Camp Director, Julie Lautt
Julie Lautt is the Camp Director at Wanake. Born in Mansfield, Ohio, Julie grew up in Ohio and spent seven years growing up living at Wanake as the daughter of Wanake director, David Schar.
Julie has spent all but a handful of years living at a United Methodist Church camp in Ohio, Iowa and Upstate New York. Julie has worked in Christian camp and retreat ministry within the United Methodist Church for over 25 years, serving as a full-time site director since 1992: serving as director of Aldersgate Camp and Retreat Center in the North Central New York Annual Conference for 11 years and here at Wanake since March of 2003.
Julie lives on site with her husband, Steve, and their three children: Tabitha, Dylan and Bethany.
Wanake is a spiritual home for Julie. It was the first place Julie was a camper and is where she first met Jesus as Lord and Savior.
Site Manager, Justin Miller
Justin Miller is the Site Manager at Wanake, growing up in Brewster, Ohio graduated from Fairless High School, then traveling the world while serving in the United States Navy. Justin brings to Wanake expertise along with his experience in heavy equipment, maintenance, and of construction operations.
Justin enjoys playing bass guitar in his congregation’s praise band, carpentry, furniture making, and raising chickens.
Justin’s vision for the stewardship of Wanake’s resources includes: Third Wednesday Work Days, The Garden Club, and strengthening Wanake’s volunteer work force.
Justin and his beautiful bride Kari live at Wanake with their small dog Cruizer and are expecting the upcoming arrival of their first daughter Marlie in February 2017!
Guest Services Manager, Emily Cook
Emily Cook is the Guest Services Manager at Wanake. Emily joined the year around staff in December of 2015. She enjoyed camping with East Ohio Camps for eight years and then joined summer staff at Wanake in 2003, where she had served for seven years as Counselor, Water Front Director, Program Director, Health Director, and Assistant to the Camp Director. Emily enjoys spending time with guests of all backgrounds and can often be found enjoying conversations with adult retreat guests, summer campers, and children of all ages.
Emily has experience and expertise in organization, guest care, child development, and camp operation benefits Wanake’s guests in a myriad of ways. Her responsibilities include Retreat Guest Services, Summer Program Planning, Marketing, overseeing the Aquatic Program, and Outdoor Education.
In her free time, Emily enjoys hiking, decorating, and restoring antiques.
Food Service Manager, Krystal Kester
Krystal Kester is Wanake’s Food Service Manager. Her vision for the Wanake Kitchen is to serve nourishing food that makes guests feel like they are “home”. This also extends to serving special diets whenever possible so that individuals with sensitivities and allergies can enjoy a worry-free experience in order to focus on building their relationship with God and others during their retreats. (If you do have any special diets or questions you may e-mail Krystal at foodservice@campwanake.org)
Krystal graduated from Mathews High School in 2000 and subsequently, graduated from PA Culinary in 2001 with an Associate’s Degree in Culinary Arts. Work history includes Salad/Appetizer/Dessert preparation at Leo’s Ristorante in Howland, Ohio, Manager at Kinsman Pizza in Kinsman, Ohio, STNA at Liberty Health Care Center in Liberty, Ohio. During this time Krystal also was very involved with her home church where she served in many different roles.
Krystal is the oldest of six children, loves being an Aunt to her six nephews and two nieces. Favorite hobbies include reading, watching Korean Dramas (TV Shows), also spending time with family in Ohio, Michigan and North Carolina.
Ranch Manager, Tina Carr
Tina Carr is the Wanake Ranch Manager, connecting horses with humans is her specialty. Tina’s vision for the Ranch is the continued growth of the various programs so that the horses can touch as many lives as possible with the good news and the healing power of Jesus. Tina manages the barn, teaches riding less and facilitates a number of other weekly programs, including the Women’s Recharge Ride, the Mentorship Program, Chore and Teen Nights.
Tina has been involved with horses since 1991 and is a Certified Horsemanship Association riding instructor (Level 2 Western and Level 1 English). Tina enjoys going deeper in her knowledge of horses and has participated in a number of clinics including Peter Campbell, Jessie Howell, and attending the international CHA Conference at the Kentucky Horse Park. She also enjoys spending time with her family, being in the outdoors and of course spending time with our equine friends. She has been a 4-H Horse Mom for the last seven years, a Rodeo Mom for the last three and enjoys riding Dressage in her free time. Tina has been involved at the Wanake Ranch since 2013 where she has served as a Riding Instructor, Ranch Manager and Assistant Ranch Manager. Tina’s family includes daughter Tiffany, daughter Kristina, son-in-law Tyler, grandson Colton, and grand-daughter Addalynn Grace.
One of Tina’s favorite parts of working at Wanake and the Wanake Ranch is welcoming friends back to the ranch and meeting new friends as they come to experience the love of God at Wanake.
Housekeeper, Position currently open- apply on the Job Opportunities Page
Wanake also employs around 15 year round part time staff, and around 50 summer staff. Inquire about open positions on the Job Opportunities Page
