Peter J. Swift, Camp Director
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Year Started at Susque: 1991 as a camper. 1999 as summer staff. 2015 as Director.
Experience in the leadership, outdoor recreation and/or youth field: I have been involved in some capacity at Susque all of my life, but I have been on staff, in various leadership positions, or a board member for sixteen years. In addition, I have spent the last eight years working for Liberty Mountain – one of the premier distributors of camping and recreational products to the outdoor industry. In my various positions at Liberty Mountain, I worked closely with hundreds of camps, Boy Scout councils, climbing gyms, parks and retailers of all kinds. It has been an amazing blessing to be able to have such a continuous involvement in camping, and being able to work in this industry from many different perspectives.
College(s) & degree(s): Bachelor's in Philosophy from Grove City College.
Where born & raised: Cogan Station, PA
Favorite place to go out to eat: The long defunct "Heavenly Pasteria" in Williamsport.
Something most people don't know about you: I claim to be the world's best Mario Kart DoubleDash player.
1st job: Working in a greenhouse for one of Susque’s neighbors.
Favorite book: I really love many of Chaim Potok’s books, but my favorite is probably: “The Gift of Asher Lev.”
Perfect day off: Hiking up and down Rock Run.
Coolest place you've ever been: McIntyre Wild Area and the Rock Run Gorge
Biggest pet peeve: The phrase: "That's not my job."
One thing you'd love to do: Dunk a basketball on a regulation rim
Favorite movie/TV show: Movie: "Fellowship of the Ring"
For one month you couldn't live without: Wool socks. I don't think I could handle a week without them.
Favorite ice cream flavor: Homemade Vanilla
Favorite Scripture verse: Joshua 24:5 "But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD."
Favorite music artist: Starflyer 59
Favorite area on camp: Most anywhere on Moss Run, but especially the tiny gorge next to the Eagle's Nest that leads down into the Creekside camping area.
What you love most about working at Susque: I really love the way friendships develop almost instantaneously among both the staff and campers. Having the commonality of brotherhood in Christ is such a strong common ground, and having summer goals and desires aligned creates a scenario where it is hard not to become close friends with almost everyone around us.
Jamie Sanders, Director of Marketing
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Year Started at Susque: 2015 as Chill Chaplain, 2017 Full Time.
Experience in the outdoor recreation and/or youth field: I am an outdoor enthusiast! I have spent countless hours Back packing, whitewater kayaking, trail running, mountain biking and cycling, hunting, fishing, climbing and mountaineering. The best thing about being outside is being immersed in God's creation enjoying the gems that He has created for our enjoyment! I have always enjoyed leading others to experience these treasures during 15 years of youth ministry and as a manger and trail race director for an outdoor specialty retailer in Chattanooga.
College(s) & degree(s): BA in Bible and Christian Education, Bryan College, Dayton TN Master of Theology (ThM) Leadership concentration Dallas Theological Seminary DMin Studies Covenant Seminary (DNF)
Where born & raised: Loyalsock and Montoursville, PA
Favorite Place to Eat: Franco's in Downtown Williamsport
What is something most people don't know about you?: I was a clown for a summer. Seriously, a clown.
Favorite Scripture verse: 2 Peter 1:3 - His Divine Power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own Glory and Goodness
Biggest pet peeve: People misusing or not using turn signals!
For one month you couldn't live without: Prayer, sleep, and my family
Perfect day off: Trail Run or Bike in the morning, followed by time with the family in the afternoon, and then spending time with my wife Chrissy and friends in the evening.
Favorite area on camp: The creek! You can always find me at the creek.
What you love most about working at Susque: Being a sort of tour guide to the wonders of God expressed in creation so that all might know him.
Davis Swift, Program Director
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Year started at Susque: I started on summer staff as a SIT (Staff-in-Training) in 2007. I joined the year-round team in 2016.
Experience in the outdoor recreation and/or youth field: I've spent nearly a decade in the outdoor recreation field. Most of that time has been spent serving in seasonal roles at Camp Susque as well as working for various outdoor industry retailers and a rock climbing gym in college. Most recently, I spent the better part of two years as the year-round program director of a Christian camp in Southern Pennsylvania.
