Cat knows camp and retreat experiences shape lives in various ways. At camp, people are accepted in communities of belonging. They are loved for who they are and are often called into their vocations because of a camp experience.
As a 25+ year “veteran” in United Methodist Camp & Retreat Ministries, Cat knows this first hand. She has filled many of the regular camp staff positions: counselor, cook/housekeeper, lifeguard, high ropes specialist, Program Director, Camp Director, and Executive Director of Camp & Retreat Ministries in the Desert Southwest Conference, as well as Director of Mingus Mountain! She is a member of the American Camp Association (ACA) and serves as a visitor for the accreditation program.
Cat received her Bachelor of Science (Magna Cum Laude) from Virginia Commonwealth University, where she studied Recreation and Parks Management and Religious Studies. She also completed coursework for Professional Camp & Retreat Ministry Certification at Drew University. During COVID, Cat continued her education by receiving a Fundraising and Strategic Planning certificate from the ASU Nonprofit Management Institute. Most recently, Cat is a Trained co-active Coach and is on her way to becoming a certified coach with the International Federation of Coaching.
Recently, Cat’s rolled off the United Methodist Camp & Retreat Ministries Association (UMCRM) Board of Directors after serving for 10 years and providing leadership for multiple UMCRM National Gatherings. An avid believer in training and education, Cat has served as faculty for the ecumenical camp leader’s training, “Compass Points,” Furthermore, she is dedicated to personal life-long learning, always striving for excellence so that she can be a better leader, supervisor, and human.
When she’s not living the camp life, thinking about camp, or dreaming of new ideas for camp, Cat enjoys hiking and biking in Prescott, AZ (and the surrounding areas), baking up a bevy of delicious goods, studying the enneagram and connecting with friends from around the country.
This Sunday's scripture comes from Matthew 22:36-40
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