Welcome bryan muecke

new camp whitman Executive director

The Search Team for Camp Whitman is thrilled to introduce Bryan Muecke (Mickey, he/him/his) as the new Executive Director of Camp Whitman, beginning January 1, 2024.

Cim McFarlane, co-chair of the Search Committee and member of Camp Committee, said, “Bryan brings an entire career of leading camp and retreat ministries to Whitman’s beautiful shores of Seneca Lake!”

Bryan grew up in northern Minnesota and attended Covenant Park Bible Camp near his home from an early age. As a long-time camper, he developed deep friendships which are still special to this day. In his late teens, Bryan also served on the summer staff as a lifeguard and camp counselor.

During his college years, Bryan served as the summer waterfront director at Camp Mission Meadows in Chautauqua County, NY while earning his B.A. in Writing from North Park University in Chicago. He later went on to earn an M.S. in Hospitality Administration from the University of New Haven in Connecticut - fully intending to launch into a career directing faith-based summer camp and retreat ministries.

Bryan served as Executive Director of Covenant Park (’04-’11) and Camp Mission Meadows (’11-’21). Both camps had been significant in his faith formation as a youth, and later, they benefited from his leadership as he guided them through seasons of expansion, growth and a renewed vision for the future. Most recently, Bryan served as Director of both the Transportation Department and Community Based Services with the ARC of Western New York. His duties included coordinating daily transportation to day habilitation programs and coordinating financial resources within a self-directed care plan for dozens of individuals with special needs.

Co-Chair Laurel Nelson said, “From the beginning of this search, our team was impressed by Bryan’s enthusiasm for the outdoors, warmth and humility in connecting with others, deep experience with camps and retreat ministries, and his appreciation of Camp Whitman’s ministry paired with imaginative vision to reach more people.”

In addition to being a seasoned non-profit leader, Bryan is a Licensed Staff Minister specializing in camping ministry through the Evangelical Covenant Church of America. He has also served on several local boards including Habitat for Humanity, the Christian Camp and Conference Association, the Association of Covenant Camps and Conference Centers, and the Chautauqua-Mayville (NY) Chamber of Commerce.

Outside of camp, Bryan has experience in parish children's ministry, youth sports coaching, and peer mentoring. He and his wife Chrissie enjoy outdoor activities like hiking and snowshoeing in their spare time, as well as spending time at their family cabin on Tug Hill and hanging out with their five boys.

We are delighted to welcome Bryan as the next leader of Camp Whitman, taking the baton from Lea Kone, who leaves us in a healthy position. We thank God for Lea’s gifts that have revitalized the ministry of Camp Whitman, and for all her love and investment in God’s work in this holy place.