Meet Our Staff

School: Montreat

Major: Outdoor Recreation Studies Intended

Occupation: Conservation Officer/ Fish and Wildlife Service Special Agent 

Campus Involvement: Student Government, Mens Soccer, Honors Program 

Hometown: Havelock, NC 

What are you looking forward to about camp?: Building relationships and facilitating memories. 

Activity Teaching: Backpacking 

Years at camp: First year 

Certifications: Lifeguard/CPR & AED, Water Safety Instructor, Wilderness First Aid

If you could have any Actor play you in a movie, who would it be?: Tom Holland

School:  Converse University 

Major: Physical Education

Intended Occupation: Middle/high school gym coach 

Campus Involvement: FCA  Men’s swim team

Hometown:  Rutherfordton NC

What are you looking forward to about camp?: Being able to make new friends and be able to encourage kids to follow their dreams

Activity Teaching: Diving 

Years at camp: 1 year

Certifications: Lifeguard, CPR, AED  and First aid 

School: Appalachian University 

Major: Management, Innovation and Entrepreneurship

Intended Occupation: Business Owner

Campus Involvement: 7v7 Flag Football Team, 4v4 Flag Football Team

Hometown: Ellenboro, NC

What are you looking forward to about camp?: Getting to know everyone

Activity Teaching: Fishing

Years at camp: First year

Certifications: CPR and First Aid, Microsoft Excel, Data Visualization

If you could have any Actor play you in a movie, who would it be?: Chris Pratt

School: University of Tennessee, Knoxville

Major: Business Management

Intended Occupation: Christian Ministry/Non-Profit work

Campus Involvement: Beta Upsilon Chi Fraternity

Hometown: Spring Hill, Tennessee

What are you looking forward to about camp?: Meeting new people and helping my campers grow in their walk with the Lord

Activity Teaching: Field Sports

Years at camp: First year

Certifications: CPR and Basic First Aid

If you could have any Actor play you in a movie, who would it be?: Adam Sandler

School:  University of Virginia

Major: Urban and Environmental Planning

Intended Occupation: City Planner

Campus Involvement: RUF, Student Planner’s Association, Intramural Sports

Hometown: Memphis, TN

What are you looking forward to about camp?: Seeing the Black Bears sweep the banners this summer

Activity Teaching: Riflery

Years at camp: 13 years

Certifications: CPR, First Aid, Gun Range Safety Certification

What is your claim to fame?: I got John Menendez out in Sock War

School:  Clemson University

Major: Economics and Marketing

Intended Occupation: Business

Campus Involvement: Club Basketball, Beta Theta Pi, FCA

Hometown:  Asheville, NC

What are you looking forward to about camp?: I’m looking forward to having the opportunity to impact campers’ experiences at camp, just as my counselors did for me in the past. I’m also excited to reunite with old friends and work with another fantastic staff!

Activity Teaching: Kayaking

Years at camp: 8 years

Certifications: WFA, Lifeguard, FAA Part 107 Small unmanned aircraft license.

School: Auburn University

Major: Finance

Intended Occupation: Unsure

Campus Involvement: Intramural sports, ACF, Greek Life

Hometown: Wilmington, NC

What are you looking forward to about camp?: Teaching one of the best activities at camp and giving campers the same amazing experience I had

Activity Teaching:  Canoeing

Years at camp: 10 years

Certifications: Lifeguard, First-Aid, CPR

If you could have any Actor play you in a movie, who would it be?: Matthew McConaughey

School: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Major: Exercise and Sports Science

Intended Occupation: Physical Therapy

Campus Involvement: Chaplain of BYX, the Christian fraternity on campus and also attend RUF bible studies alongside being involved in Campus Recreation and Intramural Sports.

Hometown: Boone, NC

What are you looking forward to about camp?: I’m looking forward to teaching Archery and competing for the banner!

Activity Teaching: Archery

Years at camp: 10 years 

Certifications: CPR, First Aid

If you could have any Actor play you in a movie, who would it be?: Patrick Swayze

School: Clemson University

Major: Mechanical Engineering

Intended Occupation: Manufacturing process safety and children’s car seat design

Campus Involvement: Theta Tau Professional Engineering Fraternirty, Turning Point USA, Clemson Life

Hometown: Charleston, SC

What are you most looking forward to about camp: Looking forward to the opportunity to be a leader as JCAD, also to see all my old campers again and to help lead them on to bigger and better things. And the black bears winning the banner.

