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Boys & Girls Club of the Muskegon Lakeshore Names Camille Jourden-Mark as Chief Executive Officer
MUSKEGON, Mich. Sept. 9, 2025 The Boys & Girls Club of the Muskegon Lakeshore
(BGCML) today announced that its Board of Directors has unanimously named Camille Jourden-Mark as Chief Executive Officer, effective Sept. 8, 2025.
“This is a pivotal moment for the Boys & Girls Club of the Muskegon Lakeshore. Camille Jourden-Mark’s unwavering dedication to youth empowerment, combined with her exceptional record of visionary leadership, positions the Club for continued growth and lasting impact,” said Board Chair DJ Hilson. “Her passion for community and her ability to build meaningful partnerships make her the ideal choice to lead our Club into its next chapter, and the Board could not be happier.”
Jourden-Mark brings extensive leadership experience from her lifelong career at Michigan’s Adventure, along with a deep passion for youth development and community service. She earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Advertising and Public Relations from Ferris State University and a Master of Business Administration from Grand Valley State University.
She previously served as Vice President & General Manager of Michigan’s Adventure, the largest amusement and water park in Michigan. Her career is intertwined with the park’s evolution from a small, family-owned attraction to a top state destination. Over the years, she contributed across nearly every department including Merchandise / Games, Food & Beverage, Marketing, and Operations and led lifeguard training, orientations, hiring, and staff development.
In 2001, the Jourden family sold the park to Cedar Fair. Jourden-Mark remained at the helm as Vice President & General Manager until June 2025, when her position was eliminated during an organizational restructuring.
Jourden-Mark currently serves as Vice Chair on the Trinity Health Muskegon Board of Directors and as a board member for A Kid Again – Michigan and United Way of the Lakeshore. Her previous board service includes the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions, American Red Cross, the Michigan Travel Commission, the Muskegon Lakeshore Chamber of Commerce, and the White Lake Area Chamber of Commerce.
Camille and her husband, Steve, met as teenagers while working together at Deer Park Funland. They live in northern Muskegon County. Their three adult children attended Whitehall District Schools and grew up working at Michigan’s Adventure. After college, Zach and Alex moved to Ohio to accept management roles at Cedar Point, and their daughter, Katelyn, is a therapist in Muskegon.
“As CEO, I am committed to ensuring that the Boys & Girls Club of the Muskegon Lakeshore continues to be a place where every child feels safe, supported, and empowered,” Jourden-Mark said. “I am inspired by the spirit and potential of our young people and excited to pour my heart into the Club and work alongside a team committed to helping every child discover their full potential and unique path to success. I’m deeply humbled and honored to have the opportunity to lead this organization.”
As CEO, Jourden-Mark will lead the organization’s strategic direction and oversee operations, finance, programming, brand reputation, talent recruitment, resource development, and stakeholder relationships. She will also serve as the organization’s primary ambassador and lead communicator, reporting to BGCML Board Chair DJ Hilson.
BGCML conducted its search in May 2025 with assistance from Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s CEO Search Team.
About Boys & Girls Club of the Muskegon Lakeshore
Founded in 2014, BGCML was created by community members dedicated to providing
high-quality youth programming in Muskegon County. The first Club site opened on April 20, 2015; by year’s end, membership exceeded 300 youth. In 2022, BGCML purchased and renovated its current facility at 900 W. Western Avenue. Since then, the Club has served thousands of snacks and dinners and expanded academic, enrichment, and recreational programs. Today, BGCML serves more than 1,400 members, reaching about 460 youth per day in the summer and an average of 132 per day during the school year.
Media Contact:
DJ Hilson, Board Chair
HilsonDa@co.muskegon.mi.us
“Summer programs look for funding after federal pause” by: Susan Samples on WoodTV
July 7th, 2025
In a recent interview with Susan Samples of Wood TV, Christopher Dean, Interim Chief Executive Officer of the Boys & Girls Club of Muskegon Lakeshore (BGCML), addressed the unexpected federal funding freeze impacting the organization, a freeze totaling $600,000. This decision, enacted by the Department of Education, aims to ensure that resources are being utilized in alignment with the Department’s and the President’s responsibilities and priorities.
The funding in question was planned for vital programming within our Summer Clubs, which are currently underway. Historically, BGCML has demonstrated a strong track record of aligning its educational programs with federal requirements. Similarly, our parent organization, the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, has successfully secured federal funding for decades.
Given the current funding uncertainty, the Boys & Girls Club of Muskegon Lakeshore is reaching out to donors and community members for support. This collaboration is critical to sustaining our programming during this unpredictable pause in federal funding. The duration of this funding freeze remains unknown, and we are committed to ensuring that our programs continue to serve the children and families who depend on them.
We appreciate the support of our community during this challenging time and remain hopeful that together we can navigate these unforeseen circumstances.