Our Story

Crafting a better world since 1924.

In 1924, the residents of Carroll County banded together to purchase 30 acres of land on the banks of the Tippecanoe River. They dreamed of a place where kids could explore the outdoors, build life-long friendships, discover their best selves, and develop the character, compassion, and confidence necessary to lead the next generation.

Nine decades later, Camp Tecumseh has grown into one of the largest YMCA Camps in the country while staying true to our founding principles. With over 660 acres and 36,000 guests annually, Camp Tecumseh’s year-round programs shape kids and adults who use their Tecumseh experience to build better families, better communities, and a better world.

“Putting Christian Principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind, and body for all.”

The I’m Third Motto

God is first. The Other person is second. I’m Third.

Easy to remember and life-changing when applied, the I’m Third motto is the heart of our philosophy.

God is first. A relationship with Him is the most important part of our lives. Our faith isn’t something that divides or separates, but calls us to love Him and love others. We believe that God is always there for us and no matter what happens, nothing can separate us from Him.

The other person is second reminds us that God calls us to love and to serve others. It reminds us that our responsibility isn’t to ourselves or our own well-being, but to the world around us; not just our friends and neighbors, but those we don’t even know. Its more than just a call to open doors and throw a few coins in the donation basket. It calls us to to participate in and build up strong communities. It calls us to be respectful, responsible, and compassionate.

That leaves us “third,” with the knowledge that we have the greatest and most fulfilling cause: to love God and to love others.

Life-Changing Impact

Bending trajectories toward faith, love, and service.

Every Friday night during the summer, we gather our oldest campers around the fire to talk about what their Tecumseh experience means to them.  As they clutch their Torchbearer candles, voices choked with tears, they tell us that Camp Tecumseh is where they feel closest to God. They tell us that they make their best friends here. They tell us that they feel accepted, that they can be themselves, that they feel loved, that they feel happy. 

As every good mariner knows, a course correction of even a single degree on a long enough journey can result in unexpected destinations. For so many, a Tecumseh experience acts as a course correction. It alters the trajectories of lives, quietly and unassumingly, and often by only minutes and degrees, but in the long run, that’s enough. For thousands of campers and staff, Camp Tecumseh has changed lives, bending their trajectories toward love, faith, and service.

To read individual stories of how Camp has changed lives and altered trajectories, check out the Torchbearer Chronicles on the blog.

Vicky Miles

Joseph Scales

Taylor Byrd

Ben Needham

Claire Edelman

Brit Davis

Joey Mayfield

Tatum Parker

Ryan Holladay

jill-square

Jill Frank

Mission & Vision

Camp Tecumseh’s Mission & Vision

The Mission of Camp Tecumseh YMCA is to put Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind, and body for all.

The Vision of Camp Tecumseh YMCA is To provide people of all backgrounds and all ages with the finest camp experiences in the country; to immerse them in a joyful learning environment where they can grow in confidence, character, and faith.

We believe that camp should be much more than just fun. Through innovative programs and intentional relationships, campers learn new skills, build lasting friendships, and discover their best selves. We strive to instill campers with the values of trust, respect, joy, initiative, faith, and friendship so they can go back home into their communities and make a positive difference. 

Accreditation & Association

An Independent YMCA Camp

As an independently chartered YMCA Camp, we’re proud to be a part of a broad and diverse network of YMCA Camps across the U.S. We were founded as a YMCA Camp in 1924, and to this day we remain closely aligned with the Y’s core values (caring, honesty, respect, responsibility, and faith), and its areas of focus:

  • Youth development – Nurturing the potential of every child and teen.
  • Healthy living – Improving the nation’s health and well-being.
  • Social responsibility – Giving back and providing support to our neighbors.

 

Accredited by the American Camp Association

We are also proud to be accredited by the American Camp Associated (ACA). The ACA’s rigorous accreditation process ensures our programs operate at the highest levels and meet or exceed the established standards to ensure that campers and staff stay safe and healthy. Visit the American Camp Association to learn more about our accreditation.

Camp Tecumseh Staff

Meet the architects of the Tecumseh experience

With decades of experience across a range of industries, Camp Tecumseh’s full-time staff is composed of individuals dedicated to innovation, improvement, and impact.

Scott Brosman
Chief Executive Officer

Scott Brosman
Chief Executive Officer

Responsibilities: General Operation of Camp Tecumseh. Strategic planning. Fund development.

Camp Experience: I started as a counselor at Camp Tecumseh in 1976. I directed 4 YMCA Camps in Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, and Minnesota before returning to Camp Tecumseh in 1995.

Camp is special because: It offers a safe place for campers to be their best selves.

Enjoys: Touring the backroads of Carroll County on my bicycle.

Community Involvement:  Delphi Lions & rotary club member, oracle club, Delphi Opera House.

