Camp Yesandia

Ben is a three time counselor at Camp Yesandia. A graduate of Iowa City High School, Ben attends Washington University (St. Louis) where he is a member of their campus improv troupe KARL. 

Ben says, "Improv, like life, is uncomfortable. Doing improv has taught me how to deal with discomfort, and this skill has proven invaluable in many other areas of my life. It has taught me to expect the unexpected and take it in stride. Currently, I am in a college improv group that performs three shows a semester to lecture halls full of college students, and it’s the best!

Charlie is counseling for the first time at Camp Yesandia.  While Charlie also graduated from Iowa City High School, he attends Iowa State University. He currently is a member of their campus improv troupe Grandma Mojo's Improv Comedy. 

Charlie says, "One of the reasons improv is important is that it is a very honest form of comedy. I think the humanity of improvised characters can often be sacrificed "for the bit," and while serious characters taking unexpected moves can create great laughs, it's the seriousness of the character that makes it funny. When improvised characters take themselves seriously, they open a door to create moments unreachable without that humanity."

Ari is counseling for the first time at Camp Yesandia as well. Ari hails from New York and currently attends Washington University (St. Louis) where he is also a member of the campus improv troupe KARL.

Ari says, "Improv is a special place where friends can get together and partake in one of humanity's favorite pastimes: goofing off and being silly. I'm a member of WashU's awesome improv group K.A.R.L., where I perform with some of my best friends in front of hundreds of millions of people (you had to be there).

I love a good wacky joke that could never happen in the real world - that's what improv's for.  I can't wait to meet everyone at Yesandia and laugh with all of you!

Max is attending Camp Yesandia for the third year. The first year he was a camper, his second year he was our first (and only!) camper / counselor. This year he steps into our new intern counselor program. Max graduated from Cedar Rapids Washington High School in 2024 where he was a four year member of their club improv troupe FDIC and performed in both Individual and Large Group IHSSA improv- earning an All State nomination in Individual Events. 

Max says, "Improv for me is about communicating  effectively with others for a common goal. It is cooperation."

Wren is also attending Camp Yesandia for the third year. This will be Wren's first year as a counselor also as a part of our new intern counselor program. Wren graduated from Cedar Rapids Washington High School in 2024 where he was a three year member of their improv troupe FDIC and performed in both Individual and Large Group IHSSA improv earning multiple Division 1 ratings at State Contest. 

Wren says, "Improv is a creative outlet which lets me tell stories, make jokes, and have fun with my friends and entertain those watching. Be confident in yourself and fully commit to whatever you say."

Lily is joining Camp Yesandia for the first time this year! We are excited to have her on also as part of our new intern counselor program. Lily graduated from Cedar Rapids Washington High School in 2024, where she transfered in as a Senior. During her Senior year, Lily was a member of Washington's improv troupe FDIC along with multiple acting and singing opportunities in the IHSSA and Washington's theatre program. 

Lily says, "Improv was the first club i joined when I transferred to Washington my Senior year. It set me with skills I would need when I joined things like speech and drama. it also gave me the chance to meet so many great people."