Registration opens May 1st. Camp Dates July 14th - 19th, 2025.  
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Meghan Erickson

Board President and Director

Meghan has been a part of the Camp New Day U.P. family since 2016. Her first two years she was a counselor, and after being a counselor she realized she wanted to be behind the scenes of camp. Making it happen for some amazing kids! Meghan was born and raised in Marquette, MI. Her and her family now reside in the small town of Bark River, MI. Meghan works at Bark River-Harris School as a Paraprofessional. Meghan is currently attending The University of Olivet to obtain her teaching degree in lower elemenatry. She really enjoys being around children and watching who they become. In her spare time she loves camping, fishing, hunting, four wheeling and spending time with her family. One of her favorite things about summer is attending Camp New Day UP. She enjoys meeting new campers and seeing returning campers.

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Jarroed Pierce

Board Vice President and Camp Staff

This is Jarroed’s first year on the Camp New Day UP board. He was a counselor last year and after camp decided that he wanted to join the board and ensure some amazing kids have the best time! He was born and raised in Monroe, MI but now reside in Marquette, MI. He currently work at Pathways Community Mental Health in the children’s department as the Coordinator and also as a behavior technician working with some awesome individuals. He loves camping, fishing, baseball, and spending time with his wonderful family. One of his favorite things about summer is being out in nature.

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Rachel Placeway

Board Treasurer and Program Coordinator

Rachel joined the Camp New Day family in 2021 and has been a camp counselor for 2 years. She joined the board following camp in 2022. Recent graduate of Northern Michigan University, Rachel holds a bachelor’s degree in Sociology and Criminal Justice. With a passion for working with at-risk youth she is searching for a job working for social justice nonprofits. She enjoys hiking, camping, snowboarding, and reading. Rachel hopes to bring a new perspective to the board and continue to serve the youth of the U.P.

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Alyssa Murray

Board Member and Camp Nurse

Alyssa joined Camp New Day as a relief camp nurse and board member in 2022. Alyssa is a full-time nurse educator at Northern Michigan University. Alyssa has recently completed her master’s in nursing education. She enjoys the outdoors, camping, home renovations, and spending time with her family in her free time. Alyssa is a mother to two children who are her world. Alyssa hopes to make a long-standing positive impact on Camp New Day. She enjoys spending time with the kids while ensuring they are safe and healthy.

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Janette Polkinghorn

Board Secretary and Volunteer

Janette is one of the newer board members of Camp New Day UP and is excited to be a part of camp. The mission of Camp New Day is impressive and fits Janette’s passion for supporting youth who are at risk due to some challenging life circumstances. The fact that camp teaches and encourages outdoor activities and skills is an added bonus. Janette has worked as a school psychologist for the past two decades in the UP, as well as in Alpena and the Chicago area. Prior to this she worked in the mental health field with adolescent and adult inpatients. She holds a bachelors, masters and doctorate in educational psychology. When not working, Janette enjoys many Upper Peninsula outdoor activities, such as camping, hiking, running, biking, cross country skiing and inline skating.

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Anjelica Thorne, LLBSW

Board Member and Assistant Director/Behavior Support Specialist

Anjelica (Jelly) is a dedicated board member and the Assistant Director and Behavioral Support Specialist at Camp New Day. She has been volunteering with the organization since 2019, showcasing exceptional leadership. Her unwavering commitment to serving at-risk youth is reflected in her Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree and her current roles as a Case Manager at Lutheran Social Services for Welcome Home Marquette and Superior Futures for Youth, as well as an Independent Contract Social Worker for Public Defense Offices in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Jelly’s expertise and compassion positively impact vulnerable individuals in her community. Jelly is also pursuing a Master’s degree in Social Work with a concentration on trauma from Walden University, demonstrating her dedication to continuous learning and professional growth. We’re excited to announce Jelly’s return for the upcoming year. Her exceptional leadership, dedication, and genuine care for campers make her an invaluable asset, and we eagerly anticipate her continued positive influence on the lives of the youth we serve.

Lewis Goff

Board Member and Sports & Rec Coordinator

Lewis has been involved with Camp New Day since 2021 and has been a counselor for 3 years before joining the Board in 2023. Camp New Day had an immediate impact on Lewis and he was passionate about joining the Board to get more involved with camp. Lewis was born and raised in Marquette, Mi, and is currently studying Sustainable Business and Enterprise Creation at Northern Michigan University. In relation to his degree, Lewis works at Invent@NMU and Innovate Marquette in an entrepreneurial support role. In the summers, Lewis has enjoyed spending his time coaching for the Superior Soccer Association.

 

Savana Driesenga

Board Member and Camp Dean

Savana has been with Camp New Day U.P since 2021. She started as a counselor, then became a dean, and now is super excited to be involved as a board member. Savana graduated from Northern Michigan University in 2023 where she studied Special Education with a concentration in Emotional Impairments. She is currently a special education teacher at Negaunee High School and also working on her Masters in Education with a focus in Trauma and Resiliency. She is passionate about advocating for all children, regardless of background or ability. Camp New Day U.P. is such a unique and important mission and Savana considers herself so lucky to be able to work alongside so many awesome people who share the same fire and passion for this organization!

Sydney Garlitz, LLMSW

Board Member and Camp Staff

Sydney, better known as Squidney, has been a dedicated part of Camp New Day since 2022. As a camp counselor and now a board member, her favorite part of working with the camp is watching the campers grow and change each year they return. She says it’s a privilege not only to watch them grow up but also to be a part of their growth. Outside of camp, Squidney works as a therapist at Teaching Family Homes in Marquette, a mental health and behavioral stabilization program for youth. During her time there, she has developed a passion for working in the child welfare system. She is also an active board member for STAR Children’s Bereavement Services, where she volunteers at CAMP STAR—a grief camp that supports children who have lost a loved one. Squidney’s ultimate goal in her roles is to foster healthy, positive, and meaningful relationships and experiences that will leave a lasting impact on the lives of those she works with.Outside of her professional life, Squidney enjoys crafting of all kinds, geocaching, and spending time with her two cats, Chicken and Looney.

Louis Justman

Technical Consultant and Volunteer

Louis joined Camp New Day as a cabin counselor in 2019 and served on the board of directors for several years after that. His professional background is in Special Education and he is currently working on his doctoral studies. He enjoys working with young people in and outside of class, watching them learn and grow, and mentoring them through the seemingly endless curveballs of adolescence. Louis runs a web and graphic consultation business, SpeakEasy Design, and continues to advise the organization on all things technology!