Self-Improvement: I try to read more. There are so many books and so little time.

Bucket List: Watching the finish of the Tour De France on the Champs-Elysees in Paris, France.

Travel Wish: Hike the El Camino de Santiago trail in Spain.

Scott Recommends: Visit as many of our National Parks as you can. They are American treasures.

Scott and his wife Sara live next to the river here at Camp. They have 3 adult children and 3 grandchildren. Scott has over 37 years of experience in YMCA camping. In addition to his role as CEO at Camp Tecumseh, Scott also serves on the Y-USA camping cabinet and as a volunteer for American Camp Association.

Contact Scott

 

Joel Sieplinga
Associate Executive Director

Joel Sieplinga

Associate Executive Director

Responsibilities: Working with all program departments to ensure that programs, staff and marketing help create memorable experiences for every camper and guest.  Attending countless meetings on program and facility improvement as well as strategic leadership for Camp Tecumseh as a whole.

Camp Experience: I have worked full-time at Camp Tecumseh since 2007, for six summers each as the Day Camp Director and Summer Camp Director.  I started as the Associate Executive Director in 2019.  Prior to Camp Tecumseh I worked as the Day Camp and Youth Sports Director for the Chicago YMCA and served as a counselor.  I also worked as a counselor at both Camp Tecumseh and the Decatur (IL) YMCA during high school and college.

Passionate about: finding and hiring the best possible staff both for summer and year-round operations, and preserving and nurturing the culture that makes Camp Tecumseh such a special place.

Most important lesson Camp teaches:  You are loved!  God loves each and every one of us and wants to have a relationship with us.

Favorite Hobby:  Basketball.  It may be cliche given my above average height, but I love watching, playing and talking about basketball.

Favorite Family Activities:  My wife, son and I love to be outside – hiking, campfires and riding bikes.  My wife and I enjoy playing board games.  My son probably will once he learns how to read.

How have I helped someone else: While working for the YMCA in Chicago, I performed CPR on a member on the racquetball court which led to the man surviving.

Bucket List: Snorkel the Great Barrier Reef.

What do you want to learn:  The ukulele.  I’m not terribly musical, but would love to be able to play at camp.  Plus, a big guy holding a “tiny guitar” makes a great impression!

Joel Recommends: Talking to people face-to-face rather than via email or text.  Wow, wouldn’t the world be so much better if people just sat down and talked to each other seeking to understand where each person was coming from?

Joel lives at Camp Tecumseh with his wife Renee and son Elijah. Joel graduated from Calvin College (Michigan) with a degree in Psychology and Recreation. After growing up around the YMCA, Joel has worked for the Y since age 15.  Joel served on the YMCA Mid America Camping Conference Committee for 10 years and was the committee chair in 2014.  Joel has attended and led various YMCA-USA trainings and currently holds his “Organizational Leader” certificate.

Contact Joel

Laura Carson
Chief Financial Officer

Laura Carson
Chief Financial Officer
Responsibilities: Stewardship of camp’s financial assets and human captital. Preparation of financial statements and budgets. Oversight of registration, invoicing, payroll, and accounts payable. Coordination of benefits and HR initiatives. Camp strategic leadership.

Camp Experience: I Started out as a Camper Mom and Dog Hiker.  I began working at Camp Tecumseh in the spring of 2016.

Passionate about: striving for continuous improvement in the ways that we manage the Camp experience and the resources we have been blessed with.

Family time: living at the lake, throwing frisbees for our big dogs and hanging out lakeside.

Nerdy about: nuts and bolts-debits and credits accounting.  It’s like a giant puzzle that is all in balance when done well.

Community Involvement: Volunteer board engagement. I provide financial and organizational leadership.

Helping others: I’ve been a mentor to a child for the last seven years. We started in 2nd grade. Now he is in 9th grade. I’ve supported him when other support systems haven’t been there.

Travel wish: Tuscany.

Laura recommends: Yoga

Laura graduated from Indiana University Kelly School of Business.  She has been a CPA since 1988 and provides financial leadership in Corporations and Not for Profit organizations.  She has been married for nearly 30 years and has raised (and launched) three kind, compassionate and independent children.

Contact Laura

Kyle Linback
Director of Operations

Kyle Linback
Director of Operations

Responsiblities: Day-to-day operations of Camp. Child abuse prevention. Insurance, safety, and human resources.  Budget oversight. Camp strategic leadership.

Camp Experience: I have attended camps since I was 7.  I worked alongside my father in summer camp from 1993 – 1999 at YMCA Camp Dick Runyan.  In 2000 I started working full-time at Tecumseh.  I have worked in numerous roles at Tecumseh including summer counselor, outdoor education leader, Retreats Director, High Ropes Director, and one of the very first Lake Village Directors.

