Outdoor Ministries

Outdoor Ministries

Our Outdoor Ministries teams offer warm hospitality to our churches, staff, visiting faith communities and to educational and non-profit organizations whose work aligns with the core values of the Southern New England Conference.

We engage in Outdoor & Retreat Ministry through four sites:


Kate Ostertag

Executive for Camps & Retreats, Edwards House, MA & Irons Homestead, RI
508-244-4429

Kate Ostertag oversees Edwards House in Framingham, MA and Irons Homestead in Glocester, RI and for Summer, 2022, Silver Lake Camp & Retreat Center.

 Our Outdoor Ministries teams offer warm hospitality to our churches, staff, visiting faith communities and to educational and non-profit organizations whose work aligns with the core values of the Southern New England Conference.

Contact her to:

  • Share your vision for a program or event that you are planning.
  • Check availability and pricing for an upcoming visit.
  • Learn more about Outdoor Ministries as a resource to you and your ministry.

Kate brings over 20 years of experience in retreat center operations with a passion for program and volunteer development.



 

Kate Ostertag


The Rev. David Camphouse

Director or Outdoor Ministries, Silver Lake Camp & Retreat Center
860-364-5526

Rev. David Camphouse is the Director of Silver Lake Camp & Retreat Center in Sharon, CT. He is ordained in the United Methodist Church, and has certification in Camp and Retreat Ministry, Christian Education, and Human Resources.

He picks up the mantle of the SNEUCC Outdoor Ministries teams to offer warm hospitality to our churches, staff, visiting faith communities and to educational and non-profit organizations whose work aligns with the core values of the Southern New England Conference.
Contact him to:

  • Dream about what Silver Lake can do with you to strengthen and encourage discipleship among the people of our faith communities and beyond.
  • Work out a good schedule with you for activities and care for a great camp or retreat at Silver Lake Camp and Retreat Center
  • Bring Camp and Retreat Ministries to your local congregation, and enliven your local congregation into the mission and ministry of the SNEUCC through Outdoor Ministries.

David brings a lifetime love of camping, and more than 30 years of experience in managing and running camps with a passion for the promise of Silver Lake becoming a beloved experience of God’s community.

David Camphouse


Aila Brennan

Program Director for the Silver Lake Camp and Retreat Center
860-364-5526

Aila is the Program Director for the Silver Lake Camp and Retreat Center.
She is responsible for planning and overseeing the day-to-day summer camp program and occasional retreat season weekend programs. Oversight includes program design, implementation, and marketing communications. She will also be directly involved in the recruitment, hiring, and supervision of summer camp staff and volunteers.

Aila Brennan


Morgan Aery

Retreat and Business Manager, Silver Lake Camp and Retreat Center
860-364-5526

Morgan is the Retreat and Business Manager for the Silver Lake Camp and Retreat Center.
She is responsible for booking and managing retreat reservations, hospitality, and operations for groups of all ages year-round, and is responsible for the financial operations at Silver Lake including managing and tracking the annual budget, and cost analysis of revenue streams, events, and operational costs.

Morgan Aery


Ruth Choate

Administrator and Registrar for Silver Lake
860-364-5526

Ruth is the Administrator and Registrar at Silver Lake.
She is responsible for:
  • setting up and managing online registration for Silver Lake programs;
  • overseeing application review and distribution of funds for summer camp scholarships;
  • supporting fundraising efforts and organizing the Silver Lake Annual Appeal;
  • processing donations and thank you letters to donors;
  • coordinating marketing and communications to the Silver Lake, SNEUCC, and wider communities;
  • and other administrative duties like responding to email and phone inquiries, and supporting the work of the other Silver Lake and SNEUCC staff.

Ruth Choate
She/her


Lynn Boettger

Food Services Manager, Silver Lake Retreat Center
860-364-5526

Lynn is the Silver Lake Food Services Manager.

Lynn Boettger


Kristen Kirby Dragalin

Director, Pilgrim Day Camp
508-875-4548

Kristen is the Director for Pilgrim Day Camp, MA which is one of the outdoor sites in the Southern New England Conference.

Kristen Kirby Dragalin


Jess Kirby

Administrator and Registrar, Pilgrim Day Camp
508-875-4548 Winter

Jessica is the Administrator and Registrar for Pilgrim Day Camp, MA which is one of the outdoor sites of the Southern New England Conference.

Jess Kirby


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Massachusetts Office

1 Badger Road
Framingham, MA 01702

Connecticut Office

805 Old Main St.
Rocky Hill, CT 06067

Toll Free Phone: 866-367-2822
Fax: 866-367-0860
General Email: friends@sneucc.org