about us
The pristine 1,000-acre expanse of towering forests, crystal clear water, and smiling Scouters makes the Crystal Lake Scout Reservation a home away from home for many, especially the founders of the Tesomas Conservation Foundation.
Started by a group of Eagle Scouts and camp staff alumni — with more than 35 combined years of staff experience — the foundation is driven to promote and facilitate environmental education and responsible conservation practices at Crystal Lake Scout Reservation.
The Crystal Lake Scout Reservation has a dedicated and active staff alumni and volunteer
network. We’re fortunate to have partnered with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, United States Department of Agriculture, Oneida County, and the University of Wisconsin at Stevens Point–College of Natural Resources.
meet the board
Ryan Michalesko, President & Founder
Eagle Scout — 2013
Ryan Michalesko is currently a photojournalist at The Dallas Morning News. During his five summers as a staff member and director at Camp Tesomas, Ryan worked to promote the importance of well rounded journalism and environmental understanding in everyday life. Following his tenure at Camp, Ryan spent time in Puerto Rico reporting on the aftermath of Hurricane Maria, including environmental impacts, and dedicated time to reporting on environmental issues and climate change in the communities of Wisconsin's Northwoods. He's an active member of his local chapter of the National Audubon Society and his local community garden.
Matthew Hansen, Vice President & Founder
Eagle Scout — 2010
Matthew Hansen is currently a student at the University of Wisconsin’s School of Law studying environmental and administrative law. Matthew’s seven year tenure on camp staff came to a close after a summer of serving as Tesomas Program Director in 2017. He has always been focused on his love of forests and wetlands, and is inspired daily by the many great Wisconsin Conservationists of the past.
Stuart Deets, Board Member
Eagle Scout — 2013
Stuart Deets worked at Samoset Camps for six years. He served as the Ecology and Conservation Director in 2015, and was honored as the CLSR Staff Member of the Year in 2017. He currently is working on his Ph.D. in Art History at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, where his research meditates on the intersection of contemporary art and ecology.
Michael Kelley, Board Member
Eagle Scout — 2015
Michael Kelley is currently a student at the University of Wisconsin in Madison. He spent three of his six summers working in the Crystal Lake Scout Reservation's Ecology and Conservation area, including two years as director. An advocate for environmental ethics, he strives to continue giving back to the institution that has provided him with so much in his youth.
Kyle Huddleston, Board Member
Eagle Scout — 2013
Kyle Huddleston worked at the Crystal Lake Scout Reservation for seven summers and now studies Management Information Systems and Cyber Criminology at the University of Alabama. While he plans to work in the world of information systems and technology, he believes there are always connections to be made between the conservation of natural resources and technology.
Jacob Schelpfeffer, Board Member
Eagle Scout — 2016
Jacob Schellpfeffer currently studies Engineering Physics and Environmental Studies at the University of Wisconsin Madison. In his seven years serving as a staff member at the Crystal Lake Scout Reservation, Jacob has developed a passion for the environment and the core belief that no aspect of life is completely separated from the environment and its health.
