Executive Director
Chris Strevel
Chris first joined Tate’s Day Camp in 1989 while attending the University of Tennessee. He thought he was only looking for a fun summer job but quickly learned that he had found his career. After serving as a camp counselor, head counselor, and assistant director, he accepted the Executive Director role in 1993. In addition to directing summer camp, he is also the Executive Director of Programs for Tate’s School. Chris is the past President of the American Camp Association, Heart of the South Section and has served on numerous committees and task forces with the national organization. He is also a former national board member of the Camp Owners and Directors Association. Chris holds a Communications degree from the University of Tennessee and has completed extensive training for camp professionals through the American Camp Association.
Program Director and Behavioral Specialist
Jonathan Hodge
Jonathan is entering his 21st summer with Tate’s Day Camp. In addition to camp, he also works with Tate’s School as the Program Director and Behavioral Specialist. He is a regular presenter at professional conferences and has authored articles for professional publications. Jonathan is a graduate of Carson-Newman University where he obtained a Bachelor of Music in Voice and a Master’s in Counseling and Behavioral Health. Additionally, he is an adjunct professor at Johnson University in Social and Behavioral Sciences and works with individuals and families in private practice as a Licensed Marital and Family Therapist.
Programming Director
Zack Cypcar
Zack is starting his 12th summer at Tate’s Day Camp and lends his masterful creativity to his role of Programming Director. While working at Tate’s, Zack has been a part of Welcome Center, RATT Pack, Special Forces, Camp Counselor, and Team Leader. He also leads the Board Game Week of Tate’s Specialty Camp! Zack attended the University of Tennessee, Knoxville and received his degree in Music Education in May of 2019. Zack also currently works at Tate’s School as the Band Director and Afterschool Program Director.
Office Manager
Haley Johnson
Our Office Manager, Haley Johnson, will be entering into her second summer at camp. Before coming to work at Tate’s, she previously spent thirteen years working in supervisory and management positions for both retail and healthcare. Haley is excited to continue to extend her management skills, procurement specialization, and organizational wizardry to the program. Since moving to Knoxville from Phoenix, Arizona with her husband Ryan in late 2022, Haley has loved getting to work with her new Tate’s family.
Aquatics Director
Mia McAlister
Mia will be starting her sixth summer at Tate’s and second summer as the Aquatics Director. In the past summers she has worked as a discovery counselor and on the swim staff. Mia graduated in 2023 from Middle Tennessee State University with a Bachelor of Science in History with a minor in Political Science and Religious Studies. In the future, she hopes to continue her education by going to law school.
Discovery Program Director
Nicole Gerrish
Nicole will be starting her sixth year working at Tate’s Day Camp, and second year as director. She has attended camp since she was 5 years old. She has worked exclusively with the six-year-olds in discovery for her previous years at camp. Nicole graduated the University of Rhode Island in 2024 where she got her Bachelor of Science degree with a concentrating in Marketing. She is looking forward to her summer as one of the Discovery program directors!
Discovery Program Director
Kelli Hudson
Kelli is starting her sixth summer at Tate’s and has served as a discovery counselor for multiple years, swim staff, special forces, and she has also worked two years in our afterschool program. In addition, Kelli has a Bachelor’s in Psychology and a Master’s in Education. One of Kelli’s favorite things about camp is “the people . . . big and small.” She loves being a part of camper and staff growth and witnessing the power that camp has on all people.
Explorer/Adventure Program Director
Kendall Sims
Kendall has been attending Tate’s as a camper since he was four years old and is beginning his sixth year on staff at Tate’s. As a former member of our Special Forces Team, Kendall has worked in most areas of camp and last summer was a member of our climbing instructor team. Kendall is graduating in May from the University of Tennessee with a degree in Advertising.
Explorer/Adventure Program Director
Emma Yarbrough
Emma technically began attending Tate’s Day Camp before she was even born as her mother, Aimee, was pregnant with Emma while working at camp as an office assistant. Emma has actively been attending camp since the age of four and is now beginning her fifth summer on staff at Tate’s. Emma is a junior at the University of Tennessee studying Therapeutic Recreation.
Counselor-In-Training Director
Faith Harlan
Faith is beginning her third summer at Tate’s and has served as an explorer counselor for the past two years. Faith will be graduating this May from the University of Tennessee with a Bachelors of Science in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology. She will begin the pursuit of her Clinical Doctorate in Audiology in the fall of 2024. Faith is excited to spend her summer at Tate’s as the CIT Director!