From Camper to Counselor: Navigating SMC from a New Point of View

 

Summer 2016: A young girl walks in ready to take on summer at Saint Mary's. The world of Fine Arts is ready to be explored, there are friends to be made, and fun to be had. Little did she know that this summer would propel her into her future at Saint Mary’s. Elizabeth "Libby" Dunn '28 began as a returning camper, taking all four years, exploring each discipline the fine arts camp had to offer. These four years helped solidify her decision to pursue a bachelor's degree in music here at Saint Mary’s. 

 

Dunn is no stranger to the arts or Saint Mary’s College; she is the next in line of a generation of Belles. Dunn’s aunt, Marcie Kumor '94, mother, Monica Dunn '98, cousins, Grace Kumor '18 and Olivia Thorson '20, and great-great aunt, Monica Hynds '22, are all alumnae of the College. Her family is also a proud group of musicians. Dunn herself plays the flute and piano. Her parents are part of a duo, Meeker and Maiden, and a band, Point Five.

 

Meanwhile, her sister is currently on tour with a youth orchestra in Spain, so attending the Fine Arts Camp is an easy decision. Dunn, who’s from Wisconsin, spoke about how it was important to her to find a place where she felt at home. The weeks of camp, of living like a Belle, gave her the home-away-from-home feeling, and she knew that’s where she wanted to be. Dunn explored all the subjects offered at the camp throughout her four years, including puppetry, dance, music, and theater. Her favorite was theater, and she is now the primary theater counselor at camp.

Flash forward to summer 2025, and Dunn is heading into her second year at the College and joining in on the fine arts fun. This time, from a counselor's point of view. Dunn said she wanted to continue being a part of the summer fun, so she could be that leader and welcoming face just as she experienced as a camper years before. She wanted to be there and help these young girls unleash their creative potential. Dunn plans to continue counseling during her time here at the College and then hopes to pursue a career in marketing live music.

 

Click here to watch Dunn’s “Day in the Life of a Camp Counselor,” where Dunn shows her day-to-day behind the scenes of a camp counselor during a summer at Saint Mary's! 

 

July 3, 2025