Hannah Jarrett accepts call to serve as Camp Bethel Director
Hannah Jarrett is the new Director at Camp Bethel in Fincastle, Virginia
The Outdoor Ministries Committee and the Virlina District Board – Church of the Brethren has called Hannah Jarrett to serve as the next Director at Camp Bethel in Fincastle, Virginia. Hannah will begin on June 5, and she will overlap through July 31 with Barry LeNoir who is stepping down after 21 years as the Camp Director.
Hannah has been a Camp Bethel camper and member of the Church of the Brethren since childhood. She worked several years at Camp Bethel as a Counselor-in-Training, Senior Counselor, Summer Program Coordinator, and year-round Administrative Assistant. She has served on the Virlina District Board for the last five years, most recently as Chair. She holds a Master of Social Work degree from Radford University, and she worked at Total Action for Progress (Roanoke, VA) from 2017 to 2023. Hannah and her husband, Jason, live in Roanoke, Virginia.
Hannah writes, “Camp Bethel holds a special place in my heart. So many important parts of my life have happened at Camp: my summer camping days as a child; my first encounter with Jesus; the start of many lifelong friendships; my wedding. I am excited to add this position to that list. Leadership looks a lot like loving people. It will be an honor to love and serve as the Camp Director.”
All are invited on Sunday, May 28 at 5:30pm in Camp Bethel’s Shelter-by-the-Spring for a pot-luck dinner and an informal time to meet Hannah Jarrett (Camp Director) and Becca Duncan (Food Services Coordinator).
Hannah has been a Camp Bethel camper and member of the Church of the Brethren since childhood. She worked several years at Camp Bethel as a Counselor-in-Training, Senior Counselor, Summer Program Coordinator, and year-round Administrative Assistant. She has served on the Virlina District Board for the last five years, most recently as Chair. She holds a Master of Social Work degree from Radford University, and she worked at Total Action for Progress (Roanoke, VA) from 2017 to 2023. Hannah and her husband, Jason, live in Roanoke, Virginia.
Hannah writes, “Camp Bethel holds a special place in my heart. So many important parts of my life have happened at Camp: my summer camping days as a child; my first encounter with Jesus; the start of many lifelong friendships; my wedding. I am excited to add this position to that list. Leadership looks a lot like loving people. It will be an honor to love and serve as the Camp Director.”
All are invited on Sunday, May 28 at 5:30pm in Camp Bethel’s Shelter-by-the-Spring for a pot-luck dinner and an informal time to meet Hannah Jarrett (Camp Director) and Becca Duncan (Food Services Coordinator).
Barry LeNoir will "retire" from Camp Bethel on June 30, 2023
CAMP DIRECTOR, BARRY LENOIR, TO "RETIRE" JUNE 30, 2023:
The Outdoor Ministries Committee of the Virlina District Board announces that Barry LeNoir will depart his role on June 30, 2023. He began his service on August 19, 2002.
Barry writes, “After 38 years of camp staff experience including 21 years at Camp Bethel, I am ready to hand over responsibilities to the next Camp Director. I have loved all of it, our Camp Bethel. I especially treasure the relationships with coworkers, summer staff, campers and families, congregations, committees, volunteers, guest groups, business partners, and peers in camping in Virginia and across the country.”
Barry’s tenure saw 112% growth in camp attendance, and expansion of the Summer Camps beyond Resident and Day Camps to Adventures, Trips, and Skills Camps. He advocated a “Small Group Camping” relationship-based philosophy of camp ministry. Over 20 summers, he trained and mentored over 500 Summer Staff to be Experiential Christian Educators with equal focus on group dynamics (F-N-S-P-R), child development, and activity leadership.
Barry encouraged ecumenism and collaborative partnerships, notably with the River Adventure Program, Carilion Camp Too Sweet, and the Presbytery of the Peaks. He was an organizer and workshop leader at the annual Virginia Ecumenical Camp and Retreat Leaders’ Gathering. He served on the Church of the Brethren’s Outdoor Ministries Association (OMA) Steering Committee from 2004-2010, and he received the OMA Camp Staff Award in 2011. He served on the American Camp Association (ACA) Virginias Local Council of Leaders from 2005-2017, and he is an ACA Accreditation Visitor. He was a presenter at the United Methodist Camp and Retreat Ministry (UMCRM) National Gathering in 2013 and 2023.
Barry taught and coached at William Byrd Middle/High in Roanoke County Schools (1992-2002) and served on Summer Staff at Camp Alta Mons (VA), YMCA Camp St. Croix (WI), and Camp Occohannock on the Bay (VA). Barry and Angie, and adult sons Zander and Cyrus will relocate to their family farm in Floyd, VA.
