About our Experienced Adult Staff

The volunteer adults who guide and mentor the youth give their time because they've seen their own children grow and learn from White Stag camp. Or they were once a participant themselves.

Individual Background

Brian Phelps, the 2010 Program Director, first attended White Stag camp in 1969. Three of his four children have attended camp. Steve Cardinalli, our Phase 1 Patrol Member Development Advisor, was first a candidate in 1985. He has two daughters serving on youth staff. His wife Nellie assists with registration. Phase 2 Patrol Leader Development Advisor Mike Nelson has worked with youth for more than 10 years. His wife Judy serves on Phase 1 adult staff and their son Geoff serves on youth staff. Phase 3 Troop Leadership Development Advisor Jeff Dicks, along with his wife Melina, have three children who have attended camp and now serve on youth staff. The entire adult staff have more than 145 years of cumulative experience leading youth at summer camp.

Other volunteers, like Camp Director Tony Lamarque and Marketing Director Robin Peterson, have seen second-hand the difference the program makes and volunteer their time. Our adult volunteers come from all walks of life, including business owners, insurance agents, artists, homemakers, engineers, and others. They have a passion in common: to make the White Stag leadership development experience available to as many children from every walk of life as possible.

Qualifications

All our phase advisors have at least two years of prior experience as an assistant advisor. They must be encouraging, enthusiastic, sensitive, and patient. Serving as a phase advisor is demanding, requiring exceptional dedication. They must take the time to learn about each youth staff member's need and characteristics and creating a growth experience that challenges and stretches each individual.

Personal Safety

All of our adults must complete the Boy Scouts of America Youth Protection training. All of our adults must be fingerprinted and are subject to a thorough background check. Every adult volunteers to participate in random drug screening.

We never allow an adult to meet one-on-one with any youth without another adult being present. We always have both a male and female adult present at all activities. Only then are the adult volunteers permitted to work with the youth staff.

A qualified, trained nurse or EMT is present at all activities, and we use advanced communications technology to maintain constant communication with groups when they are hiking in the field.