Activity(s) Teaching: Archery

Years at Camp: 14 years

Certifications: WFA, BFA, CPR, archery range instructor cert

If you could create a new national holiday holiday, what would you celebrate and why? National Free Food Day. No food is better than free food.

School: YWAM Louisville

Major: Missions

Intended Occupation: Ministry, or any People-Focused positions 

Campus Involvement: Kitchen Staff, Homeless Ministry, Overseas Outreach

Hometown: Mills River, NC

What are you looking forward to about camp?: Friends and Fun

Activity Teaching: Riflery

Years at camp: 2 years

Certifications: Wilderness First Aid, CPR/First Aid

What’s on the top of your bucket list?: Traveling to Japan, I love Japan.

School: Appalachian State University

Major: Psychology

Intended Occupation: Undecided

Campus Involvement: Psychology honor society

Hometown: Charlotte, NC

What are you looking forward to about camp: Spending a summer outdoors helping young people grow while also growing myself

If you could have any actor play you in a movie, who would it be?: Leonardo DiCaprio

School: Appalachian State University

Major: Chemistry: Forensic Science

Intended Occupation: Crime Lab for the FBI

Campus Involvement: Chem Club, Forensics Club, Cross Country and Track Club, de Campos Research

Hometown: Macon, GA

What are you looking forward to about camp?: New Staff New Friends!!!!

Activities Teaching: Backpacking, Fencing, Lego Builder

Years at camp: 16 years

Certifications: CPR+First Aid

What would be your non super superpower?: Never be tired

School: University of Florida

Major: Media Production Management

Intended Occupation: Unsured

Campus Involvement: N/A

Hometown: Ocala, FL

What are you looking forward to about camp?: Help campers gain lifelong experiences.

Activity Teaching: Kayaking

Years at camp: 11 years

Certifications: Lifeguard, first aid

What is your claim to fame? I had 3rd place world record on Mario Kart Wii

School: Appalachian State University

Major: Recreation Management

Campus Involvement: Snowboard Team

Hometown: Asheville, NC

What are you looking forward to at camp: Seeing all of the returning campers

Activity: Kayaking

Years at Camp: 14th year

Certifications: WFA, Lifeguard, CPR, First Aid

If you could create a new national holiday, what would you celebrate and why? National Shelf Milk Day

School: Appalachian State University 

Major: Undecided 

Intended Occupation: Undecided 

Campus Involvement: Young Life 

Hometown: Boone, NC

What are you looking forward to about camp?: I am really looking forward to spending another summer in my favorite place on earth and spreading the love of Jesus.

Activity teaching: Climbing 

Years at Camp: 10 

Certifications: WFA

School: University of North Carolina

Major: Mathematics and Psychology

Intended Occupation: Quantitative Psychology

Campus Involvement: RUF, BYX, Carolina Climbing Club

Hometown: Winston, Salem

What are you looking forward to about camp?: Getting to get the kids back out on the track!

Activity Teaching: Climbing

Years at camp: 2 years

Certifications: CWI, WFA

What’s on the top of your bucket list? Seeing the Himalaya

School: Teddy Oakey

Major: Astronomy – Physics

Intended Occupation: Astronomer

Campus Involvement: N/A

Hometown: Charlottesville, VA

What are you looking forward to about camp?: Watching campers grow and love camp.

Activity Teaching: Canoeing

Years at camp: 12 years

Certifications: CPR, Lifeguard

What is your claim to fame?: Working with NASA to discover a mountain on a asteroid.

School:  University of Kentucky

Major: Mechanical Engineering

Intended Occupation: Mechanical Engineer

Campus Involvement: Reformed University Fellowship, CRU, and intramural sports

Hometown: Bowling Green, KY

What are you looking forward to about camp?: Spending time pouring into the next generation of young men and getting to share my love of basketball with them!

