Camp St. Croix staff are passionate about the outdoors and possess exceptional wilderness skills and safety awareness. These special people love working with kids and are eager to share their knowledge with your camper.
Executive Director –
Tom Kranz
I grew up participating in the St. Paul YMCA and in YMCA Camping. I learned to swim at the Midway YMCA and growing up, our family went to YMCA Camp Du Nord in Ely. I started going up to Camp Widjiwagan when I was old enough to attend and kept going through high school. After I graduated from Hamline University, I spent the summer at Camp Du Nord and fell in love with YMCA camping all over again. I later became the Program Director at Camp Widjiwagan and eventually the Executive Director at Camp Du Nord. I left the YMCA in 1987 to get an MBA at St. Thomas and started working for the Minnesota DNR where I worked for 13 years.
In 2000, I came back to the YMCA as the Executive Director at Camp Widjiwagan and held that postion until 2005 when I came to Camp St. Croix as the Executive Director and as the Vice President of Camping for the YMCA of Greater Saint Paul. It has been great being a part of Croix including our recent Centennial celebration which brought hundreds of Alumni and friends back to Camp. I live in Eagan with my wife Cheryl and my daughters Hannah and Emma who have both been St. Croix campers. If you have any questions about Camp St. Croix do not hesitate to contact me.
Reach me by email or by phone: 612-465-0563, 651-436-8428 or 715-386-4380.
Senior Program Director –
Amy Schneider
My career with the YMCA began in 1998 when I married the Program Director of YMCA Camp Menogyn, Nick Schneider. From Menogyn, Nick and I moved to California and worked at YMCA Camp Jones Gulch, and in 2001 we moved to Chicago to manage the Vertical Endeavors indoor climbing gym. From 2004-2009 I had the honor of being the Program Director at YMCA Camp du Nord, a family camp north of Ely, MN. I am now thrilled to be the Senior Program Director at YMCA Camp St. Croix!
Nick and I have twin boys who know nothing other than the lifestyle of YMCA camping. I feel blessed to provide similar experiences for your family. I believe that camping affords people of all ages with an opportunity for self-discovery and a chance to experience the awe and wonder of the natural world. I support the mission of the YMCA and promise to do all I can to ensure these values play out everyday in the programs offered at YMCA Camp St. Croix.
Please contact me any time by email or by phone: 612-465-0567.
Outdoor Education Program Coordinator –
Katie Bloome
I first went to summer camp when I was ten years old, but it wasn’t until high school when I participated in the Leadership Development Program at YMCA Camp du Nord that I discovered my passion for teaching and camping. After high school, I attended Grinnell College, majoring biology and studying prairies and other ecosystems. During that time, I also worked at Camp du Nord as a program staff and naturalist. After graduating, I followed that passion for teaching and the outdoors by working as an environmental educator, a community organizer, and obtaining a Master’s Certificate in Environmental Education from Hamline University. Most recently, I spent two years as Co-Director of the Audubon Center of the North Woods where I managed their K-12 educational and camping programs. I currently live at camp with my husband, Rigel, and our dog, Elijah. I am thrilled to return to YMCA camping and to be a part of the Camp St. Croix team!
If you have questions about our outdoor education programs, please contact me by email or phone: 612-465-0569.
Conference and Retreat Program Coordinator –
Sue Elmer
Growing up in Stillwater on the St. Croix River, I have always enjoyed the beauty and fun the outdoors has to offer. I started working at Camp St. Croix in the fall of 2004. I enjoy helping groups plan their retreat time at camp. I continue to live in the river valley with my husband, Mark, and three children, Marcus, Gina and Mitchell. My children were all DayCroix campers when they were little, and two of the three have worked at camp. Vacations on the water, walks in the woods with my dog, skiing and gardening are some of my favorite activities.
Please email me or give me a call at 612-465-0561 to schedule your retreat, meeting or special gathering at Camp St. Croix. You, too, can enjoy the beauty of the river valley.
Summer Overnight Camp Program Coordinator –
Russell Spafford
I'm originally from California, where I got my B.S. in Kinesiology at California State University Fresno. I've spent years in health and fitness and was thrilled when I moved to Minnesota and began working at the Skyway YMCA and Camp St. Croix. I spent the summer of 2010 as a member of the DayCroix staff. With a passion for education, outdoors and kids I enjoy the opportunity to work with the Environmental Education, and Conference and Retreat programs.
Having the chance to work at Camp St. Croix is a gift. I have found camp to be a rich learning environment, for the students that visit and for the staff that are blessed to work here. Every day seems to bring about a wonderful learning opportunity for us all! When I'm not at camp my wife and I love exploring new places, camping, hiking, fly fishing and spending time with family and friends.
If you have any questions regarding summer overnight camp, please contact me any time by email or by phone: 612-465-0566.
DayCroix Program Coordinator –
Stephanie Lentz
I grew up in Stillwater where my family has lived for 4 generations. Much of my youth was spent camping on the St. Croix River. I went to several different camps as a kid and it was always the best week of my summer. I have a deep passion for camp and love working with kids of all ages.
I graduated from UW-Eau Claire with a BA in Sociology. After college I started working for the YMCA in Woodbury and was the Coordinator for Day Camp Kumalya in 2009. Then I began working full time for the YMCA in Hastings running Youth Enrichment Classes and summer programs. In 2011, I moved into a new role as the Senior Youth Development Coordinator shared between the Y in West St. Paul and the Y in Hastings.
I have been to Camp St. Croix for many field trips, retreats and conferences and have always yearned to work here. Magic happens at Croix and I am so excited to have the opportunity to provide great outdoor camping experiences to kids.
Please contact me with any questions you may have regarding DayCroix. Email or by phone 612-465-0562.
Lead Staff, Outdoor Adventure & SAC Staff –
Emily Sies-Mandel
My Career with Camp St. Croix began in the Fall of 2008 when I was hired as an Outdoor Education and Teambuilding staff. As a member of the Outdoor Education team, I got the opportunity to work with a variety of groups from sports teams to school groups and help facilitate their camp experience.
When I am not working with River Crest or Outdoor Adventure, I am a graduate student at the University of Minnesota completing my Master’s Degree in Youth Development and Leadership with an emphasis on experiential learning. In my free time, I enjoy painting, hiking and spending time with my husband and our families. I am very excited to bring all of my experiences to Camp St Croix and River Crest!
If you have any questions about School Age Care or Outdoor Adventure at River Crest Elementary School, please contact me any time by email or by phone: 715-203-6798.