At YMCA Camp Cherokee, summer is more than a season—it’s a place where lifelong memories are made, leadership skills take root, and confidence grows. For Will “Happy” Gilmore, Executive Camp Director, ensuring those opportunities are accessible to every child—regardless of background—is both a professional mission and a personal calling.

With nearly a decade at Camp Cherokee, Will’s leadership has transformed the camp experience for thousands of youth while strengthening the organization’s financial foundation. Under his direction, the camp’s annual operating budget has grown from $600,000 to $1.3 million—an 85% increase that has expanded programming, improved facilities, and provided more access for underserved youth.

One of Will’s most notable recent accomplishments is the fundraising, planning, and completion of the camp’s new Recreation Hall—a 12,000 sq. ft. facility designed to enhance summer programming and support year-round activities. The project was no small feat. Through years of dedicated capital fundraising, Will and his team reached their $4 million goal, securing major support including a $750,000 grant from South Carolina’s Parks and Recreation Department, as well as multiple six-figure gifts from corporate and individual donors. The new building officially opened in November 2024, ushering in a new era of possibilities for the camp.

But Will’s impact reaches far beyond Camp Cherokee’s grounds. As an American Camp Association Standard Accreditation Visitor, he travels to evaluate other camps, sharing best practices and supporting excellence in youth programming. His volunteer work is equally impressive—serving as Vice Chair for Strides for Strength, where he helped secure 501(c)(3) status and coordinated fundraising events generating $25,000 each; and dedicating years to Camp LUCK, a camp for children with congenital heart disease, where he helped establish the programming standards still used today.

Will’s passion for youth development is matched by his belief in the power of community. Whether it’s mentoring new camp leaders, securing resources for underserved families, or designing spaces where kids can simply be kids, he brings energy, vision, and a can-do spirit to every challenge.

As one of the Chamber’s Ones to Watch, Will “Happy” Gilmore exemplifies the leadership, innovation, and community-minded drive that make York County stronger—one camper at a time.