College(s) & degree(s): Bachelor of Science in Geography with a concentration in Outdoor Recreation Leadership from Mansfield University.
Where born & raised: Cogan Station, PA.
One thing you'd love to do: Go skydiving in Yosemite National Park
Favorite ice cream flavor: Teaberry from Eder's
Favorite Scripture verse: Luke 15 (the whole chapter)
Favorite movie/TV show: "Lord of the Rings"
Favorite book: "My Side of the Mountain"
For 1 month you couldn't live without: Food and water
Perfect day off: Hiking and swimming in the Rock Run ravine
1st job: Emptying trash cans at Camp Susque
Favorite place to go out to eat: Moon and Raven in Williamsport
Something most people don't know about you: I was never a Woodsman camper. Also, I'm taller than Chief Peter. [Editors note: Chief Peter disagrees]
Favorite area on camp: The Moss Run ravine. There are so many cool little rock overhangs that used to be much bigger. Until I grew taller. Also, I'm not sure if this counts because it's on the State Game Lands, but the Porcupine Den is a pretty great place to sit for hours.
Favorite music artist: Rend Collective
Coolest place you've ever been: Saranac Lakes, NY
What you love most about working at Susque: Working within a team that is so unified in our purpose to further the ministry of Christ in addition to experiencing the richness of relationships formed with fellow staff members and campers in this endeavor.
Duane Shenk, Facilities Manager
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Year Started at Susque: 2010
Experience in the facilities, outdoor recreation, and/or youth field: I have worked for over 15 years in the camp industry. I have also worked for 7 years at a residential school.
College(s) & degree(s): Youth Ministry Education from Messiah and Lancaster Bible College.
Where born & raised: Lititz, Lancaster County, PA
Favorite place to go out to eat: Neato Burrito
Something most people don't know about you: Every year, we would rent a cabin up near Susque. And every year I made applesauce from the apples near the cabin.
1st job: Brickerville Snackette
Perfect day off: Any day that ends in "day."
Coolest place you've ever been: My hometown of Lititz
Biggest pet peeve: Laziness
Favorite Scripture verse: 2 Corinthians 4: 8-9 "We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed."
One thing you'd love to do: Parachute
Favorite movie/TV show: TV: "NCIS"
Favorite ice cream flavor: Tin Roof Sundae
What you love most about working at Susque: Being part of a rustic creation-based camping program
Shawna Hakes, Office Manager
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Year started at Susque: 2003.
Experience in the administrative assistant, outdoor recreation, and/or youth field: I have been involved at Susque for over 10 years, running the ins and outs of the office! Before coming to Susque, I worked as a Church Secretary for 5 years.
Where born & raised: Clarion, PA
One thing you'd love to do: Visit the Grand Tetons on a beautiful day.
Favorite Scripture verse: Psalm 19:14 "May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer."
Favorite movie/TV show: TV: "Once Upon a Time"
Favorite book: "Waking the Dead"
Perfect day off: Spending time with my grandchildren
1st job: Burger Chef
Favorite place to go out to eat: Texas Roadhouse
Something most people don't know about you: I have 14 grandchildren.
Favorite area on camp: Susque Lodge porch
Favorite music artist: Casting Crowns
Coolest place you've ever been: Hawaii
What you love most about working at Susque: The people! And the opportunity to be a part of helping them experience their Creator through a wide variety of programs in nature.
Grace Dingler, School of Discovery (SOD) Coordinator
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Year Started at Susque: 2017 as an art teacher and summer photographer
Experience in the teaching, outdoor recreation, and/or youth field: 2 summers at Camp Krislund and teaching since college
College(s) & degree(s): BS in Arts Education from Kutztown University
Where born & raised: Williamsport, PA
One thing you'd love to do: Witness the full reunification of the Korean Peninsula
Coolest place you've ever been: Mokpo, South Korea - a terrific little port city in the southwest corner of the Korean peninsula I called home for 4 years.
Favorite movie/TV show: Brooklyn, Hacksaw Ridge
Favorite book: The Giver!
