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
Staff Development Director
Erin Yates
Erin is beginning her tenth summer at Tate’s Day Camp and serves as the year-round, Staff Development Director. In her time at Tate’s, she has also worked as Welcome Center, camp counselor, and Discovery Director. Erin received a Bachelor of Arts in Accounting and Master’s in Education from Tusculum University. She has a passion for helping the camp staff grow their professional skills and give campers the best summer ever.
Programming Director
Zack Cypcar
Counselor-In-Training Director
Kristen Rainey
Kristen is starting her ninth summer at Tate’s Day Camp, where she has worked as a counselor with multiple age groups. Kristen has a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and a Master’s in STEM Education from Tennessee Tech. During the school year, she teaches 5th Grade Math and Science at Tate’s School.
Discovery Program Director
Sydney Spangler
Sydney is beginning her seventh summer at Tate’s. During her time at camp, she has worked as a counselor with multiple age groups. She has a Bachelor of Science in Social Work and is currently pursuing her Master’s in Clinical Social Work. When she is not completing her internship hours, Sydney is the Afterschool Program Director at Tate’s School and a member of the Behavioral Health Team. She is looking forward to her second summer as one of the Discovery Program Directors.
Discovery Program Director
Nicole Gerrish
Nicole will be starting her fifth year working at Tates Day Camp, though 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. During the school year, Nicole attends the University of Rhode Island where she is getting her Bachelor’s degree in Marketing and will be graduating in May of 2023. She is looking forward to her summer as one of the Discovery program directors!
Explorer/Adventure Program Director
Natalie Parks
Natalie is starting her fifth summer working at Tate’s, where she has primarily worked with 4th – 8th graders. She also attended Tate’s as a camper for many years. Natalie graduated from the University of Kentucky in 2021 with a Bachelor of Arts in English. During the school year, she works as an elementary literacy tutor.
Aquatics Director
Mia McAlister
Mia will be starting her fifth summer at Tate’s as the Aquatics Director. In the past summers she has worked as a discovery counselor and swim staff member. Mia will be graduating in May of 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.
RATT Team Leader
(Ropes, Archery, Tower, Trees)
Anika Van Buskirk
Anika is starting her fourth summer at Tate’s, and in previous summers has excelled as a member of Special Forces as well as an instructor for low ropes, archery, climbing tower, trees, and zipline. She is a student at Tennessee Wesleyan University as well as a member of the Women’s lacrosse team. She will graduate in 2024 from Tennessee Wesleyan University with her BS in Preprofessional Biology and Chemistry. After graduation Anika plans on attending veterinary school where she will receive her Doctorates in Veterinary medicine.
Office Manager
Haley Johnson
Our Office Manager, Haley Johnson, is our newest team member and beginning her first summer at camp. She has spent the last thirteen years working in areas of customer service in supervisory and management positions, in both retail and healthcare, Haley is excited 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 decided to switch majors and finish her Bachelors of Science in Business Management from Grand Canyon University.