AYS Summer Days Camps start on June 1, 2026, and our Youth Development Leaders (YDLs) can’t wait to get started! They’re so excited that they decided to get an early start with introductions. Read the rest of our blog to learn more about Each of our Summer YDLs and what they’re looking forward to about most about summer camp!
Jess Burns at Central Elementary School
Birthday: October 4
Favorite Summer Treat: Orange Leaf
Favorite Summer Activity: Site seeing
What are you looking forward to this Summer? I'm looking forward to relaxing with my cat Daryl Dixon.
Favorite Ways to Relax: Building lego sets while watching tv.
Three words to describe me: Creative, funny, caring
Favorite Travel Destination: Anywhere with a view!
Favorite Reptile or Animal: Sloth
Favorite Superhero: Deadpool
Favorite Character: Spongebob
Scientist or Wizard: Wizard
How long have you worked with AYS? I attended AYS as a kid 1st-6th grade. I worked here for a year when I was a teenager, left, and then came back. This will be my fourth school year working as a YDL.
Justin Chenault at the Indiana State Fairgrounds & CFI 70
Birthday: August 29
Favorite Summer Treat: Ice Cream
Favorite Summer Activity: Football
What are you looking forward to this Summer? To have fun, be safe and kids enjoy themselves.
Favorite Ways to Relax: Being alone to collect thoughts and reflect on how to be a better person in general.
Three words to describe me: Funny, active and intelligent
Favorite Travel Destination: Florida
Favorite Reptile or Animal: Fox
Favorite Superhero: Joker
Favorite Character: Huey from Boondocks
Scientist or Wizard: Scientist
How long have you worked with AYS? Roughly 3 years!
Tori Glazier at the Indiana State Fairgrounds & CFI 70
Birthday: Sept 6
Favorite Summer Treat: Chocolate Ice Cream
Favorite Summer Activity: Going to the Beach
What are you looking forward to this Summer? My first Summer in AYS!
Favorite Ways to Relax: Reading
Three words to describe me: Fun, Musical, Curious
Favorite Travel Destination: Any Beach
Favorite Reptile or Animal: Penguins
Favorite Superhero: Spiderman
Favorite Character: Luz Noceda from The Owl House
Scientist or Wizard: Wizard
How long have you worked with AYS? 4 months
Meghan O'Connor at Blue & Gold Academy
Birthday: May 19
Favorite Summer Treat: Ice Coffee
Favorite Summer Activity: Swimming
What are you looking forward to this Summer? Nice weather and swimming!
Favorite Ways to Relax: Working on my garden.
Three words to describe me: Patient, Engaging, and Creative
Favorite Travel Destination: Florida and Ohio
Favorite Reptile or Animal: Snake
Favorite Superhero: Black Widow
Favorite Character: Ariel
Scientist or Wizard: Harry Potter
How long have you worked with AYS? One year
Raquel Miles at Blue & Gold Academy
Birthday: January 14
Favorite Summer Treat: Ice Cream
Favorite Summer Activity: Making Summer Treats
What are you looking forward to this Summer? Making sure children have fun and be safe.
Favorite Ways to Relax: Reading and listening to music
Three words to describe me: Straight Forward, Funny, Orderly
Favorite Travel Destination: Texas
Favorite Reptile or Animal: None
Favorite Superhero: None
Favorite Character: Minnie Mouse
Scientist or Wizard: Wizard
How long have you worked with AYS? 24 years
Ravine Straughan at Willow Lake Elementary School
Birthday: April 3
Favorite Summer Treat: Starbucks drink
Favorite Summer Activity: Swimming
What are you looking forward to this Summer? Having Fun!
Favorite Ways to Relax: Doing a Craft
Three words to describe me: Creative, Hardworking, Fun
Favorite Travel Destination: New York
Favorite Reptile or Animal: Dolphin
Favorite Superhero: Wonder Women
Favorite Character: Monsters Inc
Scientist or Wizard: Wizard
How many years have you worked with AYS? Six years
Lisa Stockton at Willow Lake Elementary School
Birthday: September 16
Favorite Summer Treat: Watermelon
Favorite Summer Activity: Go to the pool
What are you looking forward to this Summer? Building new relationships!
Favorite Ways to Relax: plant flowers
Three words to describe me: Funny, Caring, Kind
Favorite Travel Destination: Jeffersonville to see my family
Favorite Reptile or Animal: my puppy
Favorite Superhero: Black Panther
Favorite Character: Elphaba Thropp
Scientist or Wizard: Alexander Graham Bell
How long have you worked with AYS? 23 years
Jamie Gunn as a Substitute YDL
Birthday: September 30
Favorite Summer Treat: Ice Cream
Favorite Summer Activity: Summer Concerts at Conner Prairie
What are you looking forward to this Summer? Field trips, getting to know the campers, doing fun activities with our campers, and being outside and enjoying the sunshine.
Favorite Ways to Relax: Watching favorite TV shows, and spending time with friends and family.
Three words to describe me: Friendly, Fun, Organized
Favorite Travel Destination: Florida
Favorite Reptile or Animal: Dog
Favorite Superhero: Wonder Woman
Favorite Character: Mickey Mouse and Cinderella
Scientist or Wizard: Scientist
How long have you worked with AYS? 30 years – Graduated from Indiana University with a degree in Elementary Education
Stephanie Ballard as a Substitute YDL
Birthday: June 4
Favorite Summer Treat: Fruit
Favorite Summer Activity: Nature Walks
What are you looking forward to this Summer? Having Fun!!
Favorite Ways to Relax: Coloring Books and Drawing
Three words to describe me: Creative, Funny, Caring
Favorite Travel Destination: Jamaica
Favorite Reptile or Animal: Capybara
Favorite Superhero: Ironheart
Favorite Character: Mama Odie (Princess and the Frog)
Scientist or Wizard: Wizard
How long have you worked with AYS? Almost 2 years.
There's still time to register your child for AYS Summer Days Camps! AYS accepts week by week registrations as with 7 days notice through the end of camp.