Who we are & what we do
Our Mission
To help all people learn to connect with the people and places around them, become the best versions of themselves, and make the world a better place through impactful recreation programs and building community in the outdoors. With our “Adventure for All” philosophy, we seek to provide outdoor programs that will be equally as beneficial for trained explorers as they will be for every day people who just want to spend more time outside and with others.
Our Values
Through our outdoor adventure experiences, we strive to help people grow in self-confidence, team collaboration, resiliency, sustainability, and leadership. These qualities, fostered in an outdoor environment with positive role models, are the essential building blocks for creating a generation of “happy campers.”
We believe in these ideas so deeply that we make them accessible to all, offering up to 100% scholarships to cover the cost of camp for families who cannot afford it. The National Parks belong to everyone, and every kid deserves the opportunity to explore them. That’s why our camps welcome all backgrounds, abilities, and experiences, ensuring that every camper can grow in an environment that reflects the realities of the world around them.
Leadership
Isaac Black
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Isaac is a passionate camp director and avid world traveler with a deep love for the outdoors. Summer camp and exploring national parks have profoundly shaped his life, making Happy Camper’s mission a perfect fit. He has witnessed firsthand the invaluable life skills and perspectives that can be gained through these experiences and is eager to share similar positive adventures with youth.
Isaac’s journey into the outdoors began during his studies at Appalachian State University, where the hiking and adventures he experienced laid the groundwork for his most significant journey, a 30,000-mile trek across 16 countries, completing the Guinness World Record for the longest road in the world, the Pan-American Highway. Along the way, he gained invaluable life skills, perspectives, and a belief in the power of outdoor adventure to change lives. Now based in Charlotte, Isaac is committed to inspiring young people to explore nature, build confidence, and discover their best selves through camp and community programs.
Our Board
Christine Pauley
PRESIDENT
Christine is a leadership and transformation coach with nearly two decades of nonprofit experience. She first found her passion for service as the Board President of Park Sharon Athletic Association in Charlotte, NC, and has been committed to helping families and organizations thrive ever since. With a B.A in Psychology from Arizona State University, Christine brings both expertise and heart to her role, supporting the mission to make outdoor experiences accessible to all.
Bridgett Griffin
VICE PRESIDENT
Bridgett grew up in the mountains of NC where her early love for nature guided her career path. With degrees in Biology and Environmental Education from Appalachian State University, she has served as both a Camp Director and Park Ranger, leading programs that connected youth and families with the natural world. She brings this experience and passion to her role as Vice President, helping to design outdoor programs that inspire growth, community, and respect for the environment.
Traci Anderson
TREASURER
Traci is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) with nearly 30 years of experience in both public and private accounting. She has served on local school boards and nonprofits, offering trusted financial expertise alongside a deep commitment to community service. As Treasurer, Traci ensures the organization’s long-term sustainability and responsible stewardship of resources.
Briana Waite
SECRETARY
Briana grew up in Phoenix, AZ and spent much of her childhood exploring the wonders of her desert backyard. She received her Bachelors of Arts in Political Science from the University of Arizona and her Juris Doctorate from the University of California, Davis. She is a practicing attorney barred in California and currently lives in San Diego, CA. Briana regularly works with the Pacific Crest Trail Association and Mission Trails Regional Park on trail maintenance, habitat restoration projects, and erosion control. She spends her free time hiking, backpacking, rock climbing or planning her next outdoor adventure to one of the national parks.
John Cox
MEMBER
John graduated from Saint Joseph’s University in Philadelphia with a degree in History. He worked as a history teacher, camp director, and now for the YMCA in Asheville, NC where he helps support youth and community programs. John enjoys playing basketball and watching the Eagles in his free time.
Dave Elmore
MEMBER
Dave is the founder and director of SOL International Foundation, an organization dedicated to bettering the lives of the youth in his community in Roatán, Honduras. Before moving to Honduras more than 20 years ago, Dave attended and played baseball at Marshall University and Georgia Southern University, and also thru-hiked the entire Appalachian Trail.
Haley Stone
MEMBER
Haley has been serving as the Director of Youth and Family Ministries at a large Lutheran church since 2021, where one of her main duties is overseeing the teen programming. She is also former camp director with the YMCA and received a degree in Human and Development Studies from UNC Chapel Hill. Haley lives in Raleigh, NC and enjoys yoga, rock climbing, and jamming with her band in her free time.
Chloe Alexander
MEMBER
Chloe graduated from Appalachian State University with a degree in Recreation Management and minor in Sustainable Development. She went to camp every summer of her childhood, and eventually became a counselor when she was of age because of how much she loved the community camp created. She currently resides in Swannanoa, NC and has a successful career in hotel event sales and planning. In her free time, she enjoys hiking in the Blue Ridge Mountains, reading, and playing in the river with her dog Indigo.
Ian Black
MEMBER
Ian lives in Durham, North Carolina and works in the banking industry. He grew up attending summer camps regularly, which evolved into him both volunteering and working at various camps as an adult. Having studied Special Education during college, he is especially passionate about accessibility and inclusivity in youth programs. In his free time, Ian is a part-time sportswriter, plays Dungeons and Dragons, and loves getting outdoors and being active with his wife and dog.
Catie Cornett
MEMBER
Catie is a native of Greenville, SC (a rarity!) and a tortured Clemson Tigers fan. She works as an ICU nurse 9 months out of the year, and then is a camp nurse during the summer months. She loves spending time outside, learning new things, and spending quality time with friends and family. Catie loves having the opportunity to make a difference by combining two things very special to her—health and summer camp!