Directors and Admin Staff
Gabby Jones,
Director
I’m Gabby Jones, and Camp WAMAVA T-Shirts have been woven into the fabric of my life for as long as I can remember. I first stumbled upon it back in 2002 through my church. I was just a kid then, wide-eyed and unsure of what to expect, thinking it was called "Camp Lava"—but it didn’t take long for camp to feel like home.
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I kept coming back, summer after summer, for nine straight years. During this journey, I was baptized here, right in the middle of a place that had become more than just a camp—it was my spiritual home. When I heard about Ohio Valley University through WAMAVA, I followed that thread and ended up there for college. That’s where I met Andrew, my now-husband, who stood beside me in 2016 when we got married—right here, in the Chapel in the Woods.
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Throughout college, I kept returning to WAMAVA: as a counselor, an OVU rep, and as a kitchen volunteer. In 2017, I joined the admin team, not really knowing then how deep my roots here would grow. Over the years, I’ve done just about everything—planned crafts, snaked out the lines to our septic tanks, supported campers with special needs—and I’ve loved every messy, magical minute.
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My full-time work as a special education teacher has shaped how I show up at camp. It’s taught me to see each child’s unique strengths and to create spaces where they can just be themselves. That’s the heart of why I serve.
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I joined the Board of Directors in 2018 and spent time as Treasurer and Vice President. Those years gave me a wider view of camp—what it takes to keep it running and how every decision, big or small, touches the lives of our campers. Now, as Co-Director, I try to lead with a camper-first mindset, always grounded in WAMAVA’s mission. My husband Andrew says I lead by expectations—and he’s probably right. I believe in clarity, support, and follow-through.
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These days, I'm honored to share camp with my children, Jonah (4) and Lucy (1). But even in the midst of my chaos, my heart is set on helping WAMAVA remain the sanctuary it’s always been—a place where stories are passed down, favorite traditions are honored, and every camper can find a moment of calm, joy, and belonging. While my own hands may be full, I’m committed to keeping this space one where others can pause, breathe deeply, and feel at home—just as I did all those years ago.
Camp isn’t just something I do. It’s part of who I am. And I’m so grateful to keep growing alongside it.
Joshua Decker,
Director
Hello everyone, I’m Joshua one of your co-directors this year. I am very excited to have the opportunity to once again be one of your co-directors. This will be my second year in this role of hopefully many more to come. My role focuses on the spiritual side of things and I’m looking forward to walking with you this summer. I believe our walk together on Earth mirrors our walk with God.
Camp WaMaVa is one of my favorite places to be. I have been a staff member or Volunteer since 2007 when I was hired as a counselor. Ever since then, I’ve been hooked. I hope to help make WaMaVa a special place for everyone that comes through.
Over the years I have had the privilege to work with wonderful people. It is through our connections to each other along with God’s word that we really get to know our Creator. Every relationship we encounter is designed to draw us closer to God. I’m often amazed at the lessons God teaches us through our community with others.
When I am not at camp, I build escape rooms and have done so for the past seven years. I enjoy working with my hands and I enjoy working with people. I have worked in Education, Theatre, restaurants but nothing compares to my time at WaMaVa where I get to combine several of my interests and skills acquired throughout the years.
The 2024 camp season has been one of my favorites so far. I was able to work with a great team between Admin, the counseling staff and all of our volunteers. We tried a different style of Bible class that I hope to improve upon this year. Our walk, our life with God is an adventure so learning about Him shouldn’t be any different. Countless times in the Bible God calls us to action with words like “Go” or “Follow” or “Trust”. While our God may be patient, He is in no way passive or complacent. This summer I want to bring action into our learning experience and meet God outside of our comfort zone to see what He has in store for us. I can’t wait to see God show up for us this summer and bless us with Opportunity, challenge, and growth.
JEANIE LINTON,
CAMPER NEEDS AND SUCCESS
"Hi everyone! My name is Jeanie Linton and this is my 7th summer as part of the leadership team at Camp WAMAVA. My primary role at WAMAVA is to support camper behavioral and emotional needs, and ultimately, to make each camper as successful as possible in the camp setting. I primarily use communication, counseling, and sensorimotor strategies. I facilitate camper-counselor relationships and repair relationships between campers. I also provide support and interventions to the counselors so they can be on the frontlines to meet camper needs directly.
My current job as a speech-language pathologist in the public school setting for the last 8 years working with K-12th graders with communication and behavioral needs has equipped me immensely to support campers at WAMAVA. Additionally, I have been supporting the needs of children, teens, and young adults as a foster parent the last 6 years.
