Camp Alleghany is a family-owned and operated business and has been for three generations. Currently, the directors include Elizabeth Shreckhise and her parents, Sam Dawson, Owner and President, and Bonnie Dawson, Head of Special Events, along with four phenomenal administrative team members. Together with their staff and counselors, these seven leaders effectively operate, maintain, and organize all of the functions of Camp Alleghany for Girls.
Elizabeth Shreckhise, Director
Elizabeth spent ten summers as a ‘Ghany camper beginning at age seven. She then became a Junior Counselor, full-fledged Counselor, and served in leadership roles such as Head of Dance, Unit Head, Head of Junior Camp and then Senior Camp. She was the Assistant Director from 2008-2017, and became the Director at the start of 2018. Elizabeth communicates with parents and oversees all camp activities, program planning, staffing, and professional development. During the off-season she oversees marketing, hiring, communications, program planning, strategy, and more. As a third-generation director, it’s her mission to bring ‘Ghany in to the 21st century while preserving its rich history and traditions. Elizabeth has an MA. in Education and Human Development from George Washington University and was formerly a school counselor. She lives in Staunton, Virginia with her husband Matt and three sons, Mason, Ellis, and Noah. Contact Elizabeth.
Casey Tucker, Program Director
Casey began as Camp Alleghany’s Program Director in early 2017 after working at Birch Trail Camp for Girls in northern Wisconsin for six summers. There he served as a Wilderness Trip Leader and Trip Director. Realizing his passion for the industry, he found a great opportunity to work year round for Alleghany. Casey’s passion for the outdoors, young people, camping, and adventure are legendary and infectious. After all, what’s life without sharing a good adventure? Contact Casey
Teresa Padgett, Leadership Program Director
Teresa Padgett grew up in Bedford, Virginia by the Blue Ridge Mountains. She now lives in Reston, Virginia where she’s a Kindergarten Assistant Teacher for Fairfax County Public Schools. Teresa graduated from St. Mary’s College of Maryland in 2015 with a Bachelor of Arts in Public Policy. After graduating Teresa spent 27 months as a Peace Corps Volunteer at an elementary school in a small, rural village in Botswana. She will soon begin a Masters in Education – School Counseling program at George Mason University. Teresa began her Camp Alleghany journey as an 8-year-old in 2001 and spent nine years as a camper. She joined the Alleghany staff in 2010 as a Junior Counselor (JC) and has since held several leadership positions including Blue/Gray Mentor, Unit Head, Assistant Head of Junior Camp and most recently Head of the new Leaders-in-Training (LIT) Program. Teresa is thrilled to join the Admin Team as the Leadership Program Director and work year-round for a beautiful, nurturing place that empowers women and girls. Contact Teresa.
Garrett O’Dell, Facilities Director
Garrett has been with Camp Alleghany since the summer of 2010. As the Facilities Director, and supervisor of The Green Team, he loves working year-round for Camp Alleghany and with all the staff. He takes great pride in his work; whether fixing a leaky faucet, building a new porch, attending camp conferences, or managing his team, he has a passionate drive for Camp Alleghany’s success! Contact Garrett.
Beth Anne Clark-Thomas, Mini Camp Director
Beth Anne (BA) has spent more than 45 years as a camper, counselor, Unit Head, Department Head, Upstart Mom, and now Director of Mini Camp. She is also very active with Camp Alleghany Alumni, remaining joyfully engaged year-round, and bringing loyal, veteran alumnae back to work alongside her at Mini Camp, connecting and serving at the L.O.L. Alumni Weekend, enjoying Family Camp together, and more! BA has a Masters and Ph.D. in Education, and is a University Professor in Northeast Ohio. Contact BA.
Louise Dawson, Office Manager
Louise spent 13 summers on the banks of the Greenbrier River. After eight years as a camper, she worked as a Junior Counselor, Counselor, Unit Head, Upstart Mom, and taught canoeing. Louise met her husband, Cooper Dawson, at camp when he worked on the Green Team. After ten summers spent at Tent Raisings and Family Camp, Louise joined the family business as our Office Manager. Cooper and Louise live in Lynchburg, Virginia with their daughter, Sally and son Henry, who she loves bringing to Camp Alleghany during the summers! Contact Louise.
