It takes resources to be an impactful ministry that endures. The Sonlight community has a strong donor base, folks who believe in what we do and contribute to allow Sonlight to thrive. Donations are directed to the Sonlight Endowment for a revenue stream in perpetuity. Scholarships provide for camp to those who need a bit of financial assistance. Some donors designate their contribution for capital improvements to maintain and improve the facility.
In 2025 alone, Sonlight has given away $48,697 in scholarship funds. We refaced the climbing wall with fiberglass panels from Eldowalls, a climbing company here in Colorado. New routes were put up by the Pratt Family. The climbing holds are monochromatic, campers can pick the difficulty of route they wish to climb, identified by color.
We brought in a camp colleague, John Hamilton, to join staff training for a day, providing an elevated level of training on Mental, Emotional and Social Health.
Hammock village got a facelift. It continues to be a favorite spot for campers and staff.
New entrance signs are a great addition.
The Leadership Team is grateful for the generosity of so many to provide funds to allow Sonlight to be a maintained facility and provide a place for kids to belong. We have a solid list of projects for 2026! Donations will continue to fund scholarships for kids, allow us to be relevant in our programming and enjoy a well maintained facility.
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.
