Admissions and Inclusion Manager

Melissa Zehe

At Camp Southern Ground, Melissa plays a pivotal role in shaping the camp experience for all participants. She oversees the recruitment and evaluation of applications for both the Summer Camp and Warrior Family Camp programs, ensuring that every camper (and family) has the opportunity to thrive. As the leader of the Inclusion Program, she works to create an environment where children feel welcomed, supported, and empowered. Additionally, she manages the camp’s continued accreditation through the National Inclusion Project. Melissa first joined the team in 2018 as a summer staff member and transitioned to a full-time position in May 2023. 

Melissa holds a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood and Special Education with a minor in Educational Psychology from Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP). Prior to her work at Camp Southern Ground, she spent nine years as a public-school teacher in Culpeper County, VA, where she specialized in working with neurodiverse students.

Melissa’s expertise extends beyond education and camp programming. She is a certified Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI) Trainer Associate through the Residential Child Care Project at Cornell University and holds a Crisis Prevention Certification and Trainer’s Certification from the Marcus Crisis Prevention Program at the Marcus Autism Center in Atlanta. 

Outside of camp life, Melissa is an unapologetic live music fanatic—always chasing the next great concert experience. She’s also an avid sports enthusiast who lives for college football season, passionately cheering on those Ohio State Buckeyes.