Meet the Team
Founding Members
John Thompson
John Thompson
Dingo
Waterfront Director
John was Waterfront Director and a Camp Counsellor from 1997-2000 at Lake Wenatchee YMCA Camp. He was voted inaugural Leader of the Year along with fellow counsellor Chris “Nails” Sparks in 1997. John’s professional background is in media and communications and leadership. He was a journalist at the Australian Broadcasting Corporation before heading up communications […]
Erik Makinson
Erik Makinson
Who?
Staff
Erik was a Lake Wenatchee YMCA Camper from 1988-1996 and staff from 1996-2000. Since that point, Erik has pursued a career in business, working for and consulting Fortune 100 companies, local businesses, cities, counties, school districts and native tribes. He’s founded and grown his own business (resource-synergy.com) that helps NW organizations reduce their environmental impact […]
Bonnie Hilory
Bonnie Hilory
Woody
Camp Director
I’ve dedicated my career to serving YMCAs and nonprofits, and I’m passionate about preserving places that transform lives. I live in Port Angeles near Olympic National Park with my husband Kevin, our dog Phoenix, and run Nonprofit Accelerator, where I help nonprofits thrive. Lake Wenatchee Y Camp holds a special place in my heart. My journey […]
Officers
Theresa Cmelik
Theresa Cmelik
Cinderelli
Vice President
Y Camper from 1996 – 2006, Year-round staff 2006-2008, Summer staff 2008-2010, Waterfront director 2011, Volunteer 2012-2017, Camp Nurse summers 2018-present I am nominating myself to serve on the Friends of Lake Wenatchee Y Camp board because this camp has been a foundational part of my life—spiritually, developmentally, and communally. I believe in and have […]
Marge Chapa
Marge Chapa
Giggles
Secretary
Camp Cabin leader Summer of 2015. My first encounter with camp was in the summer of 2015 when I joined the team as a cabin leader. Every day of that summer taught me just how deep the impact of camp magic has on campers and staff. Kids learned vital outdoor skills, forged lifelong friendships, pushed […]
Steve Rolfe
Steve Rolfe
Board President
Rental group participant of 35 years: Family Fellowship Activities. At 17 I joined the Ski Patrol, which I did for 42 years contributing to many leadership positions. It also inspired me to my first degree, Atmospheric Sciences, which lead to work in both research and forecasting for several years. When a ski patrol friend asked me to apply for a job as […]
Ella Tschetter
Ella Tschetter
Fizzy
Treasurer
2021-2022: Cabin Leader, 2023: LDP Coordinator, 2024: Assistant Director. I am nominating myself for a position on the Friends of Lake Wenatchee YMCA Camp board because this camp changed the course of my life, and I want to do everything I can to ensure it continues to thrive for generations to come. I worked at […]
Board of Directors
Isaac Duncan
Isaac Duncan
Jack Black
Camper from 2003-2011. Camp staff from 2012-2015. I was involved with camp both as a camper, and staff between 2003 and 2015. Camp has always held a special place in my heart. Currently working as a network and phone technician in the Wenatchee Valley. Recently began helping with social media outreach for Friends of Lake Wenatchee Y […]
Ross Hankins
Ross Hankins
Camper for several years, 1997-2001. Y camp staff (counselor) 2005 & 2006. Partners with Youth Campaign 2000-2018 (off and on). Lake Wenatchee and this camp has been a huge part of my life. The magic in this place can not be described. The camp magic there is a real thing that truly must be experienced first hand. I’m honored to be included in […]
Tony Hillock
Tony Hillock
Parent who sent his children to camp since the 90’s. Long time supporter. Active giving father of 8. Grateful to the Y Camp for their guidance and caring for all my children. Involved locally in church and community. I have a LPFM 501c 3 educational radio station 103.3 FM that covers Leavenworth and Cashmere. Active in the Knights of Columbus a 501c 8 […]
Austin McElravy
Austin McElravy
Curly
Camper 2002-2018, Cabin Leader 2019-2022 Camp Program Specialist 2023 Teen Program Coordinator 2024-2025. Camp has been my entire life. I’ve lived at camp since before I could walk or talk and it has and continues to play a fundamental part in my life every day. Almost every meaningful, lasting relationship I have, is someone I’ve met and connected with at camp. Since I was in […]
Devan McElravy
Devan McElravy
Master Chief
Y camp staff in various roles (Cabin Leader, Maintenance, Kitchen Assistant, Teen Director, program specialist, archery instructor) from 2017 to present. EmailPhone. I have been part of the Lake Wenatchee YMCA Camp community since March 2002, when my family first moved to camp. Over the years, I have grown through every stage of the camp […]
Chris Palmer
Chris Palmer
Buttercup
