We are excited to be counting down the weeks to summer 2023 and want to share some exciting updates including some changes to the year round director team..
Gardner and her husband Lucas will be moving to Illahee at the end of May with sons Brooks (age 9) and Jasper (6 mos). Gardner has been working for camp since 2016. Lucas, an ordained minister, has served as the Associate Pastor at a church in Columbia, SC for the past three years. Older Illahee girls who attended leadership camp in 2020 will remember him as “dining hall Lucas,” and as a hiking trip leader. An avid backpacker, biker, and outdoorsman, he joins camp year-round as Program Director.
Phil Dennison joined the year-round team in January serving as site manager. He has an extensive camp background having worked as program director for 10 years at a nearby boys camp before starting a tree service business. We’re happy that he has come down to earth to manage camp’s facilities. Phil’s wife Becky has led hikes for camp and we’ve all enjoyed seeing their son Walter toddle around camp in the summer.
Turner and Marie who joined camp full time in April 2021 are leaving camp but staying in Brevard. Although we are sad to see them go, we are happy that they are pursuing their passions and staying close so that we all can see them often. Don’t worry, Turner will still be helping Gordon with the epic 4th of July Fireworks show!
All of us at Camp Illahee are looking forward to a great summer starting with staff training on Memorial Day weekend and with campers arriving a week later! We can’t wait for summer 2023 to welcome campers and staff- new and old!
Cheers!
Laurie and Gordon
