Nicholas Patton, Executive Director
Nicholas grew up in Black Mountain, NC and spent most of his childhood outdoors hiking, biking and exploring God’s creation. He earned his Bachelors of Science in Outdoor Education and Outdoor Ministries at Montreat College. His wife Sarah and himself love raising their children, Emrie and Wilder, in the camp environment. His passion is to create opportunities for campers and staff to experience personal growth through safe, fun, magical, and educational experiences. Nicholas has been working in the camping industry since 2009 and started his YMCA career in 2016 at YMCA Camp Greenville where he quickly fell in love with the YMCA community. Nicholas joined the team at YMCA Camp Hanes in January 2025 and looks forward to fostering meaningful relationships with guests, families, campers, and staff. "My goal is to continue to build upon the history and traditions of YMCA Camp Hanes and grow its capacity to serve more visitors for many years to come."
Email: n.patton@ymcanwnc.org
Amelia Johnson, Operations Director
Originally from Michigan, growing up on a farm and helping her mother with gardening she now tries her best to create her own green space while summer camp occurs. She started her camp experience as a camper at a tiny church camp and loved it so much she decided to create a life out of it. Working seasonally at various camps from 2009 through 2014 both in Michigan and Ohio before landing here at YMCA Camp Hanes. She started working at Camp Hanes in the beginning of 2015 and each summer continues to create fun challenges and beautiful memories. Email: amelia.johnson@ymcanwnc.org
Reagan Barrett, Program Director for Overnight and Family Programs
Originally from McGrady, North Carolina, Reagan spent her childhood exploring the Blue Ridge Mountains and celebrating Appalachian culture. She made her way to YMCA Camp Hanes after graduating from Brevard College in 2023 with her Bachelor of Arts in History and Experiential Education. After working seasonally over the course of a year, Reagan joined the full time team in the Fall of 2024 as Program Director of Overnight and Adventure Camp. Reagan enjoys the community and unity that camp offers for both visitors and staff alike. Outside of camp, Reagan can be found with her husband, Adam, or continuing her education at Wake Forest Law. Email: r.lane@ymcanwnc.org
Riley Crisp, Program Director of Day Camp and Outdoor Education
Joining the team in 2023, Riley comes to YMCA Camp Hanes from Pittsboro, North Carolina. She first discovered her love for camp as a day camper at age 10, and that experience sparked something that has stayed with her ever since. Over the years, camp has continued to shape who she is, and she is passionate about creating that same sense of belonging and excitement for those that come through the lakes.
Riley loves camp because it allows everyone to be their ultimate true self, and she loves meeting people, hearing their stories and helping campers grow in confidence through new experiences and challenges that camp provides.
Outside of camp life, Riley can be found baking yummy treats, sticking her nose in a good book, listening to music, and sipping an oat milk chai latte. She also has a spunky cat named Oliver who also resides at Camp with her. Email: r.crisp@ymcanwnc.org
Lisa Wiley, Office Manager
Lisa Wiley came to the King area in 2005 when Reynolds Tobacco Company merged with Brown and Williams Tobacco Company out of Macon, Georgia. She began her YMCA experience in 2012 at the Stokes Family YMCA in membership part time. She loved the YMCA so much that in 2015 she became full-time and started teaching group exercise class Zumba Gold from 2016 to 2025. Lisa advanced her experience with the YMCA by accepting the Office Manager position at YMCA Camp Hanes in 2024. Lisa enjoys spending time with her family and especially her grandbaby. Email: l.wiley@ymcanwnc.org
Blake Drenin, Conference and Program Director
Originally from Sewanee, Tennessee, Blake’s love of summer camp originally formed in Cedar Mountain, North Carolina. Blake spent 15 consecutive years as a camper and staff at Green River Preserve. He served as a summer camp counselor, arts instructor, expedition leader, and a program mentor for GRP’s School of Environmental Education program. From his time there, the desire for camp to extend beyond a single season every year and eventually become a full-time career. Blake firmly believes a quality summer camp program can give both children and adults the tools necessary to craft a stronger sense of self and purpose. Blake's hope is that he can utilize the professional skills he has acquired throughout his time in the camp industry to meaningfully guide and empower both the campers and staff of YMCA Camp Hanes in all they do. Blake joined the team in May of 2026.
Robert Money, Food Service Director
Robert spent nearly two decades in the corporate world before discovering an unexpected calling in 2013 as Food Service Director at YMCA Camp Hanes. Inspired by childhood memories of watching his mother and grandmother in the kitchen, he channeled that lifelong love of cooking into a role that now produces more than 120,000 meals per year — fueling campers through Outdoor Education Programs and the busy summer season.
A local at heart, Robert and his wife Julie raised their four children — Austin, Elizabeth, Jackson, and Saleen — in the community they call home, and today they cherish time with their eight grandchildren. His dedication to that community runs deep, particularly when it comes to young people and athletics. Since 2005, Robert has served as an assistant fastpitch softball coach at West Stokes High School, and on winter nights you'll find him courtside — keeping the clock and lending his voice to varsity basketball games. Email: r.money@ymcanwnc.org
Seth Freeman, Property Director
Seth was born and raised in North Carolina. He has a wife and two beautiful daughters who also call North Carolina home. He is a North Stokes High School graduate and enjoys hunting fishing and spending time with his family and his dogs. He has been with YMCA Camp Hanes since 2016 as a part of the property team, and has been director since 2017. You can always find him with a kind smile and you can call him when there's a snake around. Email: seth.freeman@ymcanwnc.org
Beth Newsome, Head Housekeeper
Beth works in our housekeeping department. She has been a member of the YMCA Camp Hanes team for many years. She looks forward to serving our guests and making sure things are clean and in order upon their arrival. If you need anything during your stay at camp, please stop her, she is always willing to help out anyway she can.
Justin Cherry, Assistant Housekeeper
Justin is a graduate of North Stokes High School Class of 2011, where he was a three sport athlete. Justin's interests include football, science, history and movies. Justin's hobbies include collecting Pokemon Cards and vinyl records, and playing video games. Justin has been at YMCA Camp for Hanes 4 years, starting part-time before becoming a full-time house keeper and rifle instructor.