Alumni Stories

Outdoor and Adventure Leadership Alumni

Hear how our Outdoor and Adventure Leadership alumni are continuing to serve Christ and His Kingdom through ministries in church, college and camp settings.

Judith Dixon M.A. '13

Managing Director, New Generation Ministries
Kingston, Jamaica

"Wheaton has given me the tools and skills I need to design Biblically-sound, holistic programs that facilitate spiritual growth in others. Wheaton has also deepened my understanding of what is needed to effectively lead a parachurch organization towards God’s purposes. Yet even more valuable for me, was the emphasis placed on my personal formation so that even as I lead - Christ can remain first in my heart."

Kerma Yotter M.A. '05

Camp Manager, Lake Springfield Christian Assembly
Chatham, IL

"One of the most important things I learned during my time at HoneyRock is why we do what we do.  Why camp ministry “works”.  Its so much more than games, activities and charismatic personalities… it is all about the relationships and the place that is “other” that allows campers and guests to encounter their creator."

Jim Klingbiel M.A. '08

Challenge Course Director and Facilities Manager; Great Oaks Camp
Lacon, IL

"The Graduate program not only gave me the hard skills it takes to be ready for camp ministry, it also allowed me to get the principles and theories to apply in my specific situation...My Wheaton experience allowed me to develop habits of hospitality and solidarity in my everyday life."

Dan M.A. '13 and Liz Powell M.A. '13

"Our personal leadership styles have developed as a result of Wheaton's focus on study with practice. The ongoing interaction with professors and campers has deepened the integration of the gospel into own lives and shown us more of God's heart for missions."

Nate Hausman M.A. '02

Director of Adirondack Programs, Gordon College La Vida Center for Outdoor Education and Leadership
Wenham, MA/Lake Clear, NY; 

"My 12 months spent at Honey Rock was fantastic. Studying Outdoor Education, a program that was heavily based on experiential education theory and practice, I was given immediate opportunities to implement what I was learning in the classroom. I also found my passion for college student ministry during that year, and thus grew to appreciate how much Wheaton believed in Honey Rock and would then send students to the camp for work, play and educational purposes. My two years at Wheaton prepared me so well for my current job."

Additional Outdoor & Adventure Leadership Graduates

  • Lisa Anderson-Umana (1993): Director of Leadership Development, CCI/Latin America; lives in Tegucigalpa, Honduras
  • Stella Kasiriye (1994): Africa Representative, Willow Creek Community Church Global Connections; lives in Lilongwe, Malawi
  • Hollie Clevenger (2015): Program Director, Clydehurst Christian Ranch; lives in Montana
  • David Mackh (2017): Camp Director, Circle Y Camp, Michigan; lives in Michigan