John Bates has been involved with Falling Creek for 19 summers; ten as a camper starting in 1992 and nine as a staff member working primarily as an adventure paddling instructor. He has been a part of many of our Father/Son Weekends and returned in the summer of 2017 to manage the woodshop program. We are happy that this fall he joined our full-time staff as a director.

Alexandria, John, & Hala AnnAlexandria, John, & Hala Ann

John attended the University of the South at Sewanee, TN, graduating in 2006 with a BA in History. From there, he went on to pursue graduate studies in Youth Development Leadership at Clemson University. His diverse work history combines experiential education, independent living skills, recreational instruction, leadership development and team-building.

John, center of top row of campers, in 1993.John, center of top row of campers, in 1993.

Previously John has served as a teacher’s aide at a school in Mobile, AL, for students with intellectual disabilities, worked in a residential transitions program in Hendersonville, NC, and served as program director and staff trainer at a nearby special needs program. John is certified as a lifeguard, lifeguard instructor, Wilderness First Responder, and First-Aid/CPR instructor.

John, center with arm around Program Director Chris Stec, helped FCC win the the famous Bull Sluice award from a tough group of Camp Merrie-Woode paddlers in 2001.John, center with arm around Program Director Chris Stec, helped FCC win the the famous Bull Sluice award from a tough group of Camp Merrie-Woode paddlers in 2001.

In his free time John and his wife, Alexandria, enjoy hiking, gardening and spending time with their daughter, Hala Ann.

John teaching paddling at Father/Son WeekendJohn teaching paddling at Father/Son Weekend