Camp Friendship is about giving each camper the best summer experience possible. A staff of year-round professionals work hard to achieve excellence in all aspects of camp. Our staff have a lot of experience working with children, families and user groups. Many of our staff have gone through intensive national and local training programs and have achieved numerous rewards, certifications and recognitions.
Chuck Ackenbom is Camp Friendship Executive Director and Founder.
Chuck received his B.S. in Physical Education from West Virginia Wesleyan College. After finishing his 5 year service in the Navy as a Navy pilot he fulfilled his dream of starting a camp for children in a beautiful area of central Virginia. Chuck is a true success story in the camping profession. He served two terms as President of Virginias section and one term as National President of American Camping Association. Chuck is a multiple awards recipient from national camp organizations and sections including Distinguished Service Award, the highest award presented in the camp industry. For almost 20 years Chuck has served on International Camping Fellowship Board as USA representative.
For any comments, please email to chuck@campfriendship.com
Samantha Leonard, Camp Friendship's Director, comes from a small community located north of Sydney on the East coast of Australia. She studied Business majoring in Marketing and Human Resources. Sam has over 12 years of experience working in Summer Camps and Outdoor Education in the USA. She is a member of the American Camp Association, a certified Lifeguard and High & Low Ropes Facilitator and, also holds a certification from the ACA Camp Directors Course. Her camp experience includes supervising multiple areas of camp program and directing outdoor education. Sam has also served as the Program Coordinator for Camp Counselors USA in Australia. At "CF" Sam coordinates events and activities, recruits staff and campers, and manages the program areas of Aquatics, Fine Arts, Performing Arts, High Ropes, Target Sports and Land Sports. She is full of energy and enthusiasm which makes any camp program a lot of fun! samantha@campfriendship.com
Alina Ackenbom, USPTA-certified Tennis Professional and Russian National Junior title holder. She holds a Masters degree of Education from Bashkir State Pedagogical University, Russia. With a major in linguistics education and minor in psychology she graduated sum cum laude in 1996. Since 1997 Alina has been a member of Camp Friendship Staff. When not teaching tennis she stays very involved in camp life by helping with camper recruitment, website management, staff training, and working with user groups. She received her Basic Camp Director Course certification in 2005 and currently serves as Independent/Private Camps Chair on ACA Virginias Board. She serves on the Board of International Camping Fellowship as its website manager. Alina is a mother of Nika and Tyler who love growing up at camp. She enjoys playing sports, cooking, and reading to her children. alina@campfriendship.com
Cris Higginbotham, Camp Friendship Assistant Director Director has worked at camp since 2004. Originally from Puerto Rico, Cris attended Mississippi State University and the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee where he graduated with a degree, Bachelor of Fine Arts. Cris has worked at camps for almost 10 years and has a wide knowledge of many areas of camp. As an excellent photographer and web designer he has been able to produce high quality camp documents, newsletters, camp videos and camp fairs materials. Cris is a former boy scout a current member of the American Camp Association. His wife Shannon is a Dance and Fitness Instructor at the local dance studio and health club. They have two children, Aiden 5 years old who just spent his first summer at camp as a camper and Isabella, who is only two years old, but ready for her camp experience to begin!
cris@campfriendship.com
Skye Ackenbom, Equestrian Program Director, is also the daughter of owner/founder Chuck Ackenbom. Skye grew up in the Camp Friendship equestrian program - for many years she was active as a counselor and certified instructor before taking over the role as Riding Director in 2005. As a junior competitor Skye rode to many championships at the local, state, regional and rated levels. She holds a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology and finds running the equestrian program at Camp Friendship the perfect opportunity to combine her love of horses with her love for working with children. Skye supervises year round equestrian program managing programs, staff and 90 horses. She too is a member of American Camp Association.
skyeackenbom@aol.com
Sherri White, Camp Registrar worked at Friendship since 2001. She grew up in Fluvanna County, where camp is located. At camp Sherri went through different stages of working in the Administrative Office, starting as office filer, secretary, accounts registrar and now as Camp Registrar. She has great knowledge of camp and its programs and is always helpful to customers and clients over the phone and the internet. She maintains all camper registrations which amount close to 2000 each summer. Her interests include spending time with her daughter Kirsten, scrapbooking and shopping with her friends.
registrar@campfriendship.com
Amber White, Camp Secretary has worked at Friendship since 2006. Amber is a graduate of Fluvanna High School, and is currently enrolled in Piedmont Virginia Community College. She loves working at Camp Friendship, especially loves her co-workers. She enjoys talking to families on the phone about their children coming to camp. Amber has 5 years of experience working with young children. Her interests include movies, shopping, and visiting with her niece.
info@campfriendship.com