Leadership at Camp Horseshoe Summer Overnight Camp for Boys
Hail to the forest! Hail to the streams!
Hail, Hail Camp Horseshoe! Camp of my dreams.
When Fran and Jordan Shiner revived Camp Horseshoe in 2003, they dreamed of a place where boys could come for incredible activities and adventures, and leave with exceptional skills and best friends for a lifetime. With their over fifty years of combined summer camping experience, Fran and Jordan used their vast knowledge to rekindle the torches of Horseshoe and create a dynamic boys camp. They have awakened the indomitable spirit of "The Shoe" for a new generation of boys by blending Horseshoe's seventy-five-year-old camping traditions with innovative activities, state-of-the art facilities and boundless energy. Bringing this legacy to each Horseshoe camper is their passion, their purpose, and their pledge.
Experienced, Passionate Leadership
As parents of three camper-aged children, Fran and Jordan understand how to give each boy the guidance and support needed to ensure a phenomenal summer. As lifelong campers and career camp directors, they have a strong belief in the power of the camp experience. Jordan was a camper at the original Horseshoe, and has dreamed of running a camp since he was 16 years old. Fran has also worked in summer camps since the age of 17. Having met at camp, they now pour their shared vision and passion for camping into Horseshoe.
Fran and Jordan's love for Horseshoe and its campers shines through in their hands-on approach, commitment to each boy, and dedication to all facets of the Horseshoe program. Every element of a Horseshoe summer is thoughtfully planned and implemented to make certain campers enjoy the very best instruction, activities, and experiences available anywhere. During the off-season, Jordan teaches high school history and coaches numerous sports, while Fran oversees Horseshoe year-round. Fran and Jordan are active members of the American Camping Association and leaders in the summer camping community.
The Incomparable Horseshoe Team
Teaching, leading, caring—our incredible Horseshoe team is made up of dedicated, highly-trained staff members committed to making a positive impact in the lives of each boy. Horseshoe staff members are strong role models who provide high quality instruction, instill self-confidence, and encourage campers to embrace challenges. The Horseshoe team is proactive in making sure campers develop friendships and support each other. All Horseshoe staff members actively participate in an intensive nine-day staff training. We have extremely high staff return rates, and many of our top leadership are camping professionals who come back to Horseshoe summer after summer.
Kevin Kaminsky - Program Director, Head of Rookie Weekend, Wolf Chieftain
Kevin has been involved with Camp Horseshoe for 7 years and works for camp full time in a year-round capacity. He is a Certified Camp Safety Director, and throughout the year attends many camping conferences. Kevin was a three-sport varsity athlete in high school and a two-sport collegiate athlete. For the past ten years, he has been coaching basketball at all levels, from third grade through varsity high school assistant. Kevin has been an athletic program director for the Park District of Highland Park and is currently entering his tenth year as a coach for Highwood Small Fry. In addition to his role at Camp Horseshoe, Kevin now runs basketball programs for Hi Five sports in the fall and winter.
Chris Giles - Head of Aquatics and Waterskiing, Chief of Golden Horseshoe, Eagle Chieftain
Chris has been working with Fran and Jordan for seventeen years. Chris grew up on the Isle of Wight, England and is currently residing with his wife Casey in Phoenix, AZ, where this past year, they celebrated the birth of their first son, Brady. In the off-season Chris produces and markets running events.
Harry "Big H" Prendergast - Inspector General, Head of Polar Bears, Moon Chieftain
Big "H" is in his 30th season at Horseshoe. A teacher for 35 years, Athletic Director of Boys State in South Dakota, and a veteran of Iwo Jima and other battles in WWII, he played basketball in the Naval Olympics while in Japan—and won. Throughout an illustrious coaching career, he produced two professional football players and was himself a four-time Hall of Famer.
Bill Engel - Keeper of Traditions, Sun Chieftain, Head of Fishing, Baitcasting, and Fencing
Bill Engel has been a camper and counselor at Horseshoe for 24 seasons. He was in the last group to be initiated into the Golden Horseshoe Society by Doc H, the founder of Camp Horseshoe. In the off-season he is a Professor of Literature at the University of the South (Sewanee, TN). He is an ASEP certified coach and received a diploma from the U.S. Olympic Coaches College for Fencing. Bill has been ranked nationally in epee.