The Camping, Outdoor and Retreat Ministries Council and Director of Camping Ministry and Operations, the Rev. David Berkey, are pleased to announce the following:
Catherine (Cat) Holbert has been hired as the new director at Lazy W Ranch, effective September 23rd. Cat has a degree in Parks and Recreation from Virginia Commonwealth University and has completed the Camp and Retreat Certification in the United Methodist Church through Drew Theological School in NJ. She served as Assistant Camp Director at Westview on the James United Methodist Camp in Goochland, VA, for 10 years and as director of Children’s and Youth Ministries at River Road UMC in Richmond, VA. Most recently, Cat has served as the Program Manager at Lazy W since February, 2013. She is an accreditation visitor with the American Camp Association and a member of the National Camp and Retreat Committee of the United Methodist Church.
Danny Armanino and Jennifer Berry have been hired as directors of Camp Wrightwood, effective September 23rd. Danny has an undergraduate degree from Humbolt University, a master’s from the University of Chicago and is pursuing a Ph.D in sociology from UC Santa Barbara. He is an instructor in the National Outdoor Leadership School Wilderness Medicine Institute and is a certified First Aid and Lifeguard Training Instructor. Danny was the director at Camp St. Michael in Santa Rosa, CA, for 10 years and most recently served as 2013 summer food service manager for Colby and Wrightwood. Jennifer has a bachelor’s degree from Long Island University and a master’s in global and international studies from UC Santa Barbara. She worked with Danny as co-director of Camp St. Michael in Santa Rosa, CA, for four years in addition to teaching and communications work. Jennifer most recently served as Program Manager at Camp Wrightwood since October 2012 and as its summer day camp director.
Melinda Trotti has begun to share half-time work as director at Aldersgate while continuing to work as half-time director at Camp Colby on an interim basis, effective September 9th. She has a degree in hotel and restaurant management from the University of Southern Mississippi and masters degrees from Simmons College and Episcopal Divinity School in Boston. Melinda is certified in Camp and Retreat Ministry by the United Methodist Church and is an adjunct professor in the program at Drew Theological School. She has also studied spiritual direction through the Haden Institute. Melinda served as director at Camp Epworth in the New York Conference for seven years and as director of the Life Enrichment Center in the Florida Conference for three years. She has also served as Director of Justice and Outreach Ministries for the Florida Conference UMC and as executive director of the Albany United Methodist Society in Albany, NY.
The Camping, Outdoor and Retreat Ministry Council is forming a task force this fall to review the mission of Aldersgate Retreat Center and its ministry with the churches of the Cal-Pac Conference to determine the best staffing going forward.
