CAMP LEADERSHIP
Camp staff is perhaps the most significant single factor in producing an effective camp program. Each staff member is selected on the basis of his or her: confession of faith in Jesus Christ, commitment to His Lordship, professional backgrounds including both education and practical experiences, love for young persons and ability to mentor them.
In 2006, Camp counselors ranged in educational backgrounds from high school graduates to post graduate level students. They came to camp from several evangelical church backgrounds, each affirming their agreement with the spiritual foundations of Camp Appanoose. Several had served in some branch of the military. All staff members attend one week of leadership camp during which time they receive training in group dynamics, first aid, recreational leadership, camp craft, youth guidance, and the specific Bible teaching program of the summer.
Along with counselors, a limited number of high school age staff members (Age 16 and above) receive training and serve as support staff. All staff must adhere to lifestyle expectations.
ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF
- “Pastor Pat,” has been Executive
Director of the camp since its inception in 1989. He
holds a BS degree in Bible from Faith Baptist Bible College
in Iowa, an MA in Christian Education from Biola, University
in Los Angeles, CA, and post graduate work in sociology
from Pepperdine University in Malibu, CA. He has worked
as a chaplain in the Los Angeles County Probation Department,
served as pastor of two congregations, worked in urban
youth ministry, and directed wilderness camping programs
for “at risk” youth. He is a treatment level
foster parent and has fostered adolescent boys for well
over 20 years. Pastor Pat is at home year around with
his son, Zach, foster sons, and two collies in the upper
level of the camp staff house.
- has been Administrative Director since 2001 and
served as a summer time volunteer at camp nearly every summer
prior
to 2001. Cynthia has a BS in theology from Faith Baptist Bible
College in Iowa, and holds an M.S.T. in Curriculum and Instruction
from Drake University. She has also completed post graduate studies
in art at Biola University. Cynthia has taught art and music
and all levels of elementary education. Her specific interest
is in curriculum development. Since the beginning of the camp,
she has worked as a volunteer in nearly every area of the camp.
She is at home in rural Plano, near the camp, with her Wheaton
Terrier, Molly. She also teaches piano.
PROGRAM STAFF
has worked in
all areas of camp leadership for over a dozen years as a volunteer.
He is a graduate of the University of Northern Iowa with post
graduate work at Drake University and teaches school in the Johnston,
Iowa school district. Lowell works with many areas of the camp
program and is an excellent canoeing instructor. He is actively
involved with environmental education programs at camp. Living
in the Des Moines area he maintains summer housing on the camp
ground and also spends many weekends at camp throughout the year.
He fostered one son from Vietnam who is now married and in his
own home.
- is “Ranch Manager” for the
Sugar Creek Ranch at Camp Appanoose. He is a saddle maker
by trade with his
own line of saddles, Wolf Creek Saddles. His shop is in Corydon,
Iowa. Jon leads the horse program, manages the camp’s herd
of horses and organizes leather crafts. He works with a team
of other volunteers who together have a wealth of experience
with horses. Jon and his wife, Diane, are at home in Des Moines,
Iowa, and have three children.
BOARD MEMBERS
- is an educational
consultant for the Heartland Area Education Agency. As a professional
educator, she has experience across the spectrum, in special
education as well as with talented and gifted students. Linda
is a certified
water safety instructor. Linda holds a BA in Elementary Education
from Buena Vista University, an M.S. in Learning Disabilities
and Behavior Disorders from Drake University and an M.A.
in gifted education
from the University of Northern Iowa. She has taught in the public
schools, her Church’s Sunday School, as well as Bible Studies
and parenting classes in her home. Her organizational and leadership
skills have greatly enhanced the camp. With her husband Chuck,
she has three grown children and two grandchildren, and lives
in Carlisle,
Iowa.
is an engineer by profession and owner of Performance
Powder Coating in Des Moines,
Iowa. Among other areas, Dwight works with the business and facility
development concerns of the camp. He normally spends at least
one day a week on grounds. He and his wife Leanna, have two grown
sons
and five grandchildren. As an aside, Dwight has the distinction
of “engineering” the
first babysitting schedule for the famous McCaughey septuplets.
is a graphic artist and owns Imagine 5 Graphics in Pleasant Hill,
Iowa. His education
is from DMACC in Ankeny. Ken designs nearly all of the camp’s
printed materials. He makes his home in Des Moines with his wife
Jeanne. They have two married sons and four grandchildren.
is the Director
of Facilities at Vermeer Manufacturing in Pella, Iowa. Dell holds
a BSCE degree from California State University, Long Beach and
an M.S. degree in Construction Management from Stanford University.
He formerly worked for Toyota in Los Angeles, CA. Dell works
with
various areas of facility and program development at the camp.
He and his wife, Julie, have two daughters in college at
Iowa State University.
also works
with facility development at the camp. He has had many years
of experience in construction management, computer assisted
construction design, and the building
trades. Byron is employed by Lockridge Lumber, Inc., and its
sister company Superior General Contractors, Inc. He and
his wife Peggy
have four grown children and live in Centerville, Iowa, where
Peggy operates a business on the town square.
along with her husband,
Scott are originally from California, but are building a new log
home not far from the camp, near Promise City. Janell recently
retired from Pioneer Hybrid
and Scott will soon retire after thirty years of service to our
country, having served most recently at Camp Dodge. A graduate
of Kansas State University and Iowa State University, majoring
in Family Consumer Science, Janell has been involved with nutritional
education and research in various capacities throughout her professional
life. She has also
served as Supervisor of Army Community Services. An interest in health
and food safety, budgeting and cost management, and adherence to
Biblical principles are all assets which she brings to the board.
Janell and Scott have one son, Jerry, of Des Moines. They are retiring
locally
to contribute their unique gifts to the ministry at Camp Appanoose.
– Mentioned above.
–Mentioned above.