Meet Corey Elliot
How did you find out about Camp Pinnacle?
I found Camp Pinnacle through one of my lifelong friends Max Albers, who will be returning for his third summer at camp this year – watch out for this dynamic duo! That photo is of Max and me on a camping trip. After going back and forth between Champaign, IL and the suburbs of Chicago for the last few years, I absolutely cannot wait to get outside for a summer and rock the camp lifestyle. Plus, I heard rumors about a new spot for bouldering, so you know I have to come out and see for myself if they’re true.
What do you do when not at CP?
This coming May I’ll be graduating from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign with a degree in journalism and a minor in animal sciences. In my free time I love to take pictures, read fiction novels, admire the sunsets, and drum. I also climb whenever I get the chance, and play video games more than my mom would probably be proud of – sorry, Mom! In between belaying people while I’m working at the campus recreation center’s climbing wall, I’ve been doing my best to up my kendama skills in preparation for the summer!
What is your proudest accomplishment?
My proudest accomplishment came first as a personal achievement, but since has turned into one that I hope has done some good for others. As I started my first year of college I began to struggle immensely with anxiety, panic attacks, and much more. Three and a half years later I can say that I’m not only doing much better, but that I’ve been fortunate enough to help open up the conversation about mental health on our drumline here at school, as well as with my friends and family. I’m doing what I can to help others work through some of the same things I struggled with which is something I’m happy I’m able to do now and I look forward to doing wherever I find myself at.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years? 10?
I don’t have a great answer for this question other than when I think about it, I get this image of myself walking barefoot on a beach somewhere with a dog running ahead and a sunset off to the right. I’d also like to be able to sing by then cause I’m really bad at it right now.
Campers, ask me about the time I…. went camping and woke up right next to a bear!
Meet Julia Bassett
How did you find out about Camp Pinnacle?
I first found out about Camp Pinnacle during the summer of 2021 during a scheduled retreat with Morehead-Cain, a scholarship I am a part of at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Upon arrival, I felt completely at home and invigorated, and I knew I wanted to return not as a camper but as a staff member at some point in the future. I am most looking forward to creating the same environment with my campers that I felt when I first came to Camp Pinnacle- completely supported, excited to try new things, and full of life.
What do you do when not at CP?
I am currently studying nutrition and exercise sport science at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where I am also a member of the club weightlifting team and the outdoors club. When not in class, I love going to the gym, experimenting in the kitchen, rock climbing or playing soccer with my friends, and taking long walks with my favorite podcasts.
What is your proudest accomplishment?
Coming from a small, rural high school, I had never heard of anyone receiving the Morehead-Cain scholarship, a full ride to UNC Chapel Hill, before. I remember my teachers telling me to not get my hopes up and that there was only a small chance I would be a recipient, but I try to never let others’ perceptions and opinions hinder me from pursuing what I believe in. Receiving this scholarship showed me that with hard work and clear goals, you can achieve things you never thought possible.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years? 10?
In 5 years, I will be finishing up a master’s program for nutrition so I can use my degree and explore my passions to the fullest extent. In ten years, I hope to have traveled and seen more of the world and pursued my dream career of sports nutrition working with a professional sports team.
Campers, ask me about the time I… attended Camp Pinnacle as a camper!