Clear Lake Camp & Conference Center has assembled an experienced and enthusiastic team to carry out the mission of connecting people and nature. The background and interests of our staff are as varied as their home states and provinces. Here are some of the people you may come in contact with as you enjoy your stay here.
(If you would like to be a part of this team, check out the employment page.)
Director
Amy Cherry holds a BA degree in Elementary Education from the University of Cincinnati and a MS degree in Outdoor Teacher Education from Northern Illinois University. She is a graduate of the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) and is a licensed Brain Gym® Practitioner. She began her career at the Battle Creek Outdoor Education Center in 1986 as an Instructor /Counselor in the School Camp Program. In the spring of the 1987 she transferred to the Farm Garden Program and spent 23 years there. This summer she became the Director of the Outdoor Education Center. Born and raised in Cincinnati, Ohio, she enjoys reading, swimming, walking Max, the family corgi and watching movies with her family. She and her husband Jason have two sons, Alex, 15 and Marshall, 13. In addition to Max, there is Mama, the cat, Ziggy, the chinchilla and Blackjack, the pony.
Assistant Director and Daytime Health Officer
Shannon Thornton has been here almost as long as long as the water tower. (21 yrs). She holds a BS from University of WI-Stevens Point in Resource Management and an MS from Northern IL University in Outdoor Teacher Education. After decades of being an instructor/counselor, the last two years she has been the Assistant Director and Daytime Health Officer. She tries to get outdoors when she can but until they make computers weather proof…. In her spare time she enjoys knitting, walking, camping, and watching Steven, her son, ride horses.
Supervising Instructor Counselor
Jessica McCrumb is ready to start year number 4th here at the OEC, and this year she is taking on a new role…Supervising Instructor Counselor. She has an environmental science degree from MSU, and she also has a teaching certificate from GVSU. This summer Jess has been busy recreating with the k-2 kids here Bearcat Clubhouse, as well as lifeguarding, and running a few naturalist programs. In terms of her own recreation she has been camping/running on North Manitou Island (and she did say running 15miles around!) Swam in her first 5k swim, which was amazing. And as the leaves change and the air cools, visions of apples and cider dance in her head, she prepares to celebrate wedding anniversary number 1!
Night-time Health Officer
Karen Markel has been a public school educator for 34 years. She’s taught pre-school through high school in the Battle Creek Public Schools. As an Eastern Michigan University graduate she continued her studies at Kellogg Community College and Western Michigan University. She has two children, a son who graduated from Battle Creek Central and Western, and lives in NYC. Her daughter graduated from Pennfield High School and is attending Michigan State University. She’s had many camp experiences; her children attended Clear Lake Camp as well as many of her students. She loves outdoor activities! She’s a distance bike rider and enjoys snowshoeing.
Instructor Counselors
Peter Addington hails from the land of Minnesota, where lakes and the occasional igloo abound. Most recently, he has scooted across the country from California, where he spent time as a wilderness instructor in the beautiful Yosemite area. A philosophy graduate from UC Berkeley, he is currently pursuing a master’s degree in experiential education at Minnesota State University, Mankato. Peter is a ping-pong professional and you could often find him battling valiantly in matches against his grandma, only to find himself losing ground (yeah, she is that good). Popcorn is a favorite food and he is especially passionate about spreading the joy of caramel popcorn; ask him for the famous Addington family recipe. This will be his first year as an Instructor / Counselor at Battle Creek Outdoor Education Center and he is stoked. When you see him, greet him with a loud “yoodles!”
Ellie Atkinson came to Michigan from Idaho. She graduated from Brigham Young University -Idaho in Recreational Leadership. Ellie enjoys most outdoor pursuits and is an avid traveler. She would someday like to own an English bulldog. So if you know any English bulldogs looking for a good home…
Jon Cahill graduated from the University of Northern Iowa with a degree in Biology Education He has worked in education, care taking, and the outdoors since 2006, including working with mentally challenged people in group homes and teaching talented and gifted kids at an academic summer camp. He loves learning, reading, building/repairing computers, automotive mechanics, arts/crafts, music, athletics, fishing, hunting, and of course the outdoors! This is his first year here in Michigan and is hoping to do a lot of learning, have some fun, and teach a thing or two along the way.
David Rebel Carter aka B-Love comes here from the northern coast of California. He graduated from Humboldt State University with a degree in Sociology. Humor is very important to David and laughing is his favorite thing to do. Working with children between the ages of 3-16 is something David really enjoys and has plenty experience doing. The reason he studied Sociology is because he loves people and wants to do what he can to help make the world a better place. He has been involved in many projects involving environmental restoration, working with at risk children, home care, and other social causes. David is also a creative artist and one of his main forms of expression is writing and performing songs. He wants kids to know they have options, and make a difference in the world whether they want to or not.
Chelsea Chludzinski is always up for an adventure. For the past two months, she has been teaching sailing, stand up paddle boarding, and cliff jumping trips in the Sierra Mountains. She has traveled to the southern coast of Ireland and even kissed the Blarney Stone! Her favorite sport is soccer and she has spent a summer playing with her team in Guadalajara, Mexico with professional soccer team Atlas de Guadalajara. One of her favorite hobbies is boxing, as she trained semiprofessional boxers in Lansing, Michigan. She loves to snowboard and her favorite places to visit on a board are Big Sky, Montana, and Breckenridge, Colorado. She graduated from Michigan State in 2008 with a degree in Interpersonal Communication. Go Spartans!
