Staff & Alumni

Jon and Gretchen Smeltzer,
Alea and Laurel: A graduate of Baylor University in 1998, Jon and his brother Eric Smeltzer started Camp Living Stones that same year. Jon worked at several camps in years prior to CLS, but now maintains the position of Director.

Jon and Gretchen met at CLS, married, and now have two beautiful daughters. Alea loves digging for 'wormies' with her daddy. Laurel enjoys eating, sleeping, and laughing at Wrangler.

Jon's dream is to drive the CLS bus across the country.

"Maw and Paw" Smeltzer: Richard "Pop" Smeltzer is Jon's father and the husband of "Mama."  Pop fills a wide variety of functions at CLS from trashman to Chairman of the board of Directors.  His main job now, however, is assistant cook.  In his spare time (when Mama lets him off) he makes walking sticks for the Camp store. 

"Mama" S is Jon's Mom.  She has worked with youth for about forty years and loves the Lord.  She has taught High School English, worked as an interim Youth Minister, and been a mom.  Now, she is chief cook and bottle washer at Camp. 

Victor Amos: You may know him as Cave Daddy, Papaw Livingstones, the local yocal, Señor Amos, the CLS World Leg Wrestling Champion, or the Dale Earnhardt of the CLS vomit comet bus fleet. Nonetheless, the man, the myth, the legend…Victor Amos has returned for yet another summer at CLS. He is looking forward to seeing old acquaintances and renewing distant friendships that have been made at CLS over the last 10 years. He also came back for another year so Michael Marquette will have a harder time beating the record of consecutive years of service. During the off season, Vic teaches 5th grade, enjoys bass fishing, and teeing it up on the golf course. He can’t wait to see you this summer and be your chauffer while you ride in luxury on the CLS custom bus fleet. Just remember…if you’re not first, you’re last. Shake and bake!

Bethany Barton: Bethany just completed her freshman year at Hardin-Simmons University in the wonderful city of Abilene, TX where trees are scarce and the wind will literally push you around.  She is studying nursing, and dreams of one day using her medical expertise to heal bodies and also hearts on the mission field in some distant land.  She is a proud member of the World Famous Cowboy Band, that most people have never heard of.  If you happen to be one of the many people who haven't heard of it, you should definitely look it up.  She enjoys singing, dancing, laughing, music, peanut butter M&Ms, Disney princess movies, playing in the rain, road trips, and almost any activity that is on or around a lake.  She first fell in love with Camp Living Stones as a camper, and is SOOO excited about returning as a counselor!

Nathan Carroll: Nathan is 19 years old from the bustling metropolis of Riceville, TN.  He is currently enrolled at East Tennessee State University and is majoring in history with aspirations of being a teacher and football coach. He has been around CLS for about eight years as a camper, weed whacker, bush whacker, and part time grounds keeper. Nathan is extremely excited to be a counselor this summer and can’t wait to see all the incredible ways God is going to work in students’ lives and in his own. He enjoys hiking, disk golf, being on the river, sleeping in hammocks, fly fishing, mountain biking, and Alabama football. ROLL TIDE!!

Ariel Currieo: Ariel hails from the budding metropolis of Tallahassee, Florida where she attends Florida State University and is hoping to become a pediatric nurse in the future. But for now she is so excited to spend the summer at CLS serving the Lord and serving others. Some of her very favorite things include: music, photography, sunflowers, arts & crafts, deep conversations over coffee, stargazing, standing in awe of how great God is amongst His beautiful creation, and witnessing His glory displayed through His children. She is eager to see the Lord do abundantly more than she can ask or imagine this summer at Camp Living Stones!

Matt Cushing: After graduating from Baylor University in 1999, Matt embarked upon his five-year nomadic journey to dodge what some call the real world. After landing jobs as a forklift operator, bus driver, camp counselor (once again), and Outward Bound Instructor Matt took what some might call his first and only real job. If you can call riding around in a boat in the Florida Keys enforcing laws a real job. Serving three years in the Keys as a Fish and Wildlife Officer and TV star Matt has turned in his badge cut his ties and his mustache and moved to Camp Living Stones to be the Assistant Director.

