Board of Directors

Bonanza Bill Davis; Budget Committee, Program Committee

My name is Bill Davis and Bonanza is my camp name. I am President of Kimmel Athletic Supply Company, Inc., an Athletic Team Dealer headquartered in Spokane, WA. I have been in my current position for 18 years. I joined the Board of Camp STIX in November 2006. I currently serve on the budget committee and enjoy working on developing a long-term strategic plan for Camp STIX. I have also recently volunteered for the program committee.

I became interested in Camp STIX four years ago at the time my granddaughter, Megan, was diagnosed with Type I diabetes. She was nine years old at that time. Although I have never been able to attend summer camp, I have learned a great deal about the camping experience kids enjoy from my granddaughter. Kids with diabetes, through Camp STIX, have an opportunity to enjoy camp that would not be possible without the many volunteers that make Camp STIX a reality. I want to help this organization grow and prosper in order that as many diabetic children as possible have an opportunity to enjoy a wonderful summer camping experience, an opportunity they would not have if it weren't for Camp STIX.

Bronco Bill Martin; Board President, Health Services Committee Chair

My name is "Bronco" Bill Martin and I have been a part of Camp STIX since 2004. I am serving my first term as board president, and second term as chair of the health services committee. My wife, Wasabi Wendy, and I have 2 boys, ages 11 and 13, who both have Type 1 Diabetes. As a Physician Assistant, I work directly with hundreds of children and teens with diabetes, in the Pediatric Diabetes clinic at Sacred Heart Children's Hospital. I am continually reminded of the benefits of camp, not only in my own sons, but also in the patients I see nearly every day. Camp does something far greater than provide excitement and education; it allows our campers to have the support of their peers, whose friendship and empathy is priceless. This results in increased self-confidence, courage, and independence. My motivation is to give our campers whatever support they need or ask for, to make a positive difference, so they can learn to be successful with their diabetes.

Cinnamon Casie Bush; Treasurer, Auction/Fundraising Co-Chair

My name is Casie "Cinnamon" Bush. I was elected to the Camp STIX board of directors in September of 2003. I currently serve as the Treasurer, and Auction/ Fundraising Co-Chair. I have also been a part of kitchen staff for the last 5 years. I have enjoyed volunteering with Camp STIX and seeing how much our camp has grown. The children we serve are filled with such love, spirit, determination and strength. My favorite part of camp is on the last evening, before the campers go home. We sit around the camp fire and have our STIX ceremony. Each staff member and camper has the opportunity to share what camp has meant to them. It warms my heart to hear what the campers share, it reminds me of why I volunteer.

Contagious Chris Heinlein; Education Committee Chair, Auction and Fundraising Committees

My name is Contagious Chris Heinlein I joined the board in November of 2005. I am currently serving my second term as board secretary, I chair the education committee and I am a member of the auction and fundraising committee. I am inspired to serve on the board by the kids who live with diabetes everyday. I believe in the power of these young campers and counselors and desire to support and celebrate their courage and self determination. Among the most gratifying moments at camp are those when I see enlightenment, depth and meaning in the eyes of one of the participants. Principles of diabetes management and life skills can be taught and understood in ways which, for whatever reason, only happen at camp and it is a privilege to be a part of it.

Delirious Dawn

My name is Delirious Dawn. I have been involved with diabetes for eight years, ever since my son, Dereck, was diagnosed. I initially became involved with diabetes organizations through the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation by serving on the board for six years and President for two years. I now serve on the board for Camp STIX and have been actively involved for a little over two years. I have been a part of the medical team for the last two years at camp and look forward to working in collaboration with medical, program and education teams in the future. My main motivation is to have diabetic kids to enjoy the life of camping just like any other child.

Jitterbug Jennifer

My name is Jitterbug Jennifer and I have served on the board for about 3 years. I have been a part of diabetic camps for about 25 years (either as a camper or as a staff member or a board member). My favorite thing about camp STIX are the campers and the staff members. They are the best group of people anyone could know. They are always there for you at camp and even for the other 51 weeks of the year that we are not at camp.

Jungle Jim Hill

1. Camp Name: Jungle
2. Years served on the board: 7+
3. Board position and committees: Board Member/Program Committee
4. Motivation: Making a difference
5. Favorite camp activity, meal, or experience from STIX: Watching the kids grow from camper to staff to young adult.....becoming a leader along the way

Lifesaver Laura Wintersteen-Arleth; Director

I believe diabetes camp should be a place for kids to feel safe, secure, loved and respected. It should also include education weaved in through all activities. Camp should provide kids with the tools they need to succeed, not only with their diabetes, but also in life. I also believe that camp should be a place for the volunteers to feel they are valued for their gift of time and talents and a place where students of all different healthcare disciplines would be able to learn about management of diabetes. I have long believed that a week at diabetes camp would help more than a year in practice for a healthcare professional.

