COUNTRY LIFE KIDS CAMP
"Where Kids can be Kids"
An Ohio Non-profit Corporation
Tina Bildstein, Founder & Camp Director
Tina is the founder of Country Life Kids Camp, who personally directs all of the camp programs. Tina has volunteered, and has run camps as well as given individual lessons for more than 20 years.
Ben Stobbs,
Athletic Program Coordinator
Ben Stobbs, Athletic Program Coordinator, brings more than 25 years of teaching and coaching experience to Country Life Kids Camp along with the motivation to make a positive impact on the lives of the campers and promote their athletic talents on the playing field.
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Ted Kellner,
Wildlife Coordinator
Ted Kellner is a lifelong outdoor enthusiast and is using his gifts and talents as the camp’s Wildlife Coordinator.
Matthew Bildstein
Fitness Instructor
Matthew has watched the camp grow since he was 6 years old. He became officially involved in Country Life Kids Camp in 2015, through the “Camp Counselor in Training” high school mentoring program. He is a graduate of Padua Franciscan High School and a highly motivated student in the Williams Honors College, studying electrical engineering at The University of Akron. Matthew’s greatest strength is his determination to succeed. This is most evident as he was a high school three-sport varsity athlete (Basketball, Cross Country, and Track and Field) succeeding at the highest level while still earning a 4.1 GPA.
He was nominated by his coaches to be involved in the Athletic Leadership Council, called Positive Coaching Alliance because of both his athletic and leadership achievements.
Matthew has a dedicated passion for fitness and became the head Boot Camp Fitness Trainer in 2018. He is looking forward to utilizing his athletic skills and knowledge in basketball, soccer, and agility to teach and inspire young athletes how to lead on and off the field or court. Matthew has played a vital role in collaboratively developing and co-teaching the Young Engineering program. He enjoys sharing his talents with campers helping them learn the basics of engineering through all of Country Life Kids Camp’s regionally recognized STEAM programs. Matthew’s passionate personality and determination to reach higher levels of performance makes him invaluable to the program and campers look to him for leadership, guidance and support in their own endeavors.
Cory Reisner
Asst. Athletic Program Coordinator
Cory Reisner is joining the Country Life Kids Camp team this summer as an Assistant Athletic Program Coordinator. Cory has nine years of teaching and coaching experience in Medina City Schools where he started his career as the Physical Education teacher at Garfield Elementary.
Cory, a graduate of Ashland University, graduated with a degree in Physical Education and Adaptive PE. While at Garfield, he taught grades K – 5. After six years working with younger students, he transferred to A. I. Root Middle school where he is in his third year of teaching grades 6 – 8. In addition to his experience in the classroom, Cory has coached Medina High School varsity football for nine years and varsity track for three years. Cory has a passion for his profession and works very hard to share his enthusiasm for promoting health lifestyles that go beyond the classroom setting with his students.
Cory’s Adaptive Physical Education degree allows him to easily make accommodations for his students when needed, and he enjoys watching his students grow in confidence as they make an effort to try new experiences in his class. Because Cory played football at the college level, he understands the importance of being part of a team, he realizes the benefits of collaborating with peers, and he adapts effortlessly to unexpected changes in schedules.
Jessica Radecky, Asst. Director
Jessica Radecky “Mama J” is an Independent Contractor and has proudly been with Country Life Kids Camp for 13 years as an Assistant Camp Director and Curriculum Developer.
Taylor Barnum
Taylor Barnum has been with Country Life Kids Camp since 2019 when she started in the camp’s “Staff In-Training Program” for those students attending college. She is co-teacher for the Young Naturalist program and loves to integrate your knowledge of natural sciences and passion for the outdoors into her lessons.
Taylor graduated from Cloverleaf High School in 2017 and just recently graduated from the University of Akron in August of 2020 with her Bachelor of Science in Geology. Taylor’s ambition to continually learn the wonders of the outdoors as well as her love of rocks shines through her work. Her favorite activity at camp is questing for rocks and fossils in the creek. She loves to watch the campers’ excitement as they bring different rocks to the surface asking her about each one desiring to know more. Outside of camp, Taylor spends her time playing her ukulele, hiking with her dog, going on road trips, and working as the recruiting and social media manager for Integrity Marketing Solutions in Akron. Taylor’s beaming personality, friendly demeanor, and willingness to help others is what makes her a great addition to our CLKC team.
Maddison Stafford
Maddison Stafford is an Independent Contractor and has been with Country Life Kids Camp since 2022. She started out in the camp’s “Staff In-Training Program” for those students attending college. Maddison is a lead teacher for various subject areas such as religion and coaching character and co-taught book club.