Why is camp special: In a world that is becoming overwhelmed by technology and screen time, Camp Tecumseh offers youth (and adults) something more.  Camp provides campers and guests with the setting to have face-to-face interactions with peers, to form relationships with others, and to learn what genuine connection feels like. Camp is about providing campers, guests, and staff with friendships, relationships, and experiences that will last a lifetime.

Free time: I like to read, run (more like a slow jog), and spend more time getting to know my wife now that our children are away at college. 😉

Travel: My wife and I would love to spend more time in the Caribbean.  Our retirement plans involve a tiny island called Aruba!

Community Involvement:  My wife and I were foster parents for over ten years.  We recently transitioned to volunteering for CASA in our local community.  I also volunteer with Food Finders Food Bank.

Nerdy About: Money, personal finance, and economics.  I know. . .kinda sad isn’t it. My wife and children roll their eyes too.

What can you do that not many other people can do: Make music with a toaster!

Most significant thing you have done to help others: Become a foster parent. I would like to think that my family has made a positive difference in the lives of all the foster children that came through our home.

Part of your job you are most passionate about: Improving upon what we already accomplish in order to make Camp an even better place for the campers, guests, and the employees for years to come.

Kyle recommends: Turning off the television. According to a Neilson report, the average person spends 34 hours a week watching television.  Think about what you could do with your life if you had an extra 34 hours a week.  To my knowledge, no one has ever been on their death bed and said. . .”I wish that I would have spent more time binge watching Netflix.”

Kyle lives at Camp with his lovely wife Laurie and their two college-aged daughters Hannah (Manchester University) and Abbie (Ball State University). He received his Masters in Nonprofit Management from Regis University and his Bachelors in Organizational Leadership from IPFW (Indiana Univeristy – Purdue University, Fort Wayne). Kyle is certified as an EMT, lifeguard, Challenge Course Manager (CCM), pesticide applicator, Praesidium Guardian (child abuse prevention cert), and also has his Class B CDL.  Kyle is proud to be the current chairman for the Indiana ACA (American Camp Association).

Contact Kyle

Stacey Seeger
Director of Development

Stacey Seeger
Director of Development

Responsibilities: Annual fund & capital fundraising. Camperships. Alumni relations. Grants. Camp strategic leadership.

Camp experience: My first Camp experience was visiting family Camp as a 7 year old. I participated in the pioneer heritage program in 3rd grade, and attended summer camp for 6 years. I worked 4 years as a counselor. I joined the full time staff in 2012.

Passionate about:  Ensuring children from all backgrounds have a wonderful camp experience.  Summer camp is too important of an experience for a child to miss.

Free Time: I love spending time with my family enjoying the great outdoors. You can often find us in main field letting our Golden Retriever run around.

Community Involvement: I have been a Big Sister mentor since 2013.

Self improvement/ Learn more about: Eating local farm goods

Stacey recommends: Do yourself a favor and listen to a Podcast or two.  Pick out something that interests you and give it a try.

Stacey lives at Camp with her husband Jordan, who is also on staff, and sons Jack and Wesley.  Stacey received her Bachelors in Social Work from Indiana University.

Contact Stacey

Matt Radding
Summer Camp Director

Matt Radding

Summer Camp Director

Responsible for: Planning, preparing and overseeing our summer camp program. This includes the interviewing and hiring of all of our seasonal summer staff as well as coordinating all of the different departments that have to come together to make summer happen.

Camp Experience: I came to Tecumseh as a camper and joined the summer staff in 2005 working seasonally for 5 summers through my college years. I rejoined the camping world in 2014 when I returned to Tecumseh to work as the Outdoor Education Director where I had the privilege of serving the many schools that visit camp throughout the year. Starting in 2019 I moved into the Summer Camp Director position where I will work to continue the traditions and care for the special culture that is Tecumseh.

Passionate About: Helping kids grow in their faith, build confidence in who they are, developing community and connecting with our staff and those that we serve.

Camp Teaches: Kids to be kids. That they are loved and have the power to make the world a better place.

Favorite Book: The Hobbit

Free Time: Enjoying the outdoors, hiking, camping, reading, exercise, cooking and time with family and friends.

Making a Difference: I worked as a high school science teacher, an experience that will forever be important in molding me into who I am today. My students challenged me to grow, taught me the importance of serving my community and the value of empathy and seeking to understand others. I also enjoy working as an EMT for the county ambulance service when I have some free time.

Travel: Would love to travel to New Zealand, for the full Hobbit experience of course.

Bucket List: To learn a musical instrument.

Recommendation: Disconnect. Find a quiet spot in nature, go for a long walk, and shut down your electronics, whatever it takes!

