Our Leaders
Jake Brenner - Summer Director
I have been working in the outdoor industry since 2013. With a combination of time spent here at AEI Base Camp, and at Glorieta Camps, I have found a passion for wilderness ministry. In 2018, I finished my Bachelor of Arts in Adventure Education from Fort Lewis College in Durango, CO. I firmly believe that time spent in the wilderness can be impactful for personal and spiritual growth. Overall, I love teaching and hope to continue using it to help share the gospel with others through the outdoors. When I am not working, I love spending time with my wife, Sami and our two dogs, Scout and Atlas. We love to spend time with our friends camping, hiking, alpine skiing and mountain biking.
Sami Brenner - Program Director
My journey in wilderness ministry began in 2014 at Camp Eagle, in the hill country of Texas. After a single summer guiding backpacking and kayaking trips there, I was hooked. I saw countless examples of people experiencing the Lord in new and powerful ways by getting out of their comfort zones and experiencing creation in a fully immersed way. Since then, I have worked in New Mexico and Colorado, pursuing opportunities to help facilitate those experiences.
Now I get to help train others to guide these experiences while still getting firsthand, daily reminders of the ways God shows up through the outdoors. Building community that fosters deep conversations and connections is one of my favorite things.
During free time, I love being outside, exploring new places with Jake and our pups, and hosting fun dinners. We love to ski, bike, fish, and play outside!
AEI Base Camp Summer Staff
We generally have about 25, high-character staff members each summer making your adventure a reality. We are so fortunate to be able to work with an AMAZING summer staff every year and without their influence and passion, camp could not happen. Each individual that God calls to work and serve at AEI Base Camp brings something unique and extraordinary to camp life. If you have an interest in spending a summer impacting lives through wilderness adventure and if you have a desire for your own personal growth, we would love for you to join our team.
Lewie Foltz - AEI Outfitter Director
While focusing on managing AEI Outfitter, the fishing and hunting operation of AEI during the summer and fall seasons, Lewie is still a part of the summer camp family in many regards.
"To me, wilderness adventure is my heritage and has been my passion as long as I can remember. My outdoor ministry journey began in serving with the ministry of Cru right out of college at Virginia Tech.
From leading small groups into caves and on camping trips, wilderness became a platform for me in helping others experience a deeper relationship with God and fortified connections with each other.
Prior to accepting a position with AEI, I spent seven and a half years at Riverside Baptist Church in Denver, CO as Director of Camp Riverside (Grand Lake, CO) and leading Riverside Outdoor Ministry.
I am extremely blessed with an amazing wife, Valerie, and a growing family of two future adventurers, Casen and Alaina. Outside of spending time with my family, you will find me on the river with fly rod in hand or shooting my bow in preparation of hunting season."