Maddison was a coach on the Instructional Sports side of camp where she co-taught soccer alongside Jessica Radecky. Maddison is working towards obtaining her bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education at The Ohio State University. Maddison will be graduating OSU this spring, 2023
She is passionate about serving the next generation and loves using her talents to help each child grow in their God-given gifts, whether that is academically, socially, or athletically. Maddison is passionate about creating a learning environment that challenges campers to think critically along with having fun and making memories. Maddison has a variety of field experience working at a local charter school in Columbus as an afterschool teacher and three years of field experience teaching in various grade levels. She hopes to move home this spring after graduation and find a teaching position in the area.
Not only does Maddison have a passion for teaching but also athletics. Maddison is a Medina High School graduate where she played soccer all four years and was the varsity captain her senior year. Maddison is a two-time All-Conference and All-County player. Maddison had the opportunity to continue her soccer career into college on scholarship playing at a division 1 level at Miami University. Maddison’s love for soccer and children has transpired into many youth mentorship opportunities. She hopes to encourage and inspire children to get involved in a sport as she firmly believes many core life lessons can be made through sports. Maddison has a passion for coaching and will continue to be CLKC soccer coach for this upcoming camp season, 2023.
Ryan Knapp
Ryan Knapp started at Country Life Kids Camp in 2019, through the “Staff In-Training Program” for college students. He is the lead teacher for Spanish and has played a vital role in collaboratively developing the Young Engineering program. Ryan graduated from Padua Franciscan High School and is now a student at The University of Akron studying mechanical engineering.
He enjoys sharing his talents and passion with campers helping them learn the basics of engineering through all of Country Life Kids Camp’s regionally recognized STEAM programs. Ryan also enjoys physical activity playing high school baseball, track and cross country. He is frequently active in contributing to the Cooperative Games program engaging campers in high energy physical activity and teambuilding experiences. Ryan’s outgoing and friendly personality is why he easily relates to many of the campers quickly becoming a role model. Ryan is committed to doing anything to contribute to the success of the camp and his positive energy is reflected in his daily performance.
Maddie Boltz
My name is Maddie Boltz and I am a passionate educator and outdoor enthusiast. I graduated from Cloverleaf High School in 2019 where I played basketball and ran track. I was also my class president and involved in many volunteer organizations. I continued similar leadership opportunities while attending Baldwin Wallace University where I am pursuing a bachelor's degree in Early Childhood education. I am expected to graduate this May, 2023 after my semester of student teaching in Parma City Schools..
I consider myself an excellent leader with a unique creative mind. When I am not in the classroom creating memorable learning experiences, I am hiking in the country’s national parks or reading in my hammock. I value collaboration, respect, and growth.
I am very excited to begin my journey with Country Life Kids Camp this summer. I am looking forward to learning many new things and making some awesome memories.
Jackie Rodriguez is joining our team with 15 years’ experience teaching 7-12 Mathematics with Brunswick City Schools where she currently holds the position as BHS math department chair. Jackie was an advisor for Rachel’s Challenge for 5 years and is a member of the PBIS team at BHS. Both groups are devoted to promoting kindness, compassion, and positive relationships in and outside the classroom as well as sponsoring community outreach.
Jackie Rodriguez
She also has 11 years of experience with pre-school and elementary students as a children’s ministry teacher at Heartland Community Church and 6 years of experience as a Cub Scout leader for pack 3507, a Boy Scout of America leader for boy troop 507 and girl troop 7507 in Medina, and a merit badge counselor for 15 BSA merit badges.
She is also the mother of 3 boys so there is no limit to the fun and crazy things she will do to make learning fun for everyone! She has a passion for developing curriculum and teaching in a fun and humorous way so that kids do not even realize that they are learning! She hopes to inspire and guide your child to be a confident leader and strategic thinker!
Danielle Syroney
Danielle Barbato Syroney is excited to bring her energy to Country Life Kids Camp this year as an instructor in both the areas of Christian Teachings and Arts & Crafts! This native NE Ohioan is a product of seventeen years of Catholic Education and has worked and/or volunteered at each of her alma maters, including Incarnate Word Academy, Padua Franciscan High School, and Xavier University.
Danielle has been a trainer for the National Coalition Building Institute, a retreat leader, a recruiter for (and trainer of) student ambassadors, a Tae Kwon Do instructor for an afterschool enrichment program, and a volunteer for St. Francis Xavier School. The integrity with which she works and her ability to connect with students will definitely shine through at Country Life Kids Camp!
Danielle’s work history has always involved creativity and her love of design. After various roles in media, marketing, and publications, she began a company in 1999 (now doing business as All Things Eventful) which specializes in custom-filled theme gift baskets for individual & corporate clients, special event design & décor, and personalized promotional items & keepsakes. Her home-life is often spent crafting and decorating with her two grade school sons. She whole-heartedly believes that while not everyone may master typical “right brain activities”, the simple act of exploring creativity in this way can stimulate “left brain activity.” Danielle looks forward to helping foster—or unlock—your child’s God-given artistic abilities this summer!