In a beautiful way, it was my 7 years as a counselor at WAMAVA that actually equipped and led me into a career and ministry working with children with behavioral and emotional needs. The camp environment is actually very complex and requires alot social and emotional skills, as well as coping skills. The camp experience is unique and beautiful, but can be hard for many young people. Even though it can be hard, we want to make it enjoyable and as comfortable for all kinds of individuals.
Most importantly, we want all individuals to have the opportunity to access the knowledge of God and His love for them. We believe WAMAVA offers an experience of God that is special and unique. I love being able to reach a child in a new way because of the up close and personal relationships we get to have daily while at camp. I love hearing how camp has blessed not just children but entire families. I am thankful to be entrusted to take care of your children and show them a glimpse of Jesus, who loves us more than we could ever imagine."
ANDY DILLARD,
BOYS STAFF & J-STAFF
“Howdy! My name is Andy Dillard and I am excited to be returning to WAMAVA this summer as part of the admin team for my 2nd summer. WAMAVA has been a part of my life, on and off, most of my life, as I grew up nearby in Maryland until I moved to Texas for college. I was a camper for about 3 summers during childhood and then served as a counselor for 3 years in a row, from 2013-2015. I loved Texas so much that I still call it home to this day with my wife Lizzie, and our two sons, Lucas (7) and Jackson (4).
During the school year, I have worked in education as a physical education teacher for the last 9 years. In general, I am passionate about serving families and youth. I believe my time with children daily at work and at home has prepared me well to serve in my new leadership role at WAMAVA.
I have found in my experiences that it is the one who falls down and continues to get back up again finds themselves worthy in the end. One of my favorite quotes by Ted Roosevelt says it well: “...if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly.” Camp was a place where I experienced failure many times as a young counselor and it helped prepare me for future experiences.
I suspect being in a new leadership role will bring some failures and storms, as I grow and learn to support our staff, junior staff, and campers. I know that the Lord will be there with me. He will honor my faith as I step into unknown waters and try to walk. I want to focus on Him, lean on Him, and not the possible storm around me. Matthew 7 tells us that if you “ask, it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” I trust that the Lord brought me back to WAMAVA, He will lead me through and give me what I need as I lead and serve His kids.”
LAURA HUGHES,
GIRLS STAFF & AFTERNOON REC
Greetings, everyone!
I am Laura Hughes, and I am excited to be back at WAMAVA this summer—truly my favorite place on earth! This is my third year as part of the Admin team, where I will be focusing on overseeing the Girls' Staff and Afternoon Recreation.
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Having grown up in nearby West Virginia, I spent many wonderful years as a camper and junior staff member at camp. During my college years, I served on staff for four years, working in the kitchen and as a counselor for three. I have devoted 14 years to the field of education, starting as a middle school teacher and now specializing in special education with an emphasis on reading.
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My three children—Alexis (9), Parker (7), and Charlie (4)—join me at WAMAVA every summer, along with their closest friend, Kodi. They eagerly count down the days until summer at WaMaVa. You’ll often find Alexis immersed in Arts and Crafts or reading a book under the trees; Parker is usually at the Gaga Ball Pit; and Charlie loves to explore the creek or splash in the pool. You might also see my husband, Travis, around camp throughout the week.
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Camp WAMAVA holds a special place in my heart as the place where I discovered my faith in Jesus. I am passionate about supporting students and their families in nurturing and growing in their faith as well.
AUDRA PARKER,
KITCHEN MANAGER
Hello! I’m Audra, and I’m happy to be returning for my third summer as WAMAVA’s lead cook.
Before stepping into this role, I volunteered every summer since 2009—spending time in the kitchen or supporting the Bible program. WAMAVA has been a big part of my family’s life. My kids have done it all—campers, “staff brats,” junior staff, counselors, even admin. It’s been so meaningful watching them grow up at camp, and now I’m excited to see my niece enjoy it too.
Cooking might not be my favorite activity, but I do enjoy feeding people. From feeding my crew of kids as they grew up, to hosting meals for our church family and friends, and now to preparing food for camp, I want to make sure everyone feels well-loved by being well-fed.​
We do our best to balance crowd-pleasing camp meals with healthier options, and we take extra care to safely serve those with food allergies. I’m also committed to keeping our kitchen and serving areas clean, compliant with state regulations, and up to standards through regular work with local health inspectors. After all, safety is a key part of our camp’s Mission.
One of the benefits of being at camp for the summer is getting to spend time with a variety of people who love being at camp. I alway look forward to seeing those who I’ve worked in previous years, and, of course, to meet new, first-time volunteers.
Looking forward to another fun-filled summer with all of you! See you soon—I’ll have the chocolate chip cookies ready!