Remembering Buddy Payne: Beloved Camp & Outdoors Director at DaySpring
It is with profound sadness that DaySpring Camp & Conference Center announced the sudden passing of Buddy Payne, Director of Camp and Outdoors, whose leadership and spirit brought unwavering energy and inspiration to campers, staff, and the wider community. The heartfelt announcement shared on DaySpring’s Facebook page conveyed the depth of the loss felt across their community: “We are heartbroken to share with you the sudden passing of Buddy Payne, Director of Camp and Outdoors at DaySpring.”
A Journey Rooted in Passion and Service
Buddy Payne joined the DaySpring family earlier this year, beginning his tenure on March 31, 2025. A native of Emerald Isle, North Carolina, he brought with him over 15 years of invaluable experience—most notably his nine-year role as Associate Camp Director at Camp Trinity in the Diocese of East Carolina. His lifelong dedication to Episcopal youth ministries also included serving as Lay Youth Minister at St. Peter’s By-the-Sea Episcopal Church in Swansboro.
From the moment he arrived, Buddy’s creative energy and versatile leadership were widely praised. DaySpring’s Executive Director, Brad Thompson, reflected, “Buddy is known as a jack-of-all-trades, with the kind of creativity and drive that made him rise from summer staffer to year-round leader…” He emphasized that it was Buddy’s genuine joy in connecting with campers that made him such a perfect fit for the role.
Buddy himself had expressed his enthusiasm for this new chapter: “Youth camp programs mean the world to me, and I am so excited to be a part of the DaySpring team.”
A Community United in Grief
The news of Buddy’s passing resonated deeply—not just within DaySpring, but across the wider Episcopal community. The Diocese of Southwest Florida echoed the announcement on its official Facebook page, sharing the same somber message and reflecting the collective sense of loss. The DaySpring and Diocese of Southwest Florida staff year-round and summer staffs are feeling this loss and connecting with each other with shared stories of Buddy’s short time in Florida.
Remembering His Legacy
In a short time, Buddy made a lasting mark on DaySpring—nurturing not only outdoor programs but also the hearts of those he served. His passion for nature, evident through his avid fishing and kayaking interests, and his years of ministry work, exemplify a life dedicated to service, joy, and the spiritual growth of youth.
As the community mourns, memories of Buddy’s boundless enthusiasm and leadership continue to inspire. Though no longer with us, his legacy lives on in the programs he helped shape and the lives he touched.
