Lauren is an outgoing college sophomore from Pennsylvania. She attends McDaniel College in Westminster, Maryland, majoring in Business and Economics with a minor in American Sign Language. In her spare time on campus, Lauren can be found roaming the halls fulfilling her duties as a Resident Assistant, raising funds for her sorority, Phi Sigma Sigma, and proudly encouraging her fellow classmates on at football games as a cheerleader. Lauren hopes to make her impact on the world by supporting and assisting others in finding their sparks and making their marks on the world!

She's passionate about:
Helping others strive to further their educations. She believes that everyone should have the opportunity to learn more, especially if it helps them reach their career goals. "Schooling is not just a place to improve your knowledge of the subjects, but a place to grow and truly find who you are."

Why Lauren is excited to serve on YAC:
"I believe that Camp Fire does great work to help young people across the country, and I am eager to help them in their Promise to help youth shape the world." Lauren is excited and honored to be serving as the National YAC Chair. She loves every aspect of the group and the work that they do to lift others' voices and find their sparks! "This organization has given me so many opportunities over the years, I'm just glad to be able to give some of that back!"

Adam is a 16-year-old from Harrington Park, New Jersey. He is fascinated with the ways technology and the Internet are shaping the lives of young people on the local, national, and global levels. Adam recently created a historical archive for his home town. His passion for history and his analytical mind will be a great addition to the National YAC.

He's passionate about:
Helping youth and teens prepare to enter a rapidly changing world. "The world we will enter in college and beyond will be vastly different from the world our parents faced." Adam hopes to educate his fellow peers and classmates on the importance of being fully informed and prepared for life after high school.

Why Adam is excited to serve on YAC:
"I believe that Camp Fire does great work to help young people across the country, and I am eager to help them in their Promise to help youth shape the world."

Caleb, a Florida teen, is in his senior year of high school. In his free time, he enjoys hanging out at Camp Fire Sunshine and finding new ways to volunteer. He really enjoys devoting his time to planning an annual, weeklong service-learning road trip called CF66. His goal is to make a difference in this world. He recently enlisted in the United States Air Force.

He's passionate about:
Giving back to his community. "A world without volunteers and a sense of community is a sad world to live in."

Why Caleb is excited to serve on YAC:
"I am excited to serve, because it is a new opportunity for me to expand my leadership skills."

Callie Stern is a college student attending Armstrong Atlantic State University. She is majoring in Chemistry, with hopes of doing environmental work with her degree. Through Camp Fire, Callie has sparked her passion for the world around her. She intends on leaving her mark in the world with a breath of fresh air.

What she's passionate about:
Callie is passionate about the environment. "Camp Fire has taught me to respect nature. One of the many opportunities that Camp Fire upholds is outdoor experiences. Through camping or playing with bugs, Camp Fire understands the need for children to be outside. I am passionate about nature, and I want to spread the word for others to explore the outdoors!"

Why Callie is excited to serve on YAC:
"Serving on The National Youth Advisory Cabinet has allowed me to further my role in Camp Fire. Nationally, I am the voice for all youth in the United States. I am ecstatic to serve on YAC because my voice is heard, and it truly matters."

Cheng moved to the Twin Cities from Thailand in 2005 and he didn't waste any time diving into American culture. Currently a junior in high school, Cheng serves in several school leadership roles, including National Honor Society, Pay it Forward volunteering club, Students Working on the Achievement Gap, Student Council, and his school district's Youth Leadership Council. Cheng is currently serving in a mentorship position on the National Youth Leadership Council's Youth Advisory Council.

He's passionate about:
Helping teens find their spark. Cheng wants to communicate the importance of knowing what your spark is and understanding who can help champion that passion. "Schools should have spark training so students can start to plan and understand what path to follow when they graduate high school. When students are passionate about their work, they are more invested in their peers, in their grades, and in their own lives."

Why Cheng is excited to serve on YAC:
"I feel that the National YAC will provide great experiences to help me be successful in life and school. I look forward to learning and experiencing new things!"

Hannah Kraar, an honor student at the University of Georgia, is serving her second term on YAC. This summer, she worked at Camp Toccoa, Camp Fire Georgia's summer camp. Although she is majoring in International Affairs, Hannah still has plenty of time to have fun. In her free time, she can be found volunteering in her camp's off-season, kickboxing, watching football, and dancing to bad pop music.

What she's passionate about:
Finding sparks. "All young people deserve a chance to find what they're passionate about. If we are never exposed to different opportunities, we'll never be able to find what drives us. We should be able to search for our sparks without limitations."

