Our Leadership Team is what truly makes Camp Copneconic unique. Combined with a breadth of experience, each leader is committed to the positive development of youth, families, and communities. If you need to contact of any one of our camp leaders, click on their name below.

John Carlson, Branch Executive Director

John is a graduate of Central Michigan University with a B.A. in Parks and Recreation Administration. He received his Masters in Education (Instructional Technology) from Wayne State University. John oversees the camping services branch. In addition to seventeen years of camp leadership experience, John also served four years as a corporate trainer for a human resources consulting firm.

Shelly Hilton, Associate Executive Director

Shelly is a graduate of Central Michigan University with a B.A.A. in Recreation, Parks and Leisure Services with a concentration in Outdoor Recreation. She currently oversees all Copneconic programs and bookings. Shelly grew up experiencing the joys of overnight camping and summers on a lake. For the past ten years she has served in a leadership capacity at YMCA Camp Copneconic, bringing those same outdoor experiences to thousands of children and families. Prior to Copneconic, Shelly spent four summers at YMCA Camp Manitou-Lin in key leadership positions where she developed her love for the YMCA.

Brandon Dreffs, Senior Program Director

Brandon is a graduate of Central Michigan University with a B.A.A. in Graphic Design. For the past seven years, through outstanding customer service Brandon has moved up the ranks at Copneconic, currently serving as the director of school programs. With his graphic design background, he also plays a key role in marketing Copneconic programs. An avid sportsman, Brandon has a genuine love for the out-of-doors and an interest in sharing this passion with youth and families.

Elizabeth Hudson, Retreat Center and Partnership Manager

Elizabeth hails from Gouverneur, New York and is a graduate of the State University of New York at Fredonia, with a B.S. in Communication Studies and a minor concentration in Leadership Studies. She has been a member of the YMCA Camp Copneconic team since the fall of 2008. For the last six years Elizabeth has been facilitating teambuilding and experiential education techniques while working in various roles within the camping industry. While at college, Elizabeth was a part of a leadership organization that specialized in facilitating teambuilding, group cohesiveness, critical thinking, and organizational leadership through experiential education methods. While growing her own leadership skills over the years she has helped others expand their own leadership abilities and strives to continue passing on the importance of positive leadership.

Tom Correll, Resident Camp and School Programs Manager

Tom studied Biology and Environmental Science at Central Michigan University.  He came to camp in order to make a difference in the lives of others, and during the past four years has moved through various leadership positions at camp.  Tom oversees the Retreat Center year-round, as well as serving as the Resident Camp Manager during the summer.  His desire to provide a safe and life-changing experience for tomorrow’s generation serves as his main passion and focus in outdoor education and overnight camping.

Shannon Raab, Day Camp and Adventure Learning Manager

Shannon is another Central Michigan graduate that we have here at camp. She has a B.A.A. in Recreation, Parks and Leisure with a minor in Art. She has been in various positions since she started here at Camp Copneconic in 2005. Shannon is currently our new Day Camp and Adventure Center Manager. She enjoys having the opportunity to teach others about the outdoors and what it has to offer. Being a camper once herself, her goal is to help create friendships and memories that last a lifetime for anybody who comes to camp.

Destiny Schulte, Business Manager/Marketing Coordinator

Destiny has moved successfully up the ranks here at YMCA Camp Copneconic through the course of 13 years. During this time, she played a key role in helping to manage the rapid growth that Camp has experienced, ensuring that our business practices are of the highest integrity. As the Business Manager/Marketing Coordinator, Destiny oversees all billing and camper registration processes, employee payroll, and also coordinates a comprehensive marketing plan. She earned three associate degrees from Mott Community College in General Business, Marketing Management, and Small Business Management.

Carol Mathias, Office Manager

Carol is the welcoming voice of Camp Copneconic for the past five years. She plays the ever-so-important role of ‘Camp Mom’ for campers and staff alike. Carol places a high priority on customer service and is a great person to talk with about the value of a camp experience. She loves spending time with her grandchildren and thrives on doing nice things for others. Those who talk with Carol always feel listened to and appreciated. This is the voice Copneconic we strive for.

Steve Cameron, Building & Grounds Manager

Steve has worked with YMCA Camp Copneconic for five years. Nicknamed "Serge" for his fun personality and attention to design and detail, Steve has been invaluable to camp's facility growth and quality. A real "jack-of-all-trades", Serge does plumbing, electrical, snow removal, road maintenance, grounds development, special projects, and major construction like the addition of two frontier cabins. Steve also provides facility support to both the Downtown and Pierson Road YMCA facilities.

Karen Gerrish, Food Service Manager

Karen has worked in the food service industry for 25 years, with the last seventeen at YMCA Camp Copneconic. As our Food Service Director, Karen’s leadership has helped establish Copneconic with one of the finest food service reputations in the camping and service industry. Karen’s versatility can move from camp’s famous pizza lunch for kids to a prime rib and lobster dinner for adults. The parties that come back to Copneconic year-after-year rave about the quality of food service, and especially enjoy the ‘salad bar that never seems to end.’ She works closely with parents of children with special dietary needs and makes sure that food allergies are dealt with the highest of care. Certified with the Michigan Restaurant Association as a Serve Safe Food Protection Manager, Karen has won Outstanding Food Service Sanitation awards from the Genesee County Health Department.