Let me introduce myself

I'm Brooke Rotstein, Camp Expert for families in the Chicagoland area and anywhere in Canada.

My first bunk

I spent 2 summers as a young camper at Camp Firebird in Ohio and Camp Robin Hood in New Hampshire.  I then found my summer home at the Camp Winnebagoe in Huntsville, Ontario just outside the beautiful Algonquin National Park.  I spent six summers as a camper and three on staff making lifelong friends and memories and my Canadian home away from home. I still get together with my Toronto and Cleveland camp friends for annual summer reunions and all of life's special occasions.

From camper to camp expert

My day job as an attorney gives me a unique perspective as I am a partner in my firm's Camps and Youth Programs practice helping overnight and day camps, youth enrichment programs, after-school and extra-curricular programs, camp industry associations,  and related businesses address a wide range of legal needs.  Having been a camper and counselor, a parent of young and teen campers, and an attorney in the camp and youth program space allows me to understand the complete picture while working with families to find the perfect camp or program.

Ultimate Camp Highlight

My all-time favorite camp activity is color war -- especially being a part of the grey team, becoming a grey captain, and hearing all about my son's experiences becoming Eternally Grey!

Why I love this job

I love learning about all of the different camps and programs the Camp Expert's work with and finding the perfect match for each of my families.

My home bunk

My husband and I are a busy doctor and lawyer duo with a two kids in middle and high school.  We both attended the University of Michigan and try to bring our kids to Ann Arbor for football games each fall.  My son attends the co-ed camp in Canada that I went to growing up, and my daughter attends a wonderful all-girls camp in the north woods of Wisconsin.  My son is a musician who enjoys playing football, and my daughter loves playing all sports and competing in dance.  Each of my kids' camps is a perfect fit, and my husband and I love getting to be a part of their summer experience for each of their Visitor's Day weekends. This year hopefully our new Mini Bernadoodle Maizey Blue will join us for her first Visitor's Day weekend.

Why I feel camp is a valuable experience

Camp is the perfect place to learn new skills, develop likes and dislikes, experience different relationships, and build confidence.  It's also a fresh perspective from the daily grind of the school year allowing kids the independence to grow from both failures and successes.  Not every day at camp will be perfect, but camp is still the perfect place for children to be in the summer.