Meet the Team

YMCA Camp Harrison Staff

YMCA Camp Harrison employs highly skilled and qualified individuals who share the common goal of providing an exceptional camp experience. Our year-round staff and summer camp counselors are highly motivated, dedicated and look forward to hosting guests as soon as they arrive.

Our staff members are expected to be of strong moral character, have a passion for working with youth, possess a high level of energy and enthusiasm and exemplify our character traits of respect, responsibility, caring, honesty and faith in God. Our seasoned staff is trained first and foremost in safety. All camp staff participate in annual immersive training experiences before campers arrive.

Michael Landry Executive Director

“Landry” joined the YMCA Camp Harrison family in January 2020.  A graduate of Mississippi State University, he has been working with YMCA camps for more than 20 years. Landry enjoys working with our staff and board to foster the growth of YMCA Camp Harrison and it Christian mission. In his free time he enjoys cooking, wood working and spending time with his wife Jennifer, and two girls, Ainsley and Annabelle.

Bridgett Griffin Associate Executive Director - Conferences & Retreats

After spending four years a park ranger on the Blue Ridge Parkway, Bridgett joined YMCA Camp Harrison in 2010. A Wilkes county native, Bridgett has experience in landscaping and is a lover of animals. She earned an associate’s degree in Horticulture from Wilkes Community College. This led her to completing her bachelor’s degree in Biology and Recreation Management from Appalachian State University.  Bridgett and her husband Jason enjoy traveling and all things outdoors.

Jackie Watson Overnight Camp Director

The Watson family has been to YMCA Camp Harrison many times, serving as Instructors/Facilitators for Eagle Rock Camp, a therapeutic camp for military families, which is hosted at Camp Harrison twice per year. Caleb Watson worked several summers as a counselor, and Jackie and Tommy served as our Chaplains in summer 2020. In January 2021, Jackie joined our full-time staff team as our Overnight Camp Director!

 

Jackie is wife to Tommy, mom to Caleb, Karis, and Zeke, and the Owner and Creative Director of Masterpiece Dance and Art Studios in Indian Trail. She has a passion to help individuals cultivate and grow their God-given gifts and talents to glorify Christ.

Laura Cornett Conferences & Retreats Director

Originally from Greenville, SC, Laura graduated from Clemson University with a bachelor’s degree in Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management. She came to YMCA Camp Harrison as an intern for the horseback riding program in 2010 and has been part of our Y family ever since. In her free time Laura enjoys running on our trails, riding and training horses and spending quality time with her dog, Rocky. Family is a big priority to Laura and though her family still resides in Greenville, SC, she continues to be very close to them.

Sallie Renfrow Office Manager

Sallie attended Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute in Hudson, NC and earned an Associates of Fine Arts in Percussion. After having had the opportunity to lead worship for some events at YMCA Camp Harrison, she fell in love with the campus and was interested in joining our staff team in 2018. Sallie is very involved with the praise team at her church, enjoys the outdoors and loves her fur babies, Gatsby and Regina.

Mike Roberts Facilities Director

Mike came to YMCA Camp Harrison with a background in both construction management and Christian ministry. In addition to overseeing the facilities team at YMCA Camp Harrison, Mike is actively involved in the community, which includes serving as an associate pastor at a local church. Mike lives in North Wilkesboro, NC with his wife, Nicole, and their four children, Ava, Allyson, Amelia and Finn.

Binx Staff Morale Officer

Binx is our Norwegian Forest Cat who was found near our kitchen dumpster many years ago. He now resides at our camp office area and loves the fresh mountain air. Every month, Binx maintains the accolade of Employee of the Month serving as the best office greeter YMCA Camp Harrison has ever had on board. In his spare time, Binx guards the office, even after office hours.

Bob Feemster - Facilities Staff

Nathan Bronkowski - Facilities Staff

Gail Shew - Facilities Staff

Cyndie Feemster - Office Assistant

Ruthie - Camp Dog