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Debbie Collins
Director, Camp Firebird for Girls
“It’s exciting! I like everything about living in the camp community. It’s like a planet of its own,” comments Debbie Collins. There’s no mistaking her enthusiasm for camp life. Debbie seems to have been born to it.
Born in Wheeling, West Virginia and raised in Canton, Ohio, Debbie was the middle child with an older brother and a younger sister.
She graduated from Glen Oak High School in 1979. |
Since that time, parenting has been one of her most important jobs as she has 3 children of her own, and one step-daughter whom she and her husband have raised. Together they share two dughters and two sons.
Those early days of the 1990s were a busy time for Debbie and her family. Before the birth of her son, Debbie had earned a bachelor’s degree in education and was substitute teaching. The year her son was born, Debbie took a position with the Head Start program and simultaneously received a certificate in early childhood and handicapped education from Ashland University in Canton. Next stop on the education road for Debbie was a master’s degree in curriculum design and professional development from Franciscan University in Steubenville. With teaching as her primary career, Debbie needed something to do during summer vacations. In 1986, she applied for and got a job as a cook and sometime bus driver at Firebird Camp. On and off since then, she has worked at the camps and in 2005 accepted the position of Girls’ Camp Director.
She’s still teaching pre-schoolers in the Conotton Valley School District and looking ahead at earning a doctorate degree. Debbie, who loves to bake, now has six grandchildren and is active in
her church.
Learn More about Andrew Schwartz, Owner/Director |
