Alumni Spotlight- April 2026

This month’s Alumni Spotlight features Sydney Mehrholz! During her summers at CRC, Sydney brought an unmatched enthusiasm and sense of joy. Her inclusive energy and spirited presence at camp was a constant, and in her 12 summers at Chippewa, she made the most of every opportunity for friendship, growth and fun. As a second generation Chippy, Sydney started her camp career with a deep love of camp and a sense of belonging that has only grown since 2009. She is now a member of the Alumni Board and continues to make an impact for Chippewa… plus, being a Chippy continues to shape who she is and how she lives life on a daily basis. Read below to learn all about Sydney’s time at Chippewa as well as about her life in New York City!

What years were you at CRC?
2009 - 2021.

Which summer was your favorite and why?
2017 was probably my favorite summer because I was a CIT, so I had the responsibility of being a counselor but also had the opportunity to still take activities. I was also Grand Sachem that summer…it was THE BEST!

What is your favorite camp memory?
My favorite camp memory has to be winning Pony Express in 2017. The sheer joy and happiness I felt that day was unexplainable. Getting off the canoe, running through the White team tunnel, & smashing that watermelon…nothing better than Chippies all jumping up and down and cheering together. Although we didn’t win the entire summer, that day was absolutely extraordinary. It was just a pure celebration of what camp is all about.

What was your favorite activity at camp?
Waterskiing & Yoga!

Were you a Tan or a White?
We’ve Got the Might…GO WHITE!

How do you keep in touch with your camp friends?
We text & have plans whenever we can since a lot of us live in different states!

Where do you live now?
New York.

What do you do?
I work in Advertising & have a Food Blog on TikTok & Instagram.

You were one of the first people to participate as a mentee in the CRC Mentorship Program. What was your favorite part of participating in the CRC Mentorship Program?
I learned so much thanks to my mentor, Jami. She was a dedicated advocate who helped me become more strategic in my job search. Finding a job as a new grad is difficult, and she truly transformed the process for me. Whether it was resume building and networking calls or interview prep, I learned so much.

Why should someone become a mentee?
Starting my senior year of college, I had countless networking calls with strangers. This program takes away the anxiety of asking for advice from people you don’t know. As Chippies, there’s an immediate sense of comfort…no awkward pauses, no pressure. We just get each other because we share the experience that shaped who we are: camp. The program cultivates a genuinely supportive environment to learn, connect, and grow in your career.

What do you miss most about camp?
Every single thing (I am not kidding). Call me crazy but I think about camp every single day.

What does it mean to you to be a Chippy?
If I let myself fully answer this question, it would easily turn into a 10+ page essay. So, I will keep it simple: I owe so much of who I am to Chippewa Ranch Camp. Growing up with a mother and aunt (Kara & Kelli) who both love Chippewa instilled in me a connection to this place that will never be broken.

Is there anything else you want to share with your Chippy family?
I hope everything is all good with everyone! Miss you all!!!! :)