I am excited to be a part of Camp STIX. As I am getting to know people involved with camp, I am touched by the dedication, love and generosity of so many people to make camp successful in every way. I am grateful for the leadership of Jungle in making my transition to this role very smooth and to the Board for having confidence in me and allowing me to be a part of this amazing group. I look forward to getting to know everyone and having you get to know me. I encourage anyone to contact me and let's get to know each other. Camp is very much a part of my heart and life and I hope to bring my dedication to kids with diabetes and their families to camp with me.

LuNaTiC Larue Drager; Vice President, Fundraising Co-Chair, Program Co-Chair

Hello, I am LuNaTiC Larue Drager, and I am crazy about Camp STIX! I have been with STIX from the beginning, and hope to continue for years to come. I am currently serving my 2nd year as Vice President of the Board of Directors, 5th year as Fundraising Co-Chair, and 2nd year as Program Co-Chair. I'm committed to continuing the life changing traditions of camp, which I have witnessed through my daughter with diabetes. I also love camp because it is a week long costume party, and our campfires make life long memories.

Milkdud Mark Wellsandt

Mark "Milkdude" Wellsandt has been a board member from the beginning of CampStix. I am also one of the camp cooks and have been at camp each year. Diabetes has always been near to me as I have a father (now 91) who has been on insulin for 45+ years, a son 23 who was diagnosed at age 4, a brother on insulin for 6 years and a wife on insulin as well. I know that camp does so much for the kids in the way of new milestones in their diabetes management. It was/is always fun to see them stepping up and taking better care of themselves as they enjoy their time with other campers and the staff. Programs such as CampStix are vital to their growth into being young adults. I am so pleased to be a part of their journey.

Milkshake Marilyn Moore

My name is Marilyn Moore aka Milkshake. I am a retired caregiver. I took an interest and was elected to the Board of Camp Stix in its beginning, through my son Jim aka Jungle. I knew little or nothing about Diabetes. I have served as co chair on the food service committee and also was secretary for 3 years. My motivation came the first time I volunteered at camp, and saw how the kids interacted. Also listening to their stories of how they cope with their Diabetes, later gave me the strength to accept my diagnoses of type 2 Diabetes. Watching the kids have fun, as if they don't have a worry in the world and how they have grown, brings me back each year.

Munchkin Mike Lynch; Program and Auction Committees

My name is Munchkin Mike Lynch, aka Chipmunk, and I began serving on the board of directors at the time of its inception as a co-founding member of Camp Stix. However, at that time I was living in beautiful Bellingham, WA as a student at Western Washington University, and resigned after two years feeling that a local board member could better serve camp. Throughout the years I have remained actively involved with Camp Stix as a counselor and co-program director. Following my move back to my hometown of Spokane, WA this August I was elected to once again serve on our camp board. I currently serve on the program and auction committees while heading up our website project. There are too many wonderful years at camp and too many remarkable experiences to name a favorite, but it is that very nature that keeps me coming back. As a type 1 diabetic, I embrace the opportunity to serve on our board of directors working towards creating an empowering and exciting experience for our campers to enjoy while living this relentless disease. The campers, staff, and board of Camp Stix continuously demonstrate tremendous courage and compassion in helping others live successfully with diabetes.

Novolin Nancy Minten

My name is Novolin Nancy Minten and I have served on the Camp STIX Board of Directors since the camp's inception. Over the years, I have served as the camp Medical Director as well as Chair and Co-chair of the Heath Committee, and assisted the Fundraising Committee. The work and time dedicated to camp over the years has been tremendous, but the look on the kids' faces, the excitement that they will have a chance to participate in a real summer camp despite their diabetes, motivates me to participate and to be an integral part of the Camp STIX board of directors. Seeing the kids' excitement over being able to give their own shot or learning to regulate their insulin are just some of the rewarding experiences that make up my collection of favorite camp memories. It's about the kids, learning to live with diabetes and grow into amazing young people with the help of the support system they develop at camp.

Pokey Patrick Reed; Program Co-Chair

29 yrs old
Married to lovely Nikki for 2 1/2 yrs
No children
diabetes since age 4.5 (25 yrs)
STIX Stakeholder
Involved in diabetes camping in Spokane since 1986 (age 7)
I've been a camper, JC, CIT, Counselor
Currently Program Co-Chair for 2008
Only summer I missed camp in 21 yrs was to go on our Honeymoon
Camp Highlight: those last few years as a camper - old enough to know better, but still too young to care... and having the opportunity to meet other people with diabetes around the country and nationally through DECA and while working at Joslin Camp in Boston.
Why do I do this?? I enjoy teaching young people to "fish", be independent, know they can do ANYthing while maintaining control of their diabetes.

Target Tim Seppa; Medical Director, Health Committee

Hi! I'm Tim Seppa, and I go by "Target", at Camp STIX. I'm a pediatrician and I have two lovely Type 1 Diabetics in my family -- my wife and my 9 year old daughter -- both of whom are planning to come to camp this summer. I'm the new medical director for camp, and I just joined the Board this year, where I serve on the Health Committee. I joined the Board after attending camp last summer, as I hoped to continue to help with making Camp STIX a safe and healthy place, with lots of good teamwork, learning and FUN! I'm looking forward to the costume dance, as that (and the jugglers) was probably the highlight of last year's trip for me.