Staff Profile: Chloe “Risk It” Patterson

Chloe Patterson is one of those people who is just a delight to be around. Having recently taken a position as the Towers Women’s Director, she marvels as she reflects on how God has been growing her leadership capabilities since her first summer at Pine Cove. I hope you enjoy learning more about Chloe and hearing about what she may be up to when she isn’t ministering to college staff and elementary-aged campers.

How long have you worked at Pine Cove and what is your current position?
My first summer on staff was in 2017. I worked four summers at Chimney Point and now I am the women’s director at the Towers, where I started August of 2020.

What is your camp name and how did you get it?
“Risk it for the Brisket.” I was a freshman in high school with a big group of people at a BBQ restaurant. It was a pay-at-the-door kind of restaurant and so while we were all up there waiting and paying, the boys in the group broke the window at the entrance. And because we didn’t have licenses, the workers had to call our parents to come get us. I have no idea why I ended up telling that story during the name game, but there you have it.

What is the last trip you went on and with who?
I actually went on a trip to the Dominican Republic with my mom. I hadn’t seen her since Christmas and so it was a fun pre-summer thing. I have brothers, and so it’s always fun to spend time with my mom without the boys.

Do you have any interesting hobbies?
I am in the process of getting certified to be a Pure Barre instructor, so that’s kind of interesting.

You’re stranded on a desert island with two other Pine Cove staffers… who do you choose and why?
I would choose Ellie Buchannan who works at the Ranch because she can’t not solve a problem. She would ensure we would get off of the island. I would then pick Andrew Boshell, my director, because he is super resourceful, so he could make sure we are eating and surviving on the desert island.

If you were given a $1,000 gift card, what store would it be to?
I really love the store Zara. I love to go shopping there and would love to have a $1,000 gift card there!

What does your ideal day off from camp entail?
I love being able to cook in my house and going to the grocery store to get something to cook. I love going on a walk and maybe going to sit by a pool. And I love to talk to my family on the phone. So, very chill, but those are all very restful things for me.

What are some things you’re excited about in your life right now?
I feel like a lot of my attention is toward summer right now. I’m really excited to do my job in the summer for a second time. I just feel so much more confident and knowledgeable about how the Towers and youth camp operate, so just really excited to do that a second time. I am also really excited about Pure Barre because it’s something I’ve thought about for a long time, so it’s been fun to go through the process.

What is your current favorite camp trend?
Stanley Cups! In the last year, a lot of my staff have started to use Stanley Cups. They are really awesome and keep your water really cold. They’re 40 ounces and so you only have to drink two in a day.

Living in Tyler, what are some of your favorite local things to do or local traditions you enjoy?
There is a restaurant in Tyler called Culture ETX that outsources food from local people and local farmers and so the menu changes all the time. It’s unlike any other place in Tyler, so it’s really fun to go there. It’s also really fun and pretty to go on walks downtown where the streets are made of brick and the azaleas are blooming.

What is one way that God has grown you through working at camp?
Oh my goodness, massive question! From 2017 to now, the Lord has just grown me in my leadership and shown me my capability that I didn’t know was in me. I have always been one that loves to follow and just get a list done. But my time at Pine Cove has been God giving me more leadership, even against my wanting it, and He has developed me into someone that can lead and make a decision or make a call. It has been so cool to watch my strengths and weaknesses get developed through working at camp.