Meet The Directors
Who Runs Camp Foley, MN?
A Message From Krista, Alumni and Staff
Meet The Directors
Camp Foley is a family owned and operated summer camp that is over 100 years old. On a daily basis your kids will have interaction Alli, our Executive Director, and her mom Marie (who retired from Foley in 2024 but is still around as a retiree-in-training). Alli has been year around at Foley since 2004 and offers stability and consistency to our camp families and staff. That hands on supervision of both the campers and seasonal staff set Camp Foley aside. They really are involved in every aspect of the summer camp experience.
Meet Alli, Marie and their year-round team!
Alli Faricy, Executive Director
Favorite Activity: Waterskiing
Favorite Camp Meal: Pancakes
Favorite Camp Song: My Momma Don’t Wear No Socks
Email Alli
Why I Work at Camp Foley: When I think back to my time as a kid growing up, the best moments were spent outside, in nature, enjoying friendships and new experiences. Foley is a place that allows kids to find their own way through life while still maintaining supportive relationships with young adults that care about kids and want them to succeed. I have now had the opportunity to work with counselors that I saw grow up as campers and are now on staff. These dedicated young adults find it just as important as I do to pass on to other kids the life skills they learned at camp. Our world needs more villages to raise our kids and Foley offers me a place to provide that extra care to kids that can only help them as they start their independent life.
Alli has been on the Foley staff since 1999 when she started as a counselor teaching Sailing, Windsurfing and Waterskiing and has since worked as a Marina Director, CIT Coordinator, Program Director and Assistant Director. Alli has been a Director at Camp Foley since 2008 and took over as the Executive Director during the summer of 2025. As a third-generation camp director, Alli has learned the ropes of camp operation through living and working year-round at camp. In addition to her work at Foley, Alli is very active in the American Camp Association. She was the chair the ACA Northland Chapter (Minnesota, North and South Dakota) for 6 years and now is involved as a member of the ACA National Organization’s Volunteer Engagement Committee. She also serves on the Alliance for Camp Health’s Board. She is a certified trainer of Youth Mental Health First Aid and facilitator for CampWell, a wellbeing program that helps camps and youth serving organizations create cultures of wellbeing in their programs. Alli graduated from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington in 2004 with a degree in Marine Biology before moving back to Minnesota to begin working full time at Foley.
Letter from Alli
Dear Parent,
At camp, your child’s wellbeing is always at the heart of everything we do. From the moment they arrive, our goal is to create a safe, supportive, and joyful environment where each camper can grow, explore, and thrive. We know that sending your child to camp is an act of trust, and we take that responsibility seriously.
Our staff is carefully trained not only in safety and supervision, but also in the art of encouragement, empathy, and connection. Whether it’s making new friends, trying a new activity, or simply feeling at home in a cabin, we are committed to helping each camper feel seen, valued, and cared for.
We also believe camp works best as a partnership with families. You know your child’s unique personality, strengths, and challenges, and we are excited to learn from you. Together, we can make camp a place where your child builds confidence, independence, and lifelong memories.
We are truly excited for the summer ahead and look forward to welcoming your camper into our Foley Family. Thank you for giving us the opportunity to share in their journey.
Yours in camp,
Alli Faricy
Marie Schmid, Executive Director Retiree-in-Training
Favorite Activity: Backpacking
Favorite Camp Meal: Pizza
Favorite Camp Song: Donna Donna
Email Marie
Why I Work at Camp Foley: Camp is magical! I feel so fortunate to be able to use my creativity and energy as a youth advocate to provide a camp experience that makes a difference in the life of a child! Each summer camp day, I am surrounded by enthusiastic, adventuresome and talented campers. I am greeted by smiles and laughter in the morning, and when the stars shine over camp, I feel gratitude for the campers and all of their experiences of the day. I work at camp because of the campers! I want each camper to leave having an ultimate Foley experience.
Marie is a second-generation camp director and has been the Director at Foley since 1985 – taking over after her Father (Bob) and Mother (Vi) passed away. Marie graduated from St. Kate’s in St. Paul, MN with a degree in Elementary Education. After teaching for a few years and starting a family, she began working full time at Foley. Growing up as a camp kid, Marie has served as a Program Director, Marina Director and Assistant Director. She is also very active in the American Camp Association serving as the Accreditation Program Chair for ACA Northland (Minnesota, North & South Dakota). In addition, she is on the National Standards Commission where she works with a group to determine best practices, especially around safety and risk management for camps operating across the country. Marie has four children, all of whom have worked (or still do work) at Camp Foley.
