Kristin Adams is a dedicated and passionate advocate for mental health awareness and suicide prevention, a cause she embraced after the tragic loss of Dallas in 2007. Dallas's sister, Amber, has been Kristin's best friend since Kindergarten, and the Atherton family has become her second family. This lifelong bond between the families continues on to the next generation with Amber’s son, Landon, who is just six months older than Kristin’s son, Logan growing up together and both sharing a love of fishing, hunting, and anything outdoors. 

With a deeply personal connection to this cause, Kristin has been involved in various mental health initiatives for many years. She brings a wealth of experience from her professional experience, having worked at OSF Healthcare for 15 years in various areas of healthcare. She obtained a Bachelor’s in Business Administration from Illinois State University and went on to obtain a Master’s in Healthcare Administration from the University of St. Francis in Joliet, Illinois. 

Kristin is the youngest in her family, with two older brothers, Nick and Tony. Nick lives in Cincinnati, Ohio, with his wife, Asha, and their three children, Charlie, Gia, and Roman. Despite the five-hour drive, Kristin and Logan often plan trips to visit them or meet halfway so Logan can spend time bossing his little cousins around! Tony and his wife, Traci, live in Victoria, IL, with their two daughters, Samantha and Shaylee, who are really the bosses of all their cousins!  Logan shares a special bond with his Uncle Tony as they both have a birthday of July 3rd. Kristin’s parents are Chuck and Kathy Scachette, and she is close to both of them. Recently, she and Logan have enjoyed going on cruises with her parents to various destinations, with their most recent trip taking them to Alaska.

Kristin has been with OSF Healthcare for 15 years, serving in a variety of roles during that time. She currently serves as the Manager of Jump Experience and Development at OSF Healthcare’s Jump Simulation Center in Peoria, IL, where she leads her team to ensure that every visitor receives a world-class learning experience. In April 2024, Kristin was honored as one of three recipients of the Inaugural Integrity Award, recognizing her exceptional dedication and ethical standards.

Additionally, recognizing the community's urgent need for first responders during the pandemic, Kristin attended Illinois Central College in 2021 to earn her certification as an Emergency Medical Technician. She now serves as an EMT with the Germantown Hills Fire Department, providing critical support and care to those in need.

Kristin also has a profound passion for animals of all kinds and will rescue literally any animal she finds. She currently has two rescue dogs, Sugar and Scarlett, with Sugar being deaf. Additionally, she has three pet ducks: two Cayuga Ducks named Z (male) and Taylor (female), and one Black Swedish Duck named Duke (female).

As the Secretary of the Board for Camp Dallas, Kristin combines her professional expertise with her personal passion for the outdoors. Inspired by her 12-year-old son, Logan, who finds joy in fishing and hunting, she witnesses firsthand the healing power of nature and the importance of outdoor activities in fostering mental wellness. Kristin is committed to Camp Dallas's mission of guiding young hearts to healing through nature, nurturing resilience and hope in every youth they serve.

Hello, my name is Michelle Adams. I work at Jump Simulation & Education Center - a partnership between OSF Healthcare and the University of Illinois, College of Medicine. My role there is to assist with developing education and simulation curriculum for future healthcare workers. I am quite proud of the fact that we are often afforded the opportunity to create simulations that allow providers to practice having difficult / critical conversations with patients in the midst of a mental health crisis.

I have been married to my husband, Troy, for 30 wonderful years. We have a daughter, Ayla, who is a Physician's Assistant with Carle Health and a son, Bowie, who works at Guitar Center and is the bass player in a very successful local band called Heaving. I also have two Mini-Aussies, Joplin and Gimli, that I love taking on long hikes. Being in nature brings me peace and joy.

I have been privileged enough to know the Atherton Family for over 21 years, and am honored to serve on the Board of Directors for Camp Dallas. Some of my children's earliest memories are of spending time at Atherton Lakes. We all have vivid memories of Dallas on a jet ski, impressing everyone with his antics. He was always surrounded by lots of friends, but would take time to give the younger kids his attention. He had a mesmerizing smile on his face in all of my memories of him.

My daughter and I were also fortunate enough to have known Cassi's son, Austin. He was another beautiful soul who left this world too soon.

Both families have endured the unimaginable, and yet their losses have fueled a passion within them to help others. Camp Dallas is designed to deliver resources and refuge in support of overall mental and physical health. We look forward to this journey together. See you at the lakes!

I am a postpartum RN and Lactation Consultant. I have always been very compassionate and empathetic. It is such a pleasure serving others through my work. I was born and raised in Spring Bay. I live there now, with my husband and three children. We enjoy the outdoors just as much as I did when I was young. My kids play and swim in the same lake I grew up on. Being close to this lake has proven to be so very important to my kids. They love fishing, swimming, kayaking, catching tadpoles, all of the things. We are so very excited to share it with such deserving youth.

My brother lost his battle to depression at the age of 19. He was the funniest person I knew, so witty. He had the best smile. He was so very ornery, always pulling pranks. He was loved by so so many. He touched so many lives in his short 19 years. He had a way of making people feel important, worthy, and loved. I am so proud to be his sister. I am honored to be the Vice President of Camp Dallas. I hope to contribute to Dallas’s legacy by helping our youth overcome their challenges and build an everlasting community of understanding, love, and support.

Hi, I am Lori Benner. I live in Springfield with my husband Dave and our 3 fur babies. We are blessed with 4 children and 8 grandchildren. Watching the healthcare industry change over the last 25 years has led me to explore alternative more natural options for health and wellbeing. Enjoying being outside especially on Atherton lake gives me a peace that is not found anywhere else.

