The Camp Areté staff want to see each individual camper grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Get to know our staff members!
- Jeff Phipps – Camp Director
Camp Areté is also made possible by counselors and support staff working behind the scenes to facilitate a fun, fellowship-filled session each year. These include:
- Loring Boyden – Assistant Director/Chief of Staff
- Susan LaCombe – Registrar
- John Williamson – Head Men’s Counselor
- Debbie Szczerbiak – Safety and Medical Director
All counselors (and some other staff members) participate in counselor training sessions led by the pastoral staff ahead of each summer session. In addition, all counselors and staff must agree to Camp Areté’s statement of faith and pass a thorough background check each year. Most staff members also take voluntary training in CPR and first aid to ensure the health and safety of campers.
Jeff Phipps – Camp Director
Jeff has served the Body of Christ in several Christian ministries before joining Camp Areté as Camp Director. In addition to serving as Vice President of Bible Framework Ministries since 2008, he served as Vice President of the Camp Areté board of directors and was appointed the president in 2014. Jeff is a founding member of West Houston Bible Church, pastored by Dr. Robert Dean. Jeff has shared his love for the mountains in backpacking trips and many mountain adventures with young adults, pastors, and Christian laymen over the years.
Following four years of active duty in the U.S. Army, 9th Cavalry “Dark Horse” Regiment, Jeff joined United Airlines (formerly Continental), where he has been blessed with a wonderful career in aviation.
In his spare time, he likes snow skiing, mountain biking, shooting, reading, cooking, and socializing with like-minded friends. Perhaps his favorite activity, apart from camp, is his bi-annual trips to Natal, Brazil to serve the Body of Christ there. Jeff’s favorite part of Camp Areté is connecting the next generation with the transformative power of God’s Word!