Ally Daily, Director of Camper Engagement
Favorite Activity: Fencing
Favorite Camp Meal: Grilled Cheese and Tomato Soup
Favorite Camp Song: Rattlin’ Bog
Email Ally
Why I Work at Camp Foley: I work at Camp Foley because given the option, why would I want to work anywhere else? Attending Camp Foley as a camper for 12 years was one of the happiest parts of my childhood, and helped mold me into the strong independent person I am today. Now I go to work every day knowing I take part in creating some of the happiest times in so many other children’s lives. The scenery isn’t bad either!
Ally graduated from the University of New Orleans with a degree in Education. She then worked in New Orleans as a First Grade Teacher while spending summers on Staff with Foley. Ally started attending Camp Foley when she was 6 years old and never stopped! She loves fantasy and Sci-fi, and even taught a LARP-ing class as a counselor. She can teach you to swing a sword and shoot a bow and so far Foley is the closest she can get to living in Middle Earth so she’s glad to now call Foley her year round home.
Benji Thoennes, Assistant Director of Camper Engagement
Favorite Activity: Paintball
Favorite Camp Meal: French Toast Bake
Favorite Camp Song: Da Moose
Email Benji
Why I Work at Camp Foley: I enjoy sharing my knowledge and love for the outdoors with the youth here at camp. Getting to see the kids experience some of their “Foley First” is a great experience. I have always loved working outside and this is a great place to continue that passion.
Being born and raised in the great state of Minnesota, Benji attended college at Minnesota State University, Mankato (Go Mavericks!) and graduated with a degree in Recreation, Parks, and Leisure Services with a specialty is Resource Management and Leisure Management. After completing his internship at Confidence Learning Center, he moved up to the Brainerd area in 2012 and continued employment at Camp Confidence for 9 years. After Camp Confidence, he was the Recreation Manager at Grand View Lodge for a few years. Benji currently lives in Nisswa, MN with his wife, Katherine, and daughter, Brixley. They also have a large dog named Bear and a box turtle named Benbo. He enjoys many types of sports along with being an avid outdoorsman, a hunter and fisherman.
Mary Stevens, Office Administrator/Registrar
Why I Work at Camp Foley: As a mother, I initially was looking for a job that would offer me flexibility – so I could attend my children’s sporting events, or stay home with them if they were ill. My kids, who are now grown, attended Camp Foley for several years. Watching the changes in them after they returned home from camp made me realize that camp isn’t just about having fun – it’s so much more. Being part of the Foley team that helps make camp possible for so many amazing kids is fulfilling and rewarding. I came to Foley looking for a flexible job, and found a family – my “Foley family”.
Mary has been the Office Administrator at Foley since the summer of 2000. She is the one to call if you have any questions about registration, forms, billing or any other question about your child’s stay at Camp Foley. Mary has lived in the local area since 1994 and her two children both went to Foley, so she understands what it’s like to have a child at camp. Prior to living near camp, Mary lived and worked in the Twin Cities area. Mary keeps the Camp Foley Office running smoothly all year!
Mike Lillo, The Maintenance Guy
Why I work at Camp Foley: I enjoy the work. One of my favorite memories growing up was going to summer camp, I never wanted to leave! Now I work at one! Sometimes its hard for me to go home, this place makes you feel young again!
Before joining our team, Mike dabbled in pretty much everything that is needed at camp including plumbing, electrical work, and carpentry. He is the keeper of the grounds (plowing in the winter, mowing in the summer), helps fix all of the random things around camp and still finds time to help staff with projects. Mike is originally from Fosston, MN but now lives with his wife, Karly, and two daughters, Addison and Payton, in Brainerd, MN (near camp). Mike started at Camp Foley in April of 2014 and has been just the guy we needed to help keep our grounds looking nice and camp operational. Mike has associate degrees in Sales, Marketing, Management, Plumbing and HVAC from Northwest Technical College in Bemidji, MN.