Mr. & Mrs. “B” & Their Family
Everyone has a dream. The lifelong dream of opening a summer camp for children was developed in 1959 when Jane and Jim Bennett (Mr. & Mrs. “B”) married. After 10 years of searching for the right property for a summer camp for children, they found it on Lookout Mountain in Cloudland, Georgia. Their mutual experiences as camp counselors, college teachers, Sunday school teachers and parents were instrumental in the early success of Camp Woodmont.
When they opened the camp in 1981, their vision was, and always has been, to be a partner with parents to give campers the opportunity to build character, develop positive relationship, acquire skills and happy childhood memories that would last a lifetime.
With carefully chosen, dedicated staff, Mr. & Mrs. B have provided thousands of campers (including their own grandchildren) with fun and exciting camping adventures and character building experiences.
It was a family affair as Mr. & Mrs. B operated the camp along with their two adult children until 2005. “One of the greatest learning experiences of my youth was watching and helping Mom and Dad as they built Camp Woodmont from the ground up,” says their daughter, Alyson.
After the death of her parents, Alyson took over the helm of operating Camp Woodmont for another 20 years. Her love for camp and the outdoors started at age 6 when she went to her first overnight camp. She was one of Camp Woodmont’s first counselors in the early 1980s.
“As a child, I recall summer camp as the most positive and memorable experience of my childhood. I want to give back to the children of today what I gained as a camper many years ago,” she says. “God has blessed us tremendously and we want to share those blessings so your children will find Camp Woodmont their ‘home away from home.”
Today, Camp Woodmont continues to follow down the path Mr. and Mrs. B first paved 40+ years ago.
An Updated Message from Alyson
When my parents opened Camp Woodmont in 1981, little did I know that I would be in the driver’s seat 40+ years later. And I couldn’t have possibly predicted I would meet my husband (of 36 years) at camp when we were both camp counselors.
Camp Woodmont has made me a better person, and for that I am extremely thankful. The laughs. The fun. The hard work. Life-long friends. It’s been an unforgettable and amazing journey.
After considerable praying and soul searching, Mike and I have decided it’s time for us to move into the next chapter of our lives, which means Camp Woodmont must change management. This is a decision we did not take lightly. We have enjoyed, lived, and loved so much about Camp Woodmont. It’s where we met, and fell in love. It’s where our children grew up. It’s where we lived every summer. And, Camp Woodmont will always be a part of us; forever.
We’re excited to announce that Martin and Kelsie Tribble are taking the wheel as the new Owners/Principal Managing Directors. This husband & wife team have been in the camp industry for almost 10 years, which makes them more than qualified to lead us into the future. The couple will reside on the camp property year-round with their two children, ages 6 & 4, which gives them an added advantage.
Camp Woodmont will remain the same, along with all the deep-seated traditions that started with Mr. & Mrs. “B” 43 years ago. Chloe & Stephanie will carry on in their roles as Co-Directors, while Joe will go on as our maintenance director extrodianaire! And Mary will continue to be our culinary artist in the kitchen. I will be there with Martin and Kelsie this summer to guide them as we navigate this transition. Under their leadership, they will provide the same great experience, and maintain the high standards of care and comfort that you and your children have come to love.
So really, not much is changing. The legacy will continue, and we are confident the Tribble’s will sustain the high reputation and provide the same wholesome camp experiences you expect.
We are planning a day for everyone to come to camp to meet the Tribble family to learn more about their exciting plans for the future at Camp Woodmont. You and your family are invited to come Sunday, May 5 from 2 – 5 pm to meet the Tribble’s and visit camp.
It has been a privilege and pleasure to work with all “my” families, campers and staff over the years! Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your loyalty and commitment to a family-run small business! And thank you for your continued support, and entrusting us with your children!
With sincere gratitude, Alyson
Alyson lives in Chattanooga, TN with her husband, Mike. Her two children, Chelsea and Savannah, grew up at camp and have worked in various capacities at camp. Chelsea is a (NP-C) Certified Nurse Practitioner and works in Nashville. Savannah graduated from (UTC) the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga with a degree in dietetics. She is a certified Dietician, and also works as a personal trainer and professional photographer (SavMasseyPhotos). The Gondek’s have two small grandchildren, and another one on the way! Alyson enjoys anything that has to do with her kids and grandchildren, as well as swimming, running, cooking and cheering on the Atlanta Braves and college football. She also plays pickleball almost every day.
More About Mr. & Mrs. B (Jane & Jim Bennett)
Jane was born and grew up in Commerce, GA and received her BBA and M.Ed degrees from Georgia State University and the University of Georgia.
Jim was born and grew up in Mathiston, MS and received his Bachelor’s, Master’s, and E.Sp. degrees from the University of Mississippi, Mississippi State, and Georgia State.
They met while teaching at Georgia State University, married two years later, and both spent more than 30 years in the teaching profession, mainly at DeKalb Community College. They retired from teaching and devoted their time to traveling, family, church and community activities, and Camp Woodmont. They have three grown children (and 6 grandchildren) who have all helped operate the camp. Their daughter, Alyson, continues to operate the camp today.
Mrs. B entered into the glory of the Lord’s presence on April 20, 2020. Her most admirable quality was how well she loved and served others before herself. For anyone who knew Mrs. B., you knew she was a most giving and selfless person. From 2005 to 2006, she nursed Mr. B. through cancer, spending days at his bedside at home telling him motivational stories until he died at home in 2006. She was truly an inspiration to all of us Jane was such a relational person, who desired genuine connections with those around her, to make others feel loved and cared for.
Mr. B. passed away in July 2006 after a long battle with stomach cancer. While we were very sad at his passing, we are so thankful for knowing him as a wonderful father, grandfather, teacher, camp director and one who loved life and lived it with passion and to the fullest. Follow this link to the internet memorial web page for Mr. B.
