Marc Murphy / General Manager

Camp and the outdoors have been a big part of my life; in my childhood, I loved wandering in the woods, splashing in creeks, and looking under rocks, just waiting for school to let out so I could get back to my friends and counselors at summer camp.  In this spirit, it is truly a privilege to be the General Manager of the Camps Leelanau & Kohahna Foundation, which also includes the Leelanau Outdoor Center.  Now, I am not only a staff member, but I’m also a dad of two campers and married to an alumni.  My daughter attended Kohahna for the first time last summer, and my son will start his camp adventure this year.  My wife Jen and her three sisters all attended Camp Kohahna. While I did not attend Camp Leelanau, I did spend many summers filled with all types of camp experiences, including a Christian Science camp. As I think back on those summers, the greatest personal growth and lasting memories came from my time spent with other young Christian Scientists.

Professionally, I have spent the majority of my career working with children and families. For the past thirteen years, I have managed year-round programs for youth and families in North Carolina. Now, as I begin my work as General Manager, I think about what an absolutely wonderful adventure it will be to bring together my love of Christian Science, my experience with children and families, and my respect for the outdoors at an organization with a rich history of tradition, faith and fun!

I look forward to working with the amazing staff members at both camps and the Outdoor Center as well as getting to know each of the campers and his or her parents. Please feel free to call, email, or just stop by for a chat. Hope to see you soon!

Sue Pierce / Senior Director of Camp Kohahna

Camp has been a beautiful journey for me and my family ever since my first summer as a nine year old camper.  I have been involved in summer camp for over twenty years.  During my years at Kohahna I have been a camper, C.T., Gymnastic/Trips/Nature/Camp Crafts counselor, Head Counselor, and I’ve been the Director since 2006. It is so heart-warming every summer to see the love and support expressed by counselors and campers.  The staff is incredible and I cherish knowing that your daughters are embraced and loved; having all their needs met.  It is inspiring to see that the foundation of quality character that was established by the founder, Maude Beals ( M.B.), is still the heart of Kohahna.  I can’t think of a better place than Kohahna to enhance a child’s relationship with God!

While not at summer camp, I am a kindergarten teacher at Glen Lake Schools here in Maple City.  My best friend and wonderful husband, Steve Bluhm, and I are so grateful to be able to give our two daughters the gift of Camp Kohahna.

I’d love to respond to your questions or thoughts so please feel free to contact me.  Hope to see you this summer!

Weldon Rutledge / Director of Camp Leelanau

In 1987 I stood in front of the Camp Leelanau for Boys sign with big plans in my head.  I knew then that I would attend Camp for 24 summers, run the trips and CT programs for the greater portion of the first decade of the new century, eschew stable work in order to always have my summers free well after college, and eventually be named the Director of Leelanau.  All of this I remember thinking as I tore around the Northport site desperