By Sam Brown and Mark Hauptman
We can’t believe how quick it came and then passed. Camp Pristava is consistently the best week of the year for children and young adults involved in the Slovenska Pristava community. For years, people of all ages look forward to the week of camp as a week-long vacation with some of the best people in the world.
From Monday, July 13th through Sunday, July 19th, the Pristava grounds were swarming with 60 campers and 34 camp corps to celebrate Camp Pristava 2026. These campers and camp corps had the pleasure of being led by 36 full-time counselors, who spent weeks preparing to make this year of camp as memorable as possible. They led activities for the kids to participate in to ensure the camp week was fun, engaging, safe, and memorable. And they were successful in doing so; this year we boast zero major injuries and zero homesick children. That’s something to write home about!
This week could not have been possible without the hard work from many parents from the community. Danny Skrbis, the long-time camp Director, led the charge during the week of camp. He was especially assisted by Maggie Gobetz, who took on a new role this week as Head Parent, and Brenda Kosir. These parents always do a fabulous job in taking care of children beyond the capabilities of counselors. In addition, the kitchen did an outstanding job preparing and coordinating 19 meals for those present during the week. The kitchen was wonderfully managed by Kelley Veider, AKA Sergeant Veider, who was assisted by Caitlyn Kozelj and Susie Hamilton. A huge thank you goes out to these volunteers, as well as all of the other parents who made the week possible.
The theme for this week was Boot Camp. The Pristava grounds were laden with camo and army decorations. Counselors donned boot camp outfits. Camp corps was put to work. Campers did pushups, planks, and Indian runs. And fun was absolutely forbidden – not really. Parents, counselors, and campers alike were invested in the theme and are now fully prepared to join the Slovenian-American army.
This week, we were lucky enough to include mass on Wednesday presided over by Father Retar from St. Vitus Church. Grace Tariscka also taught our campers classic Slovenian songs. Kres, led by Majdi Rudmann, also connected our campers to their roots through traditional Slovenian dance.
Camp corps, campers aged 14-17, was headed by Frankie Kosir and Markus Simicak. They had a very productive week helping take care of Pristava grounds including mulching, weeding, and helping Mr. Rus cut trees for the bonfire. Many camp corps helped with KP (kitchen patrol) duty all week – washing and drying trays, pans, and cooking utensils. They also helped out with setting up for the dance, creating the bonfire, and countless other activities. Frankie and Markus did an excellent job of keeping them busy and helping them bond as a group.
Each and every camper and camp corps left their mark on the week, but some stand out beyond the rest. At the end of the week, the counselors put their heads together and give out awards to outstanding campers. Here are those award winners:
Best Camper Female – Emilia Cerer
Best Camper Male – Matthew Salamanca
Most Improved Camper Female – Adrianna Insley
Most Improved Camper Male – Jakob Sutton
Best Counselor Female – Majdi Rudmann
Best Counselor Male – Jason Rus
Best Camp Corps Female – Emily Mechenbier
Best Camp Corps Male – Matt Rus
Best Future Counselor Female – Anya Novak
Best Future Counselor Male – Tommy Loncar
Most Improved Camp Corps Female – Harlow Keay
Most Improved Camp Corps Male – Ben Loncar
“We Love You Please Come Back” Award – Julija Sedmak
And of course, Camp Pristava always has a winning group at the end of the week. So, congrats to Group 2! This group was led by counselors Matthew Klepec, Tori Brown, and Joslyn Petro and consisted of Matthew Salamanca, Abby Gobetz, Joey Cardile, Vida Prosen, Andrea Zalik, Joseph Leben, Oliver Warren, and France Sedmak. Congratulations Camo!
Again, thank you to everyone who made this week of Camp Pristava as safe, fun, healthy, and memorable as possible. That’s a wrap on Camp Pristava 2026, and we all will be looking forward to Camp Pristava 2027.
