Vice President~ William "Bill" Collett

Bill Collett is Vice President of the Camp Wyoming Board of Directors and serves on the Program and Buildings & Grounds Committees.  Bill grew up in Davenport, Iowa and remembers coming to Camp Wyoming as a child where “he got the chance to eat tons of blackberries off the bush.”  He graduated from the University of Dubuque and later got his first full-time job with the Camp as its Assistant Administrator &  Caretaker.  He called the job a “tremendous learning experience working under Harlan Johnston,” the Camp Administrator at the time.  “Harlan was a challenge to keep up with because he was so dedicated and hard working.  He was a great role model for any young person associated with Camp.” 

Bill and his wife, Ann, currently live in Bettendorf, Iowa.  Before Bill's retirement he was the Director of Outdoor Education for the Bettendorf Community School District.  Ann is a School Library Clerk and is actively involved with the Bettendorf Presbyterian Church.  Bill and Ann have a daughter, Amber who graduated from St. Olaf College in Minnesota.  Amber has been a world traveler with studies in England, Russia, and Washington, D.C. 

Bill enjoys extensive wilderness trips.  In fact, he has paddled a canoe to the Arctic Circle and beyond on three separate occasions.  As a hobby, Bill makes wooden solo canoes.  His favorite meal is “not always about the meal but the location.  I love to bake on a wilderness trip.  It’s amazing how good a pizza or simple muffin will taste 300 miles from nowhere.”  His favorite movie is Doctor Zhivago.  Bill has been involved with Camp Wyoming for over 30 years.  He helped rebuild Robin Cabin after a fire and directed the construction of the two tree houses.  He is excited about the future of the Camp and wants the organization to continue to focus on the preservation of the site.  “Let’s preserve the natural environment at Camp that makes it so special.  Many people may not be aware of the Great Blue Heron Rookery that live on camp.  It is very active in the Spring.  We are so lucky to have such a thing at Camp Wyoming"  Thanks Bill for including Camp Wyoming in your life.  We are blessed!