It’s been a busy spring. We welcomed two different sets of very special people who arrived with work gloves and hammers in hand to help us prepare the Sonlight property for our campers and staff.
Youth and adults from the United Church in Los Alamos arrived at the end of March and built our new shade space, a pavilion designed especially for program, providing shade when those summer days get hot.
In early May 41 people joined us for our Alumni work weekend. Simon Pratt led a group of scouts and friends to complete the campfire circle upgrade. His leadership on the project contributes to his Eagle Scout rank. Others in the group joined us from Wichita Kansaas, Los Alamos, Denver and Durango. Projects included a gravel and flagstone walkway to the handwashing station and the freeplay area. Lots of flower planting. Painting, cleaning and grounds raking. So much was accomplished!
Work groups and work projects are foundational to Sonlight Camp. All of our buildings were constructed by work groups, volunteers who came with a diversity of skill and experience to contribute to this place. We’re grateful for the tradition to continue!
As we rake, paint and shine the windows we get to know our alumni and friends in new ways. The shared work towards making this place better for all. As we contribute, together we deepen the fabric of this community, connecting generations and continuing to move towards a place that makes us all better.
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.
