ECC Camps Staff
Matt Wooden | Camp Director
Matt has worked on the children's ministry staff at Evangelical Community Church in Bloomington for the past ten years. He is wrapping up work on his masters in Christan Studies from Trinity and his masters in Education from IU. This is his eleventh year at camp and it his favorite time of year! Matt and his wife Leah have been married since 2002 and have three children: Ellie, Benny, and Rowan. When he's not directing camps, Matt likes to be reading, writing, and eating.
Doug Varella | Camp Director
Doug has been on the youth ministry staff at ECC for seven years. He is a jack of all trades -- everything from an entrepreneurial lawn care professional to remodeler to surfer. You name it, Doug's tried it! Doug and his wife Kristin have been married for four years. While Doug originally hails from Florida, his heart and soul belong at camp in Springville, Indiana! (I should mention that Matt is writing this bio.) Doug oversees our incredible counseling staff at Preo and Olivet and serves as director for our contingent of campers at YFCamp.
Rick Maxson | Camp Speaker
Rick is by day a tenured professor of Speech & Communication at Drury University in Springfield, MO. He has been with us at camp longer than anyone -- going on twenty summers! Rick has staffed and spoken at many camps over the years, but he'll tell you (with only gentle pressuring) that we're his favorite. Rick has authored many of our camp songs, including icons such as "Love It When We Camp at Olivet" and "Preo Bus Come." Be prepared -- your campers won't stop singing them for weeks! Rick's three children (David, Stan, and Natalie) are also camp fixtures.
Lizzie Plant | Assistant Camp Director
Lizzie recently completed her masters in Arts Administration and has joined the staff of ECC as well as the Boys & Girls Club of Ellettsville. She and her husband David are the proud owners (parents?) of Miss Bingo (pictured). Lizzie is entering her second year with us at camp after working with fifth and sixth grade girls in the church community for the past five. Lizzie has been extraordinarily active in the Bloomington community, working with the celebrated Lotus Festival and Buskirk-Chumley Theatre. We are yet to see her turn down a task!
Rob Girvin | Assistant Camp Director
Rob recently completed his undergrad work (read: began his graduate work) and joined the ECC youth ministry staff. He is an avid musician and led worship for college students for several years. Rob is entering his second year with us at camp and will be working directly with our counselor and junior counselor staff. According to his Facebook page, Rob is a fan of Jesus, road trips, beaches, and fire. Minus the beaches, sounds like a perfect fit for our staff!
David Maxson | Assistant Camp Director
Being the son of legendary camp speaker Rick Maxson has not gone to the head of this impressive youth. After completing his undergrad degree in Communications, he has performed charity work in New Orleans for the past year and is currently considering multiple graduate programs (*coughIUcough*). When he's not with us at camp, David dresses up like a British chef, leads confused five year olds in parachute games, and polishes his contraband potato cannon. Wait, that's what he does at camp. Outside of camp, we hear he's a great guy, though.
Stan Maxson | Assistant Camp Director
Having been with us at camp since his infancy, the well-travelled Stan Maxson is all growed-up and a full-fledged camp staffer. Once a troubled young camper under the tutelage of an expert counselor (see first bio), Stan has gotten his act together, putting the bow on his undergrad work. Now that he's out in the real world, we hope he'll be with us for many years to come! In his spare time, Stan has become an accomplished ukelelist (no lie), philosophy buff (he seems to know what he's talking about), and character actor.