JOHN CARLSON
CEO, State YMCA of Michigan Hayo-Went-Ha Camps
JC has loved working with various Michigan YMCA’s and camp operations over the past 25 years. He recently served as the Vice President of Youth Development for the Ann Arbor YMCA and spent 12 years as the Executive Director for YMCA Camp Copneconic in Fenton. He was also the Camp Director of YMCA Camp Ohiyesa in Holly. As the former CEO of the Howell Nature Center in Howell, JC adopted the philosophy of helping children grow and thrive through building a greater connection with nature. With five amazing kids who grew up and were all profoundly impacted by camp, JC is looking forward to his role as CEO at Hayo-Went-Ha Camps to help so many more kids experience the joys and growth of a summer camp experience!
AMANDA MACALUSO
Director of Alumni Relations and Community Development, Interim Director of YMCA Camp Arbutus Hayo-Went-Ha
2024 will be Amanda Macaluso’s 26th year as Camp Director and 32nd year on staff at YMCA Hayo-Went-Ha Camps. She has also served as a counselor, waterfront director, and program director since 1993. During the winter, she plans the intricate details of the summer program and recruits campers and staff. Professionally, Amanda is an active member of the American Camp Association and the YMCA Michigan Camps Network. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her husband, Joe, and their two daughters, who also love being a part of the camp community.
ADAM DELEZENNE
Director of YMCA Camp Hayo-Went-Ha on Torch Lake
Adam brings more than two decades of camp experience working at camp, starting in 2001 when he was on summer staff at Camp Westminster on Higgins Lake. Since then, he has held a wide variety of summer program roles as well as year-round positions at Ebert Ranch Camp (Harper, TX), Michi-Lu-Ca Camp and Conference Center (Fairview, MI), and again at Camp Westminster as Interim Executive Director. Adam is looking forward to being a member of the HWH Camps team. He, his wife, and their two sons are excited about relocating to beautiful northern Michigan.
GINA GEORGIOU
Director of Wilderness Experiences, State YMCA of Michigan
Gina was born in the UK, grew up in Cyprus, and came to the US to serve as the Waterfront Director at Camp Arbutus Hayo-Went-Ha in 2012. She then returned every year after and led many of our wilderness adventure trips, including Alaska in 2015. She was then promoted to a Division Leader position in 2015, and 2024 will be her 13th year at HWH Camps. Gina’s degree is in Sport & Exercise Science, and she has worked in schools in England as a teacher’s assistant for students with disabilities. She is also passionate about watching, playing, and coaching soccer.
SCOTT SWANSON
Director of Buildings, Grounds, and Hospitality, State YMCA of Michigan
Scott started his work life in 1993, working as a shovel for a family-owned excavating company that primarily dug basements and installed septic. That job gave him a lifelong sense of what a hard day’s work really felt like. Over the past 30 years, he has spent most of his time pouring concrete, laying stones, and installing various hardscape materials. Scott also had a long stint running restaurants and kitchens in the area for a couple of local companies. These two careers have really given him a full life experience along with the joy of raising his 3 boys with his wife, Alica. The pair are lucky enough to be grandparents now, too, which is a complete joy. Scott is thankful for the chance to work at the camps, “this area has brought a lot of joy to my life, and it’s exciting to be in a position to now share it with the up-and-coming youth.”
ERIN STEFFEN
Director of Business Operations and Engagement, State YMCA of Michigan
Erin Steffen has been the Director of Finance at the State YMCA of Michigan since 2017. She came to the State Y after a decade of working in a similar role within the credit union movement. While she was never a camper, her Hayo-Went-Ha roots are strong. Erin’s grandmother was HWH Hall of Fame Camp Nurse Grace Otte, and Erin’s parents spent part of their honeymoon at family camp! Erin lives in Rapid City with her husband and two young children, Caleb and Grace, and their dog Luna. Their favorite family activities include adventures hiking, swimming, fishing, and exploring.
JAKE SMITH
Maintenance Supervisor, YMCA Camp Hayo-Went-Ha on Torch Lake
Jake started as a camper in 2005 and became a staff member in 2013. Since then, he has spent considerable time at both camps, working maintenance and volunteering in the off-season. In 2021, he joined the team as the year-round Maintenance Supervisor at Hayo-Went-Ha. He loves working outside and is looking forward to taking care of the property.
Beth Putz
Office Manager & Bookkeeper, State YMCA of Michigan
Beth lives in Bellaire with her two sons, Casey and Ryan. With many years of experience in office settings, most recently as the Office Manager at the Antrim County Sheriff’s Office, she is looking forward to joining the awesome team at YMCA Hayo-Went-Ha Camps!
She enjoys spending time with family and friends and doing any outdoor activities to take in our Northern Michigan beauty. "I am very excited to meet everyone and learn more about our camp and the great experience it provides for kids!"
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