Night Time Routines & Sleeping in Cabins
Camp days are full of games, laughter with friends, and incredible food. With so much energy and excitement packed into each day, getting a good night’s sleep helps campers make the most of every moment. Most mornings at camp are filled with the question, “How did you sleep?” We recognize the importance of quality sleep and the impact it has on a camper’s experience, so we want to partner with our campers both ahead of and during camp to support the best possible experience.
Preparing for camp is one of the best strategies for a restful night’s sleep while at camp. Here are a few tips to try before campers arrive:
Each cabin has twin beds with a pillow, clean pillowcase, and bed cover, a bathroom, space for toiletries, a nightlight, and our incredible camp counselors. Some campers prefer to bring sheets and blankets, while others prefer sleeping bags. If campers get cold, we do have a limited number of extra sleeping bags and blankets available. Here are a few photos of our sleeping spaces!
Our cabin counselors are trained to help navigate these situations with campers and see if adjustments to the nighttime routine can be made (such as moving the nightlight closer to their bed or reading a bedtime story). They also check in with campers who may be missing home (see the Missing Home blog here!). We recognize that when campers experience difficulty sleeping, it is usually during the first or second night, and most campers settle into their routine shortly after.
We care deeply about every camper’s well-being and experience at Sonlight and know that sleep plays a pivotal role. That’s why we partner with families to help campers build healthy bedtime routines before they arrive. We also work closely with campers during their stay to support them through any sleep challenges that come up. When campers are well-rested, they have more energy, feel happier, and get the most out of their time at camp.
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.