Najlepša hvala,
Sam Brown and Mark Hauptman
Head Counselors, Camp Pristava 2026
By Sam Brown and Mark Hauptman
We can’t believe how quick it came and then passed. Camp Pristava is consistently the best week of the year for children and young adults involved in the Slovenska Pristava community. For years, people of all ages look forward to the week of camp as a week-long vacation with some of the best people in the world.
From Monday, July 13th through Sunday, July 19th, the Pristava grounds were swarming with 60 campers and 34 camp corps to celebrate Camp Pristava 2026. These campers and camp corps had the pleasure of being led by 36 full-time counselors, who spent weeks preparing to make this year of camp as memorable as possible. They led activities for the kids to participate in to ensure the camp week was fun, engaging, safe, and memorable. And they were successful in doing so; this year we boast zero major injuries and zero homesick children. That’s something to write home about!
This week could not have been possible without the hard work from many parents from the community. Danny Skrbis, the long-time camp Director, led the charge during the week of camp. He was especially assisted by Maggie Gobetz, who took on a new role this week as Head Parent, and Brenda Kosir. These parents always do a fabulous job in taking care of children beyond the capabilities of counselors. In addition, the kitchen did an outstanding job preparing and coordinating 19 meals for those present during the week. The kitchen was wonderfully managed by Kelley Veider, AKA Sergeant Veider, who was assisted by Caitlyn Kozelj and Susie Hamilton. A huge thank you goes out to these volunteers, as well as all of the other parents who made the week possible.
The theme for this week was Boot Camp. The Pristava grounds were laden with camo and army decorations. Counselors donned boot camp outfits. Camp corps was put to work. Campers did pushups, planks, and Indian runs. And fun was absolutely forbidden – not really. Parents, counselors, and campers alike were invested in the theme and are now fully prepared to join the Slovenian-American army.
This week, we were lucky enough to include mass on Wednesday presided over by Father Retar from St. Vitus Church. Grace Tariscka also taught our campers classic Slovenian songs. Kres, led by Majdi Rudmann, also connected our campers to their roots through traditional Slovenian dance.
Camp corps, campers aged 14-17, was headed by Frankie Kosir and Markus Simicak. They had a very productive week helping take care of Pristava grounds including mulching, weeding, and helping Mr. Rus cut trees for the bonfire. Many camp corps helped with KP (kitchen patrol) duty all week – washing and drying trays, pans, and cooking utensils. They also helped out with setting up for the dance, creating the bonfire, and countless other activities. Frankie and Markus did an excellent job of keeping them busy and helping them bond as a group.
Each and every camper and camp corps left their mark on the week, but some stand out beyond the rest. At the end of the week, the counselors put their heads together and give out awards to outstanding campers. Here are those award winners:
- Best Camper Female – Emilia Cerer
- Best Camper Male – Matthew Salamanca
- Most Improved Camper Female – Adrianna Insley
- Most Improved Camper Male – Jakob Sutton
- Best Counselor Female – Majdi Rudmann
- Best Counselor Male – Jason Rus
- Best Camp Corps Female – Emily Mechenbier
- Best Camp Corps Male – Matt Rus
- Best Future Counselor Female – Anya Novak
- Best Future Counselor Male – Tommy Loncar
- Most Improved Camp Corps Female – Harlow Keay
- Most Improved Camp Corps Male – Ben Loncar
- “We Love You Please Come Back” Award – Julija Sedmak
And of course, Camp Pristava always has a winning group at the end of the week. So, congrats to Group 2! This group was led by counselors Matthew Klepec, Tori Brown, and Joslyn Petro and consisted of Matthew Salamanca, Abby Gobetz, Joey Cardile, Vida Prosen, Andrea Zalik, Joseph Leben, Oliver Warren, and France Sedmak. Congratulations Camo!
Again, thank you to everyone who made this week of Camp Pristava as safe, fun, healthy, and memorable as possible. That’s a wrap on Camp Pristava 2026, and we all will be looking forward to Camp Pristava 2027.
Najlepša hvala,
Sam Brown and Mark Hauptman
Head Counselors, Camp Pristava 2026
