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For her first camp experience, Rosie chose Koinonia as her internship site this past summer. She is one of 23 students who traveled from Berea College in Kentucky to be a part of our 9-week Nature Camp program. Although hired as a camp counselor, Rosie quickly discovered another opportunity that spoke to her heart - the forestry team.
Before camp began and after spending a couple of days working alongside Maintenance Director Jim Kelty, Rosie asked to transfer her position. Her reasoning behind it: "No one is ever going to allow me to do the work Jim does because of my size, and I don't want to miss out on this opportunity." Jim welcomed her to the team. "She is a hard worker," he said—high praise from another hard worker.
Although motivated, Rosie had never worked in forestry before. She had no chainsaw training and had no experience with this type of machinery.
So Jim started with the basics, which led to teaching Rosie to operate the Kubota tractor. "It was a lot to learn at first." Rosie laughed. "But now it's easy for me. The excavator is a lot harder."
Learning practical skills was only the beginning. While working alongside two Berea forestry students, Rosie was introduced to an entirely new way of thinking about the natural world. "I didn't know much about the environment before talking with them," she said. "Now I'm thinking about adding a minor in environmental science."
Rosie came to Koinonia to gain new experiences. Her drive to grow led her from possibility to actuality, becoming a valued forestry team member. Koinonia's drive to invest in people turned that ambition into opportunity. Today, Rosie isn't just driving a tractor—she's driving her own future with new skills, greater confidence, and a deeper appreciation for caring for God's creation.
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