For one month you couldn't live without: Oxygen
Perfect day off: bike ride, curl up with a good book, hammocking, and ice cream
1st job: Ice cream Scoop Master at Sunset Ice Cream
Favorite music artist: For King and Country, Jason Chu
Favorite place to go out to eat: Well, this depends... usually Indian or Korean food
Something most people don't know about you: I got my name, Grace, because my mom was in a car accident when she was pregnant with me. My parents named me Grace because they believed it was God's Grace that saved my Mom and me.
Favorite ice cream flavor: Coffee! or Ben and Jerry's Chubby Hubby - nomnomnom (sound of Grace eating ice cream)
Favorite area on camp: The pond or by the creek
What you love most about working at Susque: I love that I get to grow, learn, and be encouraged in my relationship with Jesus where I work and have the opportunity to help others grow, learn, and be encouraged in their relationship with Jesus. It is a really special aspect about working in an environment like Susque.
Alyssa Black, Director of Hospitality
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Year Started at Susque: 2005 as a camper, 2013 as a staffer, and 2018 as a year round staff person
Experience in the food service, outdoor recreation, and/or youth field: In college I volunteered with my church's children's ministry and was very involved with the outdoor club at Grove City College. I also served as a counselor, head cook, and trek leader over my years at Susque.
College(s) & degree(s): BA in Sociology with minors in Christian ministry and Family Studies at Grove City College '18
Where born & raised: Ralston and Canton, PA
One thing you'd love to do: Visit Banff National Park
Coolest place you've ever been: Zec Kipawa, Quebec
Favorite movie/TV show: The Office, Psych, Corner Gas, Marvel Movies
Favorite book: I love to read! A few favorites include: The Things they Carried, The Kite Runner, One Child, To Kill A Mockingbird, and the Harry Potter Series
For one month you couldn't live without: Water - hydrate or diedrate!
Perfect day off: Hiking in the Adirondacks
1st job: Babysitting
Favorite music artist: The City Harmonic, Imagine Dragons
Favorite place to go out to eat: Eder's Ice Cream
Something most people don't know about you: I am really bad at picking favorites, but you may have figured that out by now!
Favorite ice cream flavor: Double Dunker
Favorite area on camp: Anywhere along Lycoming Creek or Moss Run
What you love most about working at Susque: I greatly enjoy working alongside so many people who truly enjoy serving Christ.
Nate Dittmar, Groundskeeper
Year started at Susque: 1981.
Experience in the outdoor recreation and/or youth field: I have been involved at Susque for 33 years. My father was one of the founders.
Where born & raised: Born: Williamsport, PA. Raised: Perryville, PA.
One thing you'd love to do: Fly across the country
Favorite ice cream flavor: Oreo Cookie
Favorite Scripture verse: Psalm 121:1 "A song of ascents. I lift up my eyes to the mountains-- where does my help come from?"
Biggest pet peeve: When Patsy, my cat, won't be sociable.
Favorite movie/TV show: TV: "Get Smart"
Favorite book: The Bible
For 1 month you couldn't live without: My cat, Patsy
Perfect day off: Sleep in, work around the house, explore
1st job: Mowing the grass at Camp Susque
Favorite place to go out to eat: Red Lobster
Something most people don't know about you: My father started/founded Camp Susque.
Favorite area on camp: Lookout
Favorite music artist: Tchaikovsky
Coolest place you've ever been: Lake Louise, Canada
What you love most about working at Susque: Working with our staff and getting to know them.
Monique Reinsel, Treasurer
Year Started at Susque: 2014
College(s) & degree(s): Eastern New Mexico University
Where born & raised: San Francisco Bay Area, California
Favorite place to go out to eat: Italian Village, Chicago, IL
1st job: Filing for my mom when I was 12.
Favorite book: Amish books by Beverly Lewis, Gone with the Wind
Perfect day off: Coffee and devotions in the morning. Anytime toodling with my husband or digging in the dirt.
Coolest place you've ever been: Pisa, Italy. The tower really does lean.
Favorite Scripture verse: James 1:2 "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds..."
One thing you'd love to do: Visit Ireland
Favorite movie/TV show: NCIS/Once Upon a Time
For one month you couldn't live without: Chocolate
Favorite ice cream flavor: Rocky Road
Favorite music artist: Casting Crowns
What you love most about working at Susque: Being part of a big ministry and working with other believers.