This summer, we’re launching our Staff Spotlight series to introduce you to a few of our incredible summer staff members. Stay tuned to learn more about who they are, what motivates them to serve, and what they are most looking forward to this season.
From Ark kids to teen campers and now summer staffers, Ian Leetz and Drew Alexander have truly grown up at Camp Arcadia. Over the past decade, their friendship has only deepened as they’ve enjoyed working on staff together this summer.
Beyond their friendship, both Ian’s and Drew’s families have a long history at Camp. Drew’s great-grandfather, Rev. Walter A. Maier was instrumental in its founding, and his grandfather, Dr. Paul Maier served as the longest-running speaker in Camp’s history. Ian’s connection also spans four generations, tracing back to his great-grandparents, who first vacationed here in the 1930s.
Meet Ian Leetz
Ian Leetz grew up in Valparaiso, Indiana, and will return to the University of Arizona in the fall as a junior studying Communications and Business Administration. Back for his second summer on staff, he is serving as both Assistant Sous Chef and Archives Assistant.
Outside of his studies, Ian stays active playing intramural beach volleyball and basketball. He also loves to travel and took an unforgettable trip to Europe after graduating high school, with Prague and Rome topping his list of must-see cities.
Summer trips to Camp Arcadia played a major role in Ian’s childhood. Some of his fondest memories involve spending hours at the basketball court making friends and practicing for the weekly 3-on-3 tournament.
Now as a summer staffer, Ian brings his competitive spirit back to the court as part of the staff team, always ready to challenge the top camper team in Friday’s tournament.
Having experienced Camp as a Family Week guest, teen camper, and cottager, Ian was thrilled to serve on staff last summer and help create a wonderful experience for families. Eager to return for a second season, he has stepped into a key leadership role as Assistant Sous Chef. He thrives in the fast-paced kitchen environment, enjoying his behind-the-scenes work to deliver exceptional dining for everyone at Camp.
Working alongside Drew and the rest of the kitchen team has been a major highlight, with memorable moments ranging from grilling burgers for the cookout to pulling off Friday’s candlelight dinners. Though it’s the week’s most demanding meal, hearing the guests’ enthusiastic applause during the cook’s parade makes all the hard work worthwhile.
When he’s not in the kitchen, Ian spends time in the Archives program learning from Archives Director Ryan McKenna. The rotation has given him a rich appreciation for Camp history and connected him to his past. While sorting through the collection, he discovered a photo of his great-grandparents on the beach in front of the Assembly, noting an unmistakable family resemblance.
“It’s been fascinating to catalog old photos,” Ian shares, “and see all the ways Camp has changed over the years while remarkably staying the same.”
Grateful for the chance to serve on staff, Ian loves the supportive community at Camp Arcadia—a place where he feels closest to God. He appreciates how selfless his fellow staffers are, always stepping up to help one another regardless of the task.
Beyond the staff bond, Ian finds pure joy in the everyday rhythm of Arcadia. Whether he’s sharing a family meal in the dining room, playing basketball, relaxing on the beach, or attending Vespers, Camp holds a special place in his heart. For Ian, it simply brings together all the best parts of life: “I love it all.”
Meet Drew Alexander
Hailing from Rockford, Michigan, Drew Alexander will be a sophomore this fall at Michigan State University, where he is majoring in Business with plans to specialize in Supply Chain Management and pursue a career in sales. This summer, Drew is serving in both the Kitchen and Housekeeping departments at Camp Arcadia.
A true sports enthusiast, Drew enjoys playing golf, soccer, flag football, basketball, and pickleball. In addition to sports, he spends his free time learning how to play guitar.
Drew’s connection to Camp Arcadia spans four generations—beginning even before Camp existed. In 1920, his great-grandfather, Rev. Walter A. Maier, then serving as Executive Secretary of the Walther League, first proposed the idea of a Lutheran camp during a trip to Ludington. He was part of the original team that visited Arcadia to inspect the property and meet with the Starke family, a founding story detailed in the Archives display at the back of the Assembly.
Drew’s own Camp memories are filled with time spent alongside family and friends. Each year, his family traveled to attend the Family Week where his grandfather, Dr. Paul Maier, served as dean. Notably, Dr. Maier holds the record as Camp Arcadia’s longest-serving dean, spanning an incredible 61 years from 1963 to 2024.
Growing up, some of Drew’s earliest memories were formed right on the beach at Camp Arcadia. He remembers spending hours digging in the sand and playing with toy boats in the lake with his friends. As he got older, he also attended every Teen Week and loved making new friends. During Family Weeks, he always participated in his favorite activities of softball and ultimate frisbee in addition to afternoons spent on the beach.
Following in the footsteps of his three older sisters, Drew was determined to spend a full summer on staff at Camp Arcadia. After years of enjoying annual family visits, taking on a summer-long role was a dream come true. “I’m so glad I decided to do it,” Drew says. “Working alongside such wonderful people in such a beautiful place has been amazing.”
A complete extrovert, Drew feeds off the staff’s positive energy and loves serving in both the Kitchen and Housekeeping departments. He especially appreciates how welcoming and driven his fellow staffers are. Working in the kitchen with Ian has been a highlight—turning hard work into a fun team experience complete with music blasting and everyone singing along.
Serving in Housekeeping has also been rewarding, giving Drew the chance to care for guests directly while learning a few practical life skills along the way. He recalls a meaningful guest moment when he helped a family by setting up a bed railing for their youngest child.
Plus, he jokes that he’ll never enter a bathroom again without noticing every tiny detail and stray hair in the sink.
Outside of work hours, Drew’s highlights with the staff include the float trip down the Platte River and evening bonfires on the beach.
Drew sums up the Camp Arcadia experience as “a place that is centered in love.” For him, it’s a space filled with fun and the beauty of God’s creation—a place to feel free to be yourself, free from daily stress, and free to connect with family and friends.
Serving Together
For Ian and Drew, serving on summer staff has provided an amazing opportunity to develop their leadership skills, reconnect with their roots, and build lifelong friendships. Amid all their hard work, they both bring a sense of humor and fun that brightens the entire staff community.
2 Responses
I have so enjoyed reading this series this summer! Thank you for sharing the “Staff Spotlights” with us!
It was such a pleasure to meet these two friends and interact with them at Summer Starter. They are charming and service oriented., an excellent example the high quality of the Camp Arcadia staff this year.