Walcamp Leadership - Year-Round Staff
Bill "Whoop" Indelli
Executive Director
Bill@WalCamp.org
(815) 784-5141 ext 111
Bill is no stranger to Walcamp. His kids attended summer camp and he has been part of Fall Festival Music for many years. Bill officially joined the Walcamp Ministry in April of 2016 as the Site Operations Director. In November of 2018 Bill transitioned into the Executive Director Role. Bill brings 36 years in Leadership, Retail, Sales and Marketing to Walcamp. His family are member of St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in St. Charles where he serves on the Praise and Worship Team. Bill is married to Jen and has 4 children and 2 grandchildren. In his downtime, he enjoys playing and recording music, camping and fishing.
Anna "Pearl" Reineke
Youth Ministry Director
Anna@Walcamp.org
(815) 784-5141 ext 110
Favorite Bible Verse: Romans 8:38-39 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Favorite Camp Food: Italian Beef Sandwiches
Anna grew up in Antigo, WI and graduated from Concordia, St Paul in the spring of 2021. Most recently, she has been in Santa Rosa Beach, FL serving as a DCE in a congregation. Throughout her life, camp ministry has had a huge impact on her faith. She has spent time at her home camp, Camp Luther in Three Lakes, WI, as a camper, junior counselor, and summer staffer. She is passionate about facilitating outdoor ministry experiences for all people to continue to hear about and grow in the grace of God.
Ranelle "Vanilla" Palmer
Director of Guest Services
gs@Walcamp.org
(815) 784-5141 ext 114
Favorite Bible Verse: Acts 3:6-16
Favorite Camp Food: Italian Beef
Ranelle started working at Walcamp in 2008. She and her husband live in Genoa. Ranelle loves nature, camping in her motor home, cooking and spending quality time with her grandsons. When asked about why she serves in this ministry she said, "I love my job. It's always changing and evolving. I get to cook for schools in outdoor education and mange guest services for summer camp. There is never a dull moment. We are always in God's beautiful nature which is such a blessing."
Jessalyn "Pickles" Palmer
Guest Services
Jess@Walcamp.org
(815) 784-5141
Favorite Bible Verse: Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
Favorite Camp Food: Apple Crisp
Jess has been working at Walcamp for 10 years. She always brings a smile to campers faces when she askes, "What can I get you, hon?" during dinner service. She shared that working at Walcamp gives variety to her life that she never expected when she began as a dishwasher. She enjoys being a part of this ministry because, "people come here to learn about God in His marvelous nature and to have a fun time while they do it. Being a part of that experience, even in a small way, is very fulfilling and makes for a positive work environment. Each day looks different and keeps us on our toes, but I would not have it any other way."
Karen "Flowers" Lucas
Administrator-Office Manager
Office@Walcamp.org
(815) 784-5141
Favorite Bible Verse: Matthew 19:14 but Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.”
Favorite Camp Food: Yogurt Parfait
Karen has been a part of the Walcamp staff since 2017. She said that she has learned it is really important to love what you do and to know that you are part of a bigger picture. Karen is willing to submit to God's dream over her own to be challenged and led by her creator. She prays, "Lord, let me never forget the joy I feel being used by you."
Angie "Orangie" Schlie
Education Ministry Director
Angie@Walcamp.org
(815) 784-5141 ext 116
Favorite Bible Verse: Exodus 14:14 The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.
Favorite Camp Food: Pickles' Sheet Cakes
Ever since Angie was a first grade student at Trinity Lutheran School in Davenport, Iowa she knew that she wanted to become a teacher. After graduating from Concordia, Chicago, she served the Lutheran Church as a Called teacher and then Principal from 1999-2021. In April of 2022, she joined the Walcamp staff, teaching Outdoor Education classes alongside the programming team and serving in an administrative role as the Development Director. In the Fall of 2024, Angie has transitioned into the Role of Director of Education Ministry, a role that truly fits her passion for Outdoor Experiential Education. Angie says, "I couldn't think of a better way to continue my journey serving Christ."
Rev. Bill Ryden
President
Bill is Pastor of Hope Lutheran Church in Shorewood, Il. He served on Walcamp’s summer staff from 1991-1994 and 1996. His wife, Kim is also a former summer staff member. Together they have 4 children. Bill has a BA degree from Concordia College, Ann Arbor, MI. with a major in Biblical Languages. He graduated from Concordia Seminary, St. Louis in 1998. Bill joined the Board of Directors in 2017. His desire is to be a faithful disciple and help others to become more like Jesus for a God-given impact on the world.
