The fall season brings golden aspens , retreat guests and pumpkin muffins. The things that shape the positive impact of our summer camps also draw adults to return every fall with their retreat group. Community space in the cabins, trails to explore on the Sonlight property, a million stars visible from the hot tub, genuine conversation and laughter around the dinner table is unique space in our world.
Sonlight hosts retreats for various groups in the fall, each group provides their own programming and we provide great food and the facility. Summit Church in Durango, River Church, the Pagosa Springs Christian Women’s Retreat, the United Church of Los Alamos, Durango Children’s Chorale, and Dust2 mountain bikers. We wrap the fall up with our own High School Fall Retreat. The intergenerational connections are strong, with retreat groups filled with parents or grandparents of our summer campers as well as former campers.
Preparation for winter 2026-2027 is in full swing, winterizing vehicles and buildings. Fall provides a good opportunity to do facility maintenance and keep things repaired.
Joey and Claire are in 2027 summer planning mode. This summer Sonlight Camp partnered with Sacred Playgrounds to provide Parent Insights, an indepth opportunity for parents to share their feedback on our camps. We were affirmed in what we provide for kids, and we have information we can use to be better.
We celebrate all aspects of the fall. The slower space, with time to reflect on the memories of the summer. The color. We are grateful for the seasons and the space we get to provide for our guests.
CONTACT INFO
1536 Sonlight Place
PO Box 536 (USPS)
Pagosa Springs, CO 81147
Be With kids. Show Them God.
Caretaker
Thom’s Sonlight connection began in 1990 when he brought youth from the Phoenix area to ski; that trip continued for the next 18 years every March. He then participated in a handful of adult backpacking trips before extending an offer to volunteer in the off season. After almost a decade of spending chunks of May volunteering he now calls Sonlight home year round serving “wherever is needed”.
Thom holds a BS in Communications from the University of Puget Sound as well as a MDiv from Luther Seminary, which led to his 35 years as a Lutheran Pastor. The initial driving factor of finding the best way to be in service to others was evident in his ministerial work and has translated significantly to his contributions at Sonlight in retirement.
When not fixing things or working on new projects Thom enjoys golfing, cheering on San Francisco sports teams, and playing the guitar. He has three grown children and two grandchildren.
Co-founding Sonlight in 1979 with his wife, Mary, the calling that began simply as a “small, summer only backpacking program” that turned into what so many call home today can be accredited in part to the faithfulness of Winston. His passion to creatively solve problems and find solutions is evident in all parts of camp. An avid backpacker himself, he also enjoys bike touring and has logged over 14,000 on his touring bike. Nowadays, he serves as Board Treasurer and Camps ultimate human resource, providing insight to all things property and Sonlight history.
Winston earned his BS degree in Social Psychology from Colorado State University. He began working for Presbyterian Highlands Camp before deciding to start his own program, with a lot in between it's probably just easiest to say “and the rest is history”!
In his free time Winston enjoys traveling, spending time in the backcountry, and befriending as many furry friends as possible. You’ll find him around camp with a cup of coffee and Truman by his side.
Camp Director
From her middle school years as a Sonlight camper to spending her college summers on Summer Staff to then joining the full-time team as Program Director, Claire can’t imagine any other way to spend her summers! Now, as Camp Director, she continues to bring Sonlight’s vision of creating a community of well-being to life through her gifts of strategic planning, creativity, and intentionality.
Claire holds a BS in Psychology from Regis University, where she spent much of her time involved in University Ministry. She served as a Peer Minister to first-year students and coordinated opportunities for fellow students to discover how they were being called to use their gifts in service to others.
When she’s not immersed in the camp world, Claire enjoys reading, just about any outdoor activity, and spending time with her three-year-old kitten, Frankie.