Matt spent his childhood in Michigan and North Carolina before finding his way to sunny South Florida for college where he studied Microbiology and Immunology. After college he was accepted into Teach For America where he spent 4 years as a high school science teacher in Miami-Dade County Public Schools. Eventually camp called and his two passions of education and the outdoors came together. He has lived here since 2014 and loves being part of the Tecumseh community.

Contact Matt

Joy McCauley
Retreats Director & High Ropes Director

Joy McCauley 

Retreats Director / High Ropes Director

Responsibilities: Coordinating with groups to help them achieve their organization’s mission. Booking, contracting, and planning, leading activities & programs.

Camp Experience: My first year at camp was in 1999 as a summer camper and I started full-time August 2013.  During that time, I graduated from the summer camp program, worked as a Day and Overnight counselor, Assistant River Village Director, Assistant High Ropes Director and Outdoor Education Guru.

How are you trying to make camp better: I want everyone who comes to Camp to feel like they have a place where they belong and are loved.

Free Time: I love to travel with family and friends.

Favorite Hobby: It’s a tie between baking and “voluntelling” my husband to do pinterest projects around the house.

How do I make a difference: I use my smile to change the world.  There is a hidden power in smiles and it can make all the difference.

Bucket List: I would really love to get my pilots license.

Something I want to learn: how to whistle with my fingers.

Favorite Movies: Indiana Jones series

Joy Recommends: Explosive by Bond

Joy is fortunate to live at camp with her husband Nick and their kids, Owen and Moira.  She received her Bachelors in Law Enforcement and Masters in Recreation from Western Illinois University.  Before coming to Camp Tecumseh Joy worked as a Challenge Course Manager for Horn Field Campus, a Special Education Paraprofessional and a stay-at-home mom.  During the summer months she oversees the use of the climbing walls and zip lines.

Contact Joy

Jordan Seeger
Day Camp Director & Retreats Associate

Jordan Seeger
Day Camp Director/Retreats Associate

Responsibilities: implementation of the Day Camp Program, hiring staff, coordinating trail groups, developing activities, implementing and executing weekend programs September-May.

Camp Experience: I started in 2006 as a counselor and joined the full-time team in 2011.  I have served camp as a counselor, weekend program staff, Outdoor Education staff, High ropes assistant director, Lakefront Director, Retreats Associate, and Day Camp director .

The most important lesson Camp helps teach kids:  At the end of the day, you are the only one who can be held responsible for your choices.  So make sure you can go to bed each day proud of how you lived your life. 

Things my family enjoys:  Spending time with each other, especially near water.

Nerdy about: Manga, mythology, the Green Bay Packers, sci-fi television 

What can I do that not many other people can:  Admit that The Great Gatsby is a terribly boring piece of literature. 

Who’s someone that inspires you to be a better person:  Working with Hoosier Burn Camp and Kidney Camp, I meet people every day who inspire me.  The kids, the volunteers, and the staff all inspire me to give more to others and give all I can to life.

What do I want to learn:  Be fluent in another language.

Travel Wish: Scotland

Bucket List: Visit every National Park in America

 Jordan recommends: Canoeing the boundary waters at least once in your life. 

Jordan lives at Camp with his wife Stacey, sons Jack and Wesley, and dog Georgia. He received his Bachelors in Medieval and Renaissance Studies from Purdue University.

Contact Jordan

Meg Piechocki
Retreats Associate & Aquatics Director

Meg Piechocki
Aquatics Director/Retreats Associate

Responsibilities: Aquatic areas, retreat group staffing, executing retreat weekends, managing the camp store.

Camp Experience: I started in 2010 while attending Purdue University. I continued to work at camp on weekends and summers until I graduated. I joined the full time team in 2013.

Passionate about: Helping provide experiences for guests to reconnect with family and friends while at camp, teaching kids how to swim, and the mission and vision of Tecumseh!

Free time: I bake cookies, hang with my sweet husband Ross, daughter Adeline, & Dog Triscuit, and help coach soccer when time allows.

Nerdy about: Leadership development theories, Nicholas sparks books, soccer, and cooking!

Community Involvement: Helping with high school Boys Soccer.

Self-Improvement: Finishing my masters in Organizational Leadership and continuing to further my education through experiences and reading!

Travel Wish: Leave the country at least once a year and visit all of the Caribbean Islands

Bucket List: Write something to be published, hike Mt. Kilimanjaro

Meg recommends: Reading the Happiness Advantage by Shawn Achor

Meg lives at Camp with her husband Ross, daughter Adeline, and dog Triscuit. She received her bachelors in Health and Kinesiology and Organizational Leadership from Purdue University.Meg will be completing her Masters from Purdue in Organizational Leadership May of 2018. Meg is a certified pool operator and lifeguard instructor.

Contact Meg

Rob Hatter
Retreats Associate & Shooting Sports Director

Rob Hatter
Retreats Associate & Shooting Sports Director

Responsible for: Program area supplies and upkeep. Executing weekend retreats. Overseeing training, equipment, and procedures for shooting sports. Singing songs. Telling bad jokes.

