CAMP LAKE STEPHENS
Our Staff
RUSS POLSGROVE
Executive Director
Russ grew up in Memphis, but has spent most of his life in Mississippi. He's been involved at CLS as a camper, counselor, chaplain, retreat speaker, camp parent, and is now our Executive Director. He even married his wife at CLS. He and Anna have four children(Lucy, Rivers, Grace, and Zuri). Before joining our staff in the spring of 2022, Russ worked in youth ministry at various churches and helped plant a multicultural, bilingual church in Tupelo, MS. Russ has a passion for people to experience spiritual growth, especially in camp settings, and looks forward to what's next at CLS!
JEFF WILSON
Director of Operations
Jeff grew up in Tupelo, MS. After graduating high school, he went to the University of Alabama – Huntsville to study Biology and Earth System Sciences. His love for camping ministry began after his freshman year in college as a counselor at Camp Lake Stephens. Four years later, after graduating from UAH, and fulfilling numerous roles as a summer staff member, he made the commitment to go into Camping Ministry full time.
In October 2017, Jeff was married to the love of his life Emily. They share a love of being outdoors and traveling. In 2022, they welcomed their son Jude Wilson into the world! He also enjoys spending his free time hiking and photographing wildflowers.
TRIPPE HOWELL
Program Director
Trippe grew up in Tupelo, MS. He came to CLS as a camper and worked on summer staff for three years. After high school, he earned both his undergraduate and graduate degrees in special education from Mississippi State University. Before joining the CLS staff full-time, he taught special education in Starkville and Lewisburg. In June 2023, Trippe married his best friend, Rees. Together, they enjoy attending concerts, going for walks, and trying tasty food. In his free time, Trippe also likes painting and playing board games. He is excited to be part of the CLS team and to work directly with the college-aged staff. Trippe feels honored to have a front-row seat to all that God is continuing to do through CLS.
KAYLA MARTIN
Camp & Retreat Registrar
Kayla grew up in Vicksburg, MS. After graduating from Warren central high school, she worked as a counselor at Warner Tully YMCA Camp. Kayla then graduated from Hinds community college in 2019 and moved to Oxford and to attend Ole Miss. In 2021, Kayla began her time at CLS as a Counselor and has also served on Summer Staff as the Health Care Coordinator, Day Camp Coordinator, Office Assistant, and Intern. During the summer of 2024 Kayla worked at YMCA Camp Widjiwagan in Nashville, TN, as the Operations Assistant. She is married to Hunter Martin, who she met at CLS. Together, they have a cat named Cadence. Kayla is excited about working with the community and parents in this new role.
WES PARTIN
Property Manager
Wesley “Wes” Partin joined the Camp Lake Stephens staff as Property Manager in early September 2018. A native of West Point, MS, Wes has lived in Tupelo for nearly 30 years. Prior to working with CLS, Wes spent 15 years with Northeast Mississippi Habitat for Humanity as Construction Manager. He and his wife, Kristen, have 6 children between them and 2 amazing grandchildren! Wes loves being outdoors and doesn’t mind getting muddy! Working at CLS fulfills his long-time dream of working with a Christian camp and allows him the opportunity to use his God given talents to serve
ANNA POLSGROVE
Director of Hospitality
Originally from New Albany, MS, Anna Polsgrove has spent most of her life using her Masters Degree in Education to work with kids and teenagers in numerous roles. She's been a camp counselor, teacher, and foster care education director. She spent her first week at Camp Lake Stephens as an 8 year old camper, and has kept coming back ever since. A former summer staffer and board member, Anna and her husband Russ(our Executive Director) have four kids. She loves hosting people and making campers feel at home so they can experience the goodness of God.
LINDA FLEMMING
Food Service Director
Linda Fleming has been serving as our Food Service Director since the spring of 2017, but she has been on the CLS staff ever since she closed her bakery back in 2014. She is married to John Henry, and they have two dogs – Lucy and Banks. Having grown up with two parents who were Methodist ministers, Linda feels right at home at Camp Lake Stephens!