Camp G.R.A.C.E Staff Bios
Read below to find out a little bit more about our awesome camp staff!
Brooke Skilton-Camp Director
Hello! My name is Brooke, but you will most likely hear me referred to as Sensei, and I am a Youth Director here at the A.E Finley YMCA . I am SO excited to be a part of my fourth summer at Camp G.R.A.C.E. Words cannot express just how much working at Camp G.R.A.C.E has changed my calling and passion in working with children. I graduated from Winthrop University (Go Eagles!) in 2008 with a degree in Psychology and a minor in Religion and Philosophy and began working at the Y shortly after. I love the color green, being outside in the sunshine, and chocolate. This summer is going to be awesome! Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions as we head into the camp season!
Neela Boone-Head Counselor
Hello Camp G.R.A.C.E! I'm Neela and I am very excited to be back for my 5th summer at Camp G.R.A.C.E. this year! You will be seeing me each morning and afternoon as I help your children get in and out of the car each day. This past year I started working as a Teacher's Assistant in a blended Pre-K classroom, but I am very excited to be returning to camp for another summer. I graduated from UNC-Wilmington in 2006 with a degree in Sociology. I love my mama, my puppies (Charlie and Miles) and drinking coffee out of my mason jar! I look forward to seeing you all this summer at camp!
Nellie Rushton-Head Counselor
My name is Nellie Rushton and I am super pumped for another wonderful summer at Camp G.R.A.C.E. This will be my 3rd year at camp and I could not imagine summer without it. Camp G.R.A.C.E. has brought so much joy and happiness to my soul! I have been a counselor for 4 years at after school and track out, but Camp G.R.A.C.E. is my favorite place by far. I love working with children, being outside, and having fun. My number one goal is take make a smile come from every face at camp. I look forward to seeing you all this summer and camp could not be as awesome without you and your families.
Hannah Gore-Yellow Polka Dots Counselor
Hi! My name is Hannah Gore and I am from Cary NC. I am a student at Appalachian State University, studying music therapy. I love to play the piano, guitar, and sing. I plan to learn the ukulele this summer! I also enjoy the outdoors, and I love to run and hike. I am excited about this summer because it will be my first time working at Camp G.R.A.C.E. I cannot wait to see what is in store at camp this summer. My favorite color is purple, I am left handed, and I was born on April Fools Day!
Kara Sneed- Yellow Polka Dots Counselor
My name is Kara Sneed, and I graduated from Liberty University in May of this year. In the fall, I will begin my teaching career, teaching 2nd grade at Grace Christian School in Raleigh. My heart and passion is children. Every gift and talent the Lord has given has brought me to where I am and prepared me for the life ahead of ministering to and loving children of all ages. I love working with the children at Camp Grace, and I look forward to working with and loving the children in Uganda that I will work with in July, the second graders I will be teaching, the middle school and high school students I volunteer with at church, and any other children that will cross my path along this journey.
Jess Litz-Blue Stripes Counselor
My name is Jess Litz. I was born in NJ at the shore but grew up in Raleigh. I am a rising senior at Appalachian State University. I am majoring in special education and hope to eventually work in a high school setting. I love the mountains and I love to go hiking when I am not busy with school. I love to knit and hang out with my friends. My favorite animal is a chimpanzee and my dream is to be able to hold a chimp one day. I am very excited for camp this summer!!!
Brittany Tart-Blue Stripes Counselor
Hi! My name is Brittany Tart. This will be my third year working at Camp G.R.A.C.E. I have lived in Raleigh, North Carolina my entire life and will be attending UNC Chapel Hill in the fall. Music is a huge part of my life, and I can usually be found singing any random song that comes to mind. Camp G.R.A.C.E. has had such a big impact on my life. I absolutely loved making connections with all of the campers, and camp has been on my mind since school started. When people ask me if I'm excited for summer, I respond "yes," but not because there's no school. I am excited because I get to go back to the best job ever. And how many people can say that they are truly excited for work every morning? I love Camp G.R.A.C.E. with all my heart and I am super excited for it to start back up again!
Kelsey Weekman-Green Zig Zags Counselor
Hi! My name is Kelsey Weekman and I am a sophomore at UNC Chapel Hill studying Psychology and Journalism. I have a passion for children with special needs, and hope to make it my career (but I don't know in what field yet). Over the past year I have worked as an intern for the special needs ministry at my church. I love writing, sports, reading, crafts, and taking pictures. I has a quirky sense of humor, drive a giant truck, and is often mistaken as actress and singer Demi Lovato. I am very excited about my first summer at Camp G.R.A.C.E.
Meghan Hitchcock-Green Zig Zags Counselor
My name is Meghan Hitchcock, soon to be Meghan Richmond (I'm getting married in September) I am 25 years old I have been working for the YMCA for almost 9 years! I graduated from UNCG in 2011 with a degree in Recreation and Parks Management and a concentration in Therapeutic Recreation. I have one sister, and a miniature dachsund that I just love so much! I love singing and music and am obsessed with musicals and fairytales. I am extremely excited to be working at Camp Grace this summer and look forward to meeting everyone and sharing in so many great memories!
Blake Reed-Red Checkers Counselor
My name is Blake Reed. I have been working full time at the Y for about a year and four months and I’m excited for my first summer at Camp Grace! I am a 2010 graduate of East Carolina University where I received my degree in Recreation Management and Business. I enjoy sports, especially soccer, swimming, and anything that has to do with ECU. Go Pirates! I can not wait to get underway this summer and I’m looking forward to meeting many of you!
Georgia Greene-Red Checkers Counselor
Courtney Poland-Floating Counselor
Hello Camp G.R.A.C.E. I'm Courtney! I just finished my sophomore year at the University of North Carolina Wilmington and I absolutely love it there! I am majoring in Adapted Special Education and am also a North Carolina Teaching Fellow. I am extremely passionate about working with individuals with special needs, but I am also very passionate about performing. I enjoy singing in a church choir in Wilmington as well as performing in various theatrical productions both on campus and in the Wilmington community. I worked at Camp GRACE two summers ago and am so happy that I have the pleasure of working here again this summer!
Tyler Anderson-Floating Counselor
Hi! My Name is Tyler Anderson and I am from Raleigh, North Carolina. I am a rising junior at Washington and Lee University in Lexington, Virginia and plan to major in psychology. I hope to have a career working with children with special needs. In my free time I love to go to the beach and spend time with friends and family. I went to camp for 10 years where I made some of the best friends and memories of my life. I am so excited to give these kids a similar experience and ensure they have an amazing summer!