Natalie Chudacoff is an avid Skier Snowboarder, and Surfer. She has traveled extensively to pursue her hobbies, including trips to Utah, Colorado, and California. Natalie has traveled to Israel and Panama, and done rain forest conservation work in Australia. While in Australia, she once got to hold a koala bear. Natalie's favorite books are "To Kill a Mocking Bird" and the ones she has crafted herself. Natalie has a degree in Art Therapy from Lesley University in Cambridge, MA
Matthew (Digger) Gallets, aka "Bear Grillz" aka "Ent" aka"Abo Matt" enjoys crisp wild greens salads, shooting primitive bows and arrows, and tying children (as in belay) to climbing walls. He has tried several times to get lost in places such as the Canadian wilderness, the Grand Canyon and the Smokey Mountains-- all unsuccessfully. He has faced down a moose and made a black bear show his inner chicken, but can be defeated by a fuzzy kitten. He has a degree in oral literature from East Tennessee State (which means you can't take anything he says for granted), and an undergraduate degree in English and Art from SUNY Fredonia. If you ever need to find him, first check the woods, and then check the ice cream store.
Howard Hall has a degree in recreation and has been involved in residential camping leadership development for over 25 years and has worked in camps all across the country. He loves the look in a camper’s eye when they accomplish something at camp that they never thought was possible. As a fun fact, he was in the film “Honeymoon in Vegas” and the Disney film, “Honey I Blew up the Kid”. He is very excited to be working with the students in the great outdoors!
Bettina Hasty is in her first year at the OEC. She holds a degree in Elementary Education from the University of Maryland and comes to us from Delaware after living and working in Maryland, Indiana and now Michigan. For 9 years, she taught math and science in a traditional middle school and a Montessori elementary school. Bettina also spent two years as a supervisor in an automotive factory. This summer, she worked as a Citizen Science Educator in the Great Smoky Mountains where she got to play in the woods with salamanders, birds, fish and giant crayfish. She is an assistant organizer for two outdoor groups in Michigan and is a Wilderness First Responder. When not out in the woods, Bettina may be found in the kitchen roasting veggies or preserving them for future enjoyment. She is excited to be here at the OEC and finally move from the indoor classroom to the outdoor classroom!
Nani Kaili pronounced “Nah-knee” spent half her life in Hawaii and the other half in Colorado. She is a girl scout. She rides horses. She has a degree in Sociology from University of Colorado-Greeley.
Emily Myers has traveled the world extensively. She has gone trekking in the Himalayas in India, traveled down the Amazon River in Brazil by boat, and visited Italy, France, and England. She has worked as a survival guide in the Utah Desert and in the Smokey Mountains of North Carolina, where she saw bears in the wild. She can make a fire by rubbing sticks together, and is an expert at climbing trees. Emily has an undergraduate degree in Philosophy from Knox College in Illinois and did her graduate work at Aquinas College in Grand Rapids Michigan. She is a Michigan certified high school history teacher.
Rick Niemi joins us after teaching 31 years in Marshall Middle School. He also has 21 years of experience working summers at Starr Commonwealth as a lifeguard and outdoor education facilitator. Rick is a graduate of Ball State University with a BA and MA in Elementary Education and Administration. His wife Tina, of 39 years, is also retired teacher and graduate of BSU. They have two children. Matt, a GM engineer, and his wife Tami are proud parents of Kurtis, Tyler and Corryn. Rick’s daughter is trying to join the teaching profession at the high school level. Holly is currently working as a manager at a micro-brewery in Warren, MI.
Desiree Parkeris a first year Instructor/Counselor from Battle Creek, Michigan. She graduated from Grand Valley State University with a degree in Psychology and Anthropology. Desiree has been through the Battle Creek Public School system ever since the fourth grade, after she moved from the Philippines, and remembers fifth and sixth grade camp fondly. During the last few summers, she was a Lead Counselor in the Garden Program. In her free time, Desiree enjoys creating music, reading, sketching, hanging out with her younger sister, experimenting with her new African drum and watching experimental and bizarre foreign films.
Anna Raymer has traveled to Guadalupe and Tanzania. While in Tanzania she learned how to speak Swahili. Anna once lived for a year in the Mohave Desert, working to protect the desert tortoise. Anna enjoys backpacking and enjoys leading wilderness expeditions. She also enjoys random dance parties and wearing shinny clothes. She has spent several years swinging from trees helping kids to believe in themselves. Anna graduated from Earlham College where she majored in Biology and minored in Outdoor Education.
Jason Ryba, 23, hails from the great north woods of Wisconsin. He comes with a BS degree in Biology from University of WI- Eau Clair and has First Responder certification. With 15 years experience with the Boy Scout program, he is a great addition to our Outdoor Education Center. He has encountered black bears and badgers during his countless travels backpacking and canoeing. Other hobbies include rock climbing, reading and musicals.
