Staff Spotlight: Laine Elliot
For today’s Staff Spotlight, we caught up with Laine Elliot!
Q: What is your position at GRP this Summer?
A: Counselor
Q: How many years have you been at GRP?
A: This will be my second year at GRP as a staff member.
Q: What are you currently doing?
A: I am about to graduate from the University of Alabama with a degree in American Studies and History, and I work at an academic advising office and a restaurant part-time.
Q: What is your spirit animal and why?
A: I know this is cliche, but an otter. I’m definitely a very social and outgoing people-person, and otters are known to be highly social and communicative creatures. I also love swimming and sushi is my favorite food, and otters are some of the most masterful swimmers out there, plus their diet mainly consists of raw fish!
Q: What are you passionate about?
A: Outdoor education, environmental activism, social justice, writing, reading, youth development and working with kids, sustainable farming, yoga and exercise.
Q: What is your favorite thing to do outside?
A: Hiking and walking are my absolute favorites. Kayaking and swimming are very close seconds. I love to lay in the sun in my hammock and read.
Q: Tell us about your favorite trip/experience.
A: Besides my first summer as a counselor at GRP, my favorite trip has to be the time my family and I drove cross-country in our van from Alabama to British Columbia, Canada, along the way we stopped at Yellowstone, Glacier, and a whole lot of other National Parks, sparking my love for the outdoors and instilling in me early the importance of preservation and the healing power of nature.
Q: Why did you choose to come back to GRP this summer?
A: The community that exists at GRP is unmatched. From the deeply supportive, loving, caring, charismatic leadership, to my fellow counselors and staff, to the awesome, unique campers, the kinds of connections and growth fostered here is so special and something I wanted to be a part of again. Also, to go on more Campouts!
Q: What is something interesting that happened to you this year?
A: It hasn’t happened yet, though I’m already anticipating it to be one of the most interesting parts of my year, but for my graduation trip I’m doing a National Parks tour for a month before I come to GRP in June. If it has to be something that already happened, I got rejected from my graduate program of choice and instead of being upset, I had a huge realization that things happen for a reason, and I learned and grew from the experience. Now I’m looking forward to committing the next few years of my life to outdoor education and pursuing my passion which is working with kids and participating in environmental activism.
Q: Where is your favorite place to hike?
A: In the southeast, Cade’s Cove is always fun, anywhere in Pisgah, and my hometown, Tuscaloosa, AL, actually has some beautiful spots along Lake Tuscaloosa with swimming holes and waterfalls. In the west, I love Big Sur and Yosemite.
We’re always looking to add qualified, enthusiastic, and adventurous people to our team!
Know someone who would make a great Counselor or Mentor? Send them our way!
