Staff
Val Elliott-Executive Director
Email: v.elliott@ymcanwnc.org
Val began his camping career in 1989 as a camp counselor at Kanakuk-Kanakomo Kamps in Branson, Missouri. He served there for two summers as a camp counselor and then upon graduating from The Citadel in 1991 took the year round role of Program Director for Clemson University’s RM Cooper 4-H Leadership Center. In 1995 Val moved into the Center Director role at RM Cooper. In 2007, Val and his wife Elizabeth and five children (Emma, Lucas, Eliza, Ethan and Palmer) moved from RM Cooper to YMCA Camp Hanes as Val became the Executive Director of YMCA Camp Hanes. As Val enters his 23rd summer camping season he is extremely passionate about giving children an incredible, safe Christian camping experience at YMCA Camp Hanes. Val served on the American Camping Association Southeast section board for seven years and has been an Accreditation standards visitor for over 15 years.
Jen de Ridder - Summer Camp Director
Email: jen.deridder@ymcanwnc.org
If you’re looking for information on our Summer Camp programs, Jen is the one to contact. She has been at camp for many years with her family and feels spoiled by her job.
Luke Dooley - Outdoor Education and Day Camp Director
Email: l.dooley@ymcanwnc.org
Luke helps create an amazing experience for kids in our day camps and outdoor education programs. Do you have questions about bringing a school group for a great trip or looking for a day camp experience for your child? Contact Luke for info.
Michael Raines - Conference, Corporate, Adventure Director
Email: m.raines@ymcanwnc.org
Michael arrived at Camp Hanes in October of 2007 after having spent the previous 8 years working in the camping and experiential education fields in Northern Virginia. A Graduate of King College, he’s currently a member of the American Camping Association and the Association for Challenge Course Technology. If you have questions about retreats/conferences, college/corporate team-building programs or summer adventure programs, please contact Michael. He likes to run and enjoys the fact that he can say he plays for a living.
Miranda Wyatt - Program Manager
Email: m.wyatt@ymcanwnc.org
Miranda joined the Camp Hanes team in March 2011. After graduating from Belmont University (Nashville, TN) Miranda moved to Asheville, NC where she worked in Finance. A year later she realized her desire to get back to what she loves; Camping. Her passion for working with kids and providing a safe and fun environment for growth comes from 5 years of seasonal work in YMCA camping as well as a heart for international mission work. Miranda is currently a member of the American Camping Association. If you want to help spread the good news about camp contact Miranda about ways to get involved through events and home shows. In her free time, Miranda enjoys rock climbing, singing and spending time with family and friends.
Steve Doran - Food Service Director
Email: s.doran@ymcanwnc.org
Steve is the staff member responsible for providing the healthy, delicious meals our campers and guests enjoy in their time here. If you have any question about menus or would like to discuss special dietary needs Contact Steve.
Jennifer Sealey - Office Manager
Email: j.sealey@ymcanwnc.org
Jennifer comes to our family excited to share with you what camp has to offer. She has been a part of the Stokes County community and enjoys getting to know our guests. If you have questions regarding registration, payment, summer fees, or general camp inquiries should be directed here.
Bill Park- Manager Financial/Alumni Development
Email: b.park@ymcanwnc.org
Bill’s first memory of Camp was father/son weekend, at about age 8. An adventure with his Dad, in an old green cabin and a welcoming and warm dining hall…now the canteen. It was followed by many great years of camping as a Moravian camper, a summer camper, a daycamp and summer camp counselor, an Adventure Guide Dad/volunteer, a camper parent, and board member/chair. Each experience has special memories and meaning.
Bill now has the privilege of being at camp, almost every day, to help ”Send a Kid to Camp” and to assist others, who also love Camp and the camp experience, to reconnect with camp and its people. Contact Bill if you would like to help out at Camp…with your time, talents or financial resources…or if you have been away from Camp, too long and just want to get back in touch or come by for a visit.
Bill Hutchins - Alumni and Financial Development Coordinator
That is right “Bootsy” is at camp. Bill Hutchins spent many years at YMCA Camp Hanes. He has served as Camp Director and has now joined our team again. Would you like to talk about camp memories or how you can be part of the future? Contact Bill to learn about Project 432 and the Camp Hanes Alumni Association.