Whether it’s your first time up 4-mile or your 46th – we can’t wait to see you on arrival day this summer! Arrival days at Sonlight are meant to welcome all and get campers set for the week ahead. While warm cookies and cold lemonade are a staple on Sunday afternoons, we want to walk you through some of the other logistics so you feel best prepared.
Between leaving town and arriving at Camp you will likely lose cell phone service. Have our address set before heading up 4-mile road, and check for signs along the way! It is about a 20 minute drive on a windy dirt road – enjoy the mountain views! As much as possible we ask you to arrive during our set arrival window between 4:30 – 5:30.
After passing through the stone gate, staff members (dressed in silly outfits!) will greet you on the road to give your camper a name tag. Have them stick it on where it’s visible to read. You will continue up the road to our main parking lot. Often with full camps our staff might direct you to park along the road; helping hands will make the unloading process a breeze. Walking towards the pathway you will stop at the check in table. Here your camper will receive their bunk assignment and check in card. (TIP: Have your shaving cream and drinks packed separately to drop off before heading to your cabin).
All campers are intentionally placed in cabins that best support community building. With full camps, bunk changes are not possible on arrival day. Please indicate on your application or email the program director ahead of time a bunk request or avoidance. Once campers pick a bunk and meet their counselor all campers will be asked to do a bag check. NEW in 2026, campers will be facilitating their own bag check as staff members ensure they have all the things they might need ( personal hygiene, water bottles, stuffies, etc) and don’t have things that harm the camp experience for all (technology, medications meant for the nurses station, weapons, etc). This is an amnesty opportunity for campers to forego items that don’t create a safe environment without any consequences from our staff. Thank you for partnering with us in this more timely process!
Following time in the cabins you and your camper will continue through the arrival stations on their arrival card that include things like checking in with the nurse and stopping by our dining room to meet the cooks. We encourage parents to stop by our parent information station to update household information and drop off/ write mail for your camper as well!
Upon completing the arrival card, feel free to explore camp with your camper (if they haven’t already ran off the join a 9-square game!) When the bell rings, campers will begin some “get to know you games” as they begin to build their camp community!
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.