Mathew Santner is in his second year teaching at Clear Lake Camp. He earned his bachelor’s of Science from Beloit College in Beloit, WI while majoring in mathematics and geology. A Buckeye, Mathew finished his Masters of Education from Ohio State. He has taught outdoor education in various centers around the country including Lorado Taft Field Campus, Oregon, IL and Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary, FL. The past five summers, Mathew has directed the nature program as Brother Nature at a boy’s camp in Wisconsin. He enjoys running and taking care of raptors.
Farm and Garden Manager
Patricia Erwinis in her 23rd year in the Farm Garden Program. She is the Farm Garden Manager during the fall and spring. In the summer she coordinates a garden program with the Battle Creek Public Schools Summer program. She has worked at the Outdoor Education Center since 1978 and prior to working in the Farm Garden program she worked as an instructor in the other programs at camp-resident camp, farm animal and pioneer cabin. She holds a BS degree in Recreation from Indiana University. Pat enjoys gardening and computers. She and her husband El, enjoy visits from Mandy and Jillian, their adult children and their grandson Dietrich.
Farm and Garden Instructors
Susan Keith is back for her second year in the Farm Garden Program. She has worked the past 5 years in the summer Bearcat Program at the Farm Garden and previously worked for 15 years as an instructor/counselor in the School Camp Program. She was also “Ma” at the Pioneer Cabin Program for 14 years. Susan holds a BS degree from MI State University in Fisheries and Wildlife/Field Natural History. She also holds a BA in Art from Western State University. Susan has been a “Y” camp counselor and has also counseled for church camps in Ohio and West Virginia. Her interests include making and selling pottery, unexpected road trips, gardening for vegetables and wildlife, catching and observing said wildlife, good coffee and good coffee shops, spending time with her husband Michael and their two golden retrievers who aren’t allowed into good coffee shops!
Linda Gregory is in her twenty second yr and is trying to retire from the Farm Garden Program. She is retiring at the end of this season. She holds and Associate Degree from Kellogg Community College and has attended Western MI University in Elementary Education. Prior to working in the Garden Program she spent many years volunteering at a local elementary school. She and her husband, Jack, enjoy visits from Chad and Eric, their two adult sons, and their grandchildren. Her interests include traveling, sewing, gardening, and volunteering for her church and other charitable organizations.
Pioneer Cabin Staff
Laura Diaz is “Ma Merrill” at the Pioneer cabin. She was born and raised and lived all her life not more than 40 miles from this location. She graduated from Hastings HS, Kellogg Community College, and Michigan State University. Laura taught for 32 years at Level Park Elementary in Battle Creek, retiring in 2002. She has raised two really great daughters, Jill and Erin. Laura has added two additions to her family, a great son-in-law and a sweet little granddaughter.
Bill Halstead plays “Pa Merrill” at the Pioneer cabin. Bill graduated from Western MI University with a BA in Elementary Education and a Masters in Business Administration. He taught in the Battle Creek Public School system until retirement. He served in the US Navy. Prior to teaching, Bill worked in the food research department at the Kellogg Company for 8 years. Bill and his wife Karen have 2 daughters and 5 grandchildren. He enjoys restoring his ’53 truck, traveling, reading, hiking, but most of all values time spent with his grandchildren.
Dick Rutherford job shares the role of “Pa Merrill” at the Pioneer cabin. Raised in Battle Creek, Dick graduated from Lakeview Hs and after military service got his degree in Mechanical Engineering. He spent most of his working life on the east side of the state until returning to Battle Creek, four years ago. His greatest adventure was working as a Forest Ranger on a mountain in Montana.
OEC Lifeguard
Pat Doran provides lifeguard protection for the OEC canoe activities. She has a teaching certificate and a graduate degree from Western MI University. Pat’s real love lies in water activities: both “soft” water as she trains lifeguards, teaches swimming, windsurfing, and sailing and “hard” water as she teaches skiing, snowboarding in western resorts in the winter. Her Shetland companions are certified in Search and Rescue (SAR) and therapy dog work. When she is off the water, Pat teaches dog agility classes and coaches a sponsored competition Agility team and her new love: Dog dancing.
Building Engineer
Chris Jozwik has been our engineer for 20 years. He enjoys hunting and riding his mountain bike. He does lots of things to keep the place running often volunteering for special projects on the weekends and as a firefighter for the Johnstown VFD. He enjoys spending time at his cabin in the U.P.
Kitchen Staff
Sheri Heffron is our kitchen manager. This is her tenth year with the OEC and her thirteenth year with the school system. She and her husband, John, have been married thirty years. They have three children, Michelle, John II, and Tyler. They also have four grandkids, Wyatt5, Kaden 5, and Myla 4 and Lyric 5 mo . Sheri enjoys roller-skating, interior decorating, and cooking for kids and family.
Ruth LaJoie has filled in for us for a number of years on our kitchen staff and this will be her second year full time. You will see her on the morning shift. Ruth and Tom have been married 18 years and have two daughters, Danielle and Olivia. Ruth is a Girl Scout Leader and loves to go camping in her pop-up
