Ben Johnson
Program Director - AV/Production; Summer Staff; Speakers/Musicians
Ben has been in working in camp ministries since the 7th grade. His passion for youth led him to Cedarville University where he majored in Youth Ministries and minored in Christian Education with an emphasis in Cross Cultural Ministries as well as an emphasis in Music Ministry. After graduating college, Ben began working as a program intern at Spring Hill Camps in Michigan before becoming the Program Director at their Indiana location. He later moved back to the east coast to join the ministry at Camp Berea.
Today, Ben and his lovely wife, Bethany enjoy hiking, reading, critiquing movies and spending as much time outdoors as possible. Ben also loves Pugs and hates cats.
Beth Houdyshel
Program Coordinator, Camper Discipleship Program, Health Center
Beth's first time at Berea was in 2007 when she came with Jodi Greenstreet, a frequent speaker for Girls Camp, serving as a volunteer counselor. In 2009 she came to Girls Camp again with her team to play drums for the worship band. In the summer of 2010, she held a summer staff position on Program Team. At the end of the summer she was given the opportunity to join the full time team here as an Associate Program Director. She drove her car out from her home in Southern California to her new home here at Berea! She has served at several different camps since 2004 in almost every role imaginable. Her heart is being on the front lines seeing people changed as their relationship with Jesus begins and grows. Beth loves her job here, but when she's not working, (and it’s warm) she likes being outdoors enjoying the beauty of God’s work, and (when it’s too cold for the Cali girl) being indoors with a cup of coffee and group of friends.
Bethany Johnson
Administrative Assistant
Bethany began working at Berea in the summer of 2009 as a part of the Recreation staff. After the summer ended, she returned to work on the maintenance staff for the winter, followed by another summer as the rock wall & challenge course instructor. Shortly after graduating college with a Bachelor’s in Health Psychology, Bethany decided to return to Berea and join the full time staff in March of 2011. She now works with the Executive Director in the area of Ministry Development.
In her spare time, she loves to hike, read and spend time with her wonderful husband, Ben.
Doug Donaldson
Office Manager
Doug Donaldson has been coming to Berea since 1953 as a camper, counselor, board member, program director and full time staff. His wife, Phebe, manages the Bookstore and they live in Bristol, NH. They have 2 children, Brian and Kristi, and have 6 amazing grandchildren. They moved here to New Hampshire from Swansea, MA in August, 2001, when he accepted the position of Director of Operations. In the Fall of 2006, he moved into the role of Office Manager. They truly count it a privilege to be part of this ministry that is changing so many lives for Christ.
Jason Downs
Operations Director
Jason Downs is the Operations Director overseeing the daily operations, safety and maintenance of Berea. In addition he also provides supervision and direction for kitchen operations. Jason began serving at Berea as a part of the summer maintenance teams 2001-2002. Returning in 2007 as a member of the full time staff, Jason has experienced firsthand the extraordinary growth at Berea and is excited to see where God leads, provides and blesses the ministry. Like many others, Jason met his wife Caitlin here at Berea and has been happily married since October 2009.
Jonathan VanScoter
Business Director
Jonathan graduated from Grove City College, located in Western Pennsylvania, with a Bachelor's Degree in Accounting and with a Minor in Christian Ministries. After college, Jonathan was the Director of Finance and Retreat Coordinator at a Christian Camp and Retreat Center in NH for over three years before joining the Berea Team in December of 2011. Jonathan has an extensive history in the hospitality industry and loves to serve others. He enjoys spending time with his newly married wife, Amanda. Jonathan can often be found playing volleyball and he also helps coach the Plymouth High School Volleyball Team in the fall.
Kate Flanagan
Food Service Coordinator
Kate first worked at Berea in 2006 as a Full-Time Counselor. Since then she spent 2 years as an intern with Teen Mania Ministry’s Honor Academy in Texas. She also has lived in Arkansas and Oklahoma. Kate loved her time at Berea, but did not foresee the Lord bringing her back to New England, never mind camp. She is so thankful that His plans are better than hers! Through the power of the Lord, and Facebook, she was given the opportunity to come back and serve full-time at camp, and she jumped at the chance.
Kate is a city girl at heart, and only does outdoorsy things when she gets tricked into it. She enjoys reading a good book and spending quality time with people. Kate’s love language is coffee.
Matt Williams
Program Coordinator, Rental Coordinator, and Volunteers
Matt Williams has worked at Berea as a Program Coordinator since January 2009. Along with planning events at Berea, Matt is the Rental and Volunteer Coordinator hosting groups who rent out Berea’s property and bringing in volunteers from all over New England to help run the Berea programs you know and love. Matt enjoys both Wakeboarding and Snowboarding depending on the season.
Megan Crooker
Program Administrator
Megan Crooker was thrilled to join the Berea full time staff in November 2011. She has been involved in Camp Ministry in different capacities from Counseling to Full Time Staff since the age of 16. Megan is passionate about helping people discover who they are in Christ, and how much he loves them. In her free time she loves to read, watch movies, listen to music, and play the piano.
Nate Parks
Camp Director - Program and Operations
Nate is known for his endless energy and incredible motivational skills. In addition to serving as Director at Berea, Nate is the National Network of Youth Ministries' state representative for Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine. He is a dynamic speaker who captivates audiences around the country with powerful messages.
Ron Ward
Executive Director
A graduate of the University of Connecticut, Ron met his wife at camp in 1971. They married in 1975 and now have 7 children. Ron was CCCA (Christian Camp and Conference Center Association) New England Section President twice, is in his 10th year as legislative liaison, was on the legislative committee of the New Hampshire Camp Director's Association for 8 years, serves as a visitor for the American Camping Association and served several years on the ACA New England Standards Committee.
While the camping community struggles to maintain market share, Ron and his team have continued to forge forward, growing steadily year by year. In November of 2006, the Berea board began the formation of a plan to double the size of the camp in the years ahead. Ron, and his team, lecture at CCCA and consult with other Christian non-profits who also have a vision to expand their impact for the Kingdom of God.
Ron served as a youth pastor in Groton, CT (Groton Bible Chapel) for 8 years, continues to speak in various churches and enjoys performing weddings for friends and staff who met at Berea. Joining Berea's staff in 1965, Ron has been serving as Berea's Executive Director since 1975.
Tobi Smith
Operations Coordinator
(Adam) Tobi Smith, is the Operations Coordinator at camp. Which means you can see him doing just about anything at camp from helping out in the kitchen or building the new sound cart in the gym. He loves being outdoors and loves that he has a job that lets him do that. When Tobi is not at work he likes to go climbing, hiking, swimming, and snowboarding among other things. He was never a camper at Berea, but started working here on the program team in the summer of 2007 and has kind of stuck around since.