Jerrica grew up in Toledo Ohio and attended Bowling Green State University to study Business/Marketing Education. Shortly after graduating, she road tripped across the country to Phoenix Arizona with hopes of beginning her career as an educator. Her first stint was in Mesa School District and then was part of launching the first school year at Canyon View High School where she taught for an additional 2 years while coaching cheerleading, track and student government.
In Arizona, Jerrica met Taran as he swept her off her feet with his amazing karaoke skills (his version of their love story). They had a love for each other and love for adventure that led them back across the country to try a summer out at Camp IHC. Her first role was Outdoor Adventure Coordinator, as she wanted to push past her comfort zone and do some amazing things outdoors. Jerrica led OPT trips that summer and assisted in all of the OA fun from ropes to Survivor. It was so refreshing to be outside with campers and see them away from screens, Jerrica found that her passion was outside of the classroom and at this wonderful place called camp When offered a full time position at camp as the Upper Lake Girls Side Director, she couldn’t say no.
She has worked as the Upper Lake Girls Side director since summer 2022. Little did she know back in AZ as she handled planning for prom, and all of the special events in student government that those skills would translate perfectly into creating a memorable summer experience for the girls on Upper Lake all of these years later. Jerrica loves to be in the middle of the action with her girls each summer and all of the wonderful drama that comes with it.
In the off season, Jerrica enjoys communicating with parents and campers about the upcoming summer. She’s also one of the staffing directors that works directly with recruiting and training the summer counselors who come to camp each year.
Jerrica loves working with staff and campers to see them grow each and every day throughout the summer. Being outdoors, being authentic and enjoying being in the present are all things that Jerrica loves about the IHC summer experience. Her favorite part of the summer has to be dress your bunk! Followed closely by milk and cookies time, closely by campfire and the minute of complete silence on camp while reflecting looking into the fire.