Camp and Retreat Ministry is shifting the roles and positions of the office staff across the Dakotas-Minnesota Area. The shift will enhance services in both the Minnesota and Dakotas Conferences.

Glenda Gerlach, Dakotas camping office coordinator, has accepted a new position in Mitchell, South Dakota, in the field of telecommunications. Gerlach has served in her position for one year.

“Glenda has been an outstanding staff person in the Dakotas camping office and though we are sorry to see her leave, we are happy for this great career opportunity for her and her family,” said Keith Shew, Dakotas-Minnesota Area director of camp and retreat ministry. Photo: Keith Shew and the Conference Staff gave Glenda Gerlach a big "thank you" and best-wishes sendoff on March 2nd in Mitchell.

The announcement of Gerlach’s departure will allow the leadership of the Dakotas-Minnesota Area, including the Area Camp and Retreat Council and the Missional Leader’s Link, the opportunity to assess how to best define and fill the Dakotas Conference staff position for the Camp and Retreat Ministry of the Dakotas-Minnesota Area.

“Since learning of this change, staff and leaders from both conferences have begun discussions about how we can both care for the tasks connected with Glenda’s position in the immediate future, as well as, evaluate and address the opportunities for long-term ministry impact and effectiveness in the Dakotas Camping office and the Dakotas-Minnesota Area camping team,” said Shew.

 Shew indicated that there would be other staffing shifts happening in area camping offices in the coming months. Therefore, it is a good time to evaluate all staffing positions for effectiveness, efficiency, consistency, function and alignment with the established camping outcomes and annual conference missional pathways. 

People can still call the Dakotas Conference office with registrations and questions about camping.  Mary Wright and Stacey Edwards will handle the phone calls and inquiries. Wright, a long-time camping coordinator and Edwards, camping assistant have transitioned from a conference focus to servicing the Dakotas-Minnesota Area.

Shew stated, “In order to care for registrations and customer service needs that are beginning to grow, as we quickly approach the camping season, and allow us the needed time for discovering, hiring and training the next person who will join the area camping team, Mary Wright, long-time and seasoned camping coordinator, and Stacey Edwards, camping assistant will transition into an area wide function. The two will focus on registration support and customer service for our six beautiful area camps beginning on March 8.”

All camping staff across the Area has met together on a regular basis over the past 18 months. The team has developed an understanding of both the cultural differences across the Dakotas-Minnesota Area and the shared values.   

You can contact the Dakotas Camping office by calling 605-990-7780 or by e-mailing info@dakcamps.org.  All of the details and registration information for the upcoming camping season can be found at www.dakcamps.org.