Jolly Corley
Jolly Corley, M.S. in Educational Leadership, is a camp educator with over 20 years experience in camping. She is passionate about leadership development with a specific focus on camp as a means of growing emotional intelligence.
What camps have you worked at, Jolly?
My first job at a summer camp was at my local 4-H camp in Indiana. I was 15 and a general counselor. My last job at a summer camp is the current one, Camp Robindel for girls. I began as a 19-year old camp counselor who loved the movie The Parent Trap and working at CR would check off the bucket list of experiencing summer camp like Haley Mills, and Lindsay Lohan had;-)
Why is the work of summer camp important to you?
This response could be a 100 point bulletin of why summer camp is important. I will just pick one, if you ask me on another day I will have a different response. Summer camp is a place where staff and campers can create a community. Where young people are responsible for building what they want their community to be and how they want to live, work and play/socialize together. There aren't a lot of places in the country where 18-25-year-olds are in charge and where they are being led by 5-16-year-olds. I think the ability to learn to advocate for one's ideas as well as learning how to navigate social situations away from parents/guardians is a crucial skill in growing independent and capable people.
Who is a camp leader you look up to and why?
I have three, well I probably have more, but these are the top 3. Jancy Dorfman was the first woman camp professional that I heard speak (must have been the late 90s/early 2000s at Tri-States when it was still in Mid-town. It was nearly all men speaking at conferences. I remember being in awe of her passion and ability to present authentically the everyday issues front-line staff faced at camp. I never missed a chance to hear her present after that first time.
Marcy Brower, I met several years later at Mid-States and became enamored with her passion for social justice in camping. She inspired me to look at how I might diversify our camp community; something I continue to work towards making better.
Colette Marquardt inspires me every day. She is tireless in her passion and work toward equity and accessibility in camping as well as providing excellent educational opportunities for camp professionals. I have watched Colette navigate turbulent camp professional moments with grace and openness that I admire a lot.
What was the first time you were noticed and appreciated by an adult that wasn't your parent?
My kindergarten teacher Ms. Hiatt was fantastic. I would love to say that she liked me best in my entire class, but I am pretty sure she made every kid feel like they were her favorite.
What hobbies do you enjoy outside of camp?
I love reading. I like alpine skiing, hiking, eating and knitting. Currently trying to learn piano. I stopped piano lessons at age 10, and yes mom I regret that!
What are you passionate about (besides summer camp)?
Racial justice. It is how my husband and I connected. He encouraged me to think about racial justice outside my narrow scope of being a young white woman. He began giving me books to read; the first one was by Clarence Page in 1996 (Showing My Color). About 10 years later I met Marcy Brower, and she challenged me to understand that racial justice and gender equity were tied hand and hand.
What is something that not a lot of people know about you?
I was very very shy as a child. In fact my mother called me her "shrinking violet".
What was your act in your camp's talent show?
Any kind of fun skit that will make 'em laugh.
What's your favourite meal at camp?
Ooh, this a hard one...fish tacos or any meal where Chef Travis (*not Travis Allison!) serves his tzatziki & grilled corn.
Jolly uses real-life experiences to illustrate avenues communities can utilize to grow leadership skills. An actor in her previous career and a gifted storyteller Jolly enjoys bringing to life the hidden leadership potential each of us possesses.