YMCA CAMP LAKEWOOD
Meet Our Staff
YMCA Camp Lakewood Summer 2024
YMCA Camp Lakewood Summer 2024
Get to know our staff and their stories here!
With over a decade of camp experience, I oversee summer overnight camp and outdoor education at YMCA Camp Lakewood. I spent my summers at camps as a kid, quickly learning that there was something magic about a week away in an overnight setting. I love that every day I get to watch campers build skills, confidence, and lifelong friendships during their time at camp.
I am a Certified Dietary Manager (CDM) and Certified Food Protection Professional (CFPP) with over 35 years of food service experience. I have been with YMCA Camp Lakewood for 6 years, responsible for overseeing food production, food safety, and special diets. Fun face: I complete continuing education hours each year on the newest trends in the food service industry. I love to spend my time away from camp with my high school sweetheart and husband Jessie in our home in Farmington, MO, also with my children, son-in-law, and wonderful granddaughter Aubree. Aubree thinks that Camp Lakewood is the best place to be for the summer!
Hello, Camp Lakewood! My name is Matt, but people around here call me Doppler because of my love for severe weather. I've been with the YMCA of the Ozarks since 2011 and am excited for the opportunity to work with you this summer. As a Program Manager, I work directly with our camp directors to ensure a smooth operation is being run for our campers and staff. I hold Bachelor's and Master's degrees in education and have been teaching at the elementary-level in St. Louis County for over 10 years. I'm glad I can bring my experiences from education into our world of overnight camping to help provide your camper with an experience they will never forget.
My career started at the ranch in 2001 as a part-time wrangler and I worked my way through the rankings to Ranch Director. I have my Bachelors of Science in Animal Science from Missouri State, and am a CHA certified instructor in both English and Western Riding. Horses have been a passion of mine since a very early age, and I enjoy sharing my passion with others!
I was a camper and counselor at Camp Lakewood many years ago and this is my third summer back at camp this time around. This will truly be a life changing summer for both campers and staff members! When I'm not at camp, I work for a school district in the St. Louis area as a instructional administrator. I'm excited for everyone to experience all that camp has to offer this year!
My journey here started in 2016 as a volunteer first responder, and I enjoyed it so much that I came back every year since then. I have been here full time since summer of 2023. I have been a nurse for about 20 years, worked in medical practice management, as well as being a Certified Professional Coder (CPC), and I have a degree in Computer Information Systems & Business. As a nurse, safety and health are paramount. From camp medications, to our medical policies, and everything in between, safety and health are the DNA that make up the foundation of what myself and my colleagues do here. One of the great joys of working here is seeing all the guests and campers happy and having a great time while we create a safe and welcoming environment for them.
I'm excited to join the growing team this year. I come from over a decade of experience with camps across the country, as well as a masters degree in Human Development and Leadership and Nonprofit Leadership Studies from Murray State University. My favorite parts of camp are the unplanned moments. From watching the fireflies light up the evening to discovering the confidence to make new friends and expand your horizons.
My journey at camp started when I was 7 years old, and for the next decade, I attended every summer until I was old enough to be a counselor. Now, embarking on my 8th summer on staff and second year as a Program Manager, I’m excited to continue curating unforgettable experiences for our campers and incredible staff team! Beyond camp, I hold a degree in Integrated Marketing Communications from the University of Mississippi - Hotty Toddy! During the off-season, I reside in the North of England, where my main hobbies include reading, cooking, and yoga. One of my favorite aspects of working at Camp Lakewood is our cherished traditions, which we proudly continue as we embark on our 75th season of summer camp!
My favorite part of my job is handling all the camper registrations and seeing all the smiling faces everyday at camp! I've worked for the Y for almost 5 years now and I have grown a strong passion for the place. I started at the front desk and made my way to Admin. YMCA Trout Lodge will always hold a special place in my heart. I have 2 kids, and family time is important to me, so when I'm not working, we're always having family time whether it be from dirt bike tracks to hanging out in the Arts & Crafts center here for ceramics! I'm proud to be part of a place that brings many people from all over together in a fun and safe environment and provides memories that will last a lifetime!
I am married and have 6 children ranging in age from 18 to 30, two grandchildren, three cats and my Morkie Dog, Odie. I retired after working 33 years for the Potosi R-3 School District as their Payroll/Human Resources manager. After retiring, I needed something to do and applied for the Camp Lakewood registrar position. My plan was to work for one summer, but here I am beginning my third summer of camp! Growing up only 4 miles from the YMCA of the Ozarks, it holds a very special place in my heart and now my grandchildren are attending camp at Camp Lakewood. My family has a strong history with the YMCA: my mom worked at Trout Lodge in 1961 as a teenager over the summer, my sister worked at Trout Lodge for 15 years, and 4 out of 6 of my children have worked for Camp Lakewood! The YMCA is a great place to grow in experience and learning responsibility and developing relationships, whether as a camper or an employee.
In Arts and Crafts, you will find, new, exciting crafting opportunities, added this year to our classic crafts, at an affordable price! As well as a fun, relaxing environment with our staff members Robin, Yuliana, and Myself. At the Country Store, come in and enjoy a plethora of new merchandise, and helpful service from Amanda, Robin, Yuliana, and me! Come visit our friendly staff members today!
It was always a dream of mine to work here since I was a 10-year-old camper. My career at the YMCA started in 2014 as a cabin counselor, then worked my way up to Leadership Director where I am in charge of all high ropes, challenge course, and team building activities. Currently, I am working on going back to college to study psychology to one day be in the therapy field. I believe the most important part of working with kids and families is to know how to have fun in a safe way and to focus on a person's mental health.
Hello! My Name is Emma Johnson. I started working part time at the ranch in 2019, Then I worked my way up to full time. I am almost always at the ranch but sometime you can find me helping out in other areas.
Hello! My name is Anna Floretta. I am a Lifetime Girl Scout who loves teaching about our planet. I am an Ozarks Generalist, I mostly work at the ranch guiding trails but you may see me around camp helping with various activities with outdoor education.
Senior Director of Programs
Amy Hemenway
Senior Director of Operations
Lamont Lewis
Business Manager
Holly Shoults
Assistant Program Managers
Sunny
Disco
Adventurers Unit Managers
Chips
Peace
Explorers Unit Managers
Yoda
Clippers
Pathfinders Unit Managers
Cheez-It
Paddy
Leadership Unit Manager
Oogway
Marketing Specialists
Tessa
Charlie
Behavioral Specialists
Snoopy
Cinnabon
Kayo
Waterfront Leads
Lochie
Prime
Program Staff
Hunter
Robin
Spinelli
Meet our staff this summer, and experience the Camp Lakewood difference, where you'll discover new adventures while making friends and memories that last a lifetime!