We pride ourselves on employing teachers in the local area that are not only excellent in their classrooms, but also committed to what is best for kids in a relaxed and fun summer environment. Not only do our counselors enjoy working with kids, but love to have fun right along with them! One of the advantages of DCA is that our counselors participate in all of the activities along with our campers. Sometimes we’re not sure who has more fun – our campers or our staff!! We have included brief bios of our camp staff that are returning for another summer with us. We will be adding additional staff members as the summer nears and we continue to be committed to adding staff members that will further enhance our team.
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Adam and Darcy Nidey
Adam and Darcy are the proud owners of Day Camp Adventures.
The eleventh summer of DCA, are you kidding??!? We can’t believe where the time has gone, and we couldn’t be more thrilled!
Adam has been the director of a summer camp for thirteen years. This is Adam’s fourteenth year of teaching elementary aged students in the West Des Moines school district. He is currently a third grade teacher at Crestview Elementary as well as a girls’ soccer coach for the Valley Tigers. Adam grew up in the Davenport area, graduated from the University of Northern Iowa, and has completed his master’s degree in Educational Leadership at Drake University. Darcy has worked at day camps and summer camps for fourteen years. She has taught fourth grade in the Waukee school district for fourteen years and is currently teaching at Eason Elementary. Darcy grew up in Urbandale, graduated from the University of Northern Iowa, and completed her master’s degree in Effective Teaching at Drake University. Adam and Darcy are also the proud parents of a 9-year-old son and a 5-year-old daughter.
As educators, Adam and Darcy are both passionate about developmentally appropriate activities for kids. They are both committed to making camp a memorable experience for their campers and staff.
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Beau Barrett – Site Director – Country Club Glen
Beau grew up in Boone, Iowa, where being a teacher was something he did not always want to do. He wanted to be what everyone else wanted to be: a cop, a movie star, or even a professional football player. Not particularly in that order… he just wanted to be someone famous who makes a lot of money.
He received the devastating news around seventh grade. Beau learned that he would not grow past 5′ 9″, his acting would never surpass mediocre, and being a cop was dangerous. Suddenly, he realized his career aspiration had been staring him in the face ever since kindergarten. This was when he realized he wanted to be a teacher.
Beau attended Simpson College where he was a member of the Storm football team. Beau began teaching fifth grade at Crestview Elementary in 2006. Currently, Beau is the technology teacher at Eason Elementary in Waukee. He lives in Beaverdale with his wife and their three cats. This will be Beau’s fourth year with DCA.
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Scott Brown – Site Director
Scott is a sixth grade teacher at Crossroads Park Elementary School in the West Des Moines School District. Scott is originally from Emmetsburg, IA and spent many summers in Okoboji, IA as well. He is a big Iowa Hawkeye and Chicago Bears fan. He plays all types of sports, but golf and running would have to be his favorite. In April of 2009 Scott competed in the Boston Marathon. He has run 8 marathons and plans to run more. He attended Emmetsburg High School and graduated with a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Elementary Education from the University of Iowa. He has been an assistant eighth grade girls’ basketball coach, assistant boys’ and girls’ golf coach, and an assistant cross-country and track coach for the Westside Track Club. Additionally he is a volunteer assistant cross-country coach for the Valley High School Boy’s Cross Country Team. This summer will be his seventh year working with Day Camp Adventures.
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Katie Crane
Katie is a second grade teacher at Westwood Elementary in Ankeny. She attended Valley High School and received a Bachelor of Arts Degree from The University of Iowa in Elementary Education. She is a huge Iowa Hawkeye fan and loves to spend time with her family and friends. Her favorite Day Camp Adventures memory was looking for the nonexistent painted rocks. She loves Day Camp Adventures because the activities are educational and a ton of fun! This will be her fourth summer with Day Camp Adventures.
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Brooke Dey
This is Brooke’s fifth year teaching at Crestview Elementary in the West Des Moines School District, where she teaches second grade. She graduated from Earlham High School and then earned a degree in elementary education at Simpson College (but not before studying in Perth, Australia for a semester!). She recently completed her master’s degree in special education through Morningside College. In her free time, she loves taking photos, traveling, and spending time with family and friends. Brooke is excited to be back at DCA for a second summer!
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Sara Frantum – Site Director – Wildwood Park
Sara is a special education teacher at Waukee Middle School. She graduated from the University of Northern Iowa with a degree in elementary education and special education and is currently pursuing a degree in administration. Sara is originally from Waverly, Iowa and has been working at summer camps for the past seven summers. She enjoys being outdoors exploring the woods, kayaking, and camping. This will be her fourth summer working with Day Camp Adventures and she is looking forward to having a BLAST this summer!
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Brandon Hargens
Brandon just finished his fourth year of teaching as a 6th grade teacher at Crossroads Park Elementary. He is a graduate of Waukee High School and attended the University of Northern Iowa. Though Brandon is proud of the excellent education he received at UNI, he is a die-hard Iowa Hawkeye fan. He’s sorry to say that if you show up to camp sporting Iowa State Cyclones memorabilia that there may be a little teasing by Brandon- just a forewarning. Brandon loves to stay active by playing sports (football, basketball, volleyball, tennis, or any sport where he doesn’t look silly) and taking his puppy on jogs. Brandon looks forward to spending his summer at Day Camp and is excited to meet all the kids who are ready to have a FUN summer!
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Emily Jamison
Emily is very excited to begin her fifth summer with Day Camp Adventures! Emily has worked for the Waukee schools at Wee Warriors Childcare Center for seven years. She teaches the 2 year olds at Wee Warriors. Emily grew up in Johnston and graduated from Johnston High School. She then moved onto Grand View College and received a degree in Elementary Education. While at Grand View she participated in her second love, softball.
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Bayle Larpenteur
Bayle is looking forward to her third summer with Day Camp Adventures! She is an Ankeny native who ventured on to become a Hawkeye at the University of Iowa. After graduating with a degree in Elementary Education, Bayle has been a substitute teacher in the Ankeny, Johnston, West Des Moines, and Des Moines Public school districts. In her free time, she keeps busy coaching 3rd – 5th grade girls running and hanging out with her dog, Miles. She can’t wait to see all the past campers and some new faces this summer!
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Destiny Welsh
Destiny grew up in Lansing, Iowa, where she enjoyed time spent on the Mississippi and hiking the bluffs. She graduated from UNI with an Elementary Education Degree and a Literacy Minor. She is currently a teacher at Smouse in the Des Moines School District. Destiny has worked at various camps throughout the years including ones in China and Germany. This will be her fourth summer with Day Camp Adventures. Being the youngest of 14 children and an aunt to 33 nieces and nephews has prepared her well for the job as a counselor.
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Aaron Wies
Aaron is a social studies teacher at Waukee High School. He graduated from Drake University with a degree in secondary education where he also played football. He coaches 10th grade football, 8th grade basketball, and 9th grade track. He loves being outside in the summer which makes this job awesome. This is Aaron’s third summer at DCA and he is looking forward to another great year driving that big yellow bus around.
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Meredith Wies – Site Director – Campbell Park
Meridith is a special education teacher at Fairmeadows Elementary in the West Des Moines School District. She attended Waukee High School and graduated in Elementary Education from the University of Northern Iowa. Meridith is currently pursuing a degree in administration. Meridith has worked at summer camps for eight summers, and this will be her fourth summer working with Day Camp Adventures!