Camp Experience: I started in 2009 as a part-time weekend staff. I joined the full-time team in August of 2016. I also spent 4 seasons working Outdoor Education under the pseudonym “Reindeer” and two seasons as a high ropes and shooting sports assistant during the summer. \\

Camp teaches: It’s vital for people to connect on a vulnerable level to better understand the experiences of others.

Free time: I’ll say it: Netflix. When i’m not watching comedies, you’ll find me reading in a hammock or researching my newest random interest.

Nerdy about: Doctor Who, M*A*S*H, Supernatural, Dancing, Yoyos.

Empowering people: My high school teachers went the extra mile to make a difference for people like me. They made me realize that everybody is capable if they put in the effort.

Bucket List: Skydiving

Travel Wish: New Zealand, Scotland, Brazil. On a budget: visiting my parents

Something you want to learn: American Sign Language

Something you are working towards: My degree in Business Management

Rob recommends: Getting up tomorrow and doing whatever you’re not doing now. Someday is never going to show up. Get to work.

Contact Rob

Julianne Yost
Outdoor Education Director & LV Director

Julianne Yost

Outdoor Education Director & Lake Village Director

Responsibilities: Program oversight, staff supervision, summer camp activity and counselor supervision

Camp Experience: I started working at Camp Tecumseh in January 2018.

Passionate about: Using inquiry based learning practices to reconnect students and campers with the natural world.

Free Time: Hiking, Kayaking, reading, and cooking Nona’s Spaghetti.

Personal Impact: Someone who made a great impact on me and the way I approach teaching is the executive director of the Camp I worked at in Colorado. He ignited a passion in me that Camp is a place for everyone regardless of background. He dedicated his career to sharing nature and the camp experience with students who may not otherwise have had the opportunity.

Bucket List: See a blue whale in the wild. Visit every zoo in the country.

Working Towards: Fluency in Spanish

Nerdy about: Science and nature. Hiking with me always takes twice as long because I have to stop so often to identify or ask questions about what I’m seeing.

What makes Camp special: Camp provides an incredible opportunity for kids to develop a sense of independence. It is a safe environment to try new things, learn their strengths, and make new friends.

Julianne Recommends: Discover what you are passionate about and lean into it with your whole heart.

I was born and raised in Arizona. I recently moved to Indiana from Colorado. I earned a BS in Zoology from Colorado State University and worked for 2 years as a marine mammal trainer at the Oklahoma City Zoo.

Contact Julianne

Dayna Wiltgen
Outdoor Education Specialist & RV Director

Dayna Wiltgen

Outdoor Education Specialist & River Village Director

Responsibilities: Overseeing the Foundations for Success program, supervising OE Staff, overseeing River Village during the summer.

Camp Experience: My first year at camp was 2012 as a summer camp counselor and I started full-time January 2019. During that time I served camp as a Counselor, Unit Coordinator, Assistant Village Director and Outdoor Education staff.

Camp is special because: Camp is a place of growth. We see that growth summer after summer in our campers who brave new things everyday without fear of failure. We see it in our staff who truly believe in the impact of camp and want to give every kid the best experience. And we see it in ourselves, constantly working harder to improve how we support our staff so they can give their all to our kids.

Making Camp better: I have been given so many opportunities to learn and grow from full time staff and I want to give everything I have gotten and more to our staff so they continue to develop into their best selves so that they can make the best experiences with the kids that come to camp through any program.

Special talent: Handstands. Or crying immediately when watching cute animal videos.

Helping Others: Coming to camp. I have always wanted to work with kids and never found the right opportunity or put myself out there. Camp gives me the ability to make a difference in so many lives, including my own.

Travel: Brazil to see my best friend or Ireland to see all of the green landscape, historic crosses and churches and experience an incredible culture.

Nerdy about: Science and nature. Hiking with me always takes twice as long because I have to stop so often to identify or ask questions about what I’m seeing.

What to learn: To speak another language.

Bucket List: To have enough money to open an etsy store and try out all of the latest craft trends.

Dayna Recommends: Grey’s Anatomy. It’s full of helpful life advice, teaches people to be more empathetic and lets you have a good cry once in awhile… or every episode…

Dayna grew up in the Chicago suburbs with her parents and two sisters. She was a competitive gymnast for about 8 years, and began coaching recreational and pre team gymnastics shortly after.  She now lives at camp and is blessed to have the best backyard in the world.

Contact Dayna

Brad Hough
Outdoor Education Program Specialist & LV Director

Brad Hough
Outdoor Education Program Specialist & Lake Village Director

Responsibilities: Training, supervising, and caring for Outdoor Education Seasonal staff, and supervising Lake Village during the summer

Camp Experience: I worked at Camp during the summers of 2011-2014, and then came back for what I anticipated would be one final week in the summer of 2017. But God knew I would be returning, and His plan is always way better than mine!