Why Hannah is excited to serve on YAC:
"YAC gives me an opportunity to connect with other young people around the country who are also passionate about exposing others to Camp Fire."

Jakob is a senior at Kearney High School. He has been accepted at the University of Missouri in Columbia and plans on studying nuclear engineering. In his spare time, he is an avid musician, swimmer, and snowboarder.

What he's passionate about:
Teaching leadership skills to youth. "I believe that leadership skills, developed at a young age, can only get better with time. Giving youth leadership positions will instill a since of confidence in their abilities that will last their whole life through."

Why Jakob is excited to serve on YAC:
"Being a YAC member is helping me to develop my leadership and communication skills, while still serving Camp Fire. I enjoy learning new ways to express myself and ways to help others, while meeting new youth from all over the country."

Jorge is a high school senior from Chicago, IL. An accomplished athlete, Jorge loves to be active, meet new people, and make a difference in the communities and lives he touches. Jorge joins the National YAC with extensive leadership and service-learning experience.

He's passionate about:
Closing the achievement gap. Jorge has seen many students drop out and succumb to peer pressure. He is passionate about helping youth understand the importance of staying in school and attending postsecondary education.

Why he's excited to serve on YAC:
"I want to be part of the YAC to get a new learning experience and also to get the chance to help and make a difference in the world."

JJ (Julia Jean) Brown is a high school junior from Spokane, Washington. St. Ignatious said "Ite Inflamata Omnia" ("Go Forth and Set the World on Fire"). This is JJ's personal mission. She strongly believes that every child should have the opportunity to experience a week at camp at least once in their life, so she started her own charitable organization. Outdoor Opportunities—Camps for Kids raises money needed to provide camp scholarships, financially support camp programs, and provide camping gear to kids who need basics for camp.

She's passionate about:
Camping and getting kids out in nature. JJ volunteers at Camp Fire Inland Northwest's day camp as a lifeguard and has visited over 40 national parks.

Why JJ is excited to serve on YAC:
"Serving is my way to repay all of the people who have given me opportunities; I hope that my involvement in YAC will result in many more doors opening for youth throughout our country."

Kalsa is a first-year student at Iowa State University. As a student in Environmental Science, she hopes to work in a youth-oriented Outdoor Education position. In her spare time, she enjoys hiking, kayaking, and volunteering at her local Camp Fire camp.

She is passionate about:
Working with kids. "I believe working with youth is the most direct way anybody can change the world. I strive to be a role model for kids and give them a sense of appreciation for the outdoors, because they'll be the ones taking care of it in the future."

Why Kalsa is excited to serve on YAC:
"Being on YAC is a great opportunity to get more involved with the organization I grew up with. I enjoy being able to share my voice about what Camp Fire is doing and also getting to work with so many other youth that are as passionate as I am."

Katelyn, an ambitious 16-year-old from New Jersey, is a rising sophomore in high school. In her free time, she can be found running her own nonprofit organization, where she organizes and runs her community's food and clothing bank for needy families. Katelyn wishes to make her mark in the world by encouraging others to make a difference in their community.

She's passionate about:
Ending bullying. "Regardless of whether it is physical bullying or cyberbullying, it hurts all the same. I want to build my peers up and encourage self-confidence. Teens should be able to talk to each other about their worries and tribulations and not feel ashamed. We should build each other up!"

Why Katelyn is excited to serve on YAC:
"Serving on the cabinet will give me the opportunity to prepare, encourage, and lead young people to success."

Katie is a charismatic sophomore at Eastern Washington University who is pursuing degrees in Special Education and Spanish. In her free time, she enjoys spending time outside, tutoring kids, and baking. She hopes to make an impact on children's lives through teaching.

What she's passionate about:
Children with special needs. "Children with special needs are just like you and me. I feel that every child deserves an amazing education. My goal is to make every child have the ability to enjoy life to its fullest no matter what obstacles may be in their way. Children with special needs became a passion of mine through Camp Fire. Through this organization I was given the opportunity to work with kids with special needs, and helping others became my spark."

Why Katie is excited to serve on YAC:
"YAC has given me some wonderful opportunities to meet people that I would have never met that have now become some of my best friends. YAC has also given me the opportunity to build my leadership skills and help to show youth that they have a voice and can be successful in anything they take on."

