We’ll Miss You
Thanks Bryce, for making Sonlight a better place!
The economic impact of COVID-19 has forced many businesses, including Sonlight, to reduce their budgets far below what anyone could have foreseen. One of the most difficult decisions we faced was our staffing configuration. Given the current financial situation and uncertainty around when this will end, we have made the difficult choice to reduce our staffing to better align with our budget expectations.
It is with great sadness that we were unable to continue with our full-time Program Director position for our 2021 budget year. As such, Bryce Baca will be leaving this position at the end of this month. Bryce has embraced this position with love and energy and wholeheartedly served Sonlight’s campers for the last two years. His dedication to our campers and guests is unwavering and his enthusiasm for bringing the fun to the Meadow comes with boundless energy. Bryce, we can’t thank you enough for your work, creativity and dedication over the last two years.
We invite you to send a note of thanks to Bryce to send him off well. Please join us in praying for God’s abundant blessing on the next stage of his and Natalie’s journey.
Emrys and Sara
Co-Directors
Connect with Bryce: [email protected]
PO Box 536 | Pagosa Springs, CO | 81147
To the wonderful family and friends of Sonlight Camp,
It is with great sadness that I announce that I am officially leaving the role of Program Director at Sonlight Camp. This year has been extremely tough on a number of people and businesses and Sonlight is no exception. While unpredictable and sometimes scary this year has filled me with gratitude and as I reflect on my time here I hope you may find some encouragement as well.
I came here when I was 11 years old as an Adventure camper. I remember looking at Heidi leading energizers one morning and said to myself, “I want to be the ‘Boss of Fun’ one day!” And look where we are now! It has been a wild ride. Sonlight has been a staple of my life for the past 13 years. 6 summers as a camper, 4 years of Summer Staff, and 2 years as Program Director. I was a CIT once, spoke at a couple High School camps, and even took photos for one day. I think I’ve had every job at camp except the Nurse (I’m definitely not qualified for that). Not only that, but this where I met my beautiful wife, some lifelong friends, and learned who the person was that God wanted me to be. This truly is “God’s Camp” and I would not be the man I am today if not for His hands molding me through my time here.
This is the place where I learned to speak for myself. Where I had the confidence to be who I wanted to be. Sonlight allowed me the space to quietly ponder the complexities of the world, while also giving me space to dance like no one was watching (even though they definitely were). I learned how to make mistakes (and I made a lot of them!) I learned the difference between a leader and an authority–and how hard it is to be a good leader. I learned how to work incredibly hard, to live for a mission beyond myself, and to love others the way Christ does.
I learned that Christ loves me. Not just the really good parts of me, but He loves all me. Even the parts I don’t like about myself. He sees me for who He made me to be. He loves you too. All of you. On your darkest day He loves you. In the brightest of mornings He loves you. He made this entire world to show you that He loves you and wants to spend eternity with you. I don’t get it always. And sometimes it makes me cry when I think about it, but it’s the most important thing I’ve learned here. And honestly it’s the only thing that matters. I hope that in my time here I was able to share that with each of you.
Sonlight would just be a bunch of buildings in the woods if it were not for all of the people who make it a home. So thank you to all of you for your support. Thank you for being for being my friends. Thank you for showing me how to love like Jesus. I am not writing this as a goodbye. You all know–once you’ve been a part of Sonlight it is always a part of you. I will officially be leaving the role of Program Director, but staying in Pagosa. So please call me, txt me, DM me. I will always make time for you. I love you all.
Much love always,
Bryce Baca
505.980.9227