Camp is special because: Camp is a place God uses to connect us to Himself, His creation, and each other. It’s a tangible expression of His love, because it’s the kind of place where there’s freedom to fail, room to explore, and encouragement to grow. Places that encapsulate that kind of ethic are few and far between, which makes Camp pretty special.

Making Camp better: I’m a firm believer that all experiences serve to provide new insights for future experiences. Lots of what I’ve learned from Camp, I’ve used in other areas of my life to benefit myself and others. I’m confident that it works the other way around, too: that my time in seminary or doing youth ministry or working with kids with autism will work together with Camp to make a better camp experience for all our guests!

Special talent: People tell me that my Russian accent is passable to people who aren’t from Russia.

Free Time: You’ll probably find me reading in a hammock, at a game night with my wife Jami and our friends, or exploring and hiking somewhere. Adventures are my jam.

Travel: Haven’t traveled beyond North America yet, but am hoping some day to visit New Zealand (it’s gorgeous), Australia (my wife wants to go back), and Brazil (some good friends live there).

Nerdy about: Stories and the way they are told. Whether it’s a book, a movie, or a camp legend passed down from summer to summer, I love hearing new stories, sharing them with others, and discovering the ways each reflects God’s ultimate redemptive story. If you want to get me into a conversation, talk to me about your favorite TV show or book or movie!

What to learn: I’d love to become fluent in Spanish, learn how to play the guitar so I can string a few songs together, and become more confident in the realm of building practical things (e.g. furniture).

Bucket List: Fly in an airplane, write a novel, and go to Disneyworld.

Brad Recommends: Ice cream, the most recent version of The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, doing research on the Enneagram, talking to God, doing things that make you laugh, The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger, and hiking.

Brad and his wife Jami are thankful to call Camp home now. They were in Muncie, then moved to St. Louis to attend Covenant Theological Seminary before coming to Brookston. He is currently finishing his seminary Master’s degree online. No pets or children yet, but Jami is really, really excited for whenever they get their first dog.

Contact Brad

Keith Kalish
Outdoor Education Program Specialist & Nature Center Coordinator

Keith Kalish

Outdoor Education Specialist and Nature Center Coordinator

Responsibilities: OE programs and supplies, Nature Center oversight, Beekeeping. Summer  program areas  and supplies.

Camp Experience: I started in 2006 as an Outdoor Education leader, and a cabin counselor. I joined the team in 2007 working for OE these last 10 years.

Passionate about: Getting people to experience the outdoors and nature in a positive way. Camp teaches the values of caring and sharing nature with ourselves and others.

Bucket List: Hammock in all 50 states. Visit every national park.

Community Involvement: I volunteer with the United Methodist Church in Delphi with their children ministry and creation care ministry. I assist with the camp team in donating lost and found to local and national organization.

Keith graduated from MacMurray College with a BA in Religious Studies and Philosophy. He received an MA in Pastoral Care and Counseling from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary. He is a Certified Interpretive Guide through the National Association of Interpretation. He’s Camp’s beekeeper.

Contact Keith

Amie Gleason
Equestrian Director

Amie Gleason

Equestrian Director

Responsibilities: Feeding and care of 60 horses and a wide variety of mini farm animals, providing safe trail rides to our weekend guests, organizing and running the horsemanship barn in the summer, running the Equestrian day camp program, and the oversight of the entire Equestrian program

Camp Experience: Amie arrived at camp in October of 1999 as the assistant Equestrian Director.  In 2002, Amie became the Equestrian Director where she has been ever since.

Passionate About: Using the horse to teach the kids more about themselves. There are no secrets around horses and they are honest everything they do. They can help bring to the surface things we might be dealing with. Often times a break through on the horse can lead to a break through in real life and it’s great to facilitate that.

Hobbies: Riding my horse, Keeghan, whenever I can.

Free time: Attending all of my kid’s sporting events and school activities.

Favorite Movie: Hotel Transylvania; pretty much anything lighthearted and entertaining!

Community Involvement: I’ve been an assistant varsity volleyball coach for the past 3 years. I love encouraging the girls to do their best and celebrating with them when they win, achieve a milestone, or improve. I also coach junior high basketball.

Travel Wish: Alaska

Bucket List: FIFA World Cup Game (for the atmosphere!)

Amie recommends: Go to Disney World! Don’t just go around trying to cram everything in. Enjoy your time and don’t hold yourself to a schedule.

Amie lives at camp with her husband Ben and 3 children Gavin, Reagan, and Braydn.  She graduated from Houghton College in New York with a degree in business and a minor in Equestrian Studies.  She is also a CHA accredited instructor.

