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STAFFA FAMILY BUSINESSRusty Crook started Thisisit Ranch Day Camp in 1964, and the camp has been in continuous operation ever since, thanks also to his wife, Susie, who manages the camp office and ice cream shop. Rusty’s two sons, two daughters and two step-daughters enjoyed their time as campers over the years, many of them also serving as camp counselors for a time. His youngest, Laura, now manages the camp together with her husband, Chris. Rusty, Susie, Laura, and Chris all have master’s degrees in education, bringing to the table varied experiences in teaching, coaching, swimming instruction, and CPR. The family relies on valuable support from a professional team of counselors who also have the necessary teaching and coaching backgrounds to keep the camp going strong year after year. It’s the entire staff’s focus on the camp’s core values – sportsmanship, teamwork, leadership – that keep families coming back generation after generation.
Rusty Crook, founder, owner, and operator of Thisisit Ranch Day Camp, is passionate about sports, having a well rounded athletic background himself. He was a Nevada State diving and pole vaulting champion. At Menlo Jr. College he competed in football, basketball and track on the college team. At Denver University he competed in soccer, skiing, diving, gymnastics, and track. His ski team at Denver won the NCAA Championship, earning Rusty an induction into the Denver University Athletic Hall of Fame. At the University of Nevada, Reno, he competed in gymnastics and skiing. He is a retired physical education teacher for the Washoe County School District, former School Board Trustee, founder and former director of the Mt Rose Falcon Ski Team, former technical director of the Junior Ski Program, and director of senior skiing at Mt. Rose ski area. Rusty spent over 30 years teaching physical education and coaching a variety of sports. He was inducted into the Northern Nevada Track and Field Coaches Association Hall of Fame and the Veteran Ski Instructors' Hall of Fame. The Professional Ski Instructors of America (PSIA) gave Rusty a Lifetime Membership "In Recognition of Distinguished Service."
Susie Crook, co-owner and operator of Thisisit Ranch Day Camp, is a graduate of Indiana University and Michigan State University. She is a retired elementary school teacher for the Washoe County School District, where she spent 26 years teaching special education and second grade. She is a recipient of two teaching awards, the Dedicated Service Award and the Distinguished Service Award. She is a mother of two girls and an active grandmother.
Laura Jordan,camp manager and head counselor, is a graduate of the University of Colorado. She is a National Board Certified high school language arts and reading teacher, and an adjunct instructor at the University of Colorado. In addition to her years in education, Laura spent 10 years teaching and coaching skiing and volleyball, and was twice named Colorado Alpine Skiing Coach of the Year. She earned the Kay Mervar Outstanding Reading Educator of Colorado Award and the Jared Polis Distinguished Teaching Award.
Chris Warner, our second camp manager and head counselor, is a graduate of Northwestern University. He is a National Board Certified high school language arts and social studies teacher. In addition to his years in education, Chris spent 12 years coaching volleyball and works as the coaching coordinator and parent liaison for a junior national volleyball club.
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2013 Program:Week 1: June 10-14Rocket Week and Sportsmanship
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