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:
- Edwards House Meetings & Retreats
- Irons Homestead
- Pilgrim Day Camp
- Silver Lake Camp & Retreat Center
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
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
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
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
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
Kristen Kirby Dragalin
Jess Kirby