Being asked to serve on the board of Camp Dallas is a great honor. The love the Atherton family express to all they encounter and the passion for nature is infectious. Their great loss of their son Dallas has not dampened their drive to give back tenfold. The space that Camp Dallas will occupy is beyond description. Introducing youth to nature and all it has to give to the heart, body and soul is my why to proudly serve on this board.

Hi!! I am Cassandra Ardis. I was born in Peoria, IL, however I moved around to many different cities and states throughout my adolescence. When my children were in primary school, I wanted to make sure they had a steady foundation in their home and school, living on a lovely lake in Groveland, raising them through the Morton school district. I have 2 adult daughters and a son. My lovely daughters have gifted me with three grandsons and one granddaughter. On September 5, 2025, I married a wonderful man named Tony Ardis. Not only did I gain an incredible husband, but I also welcomed two adult bonus children into my life. We are both now enjoying our retirement in Florida, while returning to Central Illinois as frequently as possible, especially during the summer months. With over 30 years of experience in the fitness, wellness, and beauty industries, my passion has always been about helping others feel their absolute best.

I am honored to be on the board of Camp Dallas since inception for a multitude of reasons. I lost my son to suicide on September 7, 2018. He was a junior at ISU, serving in the Army National Guard. He was a friend to all, hard working, fun, always smiling, lifting everyone around him at all times. His death has been torturous to our family and friends. Meeting the Atherton family many years prior to Austin’s passing has helped me in my forever journey of grief and have inspired me in helping others. Nature has always been my refuge and Atherton Lakes is the perfect place to have that. So thankful for their passion to share that with everyone!

Larry was born and raised in Springfield, IL. He earned a Bachelor of Science in the Administration of Justice degree from SIU Carbondale in 1979. Larry met his wife, Vivian, in college. Married in 1980, they had two children. John was born in 1981 and Eleanor followed in 1983.

He worked four years in Hospital Security and sixteen years with the Illinois Department of Corrections. In 2001, after working part time in the display fireworks industry, he and his wife became owners of Central States Fireworks, Inc., leaving the Dept. of Corrections.

Throughout their career, Larry and Vivian built a reputation for professionalism in the fireworks business. This was evident not only with their clients and staff, it was felt and appreciated by the regulatory agencies that governed their business. Larry retired in December of 2021 upon the sale of their business.

Larry brings an array of talents to Camp Dallas. In addition to his career experience, Larry was deeply involved with the many facets of their children’s lives. From school activities to Scouting, he and Vivian staunchly supported their kids.

In 2004, Larry and Vivian experienced the tragedy of losing a son to an aortic aneurysm. Their son was an eye, bone and tissue donor who touched thirty-seven lives all across the country. Promoting donation was the saving grace in dealing with the loss of their John. Tragically, in January of 2023, Vivian passed away from acute liver disease. Vivian was a cornea donor.

Larry will strive to have Camp Dallas continue to grow into a safe place for all who are touched by the experience of the outdoors.

Ryan Deemer has spent his career helping others grow—whether it’s through hands-on mentorship, outdoor learning, or building better systems for small businesses.

With a background in nonprofit service, Ryan spent years working with youth programs in Peoria, where he taught kids how to repair bikes and gave them the tools to ride safely and independently. He’s also helped lead large-scale fundraising efforts for causes like Meals on Wheels, supporting vital services for underserved families and seniors.

Today, Ryan works as a business coach and entrepreneur, mentoring land service companies across the country. His approach blends real-world grit with clarity and structure—skills he brings to Camp Dallas as it grows from vision to impact.

Ryan’s love for the outdoors runs deep. He spent countless weekends in the woods with his father—camping, hunting, and learning about life under an open sky. Those experiences shaped how he sees the world and why he believes in the mission of Camp Dallas: creating space for kids to reconnect, breathe deeply, and rediscover who they are.

Bob Woolsey is married to Mia and has three children……Bennett 23, Charlie 20 and Edie 17. He owns and operates Jones Bros Jewelers and is passionate about helping make Peoria and the community a better place for all. Bob’s dad took his life in 1989 when he was 16. His dad loved the outdoors, fishing and hunting. Camp Dallas resonates with Bob because he has seen the damage depression can do to a family and is excited to help give young people in need an opportunity to experience the ways being active outside can help in times of struggle. He is glad to speak with anyone interested about Camp Dallas and the future benefits it will bring to our areas. 

“Michael Kolbus was born and raised in Peoria, IL. He attended Peoria Notre Dame High School and graduated from DePauw University in 2018 with a degree in Psychology. At DePauw, Michael was voted the captain of the Men’s Tennis Team as well as the Vice President of Phi Delta Theta fraternity. After undergrad, he moved to New York city to pursue a master's degree in forensic psychology. While the psychology path didn’t work out, Michael jumped headfirst into NYC commercial real estate sales. After six years, Michael moved back home to Peoria. He joined his parents’ real estate company, RE/MAX Traders Unlimited, and continues to focus on commercial sales and leasing.  

Since returning, Michael has fully reintegrated to Central Illinois. He’s had the privilege of being a part of the very first OSF Emerging Champions Group and completed the Peoria Chamber of Commerce’s Community Leadership School. In addition to Camp Dallas, he volunteers his time as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA), where he advocates for children’s safety, permanency and well-being while in foster care system. 

Camp Dallas is the ideal place for Michael as it combines his love of nature, getting his hands dirty, and providing a positive experience for kids in his community.”