Camp Leadership

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 - Program Executive Director

Shelly is a graduate of Central Michigan University with a B.A. in Parks and Recreation Administration. She currently oversees all Copneconic programs. Shelly grew up experiencing the joys of YMCA 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 two years at YMCA Camp Mani-tou-Lin in key leadership positions.

Brandon Dreffs - Day Camp/Youth Retreats 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 summer day camp and group retreat 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.

Ryan Hove - Resident Camp/School Programs Director

Ryan is a graduate of the University of Tennessee with a B.A. in Geography. He received his Masters in Science (Experiential Education) from Minnesota State University. Ryan directs summer resident camp and all school-based programs. He has ten years of combined camp leadership experience with the YMCA and the Boys and Girls Club (Pathfinder Ranch, California). He has a passion for green technology and a love for outdoor education, positively impacting the environment and the lives of others. He is currently heading up Copneconic's green initiatives.

Richard Engelmann - Partnerships/Special Events/Community Day Camps Director

Richard is a graduate of Albion College with a B.S. in Biology. He has worked at Camp Copneconic for four years in various leadership capacities. He is the Director of Partnerships during the summer, while also overseeing our sister camp Camp Boomerang  The rest of the year he is the Director of Events & Conferences, where he makes sure our adult groups are well taken care of.  His passion for being active in the outdoors makes working at camp a perfect fit.

Carl Fleming - Resident Camp/School Programs Manager

Born in Christchurch, New Zealand, Carl grew up in Geelong, Australia. He is a graduate of Deakin University with a degree in Biological Science. Carl has done an outstanding job for Camp Copneconic over a five-year period and currently handles the management of school-based and resident camp programs. Carl also serves as the technology manager for the camping services branch in helping our customers receive efficient and quality-oriented administrative services.

Brian Frawley - School Programs Coordinator

Brian is a graduate of the State University of New York at Fredonia with a B.A. in American Studies. Brian has been working in the experiential education field for over six years. Brian is our School Program Coordinator, and a age group director in the summers. Brian has worked for two other camps, and has done countless teambuilding presentations to groups all over New York State. Brian has a passion for the outdoors and sports, if he is not at camp you can find him on one of the local disc golf courses. Brian believes strongly that the kids of today, our the leaders of tomorrow.

Elizabeth Hudson - School Programs Coordinator

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.

Charlie Brinks - Ranch Program Manager

Camp Copneconic alumnus Charlie Brinks grew up having horses and began by showing 4-H with her first pony Candy. Since then, Charlie has spent most of her time working with horses. She has also managed a small hunter-jumper operation. Charlie now rides dressage both competitively and for the sheer pleasure of the sport with her warmblood, Royal. As our year-round Ranch Program Manager, Charlie has enhanced the overall quality of our equestrian offerings. She successfully instituted private riding lessons and continues to add depth to our program.

Kim Hagler - Group Retreat Program Coordinator

Kim grew up at YMCA Camp Copneconic and continues to thrive in an environment she loves. She is currently attending the University of Michigan - Flint, in pursuit of her marketing degree. Kim did a fantastic job as our Day Camp Program Coordinator this past summer and was recently promoted to Group Retreat Program Coordinator. Kim's professional attitude and love for camp make her a great fit with our Group Retreats Program.

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.

Dee Amey - Maintenance & Housekeeping Manager

After fifteen years in management at Kmart Corporation, Dee Amey found the perfect career for her skills and interests. As the Maintenance & Housekeeping Manager, Dee has flourished in this role in ensuring Camp Copneconic has the strongest reputation in facility quality and cleanliness. Dee especially enjoys her role in event and party planning. She serves as the head hostess for most all our special events and parties. Dee and Karen Gerrish have worked in tandem in creating one of the best reputations in the area for weddings, Christmas parties, conferences, and general celebrations.

Karen Gerrish - Food Service Director

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.