Assistant Camp Director 2012-21, Offsite Director 2010 & 11, Counselor 2009. FacebookInstagram Lake Wenatchee YMCA Camp represents something the world is quietly losing, the sacred art of being present. It’s where generation after generation learned that caring is more than a word on a banner. It’s a hand on your shoulder, a counselor sitting beside you when you’re homesick, a friend who […]
Dave Palmer
Dave Palmer
olunteer, Operations @ Y camp. I have spent the last 10-15 years supporting the Lake Wenatchee Y-Camp in various ways, from monetary & equipment donations to countless hours of volunteer “year-round” maintenance………to supporting the “design review” of the Nelson Cabin. Lake Wenatchee YMCA. Total of 34 years at Boeing, of which 26 yrs were in various Operations Management […]
Kaleb Roberts
Kaleb Roberts
Titan
Camper 2012-2018 and Y Cabin Leader and Team Member, 2019-present. Ever since I was a camper I knew I wanted to serve youth and give the next generations the same magical expo had growing up at camp. For the past 6 years I have been living that dream. I have now dedicated myself to helping others and changing lives […]
Curtis Stine
Curtis Stine
Curtains
Former Camper, Leader, Teen Director, 2009-2015. I owe everything I am to Camp Magic. I had a transformative experience at camp that allowed me to break out of my shell and fully experience life. I have always said that we can never know the impact that we have on people in the world. It was […]
Leadership Advisory Committee
Deanna Hubele
Deanna Hubele
Chipmunk
My passion for camp started as a kid going to YMCA Camp Orkila on Orcas Island. Fast forward a few years and I spent an amazing summer at Lake Wenatchee YMCA Camp as a camp counselor and program staff during college. That camp magic hooked me, and a few years later, my family and I moved up to camp […]
Kyle McPherson
Kyle McPherson
Moose
Previous Teen Director. Current Camp Director at YMCA Camp Dudley with the Yakima Family YMCA. Past Teen Director at Lake Wenatchee Lives in Yakima
John McQueen Bledsoe
John McQueen Bledsoe
Mac
Graduate UW, degrees in speech, psychology, and reading in the School of Education, 2 years as a Leutenant as Director of Enlisted Personnel Records Division, U S Army Transportation School, Ft Eustice, VA, then 31 years as a public high school teacher at Kittitas, Watervill, Ki-Be, Walla Walla, and Eisenhower (Yakima) high Schools, with two years as a […]
Alex Rice-Reynolds
Alex Rice-Reynolds
MuseiQ
Cabin leader, Games + Media Coordinator 2011-2016. Stay-at-home dad, tech enthusiast, the family help desk, and the Webmaster for Friends of Lake Wenatchee Y Camp.
Christy Sterbenz Filby
Christy Sterbenz Filby
Minnow
I started my now 29 year career in the Y at Lake Wenatchee YMCA Camp and I still feel its impacts on my life. I am passionate about community and supporting collaborative ventures to solve pressing community problems. I am an empty-nester to 3 boys and currently work at a YMCA in Keene NH Lives in Keene, NH
Tim McElravy
Tim McElravy
zapS
Fomer Camp Director 2002-2025
I was born at a young age and had to learn everything I know. Currently serving as the Director of the Pasco YMCA. Purple Ragger. Camp…and this camp specifically is in my blood. Tim lives in Pasco, Wa
Daniel Villasenor
Daniel Villasenor
Dragon
Cabin Leader ('22 - Present)
I’m a young, energetic & perspicacious individual who wants to continue serving to the community & changing lives. I’m from Kent, WA & love to travel to places known & unknown to me. I’ve worked at camp for over half a decade & will continue to until I can’t anymore. Daniel lives in Kent, WA
Finance & Development
Robert Milton
Robert Milton
Mountain Goat
Cabin leader from 1960-1967. I began my YMCA journey at the Lake Wenatchee YMCA Camp at the age of 15 when I was hired to be a camp counselor halfway through the summer of 1960. The next 7 years through high school and college I was a camp counselor, taught archery/riflery, led wilderness trips, participated in Youth […]
Sheli O’Connor
Sheli O’Connor
I live in the South Sound with my husband and awesome yellow lab Zoey. I recently celebrated my 35th year with Columbia Bank and as a longtime banker I always admired the passion and purpose of nonprofit organizations. Sheli lives in Buckley, WA
Shefali Ahuja-Gupta
Shefali Ahuja-Gupta
I believe Camp is the quickest way to bring strangers together into a community. As a parent of 2 young independent adults, I’ve seen firsthand how the Camp experience builds confidence, resilience and lasting friendships. I’m passionate about helping organizations secure funding and build sustainable programs. Shefali lives in Carnation
Volunteer today!
Join us in preserving a cherished part of Washington state’s outdoor heritage since 1928. Together, we can secure the future of Lake Wenatchee Y Camp and keep its legacy alive for generations to come.