Check Out Hannah Ellsworth’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Hannah Ellsworth.

Hannah, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My dad and I used to talk about how much we would love to run a campground together. It was something we could picture and get excited about, but I don’t think either of us really believed we would ever get the chance. Now, sometimes in the middle of a busy day at Roundup Lake, it hits me that we’re actually here, doing the thing we used to talk about.

When the opportunity came along, we took a leap of faith. There was excitement, but there was also a lot we didn’t know. We couldn’t see every step ahead of us. We just had to trust God, take the opportunity in front of us, and be willing to work hard. I’m so thankful we did.

The part that means the most to me is getting to do this with my dad. We’re sharing an experience that neither of us could have fully imagined. We get to make decisions together, work through the hard days, and see something we talked about become part of our lives. I know how special that is, and I don’t want to take it for granted.

It has definitely been a crazy adventure! People see the activities, the events, and everyone having fun, but there is so much work behind those moments. Some days are exhausting. Things go wrong, plans change, and you have to figure out what to do next while a dozen other things still need your attention. Those are the days I lean on my faith the most. Sometimes that means taking a breath, saying a prayer, and doing the next thing I can.

But I am never bored, and I always knew I wanted a life like that. I wanted to be creative, work with people, and have days that didn’t all look the same. Here, every day really is different. There’s always something to learn, something to solve, or something new to get excited about.

Then you get those moments when you can step back and watch families enjoying something your team worked so hard to put together. You see people laughing, kids having fun, and memories being made, and it reminds you why the work matters.

We’re still figuring things out as we go. I don’t have a perfectly planned story, and I certainly don’t have all the answers. What I do have is faith, a dad I get to share this adventure with, and a lot of gratitude for the opportunity God put in front of us. We used to talk about being here. Now we are, and that still means more to me than I can really put into words.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Oh, there have been so many challenges! But looking back, a lot of them have become funny stories—and reminders of just how much we’ve learned. Something that felt overwhelming at the time is now something my dad and I can laugh about and say, “Well, at least we know what to do next time!”

I think one of the biggest challenges in this industry is people. I know that’s broad, but learning to work with different personalities, understand where someone is coming from, and recognize what a situation actually needs takes practice. Sometimes you need to take a step back and listen. Other times, you need to dive in headfirst and handle it.

And sometimes you need to ask yourself, “Is this really that bad, or am I running on three days of barely any sleep and just ran out of coffee?” Learning to recognize what I’m bringing into a situation has been just as important as understanding the other person.

The challenge has really been growing, and I guess that’s also the blessing. Every day, I feel like I become a little more in tune with myself through my reactions and the decisions I make when working with others. I’m learning when to speak, when to pause, and when I need to give both myself and someone else a little grace.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I help run Roundup Lake Campground in Mantua, Ohio, alongside my dad. My work touches a little bit of everything: daily operations, supporting our staff, accounting, marketing, activities, and whatever unexpected situation comes up that day. There isn’t really a “typical day,” which is one of the things I love about it.

The creative side is where I get especially excited. I put together our weekly campground magazine, help plan themed weekends, and work on events like our Halloween celebrations and haunted hayride. I love having an idea and figuring out how to make it happen. There’s something really special about watching families enjoy something that started as a conversation or a scribbled note.

I also care about the small details that make an experience easier for people. That might mean making information clearer for guests or finding a better way for our staff to do something. A lot of that work happens quietly behind the scenes, but it matters. When things run more smoothly, everyone has more room to enjoy being here.

What I’m most proud of is what we create together. I might come up with an idea, but there are people who build it, prepare the grounds, welcome the guests, run the activities, and handle all the things nobody sees. Watching that effort come together means a lot to me. Getting to share those moments with my dad makes them even more meaningful.

If there’s something that sets me apart, I hope it’s the heart I put into my work. I get excited, I care deeply, and I’m willing to keep learning when something doesn’t go the way I hoped. My faith shapes the kind of leader I want to be: someone who treats people with kindness, gives credit, takes responsibility, and remembers to offer grace.

I’m still growing into that person. But I’m grateful to have work that lets me be creative, challenges me, and gives me a chance to be part of memories that families will carry home with them.

What were you like growing up?
I was weird and definitely bossy! I was the preschooler telling everyone else how we were going to play. My mom says she could see the leadership qualities in me early on. There were days when I got along with adults better than my peers,

But I was also an empathetic kid. I cared about how other people felt, and I worried if someone didn’t like me. Honestly, I still do. That’s been both a blessing and a challenge in a job like this. Caring helps me connect with people, but it has taken a lot of growth to accept that some people simply won’t like me or agree with my decisions. I can listen, be kind, and do my best, and still not make everyone happy. I’m still learning to be okay with that.

Music was a huge part of my life growing up. I was in every school musical and play, led the choir, and went to college for music education before switching to vocal performance. I performed in a few operas, too. For a long time, that was the future I pictured for myself.

Then COVID hit, and my direction changed. Eventually, I found my passion here at Roundup Lake, doing something I never really imagined would become my life.

Looking back, so much of who I was as a kid is still here: the creativity, the desire to take charge, and the heart that sometimes cares a little too much. I’m learning how to bring those parts of myself into my work while letting my faith help me grow through the harder ones. I’m thankful God led me here—and I hope I’ve gotten a little better at leading people than I was at directing everyone on the preschool playground!

Pricing:

• Rates vary by accommodation, dates, and length of stay. Please visit rounduplakecampground.com or contact our office at (330) 562-9100 for current pricing and availability.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.rounduplakecampground.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rounduplakecampground/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RoundupLakeCampground/
• Other: https://publuu.com/flip-book/169575/2297885?fbclid=IwY2xjawUs9a9leHRuA2FlbQIxMQBwZG9mBWJyaWQRMU1YRklJbDJzS29OVFAwUEZzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEecEsnpyC6yCXnyudnyUIx7Wr7OBRYFxp-lk3wUcyBqgaPxrSRE5Mz1ojScDw_aem_kT3MZthHlYhJ_AIXj9LqOQ