Experienced and Trained Staff

Our staff is hired on the basis of values, passion, skills, and a genuine love for children. Our unique and careful interview process allows us to identify candidates who have the intelligence, compassion, skills, and motivation to be a successful staff member. All candidates are interviewed by one or more of our camp directors. We also do reference and background checks for all potential staff members.

​

Every staff member, whether new or returning, arrives at camp early and has an extensive training period before your camper arrives. This includes camp mission, certifications, age level characteristics, a girl-first mindset, and much more. We use varied training techniques to provide our staff with the insights and tools that enable them to properly care for your camper and offer a fun-filled session.

​

Our camp staff is CPR and First Aid certified and receives training and certification for the activities they guide and supervise. They are also trained to carry out emergency procedures, including those in the event of severe weather. As such, certain camp activities may be cancelled or postponed to ensure the safety of our campers and staff.

Meet the Team

We have one of the most experienced camp teams around!

​

Our staff are dedicated to youth development and have years of experience helping girls grow into amazing young women.

Matt Bates

Chief Information and Property Officer

Matt has been teaching young people in the out of doors for nearly his entire life.  Having served as a camp counselor in his youth, he feels that everyone should have the opportunity to learn nature’s great lessons at their own ability level.  Matt is an avid outdoorsman, paddler, climber, and has thru-hiked the entire Appalachian Trail.   He holds a degree in Forestry with an emphasis in forest recreation.  Matt is an Eagle Scout and has earned many awards from the Boy Scouts of America, including the Vigil Honor. He holds range instructor certification from USA Archery, and maintains First Aid and CPR certifications.

Stephanie Hall

Outdoor Adventure Specialist, Camp Merrie Woode

Stephanie is passionate about inspiring a love of learning, helping people to grow toward their goals, and instilling an appreciation for the natural environment.  Stephanie holds a Master of Science in Forest Resources and Conservation and a Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Science.  Stephanie is an accomplished environmental educator whose contributions include published article in the Journal of Environmental Education and Project Learning Tree’s secondary module on climate change.  She is a American Red Cross CPR/First Aid/AED instructor and also holds certifications in small craft safety and Level 2 Archery instruction.  Stephanie also has experience as a lifeguard, lead climbing instruction, and low ropes course facilitation.  In her spare time, Stephanie enjoys climbing, and training her dog River.

Audrey Reynolds

Outdoor Adventure Specialist, Camp Linden

Audrey grew up in the Kansas City area where she attended day, troop, and resident camp for 13 years. Since then, she's  worked at camps across the country and graduated from Kansas State University with a degree in Family Studies and Human Services. Audrey credits camp in helping her become the confident leader she is today and looks forward to helping girls have the same opportunity. There's no better place than camp for girls to have fun in the outdoors while developing skills that last a lifetime!

Rob Lehman

Ranger, Camp Linden

Rob has been working at camps for more than 37 years, working up through the ranks from dishwasher, counselor, CIT director to assistant camp director during high school and college for the Saginaw YMCA Camp.  Rob has a degree in outdoor Recreation from Central Michigan University.  After a few years as a youth program director in Illinois, Rob worked for the Frost Valley YMCA in New York where he was the Director of Camping Services.  Since moving back to Michigan, Rob has been the Ranger at Camp Linden for the last 17 years.  

Rob enjoys woodworking in his spare time, and is also a firefighter for the local community, which includes certifications in emergency scene management, first aid, and CPR.

Dan Ketchum

Assistant Ranger, Camp Linden

Dan has had an affiliation with Camp Linden for more than 35 years. His love for the outdoors and passion for giving young people the opportunity to grow at camp shines through in his work daily.  Dan has a wide variety of experience including construction as well as formal training in building and grounds maintenance, and has successfully completed outdoor survival training. Dan has held certifications from the State of Michigan as a master auto technician, and is currently certified as a USA Archery Instructor and in First and CPR for the Professional. His hobbies include hiking, hunting, fishing, and competing in archery competitions.

Bethany Wilson

Outdoor Adventure Specialist, Camp O' the Hills and Camp Oak Hills

Bethany grew up in Flint, Michigan where her family still resides. Bethany attended camp each summer and served as a member of the Mackinac Island Governor’s Honor Guard. After graduating high school, Bethany attended the University of Michigan-Flint earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Wildlife Biology with a minor in Environmental Science. Since graduating she has traveled and lived in a number of places including Florida to work for Walt Disney World Resorts, Georgia to work for the Georgia Sea Turtle Center (a rehabilitation facility for sick and injured Sea Turtles), and most recently to New Orleans to work as an educator for the Audubon Aquarium of the Americas. Bethany is very excited to move back to Michigan closer to friends and family while continuing her passion for outdoor education and mentoring youth.

Bill Viers

Camp Ranger, O' the Hills and Wacousta

Anyone who meets Bill cannot help but get caught up in his enthusiasm, work ethic, and excitement for getting girls to camp.  Bill has worked at camps for 4 years, and prior to that ran a successful residential construction business for more than 30 years.  Bill is has been active in the Tecumseh community his entire life, and has volunteered for many organizations, including the Sons of the American Legion.  Bill loves to cook, and has more than 20 years of experience in the catering industry.  He enjoys paddling and holds certification in small craft safety, as well as archery instructor certification and First Aid and CPR for the professional.

Nena Viers

Volunteer Extraordinaire, Camp O'the Hills

Nena can be found helping out anywhere she is needed.  From working in the kitchen to helping girls with projects, Nena does it all.  

It's no surprise to us that Nena was a Girl Scout and went on to volunteer while her daughters were young.  Her passion for making the world a better place is felt every day at O' the Hills.