Young Explorers | June 19-22
Glen Geraghty
From Glen:
Glen Geraghty has been coming to Camp Susque since 1978, first as a camper and then on
summer staff. He has served in many capacities at Susque and is willing to serve where every he
is needed. Glen graduated from Bob Jones university with a BS degree in Practical Christian
Training. Glen has been an inner-City Church planter in Newark NJ, Los Angeles CA, and
Chester PA for almost 20 years. He and his wife Sharon and their two kids Morgan and Micah
live in the inner-city of Newark NJ with their dog Checkers.
Boys Week 1 | June 22-June 29
Elijah Beltz
Elijah Beltz loves camp ministry. He has spoken at Susque as a chaplain a few times, he is currently on the board of a Christian camp, and he met his wife, Suzanne, while they worked at that same camp. Together they have 4 children, Abraham, Ezra, Anastasia, and Isaac. Elijah went to Clarks Summit University and Capital Seminary where he focused on Semitic languages, which he uses in his teaching at Skyline Baptist Church in Rome, NY where he is the pastor.
Boys Week 2 | June 29 - July 6
Joel Rishel
I fell in love with Camp Susque in 1975 as a Littleman camper, and I kept coming back - yeah, that makes me old now! Believe it or not, someone allowed me to serve as a counselor and eventually as a program director. Somewhere along that time, God called me to be a pastor, and I absolutely love helping people experience God's grace the way I have.
I went to Grove City College, and then to Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary in Pittsburgh. Whenever I have free time, I love grabbing some quiet moments reading, tackling another DIY house project, cooking with my wife, tickling my boys (even though they are too old for this now!), and becoming more like Jesus (not necessarily in that order).
I started a hobby/business/ministry that creates Christ-centered devotional books for counselors at Christian camps. I forged this venture with my friend Bill Klees, and we call it Character Building Ministries. Truth be told, most of what we do and most of the philosophy driving Character Building Ministries, we learned at Camp Susque!
Today I'm pastoring at First Evangelical Free Church of McKeesport (that's in the southeast suburbes of Pittsburgh). I love creating contexts for children to have "Aha!" moments, and training parents to raise their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. I have four boys (all adopted from Brazil), and they don't give me a whole love of those beloved quiet moments for reading.
But don't worry, I think I've left most of my camp shenanigans back in the 70's and 80's.
Boys Week 3 | July 6-13
Owen Hughes
Editor's note: Owen did not supply a bio in sufficient time, allowing our director to create his bio as he saw fit. However, prior to reading this, know that the relevant facts are the Owen is currently serving as associate pastor at Oakwood PCA in State College, is in his second summer as a camp chaplain and is excited to serve at Susque!
Bio (written and embellished by Peter): Owen Hughes is a pastor's kid, and sadly has no trace of the Welsh accent of his father. However, this means that his english has the appropriate vowel to consonant ratio, which is well appreciated by Susque campers and staff alike. More important than any concerns over his dialect, Owen's transparency with Susque's staff and campers has provided him with a credibility and connection that enables him to effectively communicate God's word to the entire camp.
Girls Week 1 | July 13-20
Bryan McClelland
From Bryan:
Bryan McClelland is the pastor First Southern Baptist Church in Williamsport, PA. He became a believer in Jesus when he was sixteen and has a bachelor's degree in Christian studies from North Greenville University in upstate South Carolina. He first became acquainted with Camp Susque when he was serving as the associate pastor at Winfield Baptist Church and his children became campers. His mission as a pastor and his heart as a chaplain is to help people see the sovereignty, glory, and grace of God through the Scriptures.
Girls Week 2 | July 20-27
Peter Krol
Peter Krol is the president of DiscipleMakers campus ministry and a pastor at Grace Fellowship Church of State College, PA. He is also the author of Knowable Word: Helping Ordinary People Learn to Study the Bible. He graduated from Bucknell University with a music degree, and he studied Bible and theology at Biblical Theological Seminary. He is nearly fanatical about board games and Star Wars. He has served at Susque in numerous volunteer capacities for the last 20 years, and he's thrilled that four of his six children are finally old enough to attend boys and girls camps.
Girls Week 3 | July 27-August 3
Aaron Susek
After God closed the door on his aspirations of becoming the Phillie Phanatic (Phillies mascot), Aaron Susek soon got on the track of pastoral ministry, starting off as a Youth and Family pastor, spending several years in the world of Church planting (where he met Davis and Kelsey Swift), and currently serving as the senior pastor of a Bible Fellowship Church just outside of Philadelphia. He has spent much of recent years trying to turn three delightful daughters (Callie, Megan and Kate) into rugged outdoorswomen and his lovely wife (Amy) into a lover of all things seafood.
Susque Family Camp | August 4-10
Bill Klees
Everyone loves Bill. He has been our Homeschool Family Camp Chaplain for many years, and is back by popular demand! Chief Bill is currently the pastor of Community Alliance Church in Towanda, PA, where he lives with his wife Heather, and their 4 children: Avery, Natalie, Emma, and Alan. Bill has had a long-standing history at Susque as summer staff, our former Program Director, and current Board Member. We look forward to welcoming Bill back to family camps!
Classic Family Camp | August 11-17
Les Clemens
Chief Les has a long history with Camp Susque. He was a camper at Susque as a kid, came up through the ranks of summer staff, and he now serves on our Board of Directors as well as our Young Explorers Program Director. He is currently the pastor of Faith Baptist Church in Oakville Ontario.