2025 Autism Day Camp Support Staff

Amigo's support staff bring their lived and professional experience to their positions at Camp Amigo. Each person has a passion for working with people with disabilities and has received training from both outside sources and Amigo Centre on a disability-affirming, person-first approach to care. Support staff undergo the same hiring process as summer staff: background and central registry checks, character and professional references, and an interview.

Colton Eby

Youth Program Director

​Colton Eby (he/him) has served as Amigo's Youth Program Director since 2020. With a BA in Youth Ministry (Bluffton University), five years as a camp counselor, and frequent substitute teaching, Colton brings skills in youth leadership and teaching to his role as Summer Camp Director. He takes great joy in learning new information, including identification of trees, flowers, and birds. Colton also enjoys hiking, disc golf, board games, reading, and playing guitar.

Shelby Eby

Summer Camp Co-Director

Shelby Eby (she/her) is a District Coach for English Learners in Elkhart, Indiana. She has eight years of experience as an educator and spends much of her time in elementary classrooms. Shelby brings deep compassion and trauma-informed care to her interactions with children, and she carries a strong sense of responsibility for the well-being of those around her. When not at school or camp, Shelby can be found playing board games, music, or disc golf and planning her family's next hiking trip.

Katie Misz

Autism Day Camp Pastor

Katie Misz (she/her) is the Pastor of Family Life at Waterford Mennonite Church in Goshen, Indiana. She approaches all aspects of her work with intention and care for those on the margins, and she believes that faith is lived out through action. Katie loves all-things beach, cooperative board games, and spending time with her chickens.

Autism Day Camp Support Staff

Nichaela Rock

1x1 Camper Support Staff

Nichaela is a 1st grade teacher in Rochester, Indiana. She has been teaching since 2018 after graduating from Manchester University. Nichaela first came to Camp Amigo when in 5th grade for a school field trip and had a magical time. Later, while in college, Nichaela was on summer staff at Amigo as a camp counselor. Now, she enjoys volunteering whenever she is available.  In her spare time, Nichaela enjoys reading, playing Disney Dream Light Valley, going to concerts, traveling, and spending time with her family and her Bernedoodle, Fennigan.

Katy Thornthwaite

1x1 Camper Support Staff

Katy is an Elementary Music Teacher in Elkhart, Indiana. This is her second summer at Camp Amigo, and she is so excited to work with and get to know the campers she is paired with. Outside of camp, Katy enjoys reading and anything to do with Taylor Swift.

Nathan Berkey

1x1 Camper Support Staff

Nathan is an orchestra teacher for middle and high schoolers in Elkhart, Indiana. He has been involved with summer camp at Amigo since 2018. When Nathan isn’t practicing his stringed instruments or nerding out about complicated board games, you can find him furiously itching due to his mysterious allergies.

Alisha & Chris Johnston

1x1 Camper Support Staff

Alisha has worked as an elementary school special education teacher for ten years, after many years as a summer staff leader at Amigo. Having helped start the Autism Day Camp program at Amigo Centre, Alisha enjoys supporting the disability-oriented programs that Amigo offers.
Chris is an elementary school teacher who enjoys working with children and helping them learn and grow. He has previous experience working as a special education paraprofessional, self-contained special education teacher in a classroom for students with emotional disabilities, and an early literacy interventionist. This is Chris's fourth year working alongside students at Amigo.
In Chris & Alisha's spare time, they enjoy playing board games, disc golf, and planning enrichment activities for their new baby.

Derrold & Peggy Waltner

Family Support Staff

As parents of children with disabilities, Derrold and Peggy have a special desire to share with parents in similar situations. Derrold is retired and has no employment obligations to fulfill. In his free time, he enjoys reading and writing devotional materials of how he can allow God to work in his life and share His love with people.
Peggy has worked with people with disabilities of various ages for over forty years: this truly is one of her passions. Peggy’s family and church are important to her. Peggy and Derrold love being grandparents, too.

Christa Kauffman

1x1 Camper Support Staff

Christa has taught Jr High students in Goshen for 14 years, and she periodically provides home care for a child with disabilities. When not in the classroom; Christa enjoys crocheting, hiding ducks in random boxes and pockets, and planning her next adventure.