Rev. Jacob Heine
Vice President
Jacob is Pastor at Faith in Topeka Kansas. He has seen his personal mission to help others grow in their faith life and lead others to be disciples who make disciples. He believes that when we see Christ in all things, Christ can be all things in our lives. Jacob holds a Bachelors of Arts degree from Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, MI, a Master of Divinity from Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, and is finishing up his final two class and MAP for the Doctor of Ministry degree from Concordia Seminary, St. Louis. Prior to moving to Rockford, Jacob has served congregations in Illinois, New York, Nebraska, and Tennessee. He is married to Theresa and they have two children: Hannah and Paige.
Beth Bierlein
Secretary
Beth is a middle school science teacher at Immanuel Lutheran School in Batavia, Illinois. She is a graduate of Concordia University Chicago and has served over 20 years in NID Lutheran Schools ranging from inner city to suburban locations. She has a passion for youth, young adults, and their faith development. Her love of Walcamp started when she went to outdoor education at Walcamp in sixth grade and has continued by sending her daughter to Walcamp for summer camp. She is married to Jim and is a mom to Jon and Aliya (also known as the Counselor Lilium).
Mark Geistlinger
Board Memeber
Mark was introduced to Walcamp by his parents while attending many Fall Festivals, and seeing his Mother volunteer as a teacher and chaperone in the Outdoor Education Program through St. Luke Lutheran School. He attended the program while a student there, and then had the opportunity to volunteer and teach this program himself for over 30 years at St. Luke Academy. He is passionate about, and feels called to share, God’s many gifts of nature with children and adults alike. He has shared, and continues to share his passion and the need for Walcamp, with his wife, two sons and many others ever since. Mark a self-employed General Contractor since 1983, appreciates the opportunity to serve on the board since 2019, and use his God given gifts in construction to assist in maintaining the Camp’s facilities for the future.
Bob Hoffmann
Board Member
I am a layperson with nearly three decades of service to a mission congregation and school in Chicago. I believe my strengths are forming consensus during conflict but forging ahead when agreement may not be reached. I have lived and worked in minority neighborhoods for many years and have developed some sensitivity to the issues of these neighborhoods. I am a lifelong Lutheran, my father was a Lutheran high school teacher and my grandfather was a Lutheran pastor. I imagine I would be described as doctrinally conservative with mission sensibilities. My particular interest is urban ministry. The population has stabilized but the Lutheran church has declined. There is great opportunity to reach the lost right on our doorstep. Along with evangelizing, there is a need to create community inside of the city at large, which the Church is in the unique position to serve.
Kelley Schau
Board Member
I have spent the last 14 years teaching at St. Philip Lutheran School in Chicago. I am currently teaching 3rd and 4th grade homeroom and k-12 music. I also serve as their organist and athletic director.
I grew up on the south side of Chicago as a Pastor's kid. I currently reside in Skokie, IL with my husband and my youngest daughter. My oldest daughter is a sophomore at Carthage College.
My connection to Walcamp goes back 40 years. I attended for a few summers as a child and helped out during Agape weeks as a teenager. I spent 3 summers as a counselor during my college years. Since then, I have sent my daughters to camp and I have supervised school groups. My youngest currently volunteers as a junior counselor.
I am excited to serve Walcamp as a member of the board of directors as we look to the future with God's guidance and direction.
Susan Hammack
Board Member
Susan has a background in education and in camping. She is a graduate of Concordia, Nebraska with a degree in elementary education and music. She holds a doctoral degree in Education from Aurora University. Lutheran and public schools and universities have benefited from her teaching. Susan developed a love of camping from eleven years at Camp Moyoca, sent her four childen to Walcamp, and then she, her husband Jim, and all of their children worked/volunteered at Walcamp over the years. She and Jim enjoy God's beautiful creation at camp.
Laura
Stewart
Board
Member
Laura grew up in Genoa and attended Genoa-Kingston Schools K-12. After graduating, she attended
Kishwaukee College in Malta, IL and earned an A.S. degree in Pre-Business after which she transferred to Northern Illinois University and earned her B.S. in Business Management. She currently works in the accounting, specializing in accounts receivable and payable. She has been a long-time member of Trinity Lutheran Church of Genoa where she is an active member of the choir and praise team. Her first exposure to Walcamp was while in Girl Scouts when the district held their week-long summer day camps on-site. Through school, the 6 th grade class came to Walcamp for their Outdoor Education unit for three days. She also introduced an employer to Walcamp, and they continue to use the site for their summer picnics. She is looking forward to being a member of the board.
