Blog

Meet Camp Highlands: RJ Bruce

April 20, 2012

  • First up in our series of introductions to some of our fabulous staff? RJ Bruce!

    RJ Bruce carrying a trunk

    RJ carrying a trunk into his Cubbie cabin (Kurt Bokern pictured on the left)

    RJ is from Northbrook, IL, a suburb of Chicago. At camp he is a counselor in the Cub division and teaches Drama. He also organizes and directs “Stunt Night” at the end of each term. In the off season, RJ is an actor and singer in Chicago as well as a freelance music director and vocal coach. His greatest ambition in life is to become a CHOF (Camp Highlands Old Friend, the loving term we have for our older counselors).
    We had a couple questions for RJ.
    How long have you been coming to CH?
    I started coming to camp when I was 10 and only missed one summer so…12 years.
    If you could trade places with any person for a week, famous or not, living or dead, real or fictional – with whom would it be?
    If I could trade places with anyone, it would have to be Nathan Lane. He is by far one of the greatest comedic actors alive and to be able to do what he does would be incredible. Plus, he has worked on Stage, Screen and TV. How awesome is that?
    Passions, obsessions, pre-occupations?
    Reading, singing, riding my bike, eating, Shakespeare, Sondheim, teaching and of course Camp Highlands! 
    Favorite album, book or TV show?
    NCIS, hands down! Best ensemble show on TV.
    Something that surprised you about CH?
    Something that surprised me about camp was how easy it is for all of us to pick up right where we left off at the beginning of each summer. It always feels like we never left.
    Favorite meal at CH?
    I could never pick just one so my tied top-two are Sunday Turkey Dinner and Lasagna!
    Not everyone knows…
    Not everyone knows I’ve never been outside the continental United States. I have however seen Canada, from Isle Royal!
    My favorite CH memory is…
    My favorite CH memory is getting on the sea plane at the end of my Isle Royal trip my last summer as a camper. Knowing that I had just finished a trip that I never thought I could do was a pretty amazing feeling. Also, the Monkey Business performance after the banquet my first year on Senior Row.
    Best thing about spending a summer at CH?
    The best thing about spending a summer at CH is learning to step out of your comfort zone and try new and difficult things, all while knowing that everyone is rooting for you and will be there to support you no matter what.
    Thanks RJ! See you in just a few weeks for our 109th camping season!