New Faces, Same Mission: Meet Our Newest Team Members!
Summer may be over, but things are still going full speed ahead at Camp Sonshine! This fall, we’ve welcomed several new faces to our year-round staff and RISE Internship Program, and they’ve already hit the ground running!
From hosting user groups and field trips to leading activities, participating in training, and preparing for next summer, our newest team members have jumped right into the action.
Each of them brings unique gifts, talents, and a heart for serving others. We’re excited to see how God uses them to help create a place for people to BELONG & BECOME!
We thought it would be fun to introduce them by asking three questions about their favorite camp activities, best camper jokes, and highlights from their time on the team so far.
Meet Our New Year-Round Staff!
Our year-round team works behind the scenes (and often right in the middle of the action!) to keep Camp Sonshine’s mission moving forward in every season. We’re excited to welcome Carla and Dennis to the team!
Favorite Camp Activity:
“My favorite camp activity is the Aerial Park during the summer. However, during retreat season, my new favorite activity is competitive BB gun pistol shooting. Both are great fun!”
Favorite Camper Joke or Riddle:
“So you’re driving a school bus picking up kids in Lincoln. At 6:55 AM, 3 girls and 5 boys board the bus. At the next stop, 7 girls and 6 boys board. After that, the bus picks up twice as many boys as girls for the next three stops and arrives at school 4 minutes early with 26 boys.
What’s the name of the bus driver?“
Did you catch it? The answer is YOUR name — you’re the one driving the bus!
Highlight of Joining the Year-Round Team:
“There have been numerous highlights, but I think my favorite so far has been starting competitive pistol shooting for retreat groups!”
Dennis has enjoyed developing this new activity for retreat groups, complete with paper targets, spinning targets, and friendly competitions. It’s another way we’re adding fun and memorable experiences for groups visiting camp throughout the year!
Meet Our New RISE Interns!
At Camp Sonshine, we’re passionate about more than just running great camp programs. We’re passionate about developing leaders!
Through our RISE Internship Program, we intentionally invest in young adults, giving them opportunities to grow personally, professionally, and spiritually while gaining hands-on ministry and leadership experience.
Our vision is to UNLOCK & UNLEASH Kingdom Builders, and these interns are already putting that vision into action!
Favorite Camp Activity:
“The Aerial Park!”
Favorite Camper Joke or Riddle:
“I have a story about a school disco, and it ends with no punch line.”
Looks like you’ll have to ask Cian to tell you the whole story next time you’re at camp!
Highlight of Joining the Team:
“My highlights have been helping out with user groups and field trips, but ultimately, I have really, really enjoyed making videos for social media content.”
Favorite Camp Activity:
“My favorite camp activity is Oasis and Pool! It’s pretty chill, and most of my fun memories were made there.”
Favorite Camper Joke or Riddle:
“What haircut does a bee get?
A buzz cut!“
Johanna also loves sharing plenty of other “bee” puns throughout the day!
Highlight of Joining the Team:
“I love helping out wherever I can, especially when it comes to hosting! I enjoy chatting with people and being open to fun ideas!”
Favorite Camp Activity:
“My favorite camp activity is Theme Day.”
Favorite Camper Joke or Riddle:
“There was a man without eyes. He saw plums on a tree. He neither took plums, nor left plums. How can that be?”
Think you know the answer? You’ll have to ask Aiden!
Highlight of Joining the Team:
“A highlight of the internship so far is learning more about and helping actualize the longer-term mission of Camp Sonshine.”
Favorite Camp Activity:
“Hands down, my favorite camp activity is the Flying Squirrel. I love being able to run with my girls and pull one of them up into the air, and I also really enjoy watching them pull me up!”
Favorite Camper Joke or Riddle:
“My favorite joke to tell campers is actually one I found on a camper’s napkin during a trash sweep my first summer serving.
What did the plate say to the other plate?
Dinner’s on me!“
Highlight of Joining the Team:
“One of my highlights so far has been being able to help prepare and serve food for user groups!”
The Mission Continues All Year Long!
While summer camp may be what we’re best known for, the mission of Camp Sonshine continues all year long!
Whether we’re welcoming a church retreat, hosting a school field trip, investing in future leaders, or preparing for another incredible summer, our team is working to create opportunities for people to BELONG & BECOME.
We’re grateful for each of these new team members and the energy, creativity, and passion they’re bringing to Camp Sonshine. We’re especially excited to see how God continues to grow them as leaders and use their gifts to impact others.
Help us welcome Dennis, Cian, Aiden, Johanna, and Elia to the Camp Sonshine team!
And next time you see them at camp, be sure to ask them to share their favorite joke — especially Cian’s story about the school disco!