If you don’t know Chris Rosselit, it can only be for one of two reasons.
The first is that you’ve somehow missed out on the magic of camp programs at the Midland Community Center. The second? You know him instead by his alias – Rozzi Bear.
“The kids call me that,” he admits, somewhat sheepishly.
When he says “the kids”, he could be referring to any of the hundreds of thousands children that are impacted by his work at summer camp, something that’s practically a way of life for him.
“My dad used to be the Camp Director a long time ago,” shares Chris, “I started off as a camper, but then moved into being a junior counselor, a cookie (what they call camp cooks), the cookie counselor, and then the Assistant Camp Director.
“After my summer as Assistant Director,” says Chris, “I changed my major because it was such an awesome experience.”
Though he graduated with a Recreation Major from Central Michigan University, Chris originally was headed into a music career. Little known fact? A self-admitted ‘band nerd’, he played the tuba in CMU’s marching band for three years, practically begging the question of whether you get better biceps from carting a giant horn up and down a football field or hauling tiny, wiggling children up and down a rock wall.
Learn More About Rock Climbing at MCC
At just 23 years of age, Chris has grown 4 times in his MCC career. He credits this to the constant support he had from other employees, both at his branch and at the corporate offices.
“Even when I worked in ‘lower’ positions, I could always ask questions and get responses. That’s pretty rare – when you can be a frontline staff person and talk to your CEO as easily as your supervisor – but that’s how it is here.”
His current title is ‘Adventure Coordinator’ – which just sounds fun – and he helps promote and facilitate programs in teambuilding, relationship-building, and the rock wall. He also assists with the free teen program, TRAC, and works summer camps, which are his first love.
Download the 2010 Summer Camp Brochure
“Camp really matters,” he says, “I like the rock wall and TRAC, but with camp we provide a truly enriching environment for kids. We’re extremely focused on safety but kids also get to be kids. We’re fun and we’re safe, which is what our parents care about too.”
His supervisor, Alison Ginter, has worked with Chris for years, and she’s quick to sing his praises.
“Chris is a go-getter,” she says. “If he doesn’t know something, he learns it, and he’s absolutely great with the kids.”
With the start of summer camp quickly approaching, what is Chris looking forward to this year?
“The thing I love about my work at MCC and the summer camps in particular is the same thing that originally drew me to being a music teacher,” Chris says, “I get to impact kids – and not just for one year. I get to see them again and again.”
As excited as Chris is to begin camp and see his campers again, it’s a safe bet that his kids are just as excited for one more summer with ‘Rozzi Bear’ and the energy he brings to their camp experience.
For more information on Summer Camps or Adventure Programming at MCC, contact:
Alison Ginter
aginter@mymcc.org
(989) 832-7937 ext 2230
