Kate Metts
Director
Phone: 252-249-1106 x 23
Email: kate@donleecenter.org
Kate grew up in New Bern, NC and in the Methodist Church. She was a camper at Don Lee as well a counselor. She has brought her son, Cooper to camp for many summers. She is well connected throughout the NC UM Conference. Personal experiences at camp have allowed Kate to fully understand the spiritual, life-changing impact camp has and the very foundation upon which this ministry was built.
Captain Taylor Lilly
Assistant Director
Phone: 252-249-1106 x 27
Email: taylor@donleecenter.org
Taylor has worked at camp since 2015. He has fulfilled many roles at camp including summer staff, summer leadership staff, seasonal environmental educator, program specialist, kitchen and dining hall coordinator, and retreat coordinator. In January 2023 he began serving as our Assistant Director. He most recently completed his US Coast Guard captain's license and has his Commercial Driver's License---a real plus at camp! He is responsible for the day-to-day operations of camp, working with the staff and the facility to receive guests. Taylor believes camp is so important for young people because it is place for them to be themselves, feel at home, and be a part of the camp community that truly wants the best for them. Taylor lives with his wife and three dogs in Oriental, NC.
Katie Lilly
Environmental Education Director
Phone: 252-249-1106 x 32
Email: fieldtrips@donleecenter.org
Katie began working at Don Lee almost a decade ago after graduating from NC State University with a degree in Marine Biology. Katie serves as the President Elect of the board of North Carolina Association of Environmental Education Centers. Her favorite part of her job is instilling a passion and love to the students and campers she teaches for the native species of reptiles and amphibians that we care for at Camp Don Lee. Katie lives with her husband and three dogs in Oriental, NC.
Julia Royall Johnson
Administrative & Program Specialist
Phone: 252-249-1106 x 21
Email: julia@donleecenter.org
Julia Royall Johnson grew up in Eastern North Carolina and is a lifelong United Methodist. She has a long history with Camp Don Lee starting with attending as a camper in her elementary school years, serving on Summer Staff in 2017 and leading retreats as a Youth Director in her former job. Julia has experience working with youth of all ages in a variety of settings such as the YMCA and the North Carolina Conference of the United Methodist Church youth ministry. Julia enjoys boating, the beach and lives in Beaufort with her husband and two dogs.
Sky Elledge
Retreats Coordinator
Phone: 252-249-1106 x 31
Email: sky@donleecenter.org
Sky is originally from Augusta, GA. She first came to camp in 2016 as a counselor on summer staff. Over the years she has also been LIT Coordinator (2018 II), Head Counselor, and Environmental Educator. Now Sky is back as the Retreats and Programs Specialist. She is excited to be back in NC and hopeful to see many dolphins.
Caitlin Delemar
Faith Formation Coordinator
Phone: 252-249-1106 x 31
Email: caitlin@donleecenter.org
Caitlin grew up in Fredericksburg, VA and received a Master of Divinity degree from Duke Divinity School in 2015. Caitlin is an Ordained Deacon in the United Methodist Church with her home conference being the Virginia Conference of the United Methodist Church. Caitlin has served in ministry in local church, non-profit, hospital chaplaincy, and children’s and youth ministry settings. Caitlin was the Duke Divinity intern at Camp Don Lee in the summer of 2014, where she met her husband, John Delamar, our former assistant director for sailing. John and Caitlin have been married since 2017 and have one daughter.
Captain Tanner Lilly
Waterfront Coordinator
Phone: 252-249-1106 ext. 34
Email: tanner@donleecenter.org
Tanner has worked at camp since the summer of 2015, working as summer staff, coastal environmental education staff, and as a full time staff in charge of all waterfront activities. Tanner attended camp for many years as a camper and is originally from Jacksonville, NC.
Kathryn Wynne
Communications and Marketing Coordinator
Phone: 252-249-1106 x 22
Email: kathryn@donleecenter.org
Kathryn is an ECU graduate who worked on summer staff while she was attending college. After working for several years in Raleigh at The Methodist Home for Children, she has returned home to a place that God has blessed. Kathryn and her husband live in New Bern with their beloved golden retriever.
Woody Spruill
Maintenance Coordinator
Email: woody@donleecenter.org
Woody was born and raised in Merritt, a town in Pamlico County. After high school, he served in the Marine Corps for 21 years. Upon retiring from the Marines, Woody enrolled in the Mechanical Engineering program at ECU. During this time he began working part-time in the maintenance department at Camp Don Lee. Woody has received many certifications for waste water treatment as well as drinking water during his time working at camp. Woody also serves our local community on the volunteer firefighter and swiftwater rescue technician. Woody's wife of 30 years works as a nurse at Craven Regional Medical Center.