ITK TIPS (ITK = “In the Know”)
Sonlight Camp Healthcare is supervised by licensed RNs with extensive camp health experience. Our healthcare professionals desire to partner with parents to provide the best care possible for each camper. We know this starts with gathering thorough and accurate information on required health forms, so our staff are equipped to know healthcare routines, especially regarding medications and any medical or mental/emotional concerns your camper may have.
Throughout the summer, we foster a healthy environment by promoting handwashing, daily cleaning of high-touch surfaces, emphasizing the importance of sleep and hydration, and monitoring camper health. Rigorous routines are in place to mitigate illness risks, including measures to limit the spread of communicable diseases such as the flu, Covid-19, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and strep throat.
Health history forms are to be completed before arrival at camp and they are reviewed by our healthcare staff. We will contact parents / caregivers if there are concerns, or if we feel additional information will help us provide the best camp experience for your child. We welcome the information you provide so we can best care for your camper.
Medication management is regulated by Colorado State Childcare Licensing, and Sonlight adheres to regulations for medications and healthcare.
Immunizations requirements for campers are set by Colorado Childcare Licensing. Immunization records may be on a form from any state (this is an update to Colorado state regulation, as of April 2025.)
Campers do not have to be immunized to attend camp, there are forms required for an unimmunized camper to attend. Read more about Immunization regulations for Colorado summer camps
Details about the Colorado regulations, to include links to forms needed: read more
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.