Contact Amie

Mary Anne Hunsberger
Assistant Equestrian Director

Mary Anne Hunsberger
Assistant Equestrian Director

Responsibilities: Feeding and caring for a herd of 60 horses and a variety of mini farm animals, running weekend trail rides, and implementing an Equestrian Camp program for 35 campers each week during the summer.

Camp Experience: Mary Anne arrived at camp in May 2004 as an equestrian camp counselor and joined the full time Outdoor Education crew in August of 2004.  Within a year she moved into the assistant Equestrian Director position where she has been ever since.

Why Camp is special:  Camp is an amazing place where you can be free to be the person you were meant to be, your true self, not bound by societal norms or the pressures of school and family.

Passionate about: Helping kids getting to know and understand their horses in such a way that they become dance partners, moving as one around the arena. We teach the kids how the horse thinks so that they can gain a better understanding of why the horse does what they do and then be able to adapt and work with them, not against them.

Free Time: Running/exercising and just spending quality free time with the special folks in my life

Favorite Show:  NCIS

Community Involvement:  Since 2014, Mary Anne has been coaching junior high volleyball at a local school.  At this stage in life, it’s more than just about teaching them the skills of the sport.  It’s about teaching them to become good teammates, gracious whether they win or lose, and the value of hard work.

Travel Wish: New Zealand

Working Towards: I am working towards earning my “Spartan trifecta”.  I have earned the first two parts of the trifecta by running a Spartan Sprint and Super race  and will earn the last piece in December by running the “Beast”.

Mary Anne Recommends: Visiting Bryce Canyon in Utah, especially when covered in snow.

Mary Anne lives at camp with her dog Duke.  She graduated with honors from Purdue University in 2002 with a degree in Animal Science.  After 18 months in graduate school, Mary Anne felt the call to move on to a different purpose for her life and left school to join camp as a counselor where God made a path to full time employment.

Contact Mary Anne

Kathy Holderly
Summer Camp Registrar

Kathy Holderly
Camp Registrar

Responsibilities: Answering & directing phone calls, helping with questions, registering campers, welcoming guests with a big smile, Camp mom

Camp experience: I’ve worked at Camp since 2001. It’s such a joy to work at Camp Tecumseh and share God’s love.

Passionate about: helping parents enroll their children. My greatest hope is that campers will enjoy their stay and have the experience of a lifetime. I’m so grateful to donors who make the campership fund possible.

Free time: Working in my yard and planting flowers. Spending quality time with my grandchildren and friends.

Community Involvement: Jr. High Sunday school teacher, high school youth leader, worship leader, and member of our woman’s Christian fellowship which supports missions and our community.

Self Improvement: Keeping up with technology. I’m thankful for my Camp kids who teach me new computer skills.

Travel Wish: The Western United States and Alaska

Bucket List: Visit Israel

Favorite things: Hot tamales. The color red. Stopping by the Chalmers Co-Alliance for a grape soda and a bag of cheese puffs.

Kathy and her husband Stan live in rural Chalmers, Indiana. They have been married for over 40 years. They have three children and eight grandchildren.

Contact Kathy

Nikita Parsons
Payroll / Accounts Payable Coordinator

Nikita Parsons
Payroll / Accounts Payable Coordinator

Responsible for: Payroll. Accounts Payable. Employee on-boarding. Employee insurance.

Camp Experience: I never knew about Camp Tecumseh as a kid but am fortunate that I was able to hear about Camp and join the full time team in the summer of 2014. Camp is a wonderful place with an amazing, indescribable atmosphere.

Passionate about: At home, I’m passionate about my family and at work I’m passionate about payroll! They both keep me on my toes!

Free Time: You can find my family spending time together outside, at the lake, or going on other adventures together!

Travel Wish: I’ve always dreamed of seeing Alaska and Montana!

Nikita recommends: Taking time to do what makes you happy! I, myself, like to get out most mornings before anyone wakes up and go for a nice run while watching the sun rise!

Nikita lives in Chalmers with her husband Jerad, son Jayce, and daughter Haley. She grew up around Logansport, IN and graduated from Ivy Tech with an Associate’s Degree in Elementary Education.

Contact Nikita

Scott Clark
Assistant Property Manager

Scott Clark
Assistant Property Manager

Responsibilities: Maintenance Staff Director. Construction Site Lead. Construction Design. HVAC, electrical, plumbing specialist. Inventory & material management.

Camp Experience: First came to Camp during Indian Guides with my dad in 1972. Joined the full-time team in May of 1999.

Passionate about: Improving Camp through great building and construction design using materials that last generations.

Enjoys: Spending time with our granddaughter. Vacationing, camping, and fishing in Northern Wisconsin.

Bucket List: Archery elk hunt with my family. I’d love to travel with an RV to Alaska and back.

