Alumni Spotlight- February 2023

This month’s Alumni Spotlight features Ellie (Goone) Bender! During her time at camp, Ellie brought enthusiasm, fun, creativity and thoughtfulness to her campers, activities and camp programming. Ellie is someone who continues to live by the CRC values in her everyday life, and we love having her as a part of our CRC alumni community! Read below to learn all about Ellie’s time at Chippewa as well as about her life in New York!

What years were you at CRC?
Blackfoot 2003 to Lakeview Counselor 2012! I skipped one summer and missed out on being in the tri-cabin… I will always have FOMO about it.

Which summer was your favorite and why?
It is so hard to pick, but either my Lakeview summer because I had both of my sisters at camp that year, or my CIT summer because I loved my campers and I was able to be the Tan Grand Sachem!

What is your favorite camp memory?
Winning Pony Express and the summer of Tan & White as Grand Sachem! Honorable mention: staring at the stars every year during Stalk the Lantern!

What was your favorite activity at camp?
Yoga, Sailing, the play, and Songfest!

Were you a Tan or a White?
Yes We Can, Go TAN! (Did I mention I was Tan Grand Sachem??)

How do you keep in touch with your camp friends?
Texting and FaceTime.

Where do you live now?
I live in New York City.

What do you do?
I’m a psychotherapist at a private therapy practice specializing in cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) for a variety of concerns including eating disorders, depression, anxiety, stress management, and body image.

What do you miss most about camp?
So much… camping trips, the glassy Dam Lake water, being silly with my friends and campers, socials, Lip Syncs and canteen.

Anything else you want to share with your Chippy family?
I’m so grateful for the ways in which CRC has shaped me as a person. I will always have a special place in my heart for camp and the people who made it so meaningful for me.