In the early years (circa 1990s) a young man named Scott Hudson from Albuquerque came to summer camp. Not unusual for kids to come to camp. However, this guy had muscular dystrophy. He was in a wheel chair, one with big rubber tires so he could push himself around the meadow. His father, Jack, came to camp with him as his care giver. Wonderful.
Scott joined right in with all the other campers…singing, worship, small groups, teams course. TEAMS COURSE? How could you do the teams course in a wheel chair? Not easy, that’s for sure. As we did the different stations Scott and his wheel chair did the same as everyone else. On the blind trust walk, Scott lead a “blind person” around the meadow. On the trust fall, we put Scott up on the platform and he fell back to be caught by his team mates. Then, we put his wheel chair up on the platform, pushed it off and his team mates caught his wheel chair. We pushed and pulled Scott up and over the 11’ wall and then we put Scott’s wheelchair up and over the 11 ‘ wall. Scott and his wheel chair were always together. So, where Scott went, his wheel chair also went. A team. Scott always had great ideas on how to solve a task or complete a station. He was very smart and kids listened to him.
Scott came to Sonlight every summer through his post high school graduation. A “super senior” he was. Scott went to UNM and graduated with a degree in history. He entered graduate school at UNM and earned a Masters in history. Not long after that he developed a brain tumor and passed away in 2008.
Sonlight wanted to do something to remember Scott. So, we built a place in the meadow where kids could go and hang out. Yes, it had a wheel chair ramp. It has swivel chairs that are not level. It is a fun place to have lunch, small group discussions and simply sit.
Scott was an amazing young man. His humor, laughter and conversation will always be missed. We love you, Scott.
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.
