OUR STAFF
RUSS POLSGROVE
Executive Director
Although born and raised in Memphis, Russ 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 start 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 CLS.
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. Together, they have two children, Jude and Sollie, and they share a love of being outdoors and traveling! He also enjoys spending his free time hiking and photographing wildflowers.
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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.
LINDA FLEMING
Food Service Director
Linda is our food service director. She grew up in Memphis, TN, Jackson TN, and Paducah, KY. Both of her parents were Methodist Ministers. After graduating high school, she came to Ole Miss in 1988. After leaving Oxford for a few years, she came back in 1997 and never left! She and her husband had a bakery and catering company for 13 years. Shortly after they decided to close, Linda found a home working at CLS.
She is married to John Henry and they have 2 sons, Kaden and John Hayden, who both love camp! Linda is celebrating 10 years at CLS!
WES PARTON
Property Manager
Wes joined the CLS staff 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
Hospitality Director
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 CLS 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.
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.
LOGAN HUDSON
Communications Director
Logan grew up in Louisville, MS. He came to CLS as a camper. After graduating from high school, Logan attended the University of Mississippi in Oxford. During his time in college, Logan returned to CLS on summer staff, working as a Counselor and as Digital Media Coordinator. In May 2024, Logan graduated with a degree in Film Production and came back to CLS as an Intern. He recently took on a new role at CLS as the Communications Director, combining his love for camp with his skills in media. Now, as part of the year-round staff, he is excited to contribute to the next generation of campers and staff, continuing the legacy of a place that has meant so much to so many.
