Staff Profile: Jeff “Rawhide” Olchesky

For nearly 20 years, Jeff “Rawhide” Olchesky has faithfully served Pine Cove in a variety of roles, helping steward the ministry while pointing others to Christ. Now serving as Chief Operating Officer for Pine Cove’s Southeast Region, Jeff recently sat down to share about his family, his move to Georgia, the story behind his camp name, and the lessons he’s learned over two decades at camp. From his love for Pine Cove traditions to his vision for the future of the Southeast, Jeff’s heart for people, ministry, and the Gospel shines through in every answer. Get to know Rawhide in the conversation below!

What’s your current role at Pine Cove, and what does it entail?

I’m the Chief Operating Officer for Pine Cove’s Southeast Region. My role includes executive leadership over all programming and operations, developing future Pine Cove properties to accommodate growth and ministry opportunities, investing in leadership development among our full-time staff, and sharing the vision of Pine Cove ministry with current and future partners throughout the Southeast.

What has been a highlight of moving to Georgia?

Working with the Southeast full-time staff has been a huge highlight. They are God-fearing men and women of integrity who love our mission to inspire and equip. There is such a strong spirit of unity and joy among the Southeast staff.

Another highlight has been the beauty of North Georgia and South Carolina. The community of Stephens County, Georgia, has been kind and welcoming, and we are enjoying meeting new people through church, Little League baseball, and local businesses.

What is your camp name and how did you get it?

My camp name is Rawhide. As a summer staffer working at the Shores as a boat driver, I wore a cowboy hat often. During the name game, I was asked if I was really a cowboy. I explained that one side of my family hails from Wisconsin while the other has roots in West Texas, where my grandfather worked for the Texas Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association for over 30 years and had one of the biggest territories in the state, stretching from Marfa to Odessa to El Paso.

So it was determined that I was “half cowboy.” When my name was sold, the story was that I was a half cowboy who was a boat driver and would likely sit in a wet bathing suit all day and get a “RAWHIDE.”

Tell us about your family. 

Charis and I celebrated 19 years of marriage on June 16th, 2026. We met while attending the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor. Our oldest daughter, Amerson, turns 15 this summer and recently started volleyball workouts with her new teammates at Stephens County High School. Trip turned 13 in April and is jumping into football after wrapping up his first Little League baseball season as a Georgia resident.

Susu is a beaming 10-year-old who loves gymnastics, wake surfing, and all things social. Nix recently turned eight and loves anything mechanical or that can be driven. And then there’s Keller Grace—our surprise number five—who is an absolute ball and, most of the time, rules the roost. She’s strong and courageous and loves to wear Susu’s clothes and negotiate what she’s going to have for dinner—something none of the other kids were able to do!

What are some ways you’ve seen your children impacted by growing up in the camp environment?

As you might expect, our kids have been so loved, encouraged, and inspired by the many faithful summer staff. Having spent time in Tyler, Columbus, and now Toccoa, our kids have had an incredible sampling of the best college staff in the country.

We’ve seen each of our kids connect with certain staffers who simply engaged them in meaningful ways. Whether it was pickleball, working on projects during Training Week, a pony ride, or clearing tables after a camp meal, those college staff have made our kids feel loved and valued while setting an example for what being a God-fearing college student can look like.

Our kids have also experienced some incredible things and had opportunities for some SERIOUS FUN that most kids don’t get to experience on the regular. From horses and ropes courses to fishing, one-wheels, endless pickleball, and being surrounded by God-fearing full-time and summer staff, we regularly talk as a family about how rich our lives are because we’re part of the ministry at Pine Cove.

How did you and Charis meet?

Charis and I met at UMHB. She actually saw me during a preview weekend as a high school senior when I was a freshman. We had mutual friends and played intramural sports together.

To be honest, our relationship was a comedy of errors with both of us significantly missing it with each other. In spite of those misses, we had an enduring respect for one another. We both loved God and desired to walk with Him first, and we shared a lot of fun and laughter two-stepping together at a small hole-in-the-wall place called the Cotton Club in Granger, Texas. 

We’ve rarely parted since 2005. Since Charis never worked on staff or attended camp as a camper, she married into the Pine Cove family in 2007. She has been an incredible partner in ministry, and her impact on countless full-time and summer staff through the years has brought me so much joy.

What are you praying for over Pine Cove this summer?

I never tire of praying for God’s sovereign protection over every camper and staffer every single day. I am keenly aware that apart from Him we can do nothing.

This summer, I’ve been learning about and praying specifically for His peace to dwell over our properties and in the hearts of our staff and campers.

I later learned that the Springs and Springs Pro Bible study theme is Finding Peace With God, which was unbeknownst to me when I began praying specifically about peace. During a prayer time, I was reminded of the line in O Holy Night that says, “His Gospel is Peace”. 

Since then, I’ve been praying for God’s peace—through the work of the Gospel—to dwell over our properties and characterize every camper and staffer’s experience during a time in history that often feels chaotic, confusing, and peace-robbing. His Gospel is Peace.

Jeff and Charis with Pine Cove founder Bill McKenzie and his wife, Sharon (front center)

What do you think the next five to ten years look like for Pine Cove Southeast?

I believe we have only just begun to see how the Lord wants to use these properties, our staff, and our dependence on Him to bring glory to His name and joy into the lives of His people.

I believe what has been small and relatively unknown in the Southeast is a flame being fanned into a roaring fire—the type of fire that can be seen for a hundred miles and felt from a hundred yards away.

The need for the Gospel message and the unique impact camp has in the lives of campers and summer staff is undeniable. The Lord is on the move, and we strongly desire to be ready to minister in His name.

We’re praying about another family camp location in the Southeast and seeking the Lord’s direction on when to open a third youth camp to prepare for future ministry growth.

In short, if you want to be on the ground floor of something great, please commit to praying for Pine Cove ministry in the Southeast.

To God be the glory, great things He has done.