Hitting the Ground Running

That’s what Collegiate’s Director of Quest Programs expected when he began paternity leave back in mid-May when Parker, his and his wife Kristin’s second son, was born.

 

“The team has been absolutely wonderful,” he said on a recent Wednesday afternoon as he caught his breath in his office in Hunter Hall. “They finished up the school year and transitioned perfectly into the summer. It’s great to be back on campus. It’s busy, bustling. We’re in the Lower School, Middle School, Upper School. We’re going out to Robins. It’s definitely hitting the ground running, but I wouldn’t want it any other way.”

 

Anticipating his absence, he had a plan in place.

 

“Of course,” he said. “Christine Branin, the Director of Auxiliary Services, works closely with us. She really jumped in and took a lot of things that I did. The team themselves took it to the next level, making sure everything was reviewed and correct. They added things to their plates to make up for me not being here and stepped into new roles. Luckily, our team has been together for quite a long time.”

 

Natalie Price serves as Associate Director of Quest Operations. Claire Hayden, new last summer last summer, is Associate Director of Quest Business Affairs. Shauna Maines is Associate Director of Quest Outreach, but she recently took her leave. Kristina Thornton, a long-time counselor in the program, quickly transitioned into Maines’s role.

 

“Right as I was coming back, Shauna’s leaving,” Etheridge said. “Her husband got a new job in North Carolina. We were devastated to lose her. We absolutely loved working with her, but Kristina hit the ground running.”

 

The numbers this summer are strong.

 

“We’re running more than 250 camps,” Etheridge said as he perused the spreadsheet on his computer. “Once again, a record number of students are attending.”

 

On this early July day, there were 1,490 individuals and 4,368 registrations, which approximates the total number from last summer. Etheridge noted that in 2021, the first post-covid year, there were 1,400 individuals and 3,500 registrations.

 

“Individuals are now taking more camps all summer long,” he said. “They’re using it for daycare and camp care. They love what we’re doing, and a number of our kids in the after-school program will stay all summer long.”

 

By 2023, he said, 1,600 individuals accounted for 4,400 registrations.

 

“This summer, we’re almost filling the same number of spots with 200 fewer people,” he said. “They want to plan their summer with us, which is exiting. They know what they’re going to get. They’re going to get smiles, they’re going to get service, and they’re going to get the Collegiate quality, which I think is what keeps bringing them back year after year.”

 

Many of the tried-and-true programs continue to be well subscribed.

 

“Anything that Robby Turner puts his name beside is Mr. Turner quality,” Etheridge said. “Discover Richmond. Discover the James. Sports camps. No matter where you look, people want to take camps with Mr. Turner.

 

“Rives Fleming (a host of sports camps) and Farley Macdonald (football and Middle School STEAM) are also very popular. All the names who have been here forever and are doing a really great job continue to do the job at a really high level. Every time we offer registration, people are lining up to try to be part of those camps and experience them.”

 

New camps appear each year.

 

“We have a Mock Trial camp that we’re really excited about,” Etheridge said. “We have a Mission to Mars camp. We try to work with different partners in the community to have camps we know kids love but also try new things. Photography has been really successful. We have Theater and Improv. The ropes course on campus is very popular. And we partner with University of Richmond to offer a couple of weeks on their ropes course. We listen to our families, and we try to take to heart what they’re saying they want and try to make it happen every summer.”

 

Etheridge has worked in the Quest program since 2008 and has served as its director for four years. To say he remains excited about his calling and his program’s mission is an understatement.

 

“Oh, man, I’ve been away, but when you come back, it’s like you’re back at home,” he said. “Each time I’ve taken time off for the birth of a child, you wonder how you’re going to come back when you’re home. Then, you realize you’ve got to go to work on Monday, and you’re sitting there Sunday night thinking about it. Then you get in here Monday morning, and you’ve got your team, and they’re smiling, and they’re moving, and it’s like, your life is here, and you just jump right back in, and here we are. The feeling of being back with everybody that’s so contagious. That’s a special part of being here at Collegiate.”

~Weldon Bradshaw