Scott recommends: Spending time in northern Wisconsin/Minnesota near the boundry waters.

Professional Background: Scott has his AAS Degree in HVAC, including 5 years in HVAC field work and 10 years as a Sears Roebuck technician. At Camp he’s helped construct the Lake Village, the Oregon Territory, the sky walkers course, both climbing walls, and the boathouse.

Contact Scott

Keith Kender
Property Manager

Keith Kender
Property Manager

Responsible for: Maintenance Department coordination, project management, construction oversight.

Camp Experience: I started as a counselor and archery instruction in college in 1984 and joined the full time staff as the property manager in 1987.

Community Involvement: I’ve worked part time with the local ambulance service as an Emergency Medical Technician since 1997 and I’m a PADI certified scuba rescue diver.

Free Time: water skiing, snow skiing, and watching my kids participate in soccer and pole vaulting.

Keith graduated from Purdue with a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering Technology. He lives on site with his wife Laurie (whom he met at Camp) and their children, Emily, Abigail, and Max.

Contact Keith

Danielle Hornback
Food Service Director

Danielle Hornback

Food Service Director

Contact Danielle

Brittany Bunch
Housekeeping Director

Brittany Bunch

Housekeeping Director

Responsibilities: Keep camp clean! All the cabins, buildings, and both dining rooms are sanitized, swept, and mopped.

Camp Experience: Six of my cousins had their first job at Camp T. Camp Tecumseh is a hot topic in my family. I also came here several times as a child. I joined the camp team in April of 2018.

Hobby: Painting, crafting, scrap-booking, singing, and planning events.

Passionate about: Showing little children what they are capable of doing. Teaching them new things and to learn their own creativity.

Free time: Attending demolition derbies and dirt track racing, viewing the sun set from underneath a windmill in the middle of a cornfield, and cookouts and bonfires with family and friends.

Helping Others: “Never let the fear of striking out keep you from playing the game.” Life gives you lots of cure balls. Be open and willing to change to make a difference for yourself or someone else life.

Brittany recommends: Sit on the beach at Hilton Head Island around 6 AM and watch the sun rise and see all the little things around you change, which makes a better start to the day

Brittany was born and raised in Brookston, IN. She shares her home with four children, Brayden, Kyler, Tyler, and Addy, and her significant other Paul. She also has 2 cats Annie and Bella, and 2 dogs Tito and Brutus. Brittany attended Ivy Tech for 3 years working towards her Associates Degree in Early Childhood Education. She decided to take a new direction and found her expertise in housekeeping/cleaning.

Contact Brittany

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Sam Hirt
Director of Marketing

Sam Hirt
Director of Marketing

Responsibilities: Telling the story of Camp Tecumseh.

Camp Experience: I spent a summer as videographer in 2014, and the last three years working for the American Camp Association.

Passionate about: Storytelling. Writing. Filmmaking. Relationships. Social Justice. The Environment.

Free time: I love spending time with my wife, Arielle, and our pets. I also spend a lot of time with family and friends in the Indy area.

Nerdy About: Movies. Books. Large cargo ships on the Great Lakes.

Community Involvement: I am a member of SPOKES, a young professionals group that advocates for School on Wheels in Indianapolis.

Bucket List: Create a narrative film. Attend Wimbledon.

Sam recommends reading: The Brothers K by David James Duncan

Sam is from Greencastle, Indiana and graduated from Hope College with a degree in English. He lives in Indianapolis with his wife and their dog and cat.

Contact Sam

Jobs

Join a team of change-makers at Camp Tecumseh

At Camp Tecumseh, we’re idealists. We believe that a world that looks more like Camp would be a much better world. We strive to improve continuously. We’re not afraid of hard-work, long-hours, or tough conversations. We work to build deep relationships and maintain a strong community. If you’re ready to join the crew, check out the opportunities we have available.

Jobs at Camp Tecumseh

Board of Directors

Meet the volunteers dedicated to Camp Tecumseh’s future success

Dick Bradshaw
Board President
Delphi, IN		Peg Minnicus
Board Vice President
Delphi, IN		Lindsey Schiesser
Board Treasurer
Fishers, IN
Jim Andrew
Lafayette, IN		Del Bartlett
Lafayette, IN		Cadi Bien
West Lafayette, IN
Tracy Brown
Lafayette, IN		Susan Conrad DeLong
Rossville, IN		Rob Culross
Wesley Chapel, FL
Marc Elliott
Zionsville, IN		Don Fry
West Lafayette, IN		Mike Gibson
Lafayette, IN
Steve Gloyeske
Lafayette, IN		Matthew Lerzak
Lafayette, IN		Alysa Rollock
West Lafayette, IN
Cathy Scott
West Lafayette, IN		Sandy Welch
Winnetka, IL		Dave Williams
Lafayette, IN