Meet the Directors
Steve and Julie Purdum
Steve spent eight years as a camper and eight years on staff before coming to serve as the Executive Director in 1990. A graduate of Lawrence University, Steve was previously an instructor and counselor at the Culver Academies. He is active within the American Camp Association as a standards visitor and has served on the editorial board of Camping Magazine and on the board of the Association of Independent Camps.
Julie grew up in Minnesota and attended residential camps as a child. Julie has degrees from Lawrence University and the College of St. Catherine, where she received her nursing degree. During the summer, Julie serves as the Health Care Director at Mishawaka.
They have two children, Shelby and Harrison who are former campers and have served as part of the Mishawaka staff.
“The idea that I can give back, and provide Mishawaka campers with an experience similar to the one I had as a camper keeps me going.”
Steve Purdum
Peter Myers
Director
Peter is a longtime Mishawaka camper (10 years) and staff member (6 years) and returns to Camp Mishawaka to serve as a Director after a distinguished career in independent education. Over the course of his career he has served as a humanities instructor, dean of academics, curriculum director and most recently as the interim Head of School of the Upper School at The Santa Catalina school, a boarding and day school in Monterey, CA. He and his wife, Susanna, have two young sons, Owen and James.
“Returning to Mishawaka at this point in my life seems like a natural progression on a journey that I began as a young camper. Some of my fondest memories and deepest friendships were formed as part of my time at Camp Mishawaka and I am excited to return, share Mishawaka with my family, and help create an exceptional experience for campers and staff.”
Peter Myers
Mary Jane Curran
Girls Camp Director
Mary Jane joined the Mishawaka staff in 1996 and has served as the Girls’ Camp Director since then. She lives in Minneapolis, where she recently retired from teaching at Breck School. Her sons, Murphy and Kevin were Mishawaka campers for many years and now two of her grandkids are campers!
Mary Jane brings a variety of talents and skills to her role as the Girls’ Camp Director, but none more important than her ability to provide young women with a safe, nurturing environment in which to learn and grow.
“There is nothing more rewarding than walking alongside young people as they figure out who they are, why they are special, and where they fit in this big, beautiful world.”
Mary Jane Curran
Sean Barrett
Boys Camp Director
Sean first joined the Mishawaka staff as a cabin counselor for our youngest campers in 1992 and has returned in many roles over the years, including Trip Director, Program Director, and Boys Camp Director. A lifelong educator and coach, he teaches physical education in Independence, MO, and has led student programs and athletics for more than 25 years. He brings a wealth of experience, a deep love for Mishawaka, and a commitment to creating a safe, healthy, and happy environment where boys can grow, thrive, and have fun.
Sean and his wife, Vanessa, have one daughter, Allie, who is a former camper and who has also served as a part of the Mishawaka Staff.
“Mishawaka has given my family so much over the years, and I’m grateful for the chance to give back and share it with a new generation of campers.”
Sean Barrett
Angela Fitzpatrick
Girls Camp Associate Director
Angela first joined the Mishawaka staff as a cabin counselor in 2013 and has been part of camp in a variety of roles ever since. An experienced educator, she serves as a Student Support Specialist and Behavior Interventionist and holds both a degree in Elementary Education and a master’s in Education in Instructional Design and Technology.
With a diverse background that includes work as an emergency dispatcher, years in education, and life as a mother of two, Angela brings insight, warmth, and a passion for social-emotional learning and resilience. She strives to foster a community where girls feel supported, inspired, and empowered to be their best selves—at camp and beyond. Angela and her husband, Mark, have been part of the Mishawaka community for many years and now return each summer with their son, Leo, and newborn daughter, Ellie—both future campers!
“Each time we return to Mishawaka, it feels like coming home. I’m grateful for the chance to share that same sense of belonging and joy with every camper.”
Angela Fitzpatrick
Cheryl has been our Office Manager at Camp Mishawaka since 2016. She is from central Illinois and was recruited to Minnesota during her college days to work at a similar summer camp – and Minnesota stuck! She lives in the woods near Grand Rapids with her husband, Rob, and many pets. She has three adult children.
Jarid posessses the best qualities for a terrific summer camp buildings and grounds manager: knowledgable in a wide-range of “fix it” fields, fun, safety conscious, and best of all… he lives right down the road!
Director of Tripping, Jason Yale, comes to us with a deep background in wilderness tripping and summer camping. Most recently, Jason served as the Trips Director at Camp Nebagamon- where he was a camper and staff member for many years. Prior to that he was the National Program Director for Big City Mountaineers, based in Denver. Jason and his wife, Emily - who met at a summer camp - live in the Grand Rapids area with their young son Harrison. He has already made great strides in securing permits, planning trips and developing our new Rainy Lake Fishing trip.
Counseling Staff
Camp Mishawaka takes great care in selecting its staff. Married couples, veteran teachers and college aged men and women work together to carry on the tradition of “Safety, Health and Happiness.”
Staff members take part in a week long staff training prior to the arrival of the campers. Counselors are trained in first-aid and CPR and many have advanced certification in water safety, sailing, climbing, tripping, horseback riding and canoeing. In recent years, our staff has averaged five years experience at Mishawaka. Camp Mishawaka maintains a 4:1 camper to staff ratio.