Activity Teaching: Basketball

Years at camp: 1st year

Certifications: First Aid and CPR

If you could have any Actor play you in a movie, who would it be?: Ryan Reynolds

School: University of South Carolina

Major: Marketing and Operations & Supply Chain

Intended Occupation: Marketing or Supply Chain Analyst

Campus Involvement: Pi Kappa Phi, Intramural Basketball, Society of Supply Chain and Operations Excellence, Fraternity Fellowship Group

Hometown: Ridgefield, CT

What are you looking forward to about camp?: Spending every day outdoors

Activity Teaching: Basketball

Years at camp: 1st year

Certifications: First Aid

Name: Betsy Burrow

School: Pepperdine University

Major: Advertising

Campus Involvement: Pepperdine Graphic Media, Kappa Alpha Theta

Hometown: Ridgeland, MS

What are you looking forward to about camp: Taking photos of campers to keep them connected with their families 

Activity(s) Teaching: Photographer

Years at camp: 12th year

Certifications: First Aid/CPR

If you could create a new national holiday, what would you celebrate, and why: National Music Appreciation Day 

School: Anderson University

Major: Communication Public Relations

Campus Involvement: RA 

Hometown: Campobello SC

What are you looking forward to about camp?: Bonding and making friends

Activity Teaching: Guitar 

Years at camp: 2nd incoming year 

Certifications: Lifeguard certification

What’s on the top of your bucket list?: Visit Europe, Austria, Norway, Paris, and London – lots of history there.

School: UNC Chapel Hill Class of ’24, Catawba College Class of ‘26

Major: UNC – B.A. Journalism, Catawba – MSPM, Sports Management

Intended Occupation: Gameday Operations, Broadcasting 

Hometown: Salisbury, N.C.

What are you looking forward to about camp?: Being in the best place with some of my best friends.

Activity Teaching: Pickleball, Riflery

Years at camp: 13

Certifications: First Aid/CPR

School: High Point University

Major: Cyber Security

Intended Occupation: Cyber Security Professional

Campus Involvement: N/A

Hometown: Jupiter, FL

What are you looking forward to about camp?: Hawaiian meatballs!

Activity Teaching: Airsoft/paintball

Years at camp: 1o years

Certifications: First aid, CPR, AED, Nitrox

What is your claim to fame?: Hawaiian meatballs record holder (63)

Name: Brandon Kelpin

School: Appalachian State University

Major: Exercise Science

Intended Occupation: Athletic Trainer

Hometown: Fletcher, NC

What are you looking forward to about camp?: Teach kids how to work together and compete together through sports and deepening their understanding of the word

Activity Teaching: Field Sports

Years at camp: 1st year

Certifications: First aid/CPR

If you could have any superpower what would it be?: To Fly

School:  University of Virginia

Major: Pre-Commerce

Intended Occupation:  Investment Banking or Private Equity

Campus Involvement: Member of McIntire Investment Institute, 4th grade tutor/teaching assistant at Greer Elementary School, member of Gordie Club (hazing prevention club), intern at Purvelo cycle in Charlottesville

Hometown:  Charleston, SC

What are you looking forward to about camp: Getting to know everyone on staff and having a blast with campers!

Activity Teaching: lifeguard and tennis

Years at camp:  1st year

Certifications:  CPR, First Aid, Lifeguard

What’s on the top of your bucket list?: Visit all 50 states

School: Pepperdine University

Major: International Business and Minor in Hispanic Studies

Intended Occupation: Outreach in South America

Campus Involvement: Kappa Alpha Theta, Bible study leader

Hometown: Long Grove, IL

What are you looking forward to about camp?: Seeing Jesus work in the kids’ life

Activity Teaching: Pottery

Years at camp: 1st year

Certifications: CPR, AED

What is your claim to fame? Being the best darts player

School: University of Central Florida

Major: Business Management

Intended Occupation: Financial agent

Campus Involvement: N/A

Hometown: Winter Springs, FL

What are you looking forward to about camp?: Helping campers expand their swim ability.

Activity Teaching: Swimming

Years at camp: 3 years

Certifications: First Aid, lifeguard, AED

If you could have any superpower what would it be?: Super speed

School: Appalachian State University

Major: Education

Intended Occupation: Nursing

Campus Involvement: App State Whitewater, Spikeball, and Volleyball Club, Mountaineer Medics 

Hometown: Colorado Springs, CO

What are you looking forward to about camp?: Seeing all my friends again

Activity Teaching: Climbing / Rafting / Maybe Kayaking?