Barry writes, “Camp Bethel is ‘sacred ground’ because of the relationships with PEOPLE, not just the site and facilities. We’ve experienced tremendous growth and success these past 20 years, and we’ve expanded the reach of our ministry by following a ‘Program First’ philosophy. I will remain available to help the next Director, and I hope to volunteer as much as possible in the life of the camp, including the 100th anniversary events in 2027. I am excited for God’s continued work through you at Camp Bethel, and I am very grateful for being allowed to serve with you and our excellent staff.”
The Virlina District Board and the Outdoor Ministries Committee established a Search Committee who screened and interviewed candidates. Hannah Jarrett has accepted the call to serve as our new Camp Director (see article and video above). She will begin on June 5, and she will overlap with Barry through June 30.
Join us on Friday, June 9, 2023 at 6:30pm for a reception celebrating Barry's 21 years of service at Camp Bethel. This will be a casual pot-luck dinner (please bring a hearty and plentiful dish to share), in the Camp Bethel Gym at 6:30pm. Overnight lodging is available. Contact CampBethelOffice@gmail.com for options and prices.
To contribute toward a special gift for Barry, send checks payable to: VIRLINA DISTRICT, 3402 PLANTATION ROAD NE, ROANOKE, VA 24012, memo "Barry LeNoir gift."
The Outdoor Ministries Committee of the Virlina District Board announces that Barry LeNoir will depart his role on June 30, 2023. He began his service on August 19, 2002.
Barry writes, “After 38 years of camp staff experience including 21 years at Camp Bethel, I am ready to hand over responsibilities to the next Camp Director. I have loved all of it, our Camp Bethel. I especially treasure the relationships with coworkers, summer staff, campers and families, congregations, committees, volunteers, guest groups, business partners, and peers in camping in Virginia and across the country.”
Barry’s tenure saw 112% growth in camp attendance, and expansion of the Summer Camps beyond Resident and Day Camps to Adventures, Trips, and Skills Camps. He advocated a “Small Group Camping” relationship-based philosophy of camp ministry. Over 20 summers, he trained and mentored over 500 Summer Staff to be Experiential Christian Educators with equal focus on group dynamics (F-N-S-P-R), child development, and activity leadership.
Barry encouraged ecumenism and collaborative partnerships, notably with the River Adventure Program, Carilion Camp Too Sweet, and the Presbytery of the Peaks. He was an organizer and workshop leader at the annual Virginia Ecumenical Camp and Retreat Leaders’ Gathering. He served on the Church of the Brethren’s Outdoor Ministries Association (OMA) Steering Committee from 2004-2010, and he received the OMA Camp Staff Award in 2011. He served on the American Camp Association (ACA) Virginias Local Council of Leaders from 2005-2017, and he is an ACA Accreditation Visitor. He was a presenter at the United Methodist Camp and Retreat Ministry (UMCRM) National Gathering in 2013 and 2023.
Barry taught and coached at William Byrd Middle/High in Roanoke County Schools (1992-2002) and served on Summer Staff at Camp Alta Mons (VA), YMCA Camp St. Croix (WI), and Camp Occohannock on the Bay (VA). Barry and Angie, and adult sons Zander and Cyrus will relocate to their family farm in Floyd, VA.
Barry writes, “Camp Bethel is ‘sacred ground’ because of the relationships with PEOPLE, not just the site and facilities. We’ve experienced tremendous growth and success these past 20 years, and we’ve expanded the reach of our ministry by following a ‘Program First’ philosophy. I will remain available to help the next Director, and I hope to volunteer as much as possible in the life of the camp, including the 100th anniversary events in 2027. I am excited for God’s continued work through you at Camp Bethel, and I am very grateful for being allowed to serve with you and our excellent staff.”
The Virlina District Board and the Outdoor Ministries Committee established a Search Committee who screened and interviewed candidates. Hannah Jarrett has accepted the call to serve as our new Camp Director (see article and video above). She will begin on June 5, and she will overlap with Barry through June 30.
Join us on Friday, June 9, 2023 at 6:30pm for a reception celebrating Barry's 21 years of service at Camp Bethel. This will be a casual pot-luck dinner (please bring a hearty and plentiful dish to share), in the Camp Bethel Gym at 6:30pm. Overnight lodging is available. Contact CampBethelOffice@gmail.com for options and prices.
To contribute toward a special gift for Barry, send checks payable to: VIRLINA DISTRICT, 3402 PLANTATION ROAD NE, ROANOKE, VA 24012, memo "Barry LeNoir gift."
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