Staff
These are the professionals who work year round to make the magic of camp happen! Click on the names below for the opportunity to meet our staff. Feel free to contact anyone of them with any questions you may have!
Extension:
1512
Favorite Food:
I love a good sandwich!
Favorite Color:
Purple
Favorite Place at Camp:
At the Log Cabin using the Pioneer tools!
Favorite Vacation Spot:
Anywhere with my family and water!
Favorite Movie:
Empire Strikes Back
About Me:
Bio coming soon!
When I'm not at Camp Kern, I'm doing:
At my girls Volleyball or Crew tournaments.My Words to Live By:
"Unity isn't about being the same. It's about working together. Our differences are our greatest strengths." - Tony Stark
Extension:
1511
Favorite Food:
Boiled Crawfish
Favorite Color:
Navy Blue
Favorite Vacation Spot:
New Orleans
Favorite Movie:
Patton
About Me:
Areas of Supervision: All 480 acres of YMCA Camp Kern and the 100+ buildings’ care and upkeep. Direct supervision over the maintenance staff and all general maintenance and in-house construction projects.
Where you can find him at camp: At the next camp project!
When I'm not at Camp Kern, I'm doing:
Usually at one of my kids sports events.My Words to Live By:
"Unless a man is master of his soul, all other kinds of mastery amount to little." - Theodore Rosevelt
Extension:
1516
Favorite Food:
Steak and Pizza
Favorite Color:
Red and Black
Favorite Place at Camp:
The Wetlands
Favorite Vacation Spot:
North Carolina
Favorite Movie:
Seven Pounds
About Me:
"I'm from Wilmington, Ohio and this is my first year directing the Kern kitchen. I've been working at Kern for 12 years."
When I'm not at Camp Kern, I'm doing:
GolfingMy Words to Live By:
'Quote coming soon!'
Extension:
1525
Favorite Food:
Anything I have personally grown or killed.
Favorite Color:
Green
Favorite Place at Camp:
The old Camp Ozone Amphitheater
Favorite Vacation Spot:
Utah
Favorite Movie:
Raiders of the Lost Ark
About Me:
I came to the Camp world as a second life after 20 years in the rat race. I am a life-long Warren Countian with a lot of camping experience, but I had never gone to a Camp. I came to Kern as a guest in 2009, and that led me to a part-time job as a zipline guide. From there I let it be known that I was interested in a career here at Camp Kern. I interviewed for two full-time positions, but was turned down on both. Fortunately, someone declined the offer and the rest is history. At Kern I have found a second home with a second family where I get to share my passion for outdoor adventure with our staff and guests, build cool things, and host epic jam sessions.
When I'm not at Camp Kern, I'm doing:
At home with the Mrs., working around the house, and occasionally getting away on some adventure.My Words to Live By:
"Don't sweat the small stuff. Pursue your passion, whatever it is. Get outside and do things. Stay out of debt."
Extension:
1513
Favorite Food:
Salmon
Favorite Color:
Pink!
Favorite Vacation Spot:
The Beach
Favorite Movie:
Grease
About Me:
I have been at Camp Kern since April 2000. I met my husband thru a co-worker and combined we have 4 amazing boys, 4 beautiful daughters in law and a host of wonderful grandchildren. My husband and I were married at Camp Kern in October 2014. Camp Kern holds a special place in my heart for so many reasons. In the years I’ve been here I have met the most amazing people. When I talk about this place I just bubble with excitement. We have the best staff, campers and parents.
I feel very blessed to be part of the Camp Kern Family.
When I'm not at Camp Kern, I'm doing:
Playing with our fur babiesMy Words to Live By:
"Be the reason someone smiles today."
Extension:
1527
Favorite Food:
Pistachios
Favorite Color:
Plaid
Favorite Place at Camp:
Snake Island
Favorite Vacation Spot:
Lapland
Favorite Movie:
The Big Sleep
About Me:
Dave Moran has been overstaying his welcome at YMCA Kern since the early 90’s. Drifting from seasonal into fulltime work he has been a lifeguard, naturalist, river monitoring coordinator, pool manager, sailing instructor, and is now the Outdoor Education Director. Dave and his family live in nearby Lebanon. In addition to camp and family life, Dave enjoys fishing and paddling on the Little Miami River whenever he gets the chance.
When I'm not at Camp Kern, I'm doing:
bird watching, sailing, canoeing, hikingMy Words to Live By:
“Outside of a dog, a book is man’s best friend. Inside of a dog is too dark to read.” – Groucho Marx
Extension:
1531
Favorite Food:
Mexican! Bring on the chips and queso
Favorite Color:
Turquoise
Favorite Place at Camp:
The barn of course!
Favorite Vacation Spot:
People with horses take vacation? Any cabin in the woods with a hot tub and prime hiking or horseback trails.
Favorite Movie:
8 seconds. Hands down!
About Me:
Jessica started riding before she could walk. Her mother worked at Circle K in the early 90’s, which is probably were Jessica found her passion for horses, kids and camp! She grew up showing 4-H, local and Ohio Paint Horse Club shows as well as trail riding, team penning and youth rodeo.
When Jessica was in high school she volunteered for a therapeutic riding program in Brown county, Ohio where she found her passion for working with children and horses in the therapeutic world. Jessica is a certified instructor through CHA for English and Western also through PATH Intl. as a Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor (CTRI) and Equine Specialist in Mental Health and Learning (ESMHL). Jessica was PATH’s Region 4 Credentialed Professional of the Year for 2020.
When I'm not at Camp Kern, I'm doing:
spending any free time with my family, in fellowship with friends, trail riding and usually have two corgis with me, Rip and Roo.My Words to Live By:
"Life is a balance of holding on and letting go."
Extension:
1530
Favorite Food:
Pizza
Favorite Color:
Dusty Rose Pink and Burgandy
Favorite Place at Camp:
Main Camp Fire Circle
Favorite Vacation Spot:
Anywhere new
Favorite Movie:
I Love You, Man
About Me:
Camping all started for me when I saw the Parent Trap and begged my parents to do what the kids did in the movie. I started as a camper then turned into a long-time staff member at YMCA Camp Y-Noah. With a brief pit stop here at Kern in the summer of 2019, I worked summers 2016-2021 doing various roles at Y-Noah. Watching the Parent Trap has turned into my passion and my career. I am so excited to be back here and making camp magic happen for each, and every one of our kiddos and families.
When I'm not at Camp Kern, I'm doing:
Reading, listening to my vinyl record collection, or spending time with my family and friends (and probably talking about camp!)My Words to Live By:
“How will you know if you never try”
Extension:
1528
Favorite Food:
Any Colombian dish!
Favorite Color:
Forest green
Favorite Place at Camp:
Chapel and the deep woods trail
Favorite Vacation Spot:
Colombia or Utah
Favorite Movie:
Back to the Future
About Me:
My journey in camping started in 2013 when I came to the US as a J1 counselor. I worked for 6 summers at YMCA Camp Roger in Utah, where I learned most of my camping and leadership skills. At Camp Roger, I worked my way up to be the Summer Camp Director in 2020. I then came to Kern to serve as the Assistant Director in 2021. At Kern I met my wife and we got married on-site. The summer of 2022, I worked as the Assistant Director and then moved on as a Group Rentals & Housekeeping Coordinator. In 2023, I took over as the new Summer Camp Director and I can’t wait to create many more memories for all our campers for many years to come.
When I'm not at Camp Kern, I'm doing:
walking my dog or going on adventures with my wife!My Words to Live By:
“It’s all about the pitch”