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Pam Peterson sums transition up at N-Sid-Sen

As Pam Peterson ends nearly two years as designated managing director of N-Sid-Sen, the PNC Camp and Conference Center on Lake Coeur d’Alene, she most valued working with “all the people”—57 volunteers for summer camps and 35 volunteers through the year.

Pam Peterson has attended Westminster Congregational UCC in Spokane since serving at N-Sid-Sen. Photo courtesy of Pam Peterson

“Everyone is so passionate about the sacred space of N-Sid-Sen, and working with volunteers has been a highlight,” said Pam.

She has also found that the seven churches she preached at—fewer than she had hoped to reach out to—have a fervor about the camp and feel ownership of this sacred space as a conference camp. She sees their commitment to continue youth and family camping.

“There is a strong core of support, especially in the eastern part of the conference, but also among Westside churches,” she said, pleased that some new members of the Outdoor Ministries Committee are passionate about the program at N-Sid-Sen.

She sees the strongest support among those who have connected with N-Sid-Sen for more than 20 years and sees that they are working hard to bring younger families on board.

“There is intergenerational commitment and relationship building that gives promise for the future,” Pam said, adding, it’s not just for sustainability but for regenerative action to continue building the camp.

Pam looks forward to helping onboard her successor, Brian Wallace, who brings 15 years of hands-on site management and marketing experience.

While she recognizes it’s hard to hear the energy behind a list, she shared an overview of what she has accomplished for the camp since she came in April 2023.

• A full risk assessment on fire mitigation with the camp’s insurance company, led N-Sid-Sen to firm up procedures and make improvements.

“We contacted AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps, bringing a team of young people to do fire mitigation such as cutting down bushes and trees,” said Pam.

Two other groups came out to volunteer for work camps and at other times, providing work for the camp and “camp time” for the volunteers. They made the trees that were cut down into firewood.

• There were several efforts to promote N-Sid-Sen and build relationships.

N-Sid-Sen offered two community open houses for the East Side Lake Coeur d’Alene Fire Department and Harrison.

Staff participated in events in two communities, Harrison and Carlin Bay.

In person and by Zoom, Pam preached in seven PNC churches, as well as attending regularly at Westminster UCC in Spokane, a strong partner of the camp.

She also recruited six new church groups in traditions other than the UCC.

• Pam arranged for N-Sid-Sen to coordinate a lifeguard camp, training five people, four to be lifeguards at the camp and one from the community.

N-Sid-Sen also developed a waterfront safety plan with the guidance of Drew Demery, who trained the lifeguards and helped develop that plan.

• Pam continued the expansion of the internet services for the camp that Mark Boyd, former managing director, started. It is now available in all the main lodges.

• For meals, Pam brought on a national food service company, Upper Crust, to run the summer camp kitchen. In the off season, N-Sid-Sen used caterers.

“Having no kitchen boss the first year meant I spent more time in the kitchen before Upper Crust came on board,” she said.

• For the summer of 2024, Pam helped create a role of volunteer chaplain. Dana Sprenkle, a trained chaplain in Richland and member of Shalom Richland UCC, was chaplain for both staff and campers.

“I had to do hands-on management, so couldn’t be pastoral presence I hoped,” she said.

• Pam has helped develop a site management plan for the future, compiling a list of the state of all of the buildings and grounds, and the state of the infrastructure—water system, septic system and utilities.

“We upgraded the propane system, which will save about $8,000 a year,” she added.

She also sees the need to make the site more user friendly for people who are aging, as well as demand for the simple cabins where campers can connect to nature.

“My job was one of transition, looking at the history of the camp, assessing the needs, encouraging volunteer leadership, envisioning the future and preparing transition to next settled camp director,” said Pam.

Pam has appreciated just being at N-Sid-Sen: “Swimming in this lake has been healing. The water is sacred. I appreciated access to walk in the woods with my dogs. It has been a blessing to be here.”

“I enjoyed the gift of loons especially in the fall. In September and October 2023 there were 75 loons. Normally there are just two,” she said.

In her 30-year career, Pam worked in early childhood education, nonprofit administration, substitute teaching, hospital chaplaincy, pastor of churches in Connecticut, New York and Montana, and studying and training others in transitional ministry with Presbyterians before coming to N-Sid-Sen.

Dates have been set for several summer camps with You and Me Camp Sunday to Wednesday, July 20 to 23 and Kids Camp July 23 to 26.

Family Camp is Sunday July 27 to Saturday, Aug. 2, and Camp Together is Saturday, Aug. 2 to Friday, Aug. 8.

The Senior High, Middle School and Intermediate Camp dates have not yet been set, because the Outdoor Ministries Committee is still working to recruit camp co-directors.

For information, call 406-426-8715 or email pastorpampeterson@gmail.com.

 

Pacific Northwest Conference United Church News © December 2024

 

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