John Mantalas
Assistant Camp Director
Steens nickname: John Jon
Years at camp and role: 33 years. Camper, Camp Assistant, Coach and Assistant Camp Director
Honors, awards and achievements: Since taking over at Sherwood High School, both the XC and Track programs have moved up to a top level program in the Pacific Conference and are regularly having success at the State Meets. The girls XC program has won 8 straight Pacific Conference titles and secured their first OSAA trophy in 20 years during the 2025 season when they placed 4th. Coach Mantalas has won multiple coach of the year awards in both track and cross country.
Favorite part of camp: I love watching new groups of athletes come to camp and have their lives changed by the camp and mountain. The lessons they learn and changes in their brains of what they can accomplish through one week spent in this magical place. I enjoy coming back each year to be reminded of those same messages and lessons I learned when I was a Freshman in high school. The mountain for me is a reset each year and I set my new goals for the year based on a week or two of reflection that the mountain allows you to have if you stop and listen. Coming back each year and seeing the incredible staff and people that have become a second family to me is just so special.
Three fun facts:
- I won the original hydration challenge that legendary coach Jon Gillespie started in 1993.
- I am probably in the top 2 to 3 for the most Big Days completed in the camp’s history… around 50!
- My oldest son’s middle name is Harland after the camp founder, who is like a second dad to me.