Be With Kids. Show Them God.
Sonlight Camp is intentionally small, our mission is to be with kids and show them God through all our programming and activities. We focus on strengthening character traits such as self-confidence and integrity. We provide opportunity for friendships and community with activities set in the outdoors.
A community where people feel safe, supported, connected and have opportunities to contribute.
Building lasting character through all we do. Kindness, teamwork, resilience. Christ-like hospitality is a priority.
A small community where people belong.
Intentional faith programming woven through all aspects of work and play.
Intergenerational relationships.
Our camps are small, with specific age groups each week. Objectives for campers are age appropriate, programming intentionally designed to grow and build each year campers return.
Sonlight is...an independent not-for-profit organization established in 1979. We present the gospel through programs and relationships. We focus on community and teamwork, striving to accept diversity and appreciate each individual as a child of God. We are governed by a Board of Directors. Donations are cheerfully accepted, and applied to the camper scholarship fund, Program Excellence Fund or the Endowment Fund. Sonlight does not discriminate against gender, age, choice of cookie, race, nationality, religion or disability. Sonlight is accredited by the American Camp Association and licensed as a Child Care facility by the State of Colorado. We have been awarded the Alliance for Camp Health MESH (+) Gold Seal, demonstrating our intentionality for creating a community of well-being.
Our Statement of Faith: We believe the Bible, both Old and New Testaments, to be the inspired Word of God. We believe in one God existing in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. We believe Jesus Christ was conceived of the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, died on the cross for our sins and ascended into heaven to be with God. We believe the church to be part of the body of Christ to help carry out the work of God. We believe that only through Jesus Christ can one have eternal life.
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.
