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!

Ken Barkley: I was born and raised in Nashville, TN.  I graduated from Belmont College in 1981 and married my childhood sweetheart in 1982.  We have 4 wonderful children: Magen, Mary, Katlin and Grant.  We have also been blessed with 3 fantastic grandchildren.  My work history includes manufacturing, home building and remodeling, and being a house parent at a group home for children.  Leslie is a dental hygienist and works in Cleveland.  Our hobbies are horseback riding and camping.  We love spending time with family and playing games.

Bethany Barton: Bethany comes from the Lone Star state of Texas where she was born and raised.   Currently, she attends school at Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene, TX, and recently got accepted to begin nursing school in the fall.  Bethany dreams of one day serving as a medical missionary and working with kids in Kenya or anywhere else God calls her.  Until then, she is thrilled to be returning to CLS, her home away from home, for round 2!!  She enjoys singing, stargazing, living life in Godly community, sunflowers, crafty things, writing/receiving letters, hammock time, exploring, and experiencing God’s glory through His creation and especially through knowing His beautiful children!

Nathan Carroll: Nathan just finished up his second year at the prestigious East Tennessee State University and is ready to put down the books pick up some bandannas and a Frisbee and head back to CLS for round two. He enjoys eating food off the ground, teaching Bear Grylls survival techniques, being in the great outdoors, spending time on the river, wearing flannel, singing songs with James, and shopping at thrift stores. Nathan is a resident of the bustling metropolis of Rice-Vegas (Riceville) which has allowed him to be around camp for quite a while. He has held jobs at camp ranging from part time weed eater and weed puller to full time counselor. Nathan is excited to be back and see how God is going to work in and through camp this summer. Roll Tide.

Hamilton Cobb: Hamilton just finished her first year at Samford University in the humid state of Alabama where she is studying nursing. Since moving to Bama she has become an Auburn fan, but is still proud to call the mountains of Tennessee her home. This will be her fourth summer being involved with CLS in one way or another and is excited about spending her first summer on staff as a counselor. Many friendships have been built through CLS and she cannot wait for the many more that will be created this summer. Wrangler will not have her makeover again this summer, but she will be missed. When she is not busy at school or running from bears at home she enjoys cherry limeades, singing loudly, eating cookie dough from the tub, playing guitar and posing “the many faces of Hamilton” for the camera. Bring on the Ice pops!

Bo Dunkle: Well my journey with Christ has landed me back here at CLS. For those of you who do not know me or the way my journey started… I grew up in Etowah, TN. Upon leaving Etowah, I attended Cumberland University on a football scholarship. After this God sent me back to school were I taught & coached in three different high schools for five years. God then lead me out of the school system into leadership at Candies Creek Church. I served as student pastor there for almost five years, when God stirred in me an old dream & something new. Yep, Camp Living Stones!

My desire in life is to make disciples who live to make disciples. I have strived to do that in every stage of my journey. 1 Thessalonians 2:8 says, “Having thus a fond affection for you we were well pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well, because you have become so very dear to us.” This verse was instilled in my heart & mind as a counselor here at CLS while in college. So coming back to CLS, I hope to continue to love people by offering them the gospel and my life. I look forward to meeting and investing my time & energy into friends of camp as well as every person (student, adult, and pastors) that will come to camp for any reason.

I have been blessed by God in that Jesus Christ has invaded my life & I have experienced His grace & entered into His  new covenant with Him. He has also extended grace to me by way of giving me a beautiful wife to love like Christ loved the church. Michele and I have three beautiful daughters: Gabbi Anne (7), Libbi Reese (3), & Phoebi Kate (1). After Christ, my family is my life and my joy and my primary focus of discipleship.

Tammy Jenkins: I am excited to serve the Lord as Secretary at CLS.  My family moved to Athens, TN after my husband accepted the call to be Pastor at Eastanallee Baptist Church in Riceville.  Prior to moving to Athens I grew up and lived in Rome, Georgia.  I worked for almost 12 years in an elementary school as Secretary/Registrar along with school nurse as needed.  Prior to this I worked in several doctor's offices and hospital as a Licensed Practical Nurse.
 
