Staff
Jack Kooyman, President/CEO
Sarah Buter, Marketing and Fundraising Coordinator
Linda Brooks, Administrative Assistant to the President
Theresa Moore, Accountant
Jim Brasser, Caretaker/Site Manager
Lydia Kuyvenhoven, Director of Youth Programs
Miriam DeJong, Senior Camp Coordinator
Javonna Allen, Service Learning Manager
Joe (ZEP) Kuilema, Youth Empowerment Programs Coordinator
President/CEO
Jack Kooyman, President/CEO: Jack Kooyman has served as Tall Turf's chief executive officer (CEO) since 1994. Since then, he has provided effective leadership and oversight for much needed program and resource development. Jack has been providing executive level leadership for nonprofit organizations for over two decades. He has an earned bachelor's degree in religious education (BRE) from Kuyper College in Grand Rapids, Michigan and a master's degree (MA) in educational leadership from Western Michigan University. He has also pursued graduate studies at Aquinas College (Graduate Management Program), Denver Seminary and Calvin Theological Seminary. Presently, Jack also serves as President on the Michigan Section Board of the American Camp Association. He is also a certified accreditation standard visitor for the American Camp Association.
Year-Round Administrative Team Members
Sarah Buter, Marketing and Fundraising Coordinator: Sarah joined Camp Tall Turf Full time in the fall of 2003 after working on a part time basis for 2 years while completing her BA in Business at Calvin College. As the marketing and fundraising coordinator, Sarah is in charge of maintaining and building financial support from individuals businesses, and foundations through mail campaigns, phone-a-thons, an annual fundraising banquet, grant writing, etc. Additionally she is responsible for marketing the Tall Turf retreat center and facility rentals as well as all of Tall Turf's programs. Sarah coordinates a bi-monthly newsletter and an annual report and also assists with camper recruitment.
Linda Brooks, Administrative Assistant to the President: Linda began her employment with Tall Turf in 2000 after completing 30 years as an elementary education teacher in the Grand Rapids Public Schools. Linda offers a wealth of knowledge, insight, and support to all of the staff as she assists the president in the management and implementation of administrative activities. Linda also builds and maintains contacts with organizations and churches that send groups of campers to Tall Turf annually, completes the bulk of the camper registration process in the office, and maintains the donor database and gift acknowledgements. Linda has a B.A. in Elementary Education from Calvin College and an M.A. in Urban Education from Michigan State University.
Theresa Moore, Accountant: Theresa is a past Camp Tall Turf camper and current Tall Turf parent. In 2005 she joined Tall Turf as staff accountant. With a Bachelors degree in Accounting from Davenport University and a passion for the ministry of Tall Turf, Theresa is a perfect addition to the office. Theresa is also the Michigan Executive of the American Camping Association so she is well acquainted with camps. At Tall Turf Theresa effectively prepares monthly financial statements, pays bills, assists with preparing budgets, and assists with the annual audit process.
Jim Brasser, Caretaker/Site Manager: Jim has offered faithful service to Tall Turf through his position as Caretaker/Site Manager since the mid-1990's. In his position, Jim opens and closes camp each year, plans, coordinates, and supervises annual volunteer work groups, welcomes and orients rental groups, supervises and supports the work of summer maintenance staff, and maintains the camp grounds and facilities so that they are well keep and safe. Jim has a B.A. in Business from Calvin College.
Year-round Program Team Leaders
Lydia Kuyvenhoven, Director of Youth Programs: Lydia has joined the Tall Turf team full time in the Fall of 2006 after having served and worked in many capacities for Tall Turf since 2001. Lydia is a past counselor, program director, Senior Camp Director, school-year staff member, and board member. Lydia graduated from Calvin College in 2003 with a BS in Recreation/Youth Development. Lydia joins us from Campfire USA where she also worked worked with youth and teen programs. In her position with Tall Turf Lydia will oversee, hire, and train all program staff. Oversee school-year youth and teen programs, as well as summer youth programs. Lydia will also be responsible for assisting with ACA Accreditation standards and camp licensing requirements. Lydia is bilingual in Spanish and will be an asset to Tall Turf as we continue to seek to effectively reach and serve the growing local Hispanic population.
Miriam DeJong, Senior Camp Coordinator: Miriam is currently working on her MDiv/MSW at Western Theological Seminary and has joined Tall Turf part time. Miriam served as an LIT Mentor/Senior Summer Camp Coordinator in the summer of 2005 and proved to be skilled in working with and relating to teens. Her new position will allow her to develop strong relationships with the Leader In Training teens as she meets weekly with them and leads them through trainings, college prep, service learning placements, etc. Additionally Miriam is responsible for overseeing and running the School-year Sunday Night teen Bible Study. Miriam has had experience not only with Tall Turf teens but also with other teen groups in churches, schools (she taught middle school briefly), and at a Community Center in Chicago. We are excited to see and hear how the Tall Turf teens grow throughout this year with Miriam.
Javonna Allen, Service Learning Manager: Javonna has been a part of Tall Turf programs for the past 2 years and is truly a joy to be around. She is affectionately referred to as "Mama Vonna" by the teens who she has led both as a Summer LIT Mentor and School-year Senior Camp Leader. Javonna attended Baker College and is currently attending GRCC. As the Service Learning Manager Javonna is responsible for setting up volunteer placement for the youth and teen programs to attend and participate in as a part of CTT's programming throughout the year. It is Tall Turf's desire to expose youth to a variety of service opportunities and to establish an understanding for the value of giving back to our communities. Javonna is herself a giving individual and dedicated leader who is sure to invest in this position.
Joe (ZEP) Kuilema, Youth Empowerment Programs Coordinator: You would be hard pressed to find a camper/youth around Tall Turf who knows "Joe" but those who don't know "ZEP" are few and far between. Joe has spent 6 years working for Tall Turf up at camp in the summers and with the Saturday youth programs in Grand Rapids during the school-years. Joe has a BS in Social work from Calvin College and is finishing up a BSW at U of M this year. It is clearly evident that Joe has a heart for Tall Turf's youth as he mentors them. He is a skilled leader negotiating and disciplining when necessary but also calmly listening and caring. Joe is now responsible for overseeing the Saturday W.O.R.K. programs throughout the School-year and we hope he will be up at camp next summer as the Youth Camp Director. The Youth Empowerment Programs are in good hands with ZEP.
In addition to the above positions there are also 15 to 20 staff members who are employed very part-time in year-round community-based follow-up programs. During the summer, the Youth and Senior Camp programs are managed by about 35 staff members.