Sam Dawson, Owner/President
Sam spent eight summers as a camper at our brother camp, Camp Greenbrier Boys Camp, and then worked at Alleghany on our Green Team in the 1960s. In 1984 he became the Associate Director, working under his father S. Cooper Dawson, Jr. During the 80s and 90s Sam managed almost all aspects of camp. From 2000-2017 he was the Director, and he works year-round for Camp Alleghany. A Certified Camp Director, Sam loves camp and holds Alleghany to the highest standards, continuing to earn the American Camp Association’s accreditation status each year. He looks forward to each summer with excitement and anticipation and hopes to see all of you at Alleghany this year! Sam lives with Bonnie in Staunton, Virginia. Contact Sam.
Bonnie Dawson, Head of Special Events
Bonnie was introduced to Alleghany when she married Sam in 1970. Over the years she’s been Head of Drama and Wild World, Head Hopper, Store manager, and a Senior Camp tent Counselor. She’s currently the Head of Special Events, managing Alleghany’s special ceremonies such as Babies’ Boats, Candlelight Campfire, and the Mini Camp Banquet and Show of Shows. Bonnie also handles risk management and emergency procedures and leads a non-denominational service on Sundays. Bonnie lives in Staunton, Virginia with Sam and is a retired science teacher. She always looks forward to the serene, peaceful setting of the West Virginia Mountains, and seeing the happy, smiling campers every day. Contact Bonnie
Staff
Whitney Kiper, Administrative Assistant
Whitney Kiper lives in Reston, Virginia where she’s an elementary special education teacher in Fairfax County. She graduated from the University of Mary Washington in 2014 with a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature. In 2015, she earned a Masters in Education. Whitney began camp in 2004 as a Start-up, enjoying five years as a camper. She was on staff from 2009-Present as a Junior Counselor, Counselor, Head of Carnival, Unit Head, Department Head, Assistant Head of Junior Camp, Head of Junior Camp, Guest Counselor, and now our Administrative Assistant. Whitney loves hiking with her dog Roo and game nights with friends. She loves that she is able to enjoy Alleghany as her home every summer. “It is so much fun watching campers grow up over the summers and then become confident and independent counselors!”
Stephanie Astley, Head of Family Camp
Stephanie Astley grew up in North Carolina and lives in York, Pennsylvania. She graduated from Peace College and Mercer University. She has spent all of her professional career in education teaching preschool, as an After School Program Director, teaching 2nd grade at St. Martin’s Episcopal School and recently as faculty of Redeemer Parish Day School in Baltimore, MD. She has two daughter-campers. Stephanie began Alleghany in 1987 as a Junior Camper, and was a camper for seven years. Stephanie was on staff from 1994-1999 as a Junior Counselor, Store worker, Unit Head, Head of the Waterfront, Midway Mom, Upstart Mom, Head of Senior Camp, Head of the Store, Head Hopper, Mini Camp Counselor, and Assistant Head of Family Camp from 2015-2018. She’s excited to continue to help families experience a taste of Alleghany during Family Camp and looks forward to creating a week of fun filled activities to enjoy — traditional ones and new ones!
Ann Claiborne Elder “Ace” Dandridge, Head of Mother-Daughter Weekend
Ann Claiborne “Ace” Dandridge is a lifetime ‘Ghany girl. She is married, lives in Charlottesville, Virginia and has three daughters, each of whom started camp as a Mini Camper and continued on to be counselors. Between the four of them, they have 40 years of ‘Ghany experience and a lifetime of memories and friends. Ace has always wanted to find a way to make it back to Alleghany in some capacity and her empty nest years have finally provided the opportunity. She’s thrilled to introduce the camp experience to the young girls and their moms or special friends during Mother-Daughter Weekend!
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