Ben

Ben was raised in a Christian family, was home schooled, and accepted the Lord as his Savior at age 4. Drawn to youth ministry, he became involved with the Institute of Basic Life Principles, a program that had a strong impact through storytelling, where Ben discovered a talent. At 15, he became a professional storyteller and worked at a Christian bookstore through high school. He spoke at church youth conferences, led youth chapel services and got certified in The Character First Education Program teaching it in public schools when character training was state mandated.

In 2000, Ben’s family went to China to teach English. They worked with missionaries and at mission camps. When they returned, Ben worked in the Chesapeake Parks and Recreation School Program and at the YMCA. He earned an Associate Degree in Human Anatomy and Physiology at Tidewater Community College and a four year degree in Christian Education at Louisiana Baptist University. On a college mission trip to Taiwan, where he worked for 2 years, he met Bethany Ingebretson and fell in love. She was from Minnesota, but the couple continued their relationship long distance while Ben finished his undergraduate degree.

Ben earned a Master’s Degree in Special Education from Regent University, putting himself through school working as a bank teller, and teaching English as a second language. Upon graduation he had a desire to teach and go to seminary, but the economy had declined and the schools had a hiring freeze. He wanted to get married and needed a job. A friend told him about Camp Hope Haven and that they were looking for a Director. Ben and Bethany prayed about the decision and he applied. “I kept hearing about the state of our country and our youth. This was a chance to do something about it. It’s about helping kids take the next step, learn courage, independence, how to be in community with others, and help them personalize their relationship with God.” Ben became Hope Haven’s Camp Director in 2009, but found out their wedding date coincided with the opening of the camp season. They moved the date back a week, got married and “honeymooned” in the camp’s “Sheriff’s Cabin.” “The first six weeks of our marriage really strengthened us.”

Bethany says they wondered how one week in a child’s life could make a difference, but when the same children came back the following summer, they had the chance to help them grow. Ben says of the teen counselors, “It’s a pivotal point in their lives trying to figure out where they belong in the body of Christ. It’s about helping them understand it’s all about service.” When asked “what was the best thing about being the Camp Director,” Ben says, “I get to do so many different things, to interact and serve. I still tell stories and get to teach kids, and might be standing on a table with a ball in my mouth, but it’s great.”

Ben and Bethany work well together. He’s the out front guy, while she’s more behind the scenes. She says, “The work isn’t always easy, creating new programs, doing food service, crafts, sometimes being a nurse, coaching teenagers how to counsel children, but it’s a lot of good things.” Ben changed his mind. “The best thing about working at Camp is being able to work with my wife every day. I can’t imagine doing anything else.”

Ben and Bethany have two sons, Samuel (Sammy) and Theodore (Theo) who are the light of their lives.