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: Strengthening Wanake’s volunteer work force. Justin lives at Wanake with his wife Kari, daughter Marlie, and thier small dog Cruizer.
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.
Program Manager- Leigh Mensi
Leigh Mensi started in January 2017 as an Intern for Camp Wanake and was hired on as the Program Manager at the beginning of 2018. Originally from Illinois, Leigh grew up going to 4-H, Girl Scout, and various Christian camps. During her time at Iowa State University, she received her call to camp ministry. Graduating with a degree in Religious Studies and Philosophy, she one day hopes to become a camp director. Leigh worked four summers as camp counselor, health office, support staff, and lifeguard before coming to Wanake. Leigh has taken on many roles: supervising lifeguards and counselors alongside her year-round responsibilities.
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.
Food Service Manager- Laurie Newman
Food Service Manager- Sheila Sherwood
Wanake also employs around 15 year round part time staff, and around 50 summer staff. Inquire about open positions on the Job Opportunities Page
