We love sharing a variety of perspectives from our Mini-Yo-We community on the blog! This week’s post comes from Adam Truax, our new Leadership Pathway Director. Adam oversees our summer programs and our seasonal director team that work directly with campers and staff in the summer months.
As I step into my role at Camp Mini-Yo-We, I’m grateful for the opportunity to meet and learn from the incredible team of directors who will lead our summer camp programs in 2025. Over the past few weeks, I’ve had the privilege of sitting down with many of them, listening to their vision, their passion, and their heart for the campers and staff they will serve. I still have some meetings coming up with the rest but from what I’m seeing so far I’m very encouraged!
What has stood out to me in these conversations is the deep commitment each director has—not just to run excellent programs but to shape young lives. They see their role as more than just organizing activities; they are here to mentor, disciple, and equip the next generation of leaders. Their experience, wisdom, and love for Mini-Yo-We are truly inspiring.
One of the most exciting aspects of our 2025 structure is the way we’ve built our teams. Each program area will be led by two directors, working together to bring fresh energy and strong leadership to their campers and staff. This collaborative approach is already fostering creativity, teamwork, and a shared vision for what Camp can be.
I recently met Hunter Birch and Avery Malloch for Leader in Training (LIT) interviews at Spring Garden Church. Their ability to make the new LITs comfortable, engage them in meaningful ways, and run a smooth event was top-notch! Hunter has a very thoughtful approach, and we will all benefit from his intentionality and experience with Sanctus Church. Likewise, Avery has a deep wealth of experience and knowledge.
I also had the pleasure of meeting Avery McFarlane (Girls Camp) at the Our Kids Expo. She worked the crowd confidently and helped me every time there was a question I didn’t know the answer to. Her ability to connect with people is invaluable to our team. It was clear to me that she loves Camp.
Levi Prost (Boys Camp) and Sam Armstrong (Junior Camp) bring such excitement for their roles and a deep desire to make things better for the next generation. Their energy is contagious, and I can’t wait to see the impact they will have on our campers and staff.
Josh Boyachek (Boys Camp) is doing beautiful work in a church revitalization internship, and we will all benefit from what he is bringing to the table. His insights and heart for ministry will undoubtedly shape Mini-Yo-We in meaningful ways.
Josh Reimer has been a pleasure to work with. He has a joyful spirit that shines through as he shares stories about his past experiences with Camp and his friends. He is thoughtfully crafting the Enterprise program curriculum, and there is some powerful material coming this year. He also had to make some hard decisions and showed a beautiful willingness to sacrifice for the Kingdom. This is the very heart of a leader and if Enterprise can multiply a sacrificial heart then we can see some serious victories on the horizon.
Jamiee van Staalduinen is the other half of our Enterprise director team. Her skills as a future teacher will amplify what is being created here to bring it to the next level. She also has the advantage of liking the same snacks as I do, creating an excuse for me to always have salt and vinegar chips on hand.
Eric Stiff (Activities & Instructions) has a smile that will lift your spirits and a Google Meets background that will make even the most stoic of us jealous. He is tirelessly reviewing all of our water standards and his work ethic is exactly what we desire to see in our young leaders.
I’ve also been encouraged by the conversations around our leadership pathway. Our directors aren’t just thinking about this summer—they’re thinking about how they can invest in young leaders who will go on to serve in future summers, in their communities, and beyond. Mini-Yo-We has always been a place where young people grow into leaders, and I love seeing that mission continue to drive everything we do.
With each conversation, my excitement for Summer 2025 grows. The directors bring a wealth of experience, a heart for discipleship, and a vision for fun, meaningful, and Christ-centered experiences. I have some more introductions coming up this week and I’m sure they won’t fail to impress. I can’t wait to see how God will use them—and all of us—to create an unforgettable summer for our campers.
If you’re as excited as I am, I encourage you to be praying for our directors as they prepare for the months ahead. And if you’ve been thinking about joining us this summer, whether as a camper or a staff member, I can confidently say: you’re in for something special.
See you at Camp!