Matthew Hensley: The Bob Villa / Norm Abrams of CLS is back for another year of master craftsmanship. Straight from the metropolis of Rice-vegas TN (a.k.a. Riceville), Matt is using his carpentry skills to help beautify camp and make things square and straight. Matt has a beautiful wife and two wonderful children.  We are so blessed to have a man of Matt’s skills and talents at CLS. Come check out his handy work. 

Michael Marquette: Referred to as the Brett Favre of CLS, Michael Marquette returns to the 423 for an unprecedented 4th summer, after what was thought to be the end of his CLS career. He will be returning as the tower guru [aka the guy in the sky] among other responsibilities, including helping out with CIT's. During the off season Michael has been busy gator hunting, going to school, making music, fishing, and becoming a sasquatch aficionado. He is excited to see the awesome things God is going to do this summer. Go Hogs. War Eagle.

Brittany Moe: Brittany just survived her first year of Physical Therapy Graduate School and knew there is no better place to spend her last summer of childhood than at CLS. With upcoming Clinicals and many textbooks of preposterous sizes, Brittany is excited to return to camp and watch God work. With PT school putting a hold on reading while relaxing in hammocks, her new favorite pastimes include dissecting in the cadaver lab, manual muscle testing, and studying Netter slides. Route 44 grape slushies still manage to make an occasional appearance.

James Prentiss: Unlike most people, Prentiss was born in a unique place called Texas. And in this awesome place, he was able to meet an awesome God. And through this awesome God, he was able to meet an awesome youth group. And through this awesome youth group, he was able to go to an awesome camp. And because this awesome camp was so awesome, he wanted to return as a counselor. So this summer he is excited to serve at Camp Living Stones! The rest is history. James enjoys carrying a camera around and catching life on film. He is 19 and his favorite beverage is water. What more could you possibly need to know about a fellow?

Jake Simko:Jake was born and raised just around the corner from Camp Living Stones, in Cleveland TN. Jake is 20, and going to be a junior at Tennessee Tech with past counselors - Marcus and Lance. He enjoys playing the guitar, climbing, hiking, swimming, and being outside. Jake was a Counselor In Training (CIT) for two summers and a full fledged counselor last summer at CLS. He is excited to see what God has done in students lives over the school year and especially excited to see what God is going to do over the summer. Even though he is a Civil Engineering major, one day he hopes to be in a rock band rocking out for Jesus! Jake is very very very passionate about music and has a really deep voice. So ask him to sing some bass for you when you meet him!

Elizabeth Stewart: Elizabeth is a sophomore at the wonderful Baylor University, where she is a philosophy major, but not really sure what she wants to study just yet. No matter the subject, she is a student above all else. As a camper she was taught the greatest lesson, the answer to her heart’s call, when she was led to Christ. And her life was forever changed. She is really, really excited to come to CLS for her first summer as a staffer and looks forward to witnessing God’s glory in His children amidst the tall Tennessee trees.

Ben Todd: Journeying all the way from scenic Alder Springs, Alabama, Ben is taking on his first mission as a CLS counselor. Ben enjoys long weeks without showers, eating off the ground, and basically anything that involves the great outdoors. He currently holds a position as a sales associate at an outdoor store, but is pumped about the opportunity of being a summer counselor and learning from the staff at Camp Living Stones. As a youth leader at a new church plant, God has given Ben the ability to see students from His eyes. Ben’s passion is to see students grow in every facet of their lives, especially growth spiritually. Ben is so excited about experiencing camp life and investing in students in order to impact the Kingdom. 

Allison White: It seems that CLS can’t get rid of Allison…and even if they ever manage to, she’ll be back, somehow. In the meantime, she will continue working from the Snack Shack - scheduling groups, running off critters, eating mama’s brownies, putting off growing up, and doing her best to keep summer staff in line. When not on the CLS clock, Allison enjoys seeking truth and solidarity, crafting, Patty Griffin, traveling, sunshine, tea, adventures in the great outdoors, and deciding what to be when she grows up.