Julie touches lives wherever she goes, and if you have the incredible pleasure of meeting this amazing woman, consider yourself special. Julie is the definition of postivity, and both kids and adults alike fall in love with her as soon as they meet her. Julie has been an instructor in our Wrightsville Beach teen summer camps as well as a Trip Leader in our Teen Hawaii Surf Camp. She puts her heart into everything she does, and we love her for it!

1. What drew you to a position at Surf Camp? I wanted to share with others how incredible surfing is. An online search led me to Surf Camp’s web site. The first time I heard from Chelsea I knew it was going to be an amazing opportunity. The values, mission, wonderful co-workers, and our awesome surf students; everyone is so incredible. I have made so many memories and met so many people. It really is the ultimate job!

2. Who is your favorite surfer and why? Clay Marzo, I love the way he experiences the water in a way others cannot even fathom. He shows the world that even with a disorder anything is possible! His style and creativity in the water are just phenomenal.

3. When did you start surfing and where? I was 16 and caught my first wave on the Jersey Shore. I was hooked for life!

4. What is your favorite surf break? Chadwick Beach, NJ with a good hurricane. I’ve had so many memories there and caught some of the best rides of my life.

5. What inspired you to start surfing? A bunch of boys surfed around me all growing up, and there were barely any girls in the water. I helped change that!

6. Where was your most memorable session? I don’t think anyone forgets the first time they stood up on their board. Another time is at the end of last summer in NJ when it was just pumping, all of my friends were out and we just caught ride after ride. I also always have such a blast when I’m out with two of Surf Camp’s other employees, my best friends Kristen and Molly. We’ve had some really fun sessions at sunset; it’s just gorgeous in the water.

7. What is the worst wipeout you’ve ever had? When I had just started surfing, I went out on a day where I should have just watched and learned from others. I got thrown over the falls and then hit my face off the ocean floor. The ocean then humbled me further by throwing my board into the back of my head when I came up. I learned my lesson!

8. What are some of your interests outside of surfing? Penn State and cheering for the Nittany Lions, dancing, music, singing, gymnastics, staying fit, being with family and friends, being outside, and playing with my dogs

9. What is your favorite movie? Really hard to choose! I love comedies. I just saw Avatar twice though and it was AWESOME.

10. What is your favorite music? Everything, I grew up singing in many different groups through school and college. I used to dislike country, but after two summers of working in the south even that has changed!

11. What is your favorite food? I love Italian food, but I’ll eat pretty much anything!

12. Where do you see yourself in five years? I’d like to travel a lot and surf more of the world. Also, graduate from a master’s program in genetic counseling. I want to make a difference in the lives of my patients and help prenatal babies. Maybe I can discover the genes that make someone a pro surfer!

13. In your eyes, the three things you value most are: God, Family, and Friends

To learn more about Julie: Click Here

I have to admit, I really want to go to Guppy Camp. I have worked at Surf Camp for almost a year, have taken Surfing Lessons with my husband, attended one of our awesome Day Camps at Wrightsville Beach, successfully learned to pop up, managed to catch a few amazing waves, but I REALLY want to go to Guppy Camp! The only problem is that the program is for 6 – 10 year olds, so they won’t let me. You might wonder why I want to spend a week of summer with kids in a program that I am far too old for… But if you talked to the moms (and dads) that I talk to every day as I answer the office phone, you would want to go too! As camper’s parents and grandparents contact us throughout the year to sign up for camp, or to ask questions, they have so many tremendous things to say about their Guppy’s experiences at camp that I can’t help but feel jealous!

Every day of Guppy Camp is action packed with cool activities like boogie boarding, paddle boating, visiting the NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher, learning how the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Hospital rehabilitates sea turtles, learning to play a ukulele, fishing, clamming and crabbing in the marsh, playing fun games on the beach…the list goes on and on. Even the van rides in between activities sound fun due to all the games! Not only is Guppy Camp fun, but it teaches campers about basic ocean safety, Junior First Aid, marine life, rip currents, the importance of protecting our environment… this list goes on and on too! It’s amazing that you can learn so much and have a super fun week; for nine sessions each summer, Guppy Camp does exactly that!

Chelsea Thornhill and Rick Civelli do a great job hiring Guppy Camp Staff that love both children and the ocean, are great role models and have the stamina to push boogie boarders into waves all summer long. After they interview a ton of folks, they hire the cream of the crop, make sure the new staffers acquire the proper certifications (Lifeguard, CPR and First Aid), and train them extensively in house. They then send them off to have fun filled weeks with kids; their ultimate mission being to change camper’s lives forever. Based on the phone calls and emails I receive, I would say that they do a first-class job (which leaves me wanting to be a Guppy!)

If you have a 6 – 10 year old that might be interested in Guppy Camp, call me! I’d love to send you our Guppy Camp Catalog, and put you in contact with some previous Guppies and their parents!

-Erica

Michelle Johnston

Michelle Johnston has been an integral part of the WB Surf Camp community for over five years. She has directed our teen camps in Hawaii, Australia, and the Bahamas. She has also been an instructor for our teen summer camps in Wrightsville Beach. Not only is she an amazing role model for kids and teenagers, she is extremely dedicated to our environment. Her passion for this cause has inspired her to work towards a Ph.D in Environmental Sciences, which she will receive in the spring of 2010 from the University of South Carolina. We are super proud of Michelle, and feel so blessed to have been part of her world for the past six years!

1. What drew you to a position at Surf Camp?  I was drawn to Surf Camp knowing that I would get to teach amazing kids about marine conservation in a hands on learning environment. Being in the water and surfing everyday was a pretty big draw too!

2. Who is your favorite surfer and why?  Rochelle Ballard is my favorite female surfer as she is beautiful on her board, a huge advocate of environmental awareness, and lives by the mantra “Surf into Yoga.”

3. When did you start surfing and where?  I grew up in Ohio, so I started surfing at Wrightsville Beach when I moved to Wilmington to go to school at UNCW.

4. What is your favorite surf break?  My favorite break is in Hawaii, on the southwest coast of O’ahu (about 30 minutes from Waikki). You can’t beat great long board waves where sea turtles and dolphins surf along side you.

5. What inspired you to start surfing? As a marine biologist, I wanted to start surfing to truly understand the power of the ocean. Anyone who thinks they control the world should surf…they will soon get a reality check and realize they don’t! I also appreciate the fact that surfing helped my balance in yoga, or maybe yoga has helped my surfing.

6. Where was your most memorable session?   I remember a perfect wave in the Outer Banks right off Cape Hatteras. I made the drop and rode what seemed like forever in emerald green water…. haven’t experienced anything like it since.

7. What is the worst wipeout you’ve ever had?   The worst wipeout I ever had was surfing off Tallows Beach in Byron Bay, Australia. It was really rough, and after nose-diving I came up for air and the board hit the back of my head. I had to sit out the rest of the day with an awful headache.

8. What are some of your interests outside of surfing?  I teach and practice yoga. I love to run, hike, and scuba dive. On a rainy day, I think there is nothing better than a good book, comfy chair, and hot chocolate.  I also love sea turtles, as I spent four years working at the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center. I have recently moved to the Washington DC area to start a position with the NOAA Office of National Marine Sanctuaries, to pursue my passion of endangered species and marine conservation.

9. What is your favorite movie?  My favorite movies are always changing…my most recent favorite was Avatar.

10. What is your favorite music?  I love all types of music, but generally load up my iPod with beach music and indie rock.

11. What is your favorite food? I am a vegetarian, so I love Indian food.

12. Where do you see yourself in five years?  I see myself working at a marine reserve and educating the public about the importance of marine conservation with the threat of our changing climate. Outside of work, I see myself doing yoga and enjoying life with my boyfriend, family, and friends.

13. In your eyes, the three things you value most are: honesty, a sense of adventure, and love for the things you are passionate about in life.

To learn more about Michelle, Click Here.