Years at camp: 3 years

Certifications:  EMT, Swiftwater, Lifeguard, SPI, Rafting, WFR

If you could have any Actor play you in a movie, who would it be?: Timothee Chalamant

Intended Occupation: Carpenter

Campus Involvement: Backpacking/Football

Hometown: Frinton-on-Sea, Essex, UK

What are you looking forward to about camp?: Having a positive impact on young people’s lives and making unforgettable memories!

Activity Teaching: Backpacking/Football

Years at camp: 1st year

What is your claim to fame?: Being raised in a Christian family which has equipped me to share to word of God.

School: Clemson University

Major: Construction

Intended Occupation: Construction Manager

Campus Involvement: KA Fraternity

Hometown: Columbia, SC

What are you looking forward to about camp?: Making new friends, having fun and help kids thrive.

Activity Teaching: Fencing

Years at camp: 8 years

Certifications: N/A

If you could have any Actor play you in a movie, who would it be? Ryan Reynolds

School: Auburn University

Major: Professional Flight

Intended Occupation: Commercial/Airline Pilot

Campus Involvement: Intend to start a collegiate branch of senior tech help club. Plan to attend many sporting events and social clubs. Will live in an out of state resident community.

Hometown: Davidson, North Carolina

What are you looking forward to about camp: The amazing camp community and escape from normal life.

Activity Teaching: Tennis/pickleball, Guitar

Years at camp: 6

Certifications: Belay certified, varsity tennis player

What is your claim to fame? My private pilot license!

School:  University of Florida

Major: Economics

Intended Occupation: Entrepreneur, health-care consultant

Campus Involvement:  Fraternity, catholic gators, ultimate frisbee

Hometown: Tampa, FL

What are you looking forward to about camp?: I’m looking forward to being outdoors, reconnecting with some old friends, and making new ones.

Activity Teaching: Improv

Years at camp:  5 years

Certifications: Lifeguard

If you could have any Actor play you in a movie, who would it be?: Tom Hanks

School: University of Essex

Major: Psychology

Intended occupation: Clinical Psychologist

Campus involvement: N/A

Hometown: Frinton-on-Sea, Essex, UK

What are you looking forward to about camp?: I am looking forward to having my own adventure, spending time in the outdoors, meeting new people, having experiences and great fellowship

Activity Teaching: Mountain biking

Years at Camp: 1st year

Certifications: A levels

School: Troy University

Major: General Business

Intended Occupation: Commercial Real Estate

Campus Involvement: N/A

Hometown: Birmingham, AL

What are you looking forward to about camp?: Having fun, and helping these boys grow into men.

Activity Teaching: Paintball/Airsoft

Years at camp: 10 years

Certifications: Red cross CPR

If you could have any Actor play you in a movie, who would it be? Will Farrell

School:  University of Miami

Major: Exercise Physiology

Intended Occupation: Physician

Campus Involvement: Exercise Physiology Student Organization, UPup, AASA, Intramural Sports

Hometown: Scarsdale, NY

What are you looking forward to about camp?: Coming back after being away for a year and seeing familiar faces, as well as making new friends.

Activity Teaching: Swimming

Years at camp: 9 years

Certifications: Lifeguard, CPR, First Aid

If you could have any Actor play you in a movie, who would it be?: Definitely Jackie Chan

School: A-B Tech

Major: Pre-Med

Intended Occupation: Physician

Campus Involvement: N/A

Hometown: Black Mountain, NC

What are you looking forward to about camp?: Making new friends and everlasting memories!

Activity Teaching: Climbing

Years at camp: 3 years

Certifications: CWI, WFA

If you could have any superpower what would it be?: Teleportation

School:  University of Florida

Major: Construction Management

Intended Occupation:  Private Residential Contracting

Campus Involvement:  RUF

Hometown: Winter Haven

What are you looking forward to about camp?: Sharing the experience of growing relationships with staff, campers, and the Lord while being outdoors

Activity Teaching: Team Sports and White Water Kayaking

Years at camp: 10th years

Certifications: CPR, lifeguard and kayak certified

If you could have any Actor play you in a movie, who would it be?: Chris Pratt