A search team for the Holston Conference of the United Methodist Church has selected a new director for Camp Wesley Woods in Townsend, Tenn. John Erdman will assume leadership of the camp in November 2010.

Erdman is a United Methodist lay member who has directed two camp sites over the last 14 years. Currently and for the past eight years, he has served as executive director of the Barbara C. Harris Camp and Conference Center in Greenfield, N.H., located within the Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts.

Previously, Erdman served six years as director at Wanake Camp and Retreat Center, a United Methodist camp in Beach City, Ohio.

Erdman’s camp management experience also includes serving as a summer camp director for the Boy Scouts of America. Prior to working fulltime as a camp director, he held several training and human-resources positions in business, education, and government.

“John possesses a great balance between the skills and experience of camp administration and a passionate heart for the spiritual nurture of campers and staff alike,” stated Fred Evans, chair of the search committee, and the Rev. Randy Pasqua, executive director of Holston Conference Camp and Retreat Ministries. “We believe Camp Wesley Woods will thrive under John’s leadership.”

Erdman is a frequent speaker at national and regional camp leadership conferences. He served as a trainer for new camp directors and conducts accreditation visits for the American Camping Association (ACA). He serves as a member of ACA-New England’s Standards Committee and is a member of the Camp America Board of Advisors. He is an Outdoor Living Skills and National Archery Association instructor and is certified as a ropes course facilitator.

Erdman has undergraduate degrees in management and government from the University of Maryland and a master’s degree in education from the University of Oklahoma.

He is active in his church and community. He serves on the town of Greenfield’s Budget Advisory Committee. He is also an assistant varsity football coach and freshmen boy’s basketball coach at Conval Regional High School. Erdman and his wife, Donna, have five children.

Camp Wesley Woods is one of four camps operated by Holston Conference Camp and Retreat Ministries. Camp Wesley Woods is accredited by the American Camp Association. For more information, visit http://campwesleywoods.com.