Kayla Hensley is a Nursing student at Point Loma Nazarene University. She has made the Dean's list every semester at Loma and participates in clubs and the Student Nurses Association. She has been involved in Camp Fire Central Coast for 14 years, participating in a traditional club and on the board of directors and volunteering at summer camp and for the council. She received her Wohelo and continues to participate in her local council.

What she's passionate about:
Working with and helping people. "Camp Fire helped me realize my passion for serving others and working with kids. I am going to Nursing School to make an impact. I want to be a nurse and work for programs that travel the world so I can make a difference. I want to change and save lives."

Why Kayla is excited to serve on YAC:
"Serving on YAC has been one of my favorite experiences throughout my time with Camp Fire. I have met so many people across the country who have similar goals and beliefs yet are so different from me. It provides me the opportunity to learn new things about Camp Fire and how I can bring what I learn back to my council."

Megan is an eighteen-year-old freshman at Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, in pursuit of her Bachelor of Science in Nursing. She has been an active member of Camp Fire for 12 years and is a member of Green Country's board of directors. Megan earned her Wohelo Award in April of 2012. Her advocacy projects included increasing donations to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, attacking the homeschool stereotype, and increasing members of Camp Fire's Little Stars program. Megan enjoys spending her summers working as a camp counselor and lifeguard at Camp Waluhili, Green Country's summer resident camp. In her spare time, Megan enjoys reading and writing.

What she's passionate about:
Teaching youth to enjoy the outdoors. "I love working with kids out at summer camp. Most youth today have video games, TV, cell phones, and computers to entertain themselves at home. Once they get to camp, all of that is gone and they're at a loss for how to have fun! I get the opportunity to show them how to build forts out of twine and sticks they gather themselves. They gain so much confidence when they start their first one match fire, and I love hearing them tell their parents all about it when they get picked up!"

Why Megan is excited to serve on YAC:
Megan joined the YAC to give back to Camp Fire. "Camp Fire has given me so much; I just want to be able to give as much back."

NiAsia Bridgeman is a hardworking teen from Washington DC. She is a freshman at Winston-Salem state university. She is very active in her community and part of Camp Fire Patuxent Area in Maryland. In high school, she was a part of the leadership board in her council. During this time, she helped organize many service activities for youth.

She's passionate about:
Getting youth involved in service. "It is very cliché, but we as youth are the future. If we don't try to make it better, then it won't be when we are older. We should want to give back to our community and do service because it is what's right. Teens aren't going to join in unless you appeal to them."

Why she's excited to serve on YAC:
"Serving on YAC can help me do what I'm passionate about, and I get to have fun at the same time."

Owen is currently a sophomore at Iowa State University, where he is double-majoring in Biology and Child, Adult, and Family Services. Outside of class, his time is divided between a part-time job at local nonprofit Youth and Shelter Service, volunteering with Camp Fire Heart of the Hawkeye, hosting a radio show, and mentoring youth at a local middle school. Owen has been a member of Camp Fire since first grade and recently finished his second summer on staff at Camp Hantesa.

What he's passionate about:
Working with youth of all ages and backgrounds. "I enjoy teaching kids new skills and connecting them with nature. It's important to me that all youth have the opportunity to explore their environment and make decisions about their own learning experiences while also building lasting relationships with their peers."

Why Owen is excited to serve on YAC:
"Serving on YAC has given me the opportunity to meet lots of great young people from all over the country who are passionate about Camp Fire and who always inspire me to do more. I can't wait to begin my second term and continue to help shape the organization that has given me and other youth so much."

Gamma Phi Beta Young Adult Partner

Addie is a junior at the University of Alabama. A leader in her Gamma Phi Beta chapter, she is no stranger to Camp Fire. "I've volunteered several times at Camp Fire Central Alabama's Camp Fletcher. Every time I'm there, I feel so connected to myself. Being in nature, experiencing Camp Fire really helped me discover who I am." As the Administrative Vice President of the largest Gamma Phi Beta collegiate chapter in the country, Addie hopes to be able to leverage the Camp Fire partnership on a national level.

She's passionate about:
Guiding youth to be individuals. "Celebrities and media have warped the image that youth have of themselves; I know, because I used to be one of them. We need role models that inspire young people that it's not about how you look, how well you fit in. It's about what's on the inside, being a unique individual who contributes to society."

Why she's excited to serve on YAC:
"After joining Gamma Phi Beta, Camp Fire inspired me to be the best version of myself that I can be for my community and campus. I love what this organization believes in and does for youth. I want to be the voice for young adults, because I believe we can change the world."