in the desert.
Kasey Erdman
Living Group Counselor
Age 20
College: University of Northern Colorado
Major: Theatre Education
This is my first year at Orme Ranch and I am super excited to join the team. I am currently finishing up my sophomore year…whoot whoot… at the University of Northern Colorado. I am studying theatre education in hopes of one day becoming a high school theatre teacher. I am a Resident Assistant in the dorms where I am a live-in mom for those rambunctious freshmen. I was a camp counselor last summer at Geneva Glen Camp in Indian Hills, Colorado. I love kids and I have dedicated my life to them as a teacher and a leader. My hobbies include anything where I can be loud, fun, and social. I love to act and sing as well as watch movies or read a good book. I love the outdoors where I can hike and ski and run around wildly. I grew up around horses but then got off and didn’t get back on until last summer at camp. I can’t wait for this summer, hope to see you there! Quote: “Life’s a dance you learn as you go, sometimes you lead, sometimes you follow, don’t worry about what you don’t know, life’s a dance you learn as you go.”
David Rubin
Living Group Counselor
College: American Universtiy
Major: International Relations and Economic Policy
"Hey there! My name is Dave Rubin, and I'm a Freshman at American University, in Washington DC. I'm studying International Relations and Economic Policy, with a minor in Mandarin Chinese. I grew up just outside Syracuse, NY in a small town where there are more cows and cornfields than people. That's alright though, it's got charm. This will be my first year at the Orme Camp, and I can't wait to meet everyone this summer! I love the outdoors and traveling too, having spent a number of summers camping in the Adirondack Mountains in New York. Reading is a favorite pastime; I'm always looking for the great American novel. I play guitar and have a passion for any kind of music, and I'm always looking to chat people up about life experiences. I can't wait to meet everyone. Looking forward to this summer!
Quote: "Not all those who wander are lost."? J.R.R. Tolkien
Samantha Allen
Living Group Counselor
College: Arizona State University
Major: Design Studies
Hey everyone, my name is Samantha Allen and I am from Mesa, Arizona. I have lived in the Arizona valley all my life and I am really excited to go further north where it is a little bit cooler. I am going to be a senior at ASU next year and I am working towards getting a degree in Design Studies. I absolutely love all kinds of arts and crafts, as well as horseback riding. Those two things are my favorite activities of all time. I can't wait for camp to start so I can do both. I have also been a math tutor for the past five years and love to work with kids. I can't wait to meet everyone and I know this summer is going to be a blast. I am so excited!
Margaret Ryan
Living Group Counselor
College: Illinois State University - Graduate
Major: International Business Management
Hello everyone, my name is Maggie and I am overjoyed to say this is my first time at camp and out west. I am so excited to be apart of this new learning experience; I have only heard amazing details about Orme. I studied in Germany for a year and Mexico for a semester, so I have caught the travel bug which will never subside. I love learning new cultures, meeting new people and partaking in new adventures.
"Watch your thoughts, for they become words. Choose your words, for they become actions. Understand your actions, for they become habits. Study your habits, for they will become your character. Develop you character, for it becomes your destiny." -Anonymous
Colleen Kimsey
Living Group Counselor
Age 19
College: Oakland
Major: Public Health / Epidimeology
Hey! This is my first year at Orme and my first time in the desert. My hometown is the rainy Vancouver, Washington and I go to school in Oakland California, where I'm designing my own major in Public Health with a concentration on Epidemiology. Things I like to do include whitewater kayaking, reading trashy memoirs, going on adventures where I don't know the destination and making up songs and singing them really loudly. I'm excited to meet you and I know we're going to have a great summer at Camp Orme!
Quote: "By the noble noise we make, and the rubbish in our wake, be sure, be sure! We're going to do some splendid things."
The Jungle Book
Rachel Dorney
Living Group Counselor
College: Mills College- Graduate
Majors: Anthropology and Sociology
My name is Rachel Dorney. I recently graduated from Mills College with a BA in Anthropology & Sociology with a focus in Archaeology. I’m currently living in Berkeley, CA, but I plan to work for the Peace Corps in Eastern Europe for 2 years. I’m excited to work at Orme Ranch Camp this summer because of all of the experiences I will have and will help the kids to have. I’ve been working with kids of varying ages for many years through babysitting, tutoring, and student teaching. I feel that my experience and personality will help keep this environment safe and fun for your children.
Emily Larson
Living Group Counselor/Lifeguard
College: BYU Idaho
Majors: Speech Pathology
Hi my name is Emily Larsen and this will be my first year at Orme Ranch Camp. I am so excited to get to spend time with the kids and get to know them! I am currently enrolled at BYU-Idaho and am majoring in Speech Pathology. I grew up in Chino Hills, California and love my hometown and the families that are in it. In my free time I love to swim and play water polo. This is my first time to Arizona and I look forward to the experience and enjoying every moment of it along the way!