MISSION
To help all people affordably reach their full potential in life, whatever that means for them as an individual, through travel, outdoor recreation, and a genuine connection to the environment and the people that surround them.
VALUES
Through our outdoor adventure experiences, the main areas in which we will strive to help kids grow are as follows: self-confidence, team collaboration, resiliency, sustainability, and leadership. These things, fostered in an outdoor environment with positive role models, are some of the most essential building blocks to creating a generation of ‘happy campers’, or outdoor enthusiasts who feel fulfilled in life. We want campers to not only learn these things in theory, but get to put them into practice in real-world application scenarios during their outdoor activities, ensuring the mastery of these concepts. We believe in these ideas so much that we also believe these opportunities should be accessible for kids of any socioeconomic background, which is why we offer up to 100% scholarships to cover the cost of summer camp for families who cannot afford it. The National Parks belong to everyone, so every kid deserves the opportunity to go explore them. This why our camps are for everyone, regardless of wealth, abilities, or background, and it also ensures that campers are experiencing all of this personal growth in an environment that reflects the realities of the world around them. Campers will finish a session feeling more grounded, better about themselves, and ready to take on the world around them with open minds and hearts.
Our Team
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.
His journey into the outdoors began during studies at Appalachian State University, located just two hours from his hometown of Charlotte, NC. The hiking and adventures he experienced there laid the groundwork for his most significant journey: completing the Guinness World Record for the longest road in the world, the Pan-American Highway. This incredible expedition spanned over 30,000 miles through 16 countries, dozens of national parks, and a variety of climates over nearly two years, from Alaska to Argentina. Upon returning, he realized that his life’s goal is to inspire young people to explore the world as he has.
Outside of outdoor pursuits, he is a dedicated basketball fan (go Hornets!), a collector of vintage video games, and a lover of cowboy culture and history. He lives with his wife, Shelby, their wonderful dog and a mischievous snake, and they are excited to welcome their first baby boy this summer!
Our Board
Christine Pauley
President
Christy is a leadership and transformation coach at a prominent financial institution, holding a B.A. in Psychology from Arizona State University. She found her passion for nonprofit work almost 20 years ago when she served as the Board President of Park Sharon Athletic Association in Charlotte, NC.
She has 3 wonderful sons, enjoys traveling, reading, and spending time with her family. Christine resides in Festus, Missouri, with her husband, youngest son, and their dogs.
Bridgett Griffin
Vice President
Bridgett is a former Camp Director who grew up in the mountains of NW North Carolina, and she is grateful every day to be deeply rooted with an appreciation and respect for all things in the natural world. A Horticulture degree from Wilkes Community College led her to a start in the outdoors with landscaping, and then she explored that passion further and went on to serve as a Park Ranger for the National Park Service on the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Later, she graduated with a double major in Biology and Recreation Management and an MA in Environmental Education from Appalachian State University. Her passion for environmental education eventually led her to YMCA Camp Harrison, which would become her home for over a decade. As a Camp Director there she got to spend much time in the beautiful outdoor setting of the Western NC mountains, as well as meet and work with many awesome people that continue to enrich her life to this day. Now, coming full circle, she is now a Landscape Designer in the High Country in North Carolina. She loves to spend time with family and friends, hike, kayak, travel and go treasure hunting with her husband.
Traci Anderson
Treasurer
Traci is a seasoned Certified Public Accountant (CPA) with nearly 30 years of experience in both public accounting and private industry. Throughout her career, she has developed extensive expertise in tax return preparation and monthly financial reporting, assisting various companies with their financial needs. Traci has also served as treasurer for her children’s school PTA and other nonprofit organizations, demonstrating her commitment to community service. With a strong foundation in accounting principles and a thorough understanding of tax regulations, she provides strategic insights and ensures compliance for clients across multiple industries.
Jenna Gilbreath
Secretary
Jenna is originally from Ohio and graduated from Kent State University with a degree in Communication Studies, complemented by minors in Nonprofit Studies and Media Advocacy. Her college experience ignited her passion for the outdoors, leading her to become deeply involved with the university’s Adventure Center, where she eventually served as the Supervisor for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion—a role she helped to develop.
After graduation, Jenna embarked on a month-long road trip to explore ten national parks and completed the entire Appalachian Trail, hiking from Georgia to Maine in just under six months. Her mission now is to create inclusive and transformative outdoor experiences for young people, providing opportunities that she wishes she had encountered earlier in life.
Elyse Dashew
Member
Elyse has served as a member of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Board of Education since her election in 2015. She was re-elected in 2019, which began her stint as chair of the board from 2019 to 2023.
Elyse spent seven years of her childhood living on a sailboat, circumnavigating the globe with her family, which ignited her passion for exploration from a young age. After graduating from Brown University, she worked in the television industry and later ran a publishing business. Currently enjoying retirement from school board leadership, Elyse fills her days with hiking, practicing yoga, traveling, and spending quality time with family and friends. She also serves on the Charlotte Advisory Board for the North Carolina Outward Bound School.
Dave Elmore
Member
Dave is originally from Huntington, WV, and attended Marshall University and Georgia Southern University. He has been a resident of Roatan, Honduras for the past 20 years, where he co-founded the SOL International Foundation and currently serves as its Executive Director. He also thru-hiked the Appalachian Trail and used to lead outdoor adventure trips for kids before he moved to Honduras, so his passion for the outdoors has been a constant throughout his life.
Haley Stone
Member
Haley is a former Camp Director who graduated from UNC Chapel Hill in 2020 with a degree in Human Development and Family Studies. Since 2021, she has served as the Director of Youth and Family Ministries at a large Lutheran church. Residing in Raleigh, NC, Haley enjoys yoga, rock climbing, and jamming with her band in her free time.