Hey there, Summer Campers!
We talk about so many celebrities who were once summer campers like yourselves, but instead today, I have someone who never went as a camper. She was, however, a cabin leader for a handful of years at the Rock Eagle 4-H Center in Georgia. I’m talking about country music singer, songwriter, and actress, 
Jennifer Nettles.
Next to the Oconee National Forest, Rock Eagle Camp boasts 1500 acres of gorgeous woodsy land with a 110-acre lake named after the camp. While she may have been at a different juncture in her life than most folks are when they encounter the summer camp experience, it was just as influential for her when she went as a cabin leader.
Her passion in life—singing—drew her to Rock Eagle Camp like a magnet as she was a member of their Clovers & Company performing arts group for six years prior. She was also involved in tons of extracurricular activities between school assemblies, community theater, and her Southern Baptist church in the small town of Douglas, Georgia.
She graduated from Coffee High School and moved on to Agnes Scott College in Decatur, Georgia, studying Sociology as well as Anthropology. It was during her college years that she made a productive move with her music, partnering up with one Cory Jones—a University of Georgia student of classical guitar—to form the acoustic duo Soul Miner’s Daughter. They put out two albums together.
After college, she continued her musical career in her early 20’s, forming the Jennifer Nettles Band. The band, consisting of Brad Sikes on the drums, Scott Nicholson playing piano, Wesley Lupold playing bass, Mike Cebulski on percussion, and—of course—Jennifer, put out five albums altogether.
In 2003, Jennifer formed Sugarland with Kristen Hall and Kristian Bush to push her career beyond what she had been able to do yet. Three years later, Sugarland was nominated for a Gammy award for Best New Artist.
She most recently made her acting debut in NBC’s made-for-TV-movie, ‘Dolly Parton’s Coat of Many Colors’ in which she played the role of Dolly Parton’s mother and then played another role in the following year on the hit series ‘Underground’. Following her dreams, Jennifer has found incredible success throughout her life. What successes will you find throughout your life? Be sure to check out Rock Eagle Camp in Georgia if it sounds like the right camp for you and, as always, thanks for reading.
- John