MEET OUR TEAM!
Rich Swartwood – Executive Director
Rich became a part of the Camp Lake Stephens team in January of 2018, and we are grateful for his leadership! With over 26 years of camping ministry experience in Indiana, Minnesota, and now Mississippi, Rich has demonstrated leadership skills in the areas of fund development, staff management, innovative programming, and expanding access for diverse audiences. His family consists of his amazing wife Caroline as well as his three lovely children – Ryan, Caitlyn, and Eric. Rich’s hobbies include biking, woodworking (turning and small work), being with family, and reading. rich@camplakestephens.com
Jeff Wilson – Assistant Director
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. He also enjoys spending his free time hiking and working in his garden. He looks forward to helping CLS continue to be a leader in camping ministry and transform lives in God’s woods and waters!
Email jeff@camplakestephens.com
Sally McLellan – Office Manager & Registrar
Sally joined the staff at Camp Lake Stephens in 2013. A graduate of Millsaps College, she also studied at Mississippi University for Women and the University of Mississippi, and after her children grew up, she joined AmeriCorps and served as a community service coordinator at Salish-Kootenai College in northwest Montana. Sally is the parent of three remarkable children and grandparent of three super remarkable grandsons. She loves books, rocks, the outdoors, traveling, British dramas, and campers and camp counselors. Email: sally@camplakestephens.com
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.
Linda Fleming – 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!
Evan Wesson – Creative Director
Evan first encountered Camp Lake Stephens as a counselor during the summer of 2014. After six summers at camp, he accepted a year-round role as Creative Director, where he now handles camp’s photography, videography, and social media! Evan holds a degree in Communications from the University of Southern Mississippi and claims Ocean Springs, MS as his hometown. He enjoys making people laugh, watching Marvel movies, and listening to a good guitar riff!
Program Specialists
We have four incredibly talented individuals who are spending nine-months at CLS while exploring their calling to ministry – in whatever form that may be.
Top to bottom, L to R:
Dillon Harrison – Houston, MS (graduate of Mississippi State)
Anthony McClee – Grenada, MS (graduate of Delta State)
Bryson Sheffield – Tupelo, MS (graduate of Ole Miss)
Emily Thompson – Southhaven, MS – (graduate of Delta State)
Email: program@camplakestephens.com
Mission Statement
Camp Lake Stephens, a United Methodist Camp and Retreat Center, is committed to being a place where children, youth, and adults can encounter God and respond in faith to God’s call to transform the world.