It’s been nearly a dozen years since we started this crazy adventure called camp. In the early days, we’d be the ones out digging up broken pipes and scraping walls. We’ve begged, borrowed and bribed for help over the years, and have been fortunate enough to have a hand full of folks help out part time. But in recent years, growing pains have gotten the best of us. Once we came to the realization that we couldn’t clone our small crew of help, we decided to pull the trigger and hire our first full-time salaried employee.
Turns out, it’s hard to find the right fit. Someone capable of doing what our rotating crew of Joe/Drew/Dave/Austin has been tackling over the years. So we placed an ad on our social channels, and surprisingly got a flood of response. From folks from as far as Alaska – applying for the job.
After weeding through dozens applicants and referrals, we ended up with the guy next door. (Literally, he lives a quarter mile up the road- and we didn’t even realize it). Karma works in funny ways.
Meet Justin, our new Camp Director- and our first full-time employee. He’s joined our small crew of seasonal help in our on-going mission to keep this place standing up.
You’ll see him at camp at all hours slinging a chainsaw, repairing a roof, or giving tours.
He’s easy to spot. He’s the one in the Carhartt that is beat to hell. (the kind of wear that comes with working outdoors for a living, not as an ‘off the rack’ style patina)
Please give him a warm welcome around the campfire.
RIGHT: our original ad (an adventurer on Shackleton’s crew) LEFT: the guy who answered the ad). a little freaky, we admit… dude looks like he could be a descendant.
STATS:
GOES BY: Justin Schultz
AGE: 30
HOMETOWN: raised a Wisconsinite- in Milwaukee & Elkhorn
OCCUPATION: Carpenter / builder (proprietor of Midwest Barn Pros)
LINEAGE: (an excerpt from his company bio line) “A descendent of German then Northern Wisconsin lumberjacks, farmers, and outdoorsmen, Justin is a natural at projects such as reclaiming barnwood to preserve the heritage and craftsmanship by creating custom home interiors, furniture and more. Justin has always been interested in history, heritage, and reserving our resources”.
1ST CAMP PROJECT: the new bunk loft
10 QUESTIONS: Justin is a man of few words. Sometimes that’s all you need to know.
1.
D+T: ‘WHAT’S A RECENT PROJECT THAT YOU’RE PROUD OF?”
J: ‘A Cedar log house was pretty fun.’
(side note: THIS is the log house Justin just built… and pretty much what sold us when interviewing him)
2.
D+T: ‘HOW DID YOU LEARN HOW TO SWING AN AXE?’
J: ‘My dad. My granddad. Hell, just about everyone in my family – really. It’s just how I grew up.”
3.
D+T: ‘WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE PASTIME?’
J: ‘Building furniture. And Abbie. ‘
(side note: Abbie is the sweetest girl you could ever meet. She trains horses and is a Wisconsin girl as well- scroll down for the cute dock shot)
4.
D+T: ‘WHERE’S THE BEST FISH FRY AROUND HERE?’
J: ‘Lots of places, there’s not really a bad option in this part of the country. Friday night fishfry is a religion in this neck of the woods.’
5.
D+T: ‘WHATS UP WITH THAT TATTOO?’
J: ‘I’ve always loved Johnny. I got this when I was 18.’
(side note: We are huge JC fans. Davids has collected memorabilia for years, our house guitar is adorned with his name, our daughter Charlie’s initials are C.A.S.H. – Charlie Alex Surratt Hernandez, our wedding songlist was heavy on Johnny Cash, and our new jukebox is fully stocked. needless to say, we agree with Justin’s taste in music.)
6.
D+T: ‘SO, CAN YOU BUILD US A 20-FOOT LONG RECLAIMED WOOD TABLE?’
J: (no comment)- he’s just laughing at us at this point.
(side note: check out Justin’s definition of ‘FARM to TABLE’)
7.
D+T: ‘WHAT HAVE YOU LIKE ABOUT YOUR NEW CAMP DIRECTOR JOB SO FAR?’
J: ‘Building that bunkroom was fun. It was a good challenge.’
(sidenote: check out what he built for us)
8.
D+T: ‘ANY PETS?’
J: ‘2 dogs’
9.
D+T: ‘ANYTHING WE SHOULD KNOW ABOUT YOU?’
J: ‘I don’t even let my mom take my picture.’ (he says in the most respectful, tolerant way)
10.
D+T: ‘ARE YOU GOING TO BUY A NEW HAT NOW THAT YOU’RE ON SALARY?’
J: ‘Nope. This one works just fine, thanks.’
(sidenote: you gotta see this thread-bare excuse for a ballcap- scroll down)
We can’t argue with that. There is something strangely familiar about Justin… we can’t put our finger on it, exactly. But we knew from the minute we met him that he’d fit right in here. The locals love him… he volunteers his time building for local charities- that alone speaks volumes for a man’s character.
WELCOME, JUSTIN!- now let’s get to work. this is going to be our busiest year ever 🙂
photos by Becca Waterloo (see more of her portraits here). And a here for the full photo series from her visit with us. Becca paid us a visit this past weekend, and got a handful of shots of justin at work (and with the love of his life, Abbie).
