Nestled on 600 woodland acres in Northwest Pennsylvania, Wesley Woods is a United Methodist camp and conference center offering summer camp and year round programming for children and adults. Founded in 1951, Wesley Woods is a place where children and adults can come to escape everyday life and grow in faith and spirit, regardless of generation or denomination.
A place of hospitality and Christian retreat for all of God’s children to experience the mercy and grace of their Creator.
We would like to thank Emily Reed for the time that she has served as our Interim Executive Director for the last 3 years. However, as we shared this Spring, we began the search for a new full time Executive Director which will allow us to continue to grow our camping and retreat programs throughout the year. God has guided that process and we have found a director that has the skills and abilities that we have been looking for.
We are excited to introduce to you, Joe Illig. Joe will transition here at the beginning of September. Don't worry, you will still have the same great hospitality you have seen over the last few years and Joe will have some great new ideas that he brings to the table and he will have support as he learns more about Wesley Woods.
A little background on Joe. Joe studied business at La Roche University in Pittsburgh. Sensing a call to ministry, he received a seminary degree from Columbia International University in Columbia, SC. During his studies, he helped launch their business school and community resource center.
Before coming to Wesley Woods, Joe worked as a program director at a summer camp. He led the residential and adventure programs by setting spiritual direction for campers and staff. After that- he spent time in sales roles in the software and technology industries.
When he’s not at work- you can find him on a hike with his wife, Allison, on the golf course, or buried in a book.
Joe studied business at La Roche University in Pittsburgh. Sensing a call to ministry, he received a seminary degree from Columbia International University in Columbia, SC. During his studies, he helped launch their business school and community resource center.
Before coming to Wesley Woods, Joe worked as a program director at a summer camp. He led the residential and adventure programs by setting spiritual direction for campers and staff. After that- he spent time in sales roles in the software and technology industries.
When he’s not at work- you can find him on a hike with his wife, Allison, on the golf course, or buried in a book.
Scott came to Wesley Woods in June of 2016 with Wanda. Native to the Warren, PA area, Scott and Wanda returned after a stint in the US Navy Seabees. Scott has worked in the timber industry, as a contractor, and in the oil field. Wanda prayed for a ministry position for Scott, and God closed a door and opened the one that led them to Wesley Woods.
Deven has returned on summer staff for 2022 and transitioned to year round in August of 2022. Deven has been involved with Wesley Woods for most of his life and has been part of the summer staff over multiple years. His favorite memory was as a camper the staff used to do skits in the dining hall becuase you never knew what to expect. Deven enjoys the atmosphere of Wesley Woods and that the chapel makes him feel welcome and like he is back home.
Samantha has been involved with Wesley Woods since she was 6 years old and first attended as a Mini Camper. The impact of counselors and staff led her first to Jesus, then to serve on staff herself, then to Asbury University for college, and finally into the ministry. She is grateful for the chance to make return on the many years of support and growth she experienced at Wesley Woods by now serving on the Board of Directors and as a co-dean for the Best of Summer Sampler. She looks forward to many more summers in the woods, and to adding to the collection of camp name tags that rattle happily every time she open the door to her church office.
I became pastor at the Grand Valley Charge in 1982. Since the full-time staff were affiliated with the churches I served I got involved with Wesley Woods and began to serve as a dean at an elementary camp. Then as a spot opened up lead a Swim camp. Then I also helped with canoe camps. Bruce has been on and off the board at various times since 1984. He enjoys helping give the camp leadership. One of his most precious memories was always to see returning campers as the grow in their faith and the worship times around the campfire.
My name is Matthew Judd. I’ve been involved with Wesley Woods for the past fifteen years and on the Board for ten years (over two different terms). I enjoy helping to bring the vision of the camp to life in my service on the Board.
My favorite memories have been participating in summer camp with my daughters and watching them grow in their love for Jesus through the camping experience. This spiritual growth is one of the main reasons that I encourage parents to send their child to camp, as what we do here is an affirmation of what parents are teaching at home about following Jesus. The power of the Gospel is truly amplified in the summer camp setting where distractions are at a minimum and children are much more open to hearing God speak to them.
Angie has been involved with camp since she was 6 years old and has been on the board since July 2020. She enjoys coming together with other people who share her passion for Wesley Woods and being involved in the decision-making process to further our mission of connecting people to Jesus. Some of her favorite memories at camp have been at the Point having devotionals or spending the night sleeping under the stars. I volunteer for a week in the summer as a counselor and worship leader for Best of Summer Sampler Camp. I go to camp randomly throughout the year to help in any way I can and I lead worship for the Easter Sunrise Service. My involvement with Wesley Woods has changed my life - it has been a place where strong relationships with other people were formed and my relationship with God has strengthened.
Emily spent the last 3 years serving as the Interim Executive Director and with the hiring of a full time executive director she is returning to the board. Her husband Bradley and son Zachary support her commitment to serving Wesley Woods throughout the year. She was been involved with Wesley Woods as a camper, staff member, volunteer, dean and board member over the last 30 years. Emily loves the ministry of Wesley Woods and helping both campers and adults build a relationship with Christ when they are here at Wesley Woods. One of her favorite parts of camp is the amount of stars that can be seen and enjoying fellowship around the campfire.
