Meet the Staff

Carrie Perry

Director

Carrie began her career with Benchmark in 2004 as a program coordinator in the Day Services program.  She was quickly promoted to Assistant Director of Camp Red Cedar and then to Director in 2008.

Education: 
Perry holds a bachelor’s degree in therapeutic recreation from Grand Valley State University, Allendale, Michigan.  She is a Certified Therapeutic Recreational Specialist (CTRS) and Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship (PATH), International and Certified Horsemanship Association (CHA) certified horseback riding instructor.

Off the Clock:
Perry enjoys time with family, horseback riding, sports and anything outdoorsy.

Personal Theme Song:
“The Hope In Everything” – Attaboy

 

Shelly Detcher

Human Resource Recruiter/Program Manager

Shelly began her career working with students in special education setting while finishing her undergraduate degree. She joined Camp Red Cedar in 2007 as a Field Supervisor, and quickly rose from seasonal to full-time employment as a Human Resource Recruiter/Program Manager. Detcher prides herself on maintaining employee and camper safety all while having fun in an outdoor setting.

Education:
Detcher holds a bachelor’s degree from Indiana-Purdue University, Fort Wayne and is a certified Red Cross lifeguard.

Off the Clock:
Shelly likes to stay active by hiking, riding horses, and playing volleyball. She also enjoys spending time with her family and friends.

Personal Theme Song:
“Cowboy, Take Me Away” – The Dixie Chicks

 

Theresa Prentice

Barn Manager

Theresa has been the barn manager at Camp Red Cedar since 2009.  She has owned horses for 20 years and has worked with horses in many different capacities including; trail guide, barn manager of a breeding facility, showing, and now therapy and conventional riding lessons at Camp Red Cedar.  She also brings a wide range of knowledge of horse care and products from working for many years in supply sales.

Education:
Studied in commercial art, Indiana University – Purdue University, Fort Wayne

Off the Clock:
Prentice enjoys reading, hiking, kayaking, horseback riding and art.

Personal Theme Song:
“Free Falling” – Tom Petty

 

Rachel Smith

Riding Instructor

Coming soon…

Education:
Off the Clock:
Personal Theme Song:
 

Mallori Bigelow

Riding Instructor

Coming soon

Education:
Off the Clock:
Personal Theme Song:
 

Erica Dice

Certified PATH Riding Instructor

Erica has always had a passion for working with horses. In her early years she was an active 10 year 4-H horse and pony member, member of the Noble County Saddle Club, and member of FFA in high school. While in 4-H, Erica was in hippology for a few years, taking 2nd in state individuals.

Education:
Erica studied veterinary technology at International Business College and went on to become licensed. She worked as a vet tech for 4 years before deciding to change career paths. Erica loves working at Camp Red Cedar because she gets the chance to pass on some of her knowledge to kids who share her passion. Recently, Erica obtained her PATH (Professional  Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship, International) certification.

Off the Clock:
When she is not at work, you can find Erica training her personal horses and barrel racing or working with beef show cattle with her husband, Kyle. She has 2 personal horses and her family owns 8. Erica also has a Springer Spaniel named Neiko who loves to be in the barn by her side.

Personal Theme Song:
“Anything Could Happen” – Ellie Goulding

 

Ashley Shaner

Certified Recreational Therapist and Certified PATH Riding Instructor

Ashley has 17 years of horseback riding experience and has taught riding lessons the past 2 year. Shaner has always had a passion for horses and perused a career in working with individuals in an equine setting.   She is focused and looks forward to meeting new and experienced riders seeking recreational therapy. Ashley joined Camp Red Cedar in May of 2015.

Education:
She is a Certified Therapeutic Recreational Specialist (CTRS), Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship (PATH) Certified Riding Instructor, Small Water Craft Safety Certified, and Adapted Aquatic Assistant Certified.

Off the Clock:
Ashley enjoys horseback riding, volleyball, and spending time with family and friends.

Personal Theme Song:
“Live Like You Were Dying” – Tim McGraw

 

Mallory Leatherman

Certified PATH Riding Instructor

Mallory has been a riding instructor at Camp Red Cedar since 2012. During her years at Indiana University – Purdue University, Fort Wayne (IPFW), she rode on the IPFW equestrian team during college.

Education:
Leatherman holds a bachelor’s degree in secondary education from Indiana University – Purdue University, Fort Wayne, and has an Indiana teaching license.  In Spring of 2014, Mallory acquired her Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship (PATH), International certification.

Off the Clock:
Leatherman enjoys spending time outside with her husband and their golden retriever.

Personal Theme Song:
“Overcomer” – Mandisa

 

Colleen Esterline

Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor

Colleen started riding when she was 4 years old, and started taking horseback riding lessons when she was 6. Colleen is the girl who never grew out of her “I love horses” phase! She’s tried it all including; english riding, jumping, western riding, and contesting, and has shown in the Allen county 4-H for 7 years. Colleen became a camp counselor in the summer of 2014, where she started assisting with lessons in all of the Range Rider camps. She has joined the team as a riding instructor in 2015 and received her PATH (Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship) certification in the summer of 2016.

Education:
Colleen graduated with an applied science degree in agriculture from Ivy Tech in 2016.  She currently works full-time in her area of study.

Off the Clock:
Off the clock Colleen loves being outside, spending time at the lake, spending time with family and friends, practicing for barrel shows with Quincy, and trail riding.

Personal Theme Song:
“Turn & Burn” – Sam Riggs Band