Jean ("Gio") Giovetti
Gio founded Camp Sunfish after volunteering for five years in a children's shelter and being deeply touched by the children. She combined her passion for offering these deserving children a day of pure fun with the thrills she experienced on a lake as a child. Her vision was and continues to be to create little seeds of happiness in each child's heart by creating 'I feel on top of the world' memories.
Gio has channeled her spirit into her volunteer efforts with Camp Sunfish since its inception heading the volunteer Board of Directors and running Camp Sunfish's operations each camp day. She has also volunteered overseas in multiple countries in Africa and in the rain forests of Dominica.
Gio was awarded the Kare 11 'Eleven Who Care' award in 2003 for her outstanding contribution to deserving children of Minnesota.
Gio is Life Guard, First Aid, and CPR trained, baits a mean fishing hook, and is known to give some spectacular air catching rides on the inner tube. Gio can be contacted via email at: service@campsunfish.org.
Anne Ackerman
Anne is core to the foundation of Camp Sunfish. She has volunteered and served on the Camp Sunfish Board of Directors since its inception. Anne's experience and energy has been instrumental in making Camp Sunfish the success that it is.
Anne takes time off from her regular job every summer to volunteer and help run Camp Sunfish. She has over 6 years experience working with 'at-risk' children and is Life Guard, First Aid and CPR trained. Although she's known to don her plastic gloves when baiting fishing hooks, she sure does help the children pull in the big ones! She also encourages them all to pass their swimming tests, gives a fun, wave-hopping Polaris ride, and helps the children make the absolute best s'mores this side of a campfire.
Additionally, Anne serves as the Camp Sunfish Volunteer Director of Development building invaluable relationships with our generous donors and partner organizations. Anne can be contacted via email at: service@campsunfish.org.
Jen Vaubel
Jen is another pillar in the foundation of Camp Sunfish. Every summer since 2001, Jen has volunteered her time, energy, and heart to Camp Sunfish. Jen volunteers every day Camp Sunfish is held offering not only her skills but even more valuable, her smiles and laughter.
Jen has a Masters degree in Education specializing in Emotionally and Behaviorally challenged children. She has over ten years teaching experience with these special children - an invaluable asset to Camp Sunfish. Jen has shared her rich insights and expertise by serving on the Camp Sunfish Board of Directors since 2001.
Jen is Life Guard, First Aid and CPR trained, is known to pull in some really big sunnies with the children, and gives an incredibly fun (and wet) ride on the Polaris. Jen can be contacted via email at: service@campsunfish.org.
Renda Baird
Renda makes all things possible! As a Board of Directors member since 2001, whenever we need to make ends meet, or new lifejackets for the children, or a motor for the boat, or Camp Sunfish tattoos to top off each children's day, or, or...Renda is the one that makes it happen.
Renda applies her 15+ years of sales and marketing experience to foster life-long relationships with our generous sponsors. Renda also gets her feet wet by volunteering at Camp Sunfish every year. She's always right there to bait the next hook or jump into the water for a play with the children. She is known for her gentle encouragement, her 'can do' attitude, and her infinite wealth of giving. Renda can be contacted at: service@campsunfish.org.
