Rev. John A. Farmer

Center Director

Rev. John a. Farmer has been the Director of Don Lee since 1977. He is an ordained United Methodist Clergy person and a Certified Camping Professional by the American Camping Association. He is married to the Rev. Penny Dollar Farmer who pastors the Alliance and Arapahoe UMC near the Center. Together they have two daughters, Elizabeth and Grace. He also is a grandfather to Lilly,  Elizabeth's daughter.  John is also a Certified Sailing Instructor Trainer by the U.S. Sailing Association. In addition to giving leadership and direction to Don Lee, he was chairperson ofthe National United Methodist Camp And Retreat Leaders Committee for the General United Methodist Church. John continues to create an environment of trust and challenge where campers can grow in relationship to themselves, to others, to all of creation, and to God.

Laura Goldenbaum-Yang

Faith Formation & Retreat Ministries Coordinator 

Laura will join the Don Lee Center Program Leadership Team in mid-January.  She and her husband, Dai Won, will be moving to the area in the winter from Queens, New York.  Laura is a 2010 graduate of Drew Theological Seminary with a Master of Divinity Degree with concentration in Camp and Retreat Ministry. Her undergraduate education was completed and William and Mary.  She brings experience in outdoor and adventure education from programs in California, Texas, and New York. 

We look forward to completing this info bio and adding her picture so all of you can begin to get to know her.

Genevieve Nadler

Summer & Adventure Programs Coordinator

Genny is no longer new to the full-time staff..  She was a camper from 2000-2004, an LIT in 2005, and worked on Summer Staff from 2006-2010.  Genny studied Recreation Management at Appalachian State University, a University 'Above' the rest. 

She is excited to plan, coordinate, and facilitate summer camp and adventures for the place that means so much to her.

She loves everything about Camp Don Lee, the coast, and Appalachian Football. 

John Delamar

Sailing Coordinator

John Delamar was born and raised in Pamlico County. He has been facinated with the water since he was a small child. John as spent countless days exploring the Neuse River, Pamlico Sound, and it's surrounding areas, searching for fish, and enjoying th eunique environment which he calls home. After five years years at UNCW and about ten thousand hours of documented surfing time, John worked as a dock master at Bald Head Island Marine, owned a small construction business, and spent many hot summers at a local boatyard. John was an LIT at Don Lee Center in 1997 and could have never guessed that one day he would ebe back in a leadership role at Don Lee. BUT, here he is, striving to make the Don Lee sailing program a legend...or at least, really cool.

Joe Bliss

Maintenance Coordinator

Joe Bliss joined the Don Lee Center as our Maintenance Coordinator in October of 2000. He has two sons, Patrick and Spencer. Joe lives on Dawson Creek in Arapahoe, and went to college for Business and Mathematics. He has worked for 15 years in commercial and residential construction, spent 16 years in the military, and was a cross-country truck driver for 10 years. He has spent a lot of his time here maintaining and improving the grounds and facilities and has many more ideas for the future! Joe also is the licensed operator for our Waste Water