Alumni Spotlight- January 2026

This month’s Alumni Spotlight features Hannah (Gould) Rothschild! In her 8 summers at Chippewa, Hannah brought enthusiasm, kindness and Chippy spirit to the CRC community. Although it has been 10 years since Hannah’s time at camp, being a Chippy continues to shape who she is and how she lives life on a daily basis. Read below to learn all about Hannah’s time at Chippewa as well as about her life in California!

Hannah has provided a discount code for her brand, Unemployed Denim. Click the link below and use code CHIPPEWA25 for 25% off your Unemployed Denim order!

Here’s the link: https://www.unemployeddenim.com

What years were you at CRC?
2008 - 2015.

Which summer was your favorite and why?
Such a tough question, but I’d probably say Trailriders 2012. There was something so special about being combined with our age group and all living together in one big cabin. The camping trip to Mackinac Island that summer was unforgettable. Exploring the island on foot during our treasure hunt and borrowing towels from The Grand was the best.

What is your favorite camp memory?
Too many to choose from, but one that really stands out is the last night of camp my Lakeview summer. After watching the CRC sign burn, a group of us stayed up all night stargazing in the North Field. We sat together, watching the stars and talking until morning. It felt so cozy and special being together our last night as campers.

What was your favorite activity at camp?
Windsurfing! I loved riding around the lake feeling on top of the world.

Were you a Tan or a White?
Tan ❤️

How do you keep in touch with your camp friends?
Facetime, visits, calls, and texts.

Where do you live now?
Cardiff By-The-Sea, California (San Diego).

What do you do?
I own a customizable clothing brand called Unemployed Denim. We create hand-embellished pieces, often using repurposed materials, to create clothing that feels personal, playful, and made just for you.

How has camp impacted who you are and your career path?
Camp has impacted every part of who I am and how I show up in my life and career. Being at camp taught me how to live and function alongside others, work through conflict, and become independent in a way that felt supportive rather than overwhelming. It gave me the confidence to be fully myself and the safety to try new things, even when they felt uncomfortable. That foundation has carried into my career, where I’m more willing to take risks, explore new ideas, advocate for myself, and accept that not everything goes exactly as planned. Camp taught me how to compromise, adapt, and keep going- IMPORTANT lessons I still rely on every day.

What do you miss most about camp?
I miss the people more than anything, along with how present everyone was each day. Life at camp was simple and fun, filled with traditions that made most moments feel magical. Waking up to your best friends for two months straight each year was a gift.

Anything else you want to share with your Chippy family?
Last year I moved from Chicago to San Diego, and as I’ve met new people, camp comes up more often than I expected. It’s hard to talk about who I am without talking about camp, because it shaped the way I connect with others and show up in the world. Whenever I meet someone else who went to camp, there’s an immediate understanding and a deeper, grounding connection. That sense of confidence and belonging is something I carry with me, and it’s also what pushes me not to settle. If you want to move somewhere, do it. If you want a new job, go for it. I constantly remind myself that you miss all the shots you don’t take, and that progress isn’t linear.