Joe Illig

Wesley Woods Christian Camp has a new executive director who says he hopes to grow attendance to past levels.

Joe Illig was chosen to take the reins as a full-time director. Emily Reed, a board member at the camp, had served in an interim capacity for the previous three years.

“I’m really excited,” Illig said. “I grew up working at summer camps. I worked in sales for a little bit and really enjoyed that, but the door opened for Wesley Woods. I had been having conversations again with friends in the camp space and there were good things happening. Something just clicked.

Seeing the potential of this place, I wanted to be a part of that. I think people are excited to have someone permanent here working 40-plus hours per week.”

Illig noted the camp boasted approximately 1,200 campers throughout the season at one point, not including outside retreat groups. Last year, the site hosted 270 campers.

“I want to get our numbers back up there,” Illig said, noting he anticipates approximately 400 campers in the coming season.

Registration is already open, Illig said, noting he believes it is the earliest it has been at the camp.

Illig said the camps that are thriving right now are ones offering a more traditional summer camp experience.

“It’s a chance to just be a kid again and get away from all the busyness and be around adults who really care about them,” he said.

Illig said he’s trying to bring a conservation focus to the camp’s outdoor trips.

“Really just going in and leaving a place better than we found it,” he said. “Just being good stewards of nature.”

He noted staffing levels look to be higher this year, with seven individuals already anticipated for next summer and more expected because there’s so much time until next summer’s season. Last year, the camp only had eight staff members for the season.

Illig said he is looking into better ways to utilize the 600 acre site.

“We really can’t use all of that,” he said of the site. “We’re thinking about ways we can utilize that, even in the offseason.”

He also noted he wants to work with the community.

“Small town areas have a lot to offer. I think this area has so much to offer,” Illig said. “One of my big things is making sure we’re a good neighbor and part of the community.”

Illig studied business at La Roche University in Pittsburgh and received a seminary degree from Columbia International University in Columbia, South Carolina.

He has previously worked as a summer camp program director.

“Hopefully I can breathe some new life into the organization,” he said. “If something doesn’t work, we’ll try something else.”