We’re a family-run business committed to making a difference in the lives of our campers.
Director
Susie van der Vorst is a Fellow of the Academy of Orton-Gillingham Practitioners and Educators, one of fewer than 200 professionals worldwide to achieve this distinction. An educator for over 25 years, Susie trained with esteemed teacher Diana H. King at the Kildonan School and Camp Dunnabeck. Susie is a nationally recognized teacher trainer who presents frequently at dyslexia conferences. She’s passionate about helping children become self-confident, independent readers and learners.
Business Manager
David DeZoort is probably the person you’ll speak to when you call camp. As Business Manager, David handles everything from camper enrollment to financial management, to ordering supplies and running the camp store. You can even find him working on the boat and vacuuming the pool! In short, there’s not a whole lot David doesn’t do at camp. A native of Georgia, David has a degree in Business Administration from Georgia Southern University. He lives in Bakersville with his wife Amanda and loves spending time in the great outdoors.
Co-Program Director
As Co-Program Director, Anina van der Vorst leads our summer tutoring staff and helps keep camp running smoothly during the summer. She also heads our virtual tutoring program and takes care of all of our graphic design needs. The middle child of the van der Vorst family, she is a graduate of NC State University with a B.A. in Graphic Design. Anina loves to travel and pursue her interest in ceramics.
Co-Program Director
Conor joined our staff in 2015 as a counselor. After traveling the world teaching English, he returned in 2022 as a tutor. Since then, he has taken on more responsibility at camp. He now hires and leads our counselors, tutors one-on-one, and does whatever it takes to ensure that camp runs efficiently. He earned his bachelor's degree in Journalism and his MEd in Learning and Teaching with a PGCE in Applied Linguistics. He also has a CELTA qualification.
Facilities Director
Olson van der Vorst can be found around camp driving the backhoe, fixing anything that needs repair, helping out in the wood shop, and generally being handy. As Facilities Director, he makes sure that Camp Spring Creek’s property and buildings are in working order and ready for our campers and trainees. The youngest of the van der Vorst children, Olson also served at camp as sous chef for several summers. Olson is a graduate of Appalachian State University with a B.A. in Industrial Design with a concentration in Furniture Design at Appalachian State University in Boone, North Carolina.
Counselors
Our counselors come from all over the world, adding wonderful diversity to our community. Some of our counselors are dyslexic and they serve as positive role models for our campers. We train all of our staff in understanding dyslexia and the specific needs of our campers. All of our staff is 18 years or older and have received lifeguard and CPR training. International counselors can apply through Camp America or Camp Leaders. For US-based counselors, please download the application through the button below and/or contact anina@campspringcreek.org for more information.
Tutors
Each summer, we assemble a dedicated, passionate group of educators who work tirelessly to help every camper. They share their expertise, creativity, and dedicated commitment to help each child reach their potential. All of our tutors are experienced Orton-Gillingham practitioners and all are accredited or pursing accreditation with the Academy of Orton-Gillingham Practitioners and Educators.
Interested in becoming a Camp Spring Creek Tutor?