Scouts BSA Summer Camp Directors
Summer Camp 2019 is roughly 100 days away and we are gearing up for another exciting summer camp! We are thrilled to welcome girls to our camps as new Scout BSA Troops have formed around the region. This year is shaping up to be outstanding, and we want to take a moment to introduce the dedicated leaders who will be guiding our summer camp operations at Berry and Lakota. Read below for more details:
Camp Lakota
Doug Speer will be returning for his 10th, and final, year as the Camp Director at Camp Lakota. Doug was active as a Scout from 1965-1972 in Van Wert, OH. He became re-engaged with Scouting in 1999 when he became an adult leader with Pack 35 in Van Wert. In 2001, he also became a leader with Troop 35, eventually serving as the Scoutmaster.
Doug has served at the District level as a District Commissioner, and at the Council level as a member of the Training Committee.
Outside of Scouting, Doug worked for the City of Van Wert Parks Department for 30 years, and now works part-time for St. Anthony of Padua Parish in Columbus Grove.
When he is not working, or Scouting, his interests include woodworking, the American Civil War, geocaching, hiking and backpacking, cooking, and sports (University of Michigan football, Detroit Red Wings and the Detroit Tigers).
Doug is married to his wife Tammy, and has four sons: Dan, Eric, Jon and Joshua (Buckey).
Help us congratulate Doug for his hard work at the helm of Camp Lakota, and thank him for his dedication over the last 10 summers! We are excited to send him off with an awesome summer at Camp Lakota! For more information about Camp Lakota, please click here.
Camp Berry
Alex Houck will be entering his first year as the Camp Director at Camp Berry. He started his Scouting journey last summer, when he came on board as the Shotgun Director at Camp Berry.
After summer camps ended, Alex decided that he enjoyed his experience so much, that he wanted to be more involved. He joined Troop 342 to learn more about, and dig deeper into, the world of Scouting.
Currently, Alex works as a full time teacher's aide at Millstream Career Center in Findlay, Ohio.
Outside of school hours, Alex can be found on the pitch or at the range as he coaches Findlay High School's JV-B/Freshman Boys' Soccer Team and the Findlay Clay Target Club, Findlay High School's trapshooting team. On the weekends, Alex travels as the Audio Technician and tour bus driver with the Morse Family Gospel Singers.
When asked about the upcoming summer, Alex said "I am looking forward to working with a great team this year, as we strive to give every Scout the absolute best experience we can at Camp Berry."
Help us welcome Alex to Camp Berry! We can't wait to see the new heights that Alex will take the Camp Berry program! For more information about Camp Berry, please click here.
Christopher Thacker will be entering his first year as the Program Director, and fifth year overall, at Camp Berry. Prior to becoming the Program Director, Chris has served Camp Berry as an instructor in the Tech area, the Dining Hall Steward, and two years as the Eagle Trail Director.
Chris is a 2012 graduate of Riverdale High School, and a 2018 graduate of The Ohio State University.
Chris earned his Eagle Scout rank with Troop 164 in Forest, Ohio.
Outside of Scouting, Chris has been involved with many youth programs, including Ohio and National 4-H, Buckeye Boys State, Junior Fair Board, and is a State 4-H Ambassador Emeritus.
Currently, Chris is a substitute teacher, and is the Youth Director for Mt. Blanchard United Methodist Church, where he is also a member.
His hobbies and interests include history, theatre, and reading any book he can get his hands on.
Chris' advice to Scouts: "The path to Eagle Scout is difficult, but well worth the journey. Being an Eagle Scout has given me many opportunities and opened many doors. My Eagle Scout award once gave me the opportunity to enter George Washington's Tomb. Just imagine where it can lead you."
Help us welcome Chris to the role of Program Director! For more information about Camp Berry, please click here.