I love Christ because He first loved me.  He has been fiathful and gracious to me.  He has blessed me with 27 wonderful years of marriage to an amazing husband.  Ralph and I are blessed with a beautiful daughter: Mary Ann, age 23 presently attending Cleveland State working toward a nursing degree.  We have two English Bulldogs: Bo and Dooley.  I love my family, to sing in the celebration choir at church, cook, shop, decorate and plant flowers.  I love all God's creation and love to watch birds and butterflies.  I look forward to what God has in store at CLS this summer and the days ahead!

Amanda Lindgren: Amanda Lindgren grew up in Stuart, FL and just completed her sophmore year of college. She wishes she knew the career path of her dreams, but what she does know is the ONE who holds her future. Amanda fell in love with Camp Living Stones 8 years ago and can’t seem to get Starr Mountain out of her mind. Amanda loves working out, laughing (about nothing), painting, playing hide and seek in WalMart, running half marathons, and keeping up with her friends. Most of all, she loves Jesus and can’t wait to share that passion as a counselor this summer!!

Dakota Melton: Dakota is 20 and pursuing a missions degree at Williams Baptist College in Walnut Ridge, Arkansas. He got into Williams through baseball and discovered that God was waiting for his arrival at such a tiny school. Dakota has developed and pursuing a passion to do simple radical things for Christ in all areas of his life. He is a junior and pitches for the Williams Baptist Eagles. GO EAGLES! On occasions he loves playing and listening to all kinds of good music. He also enjoys ping pong, wakeboarding, hunting, fishing, fly fishing, watching/playing any kind of sport and just being in God’s creation outside. There is nothing better than being discipled and continuing that cycle to younger generations. Dakota’s desire is God’s desire for this summer at Camp Living Stones. He can’t wait to witness what God has in store!

Marissa Morris: My name is Marissa Morris.  I was born in Panama, the country, not Florida! I lived all over the United States, until my dad decided to retire from the U.S. Army, and I now live in Cleveland, TN.  I am 21 years old and in nursing school at Milligan College, in Johnson City, TN.  My favorite things are laughing, drive in movies, summer storms, and a good game of Euchre.   I was introduced to CLS by Bo Dunkle and I am very excited about being a counselor this summer!  I can’t wait to see how God is going to work in the lives of students as well as my own. 

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?

Erin Seide: Erin just finished her first semester of nursing school at the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga. She lives right down the road in Cleveland, TN where she has the joy (and occasional headache) of investing in the lives of her wonderful middle school girls Sunday school class. God has placed a desire in her heart to not only love students but also to step along side them as they build their foundation in Christ. Erin is ecstatic about joining the CLS staff for the first time this summer and is ready to watch God work in the hearts, minds and lives of students and staff alike. Some of Erin’s favorite things include dancing when no one is watching, singing when no one is listening and laughing at every available opportunity.

Brendan Serna: My name is Brendon and this is my bio not my B.O. you don’t want to know about that but you do want to know about this. I am so excited to be back at Camp Living Stones for a fourth summer as a camp counselor. There is nothing better than meeting students from all around the country to share the love of Christ with them. I have an abounding passion for ministry that I store in my left bicep. I enjoy backpacking, anything outdoors, long walks on the beach, stamp collecting, Jedi mind control, epic risk games that include back stabbing(oh wait James Prentiss does that), capture the flag, and searching for Big Foot.  

Justice West: A native of Cleveland, Tennessee, currently enrolled at the university of Tennessee at Knoxville, majoring in communications and planning to work in a church one day after grad school at a seminary. In my spare time I love playing sports of any kind, being outdoors, and just hanging out with friends. I love challenges, new games, and love competitive spirit in not only myself but others as well. This will be my first summer at camp living stones and am looking forward to returning home to the mountains where I grew up.