Welcome to the Team: Patrick Kennedy
We are excited to introduce Patrick Kennedy, the newest Assistant Director at Camp Lincoln and Camp Lake Hubert! Like most people who work at camp, Patrick will wear many hats throughout the year. His main focus will be helping families learn about the benefits of summer camp and making parent communication as smooth as possible.
A Local Connection to Nisswa, Minnesota
Patrick is no stranger to the area—he grew up right here in Nisswa, Minnesota. While he didn't attend Camp Lincoln as a camper, he has been involved in summer camps for years. His camp journey started in high school when he was nominated to attend Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) camp. That experience sparked his love for the culture and community of summer camp, and he has been hooked ever since!
Years of Camp Experience
While attending the University of Minnesota, Patrick spent four summers at Camp Pinnacle in Western North Carolina, where he took on a variety of leadership roles. He started as a Cabin Counselor, guiding campers through their daily activities and helping them build confidence in a camp setting. He later became a Leadership Counselor, mentoring older campers as they took on more responsibility. As a Division Leader for Leadership Campers, he oversaw programs specifically designed for teens, helping them develop independence and leadership skills. Eventually, he stepped into the role of Assistant Program Director, where he helped organize and run camp-wide activities, ensuring that every camper had a fun and enriching experience. In addition to his time at Camp Pinnacle, Patrick also taught outdoor education in the winters and led outdoor adventure trips with an a teen adventure travel company, where he helped teens tackle challenges like canoeing the Colorado River and hiking in the Grand Canyon.
A Familiar Face in Town
On a fun note for summer staff and visiting families, If you've ever visited The Chocolate Ox in Nisswa, you might already know Patrick! He helped manage the popular candy and ice cream shop for several years. Balancing customer service, organization, and (most importantly) scooping ice cream prepared him well for the fast-paced world of summer camp!
Skills, Passions, and Certifications
Patrick has picked up a wide range of skills and certifications over the years, making him a great fit for camp. Some of his experience includes:
- Planning and executing safe and substantive backpacking trips, an camp programming!
- Teaching acting and performing arts, another one of his passions.
- Serving as a Wilderness First Responder, and being a source of wilderess first aid knowledge
- Caring for turtles, snakes, and other critters- safely!
When he's not working with campers, you may find him performing in the twin cities theatre community. His energy, creativity, and love of adventure are sure to bring excitement to camp! We feel blessed and excited to introduce him to our campers and families this summer.
Meet Patrick This Winter!
We are so excited to have Patrick as part of the Camp Lincoln and Camp Lake Hubert team! If you'd like to meet him in person, you may catch him at one our movie showings this winter. And if you call the camp office, don't be surprised if Patrick is the first one to pick up—he's always happy to talk about camp and answer any questions you have!
Join Us in Welcoming Patrick!
We know Patrick will bring enthusiasm, leadership, and a passion for camp life to our community. Please join us in welcoming him to the team—we can't wait for our campers and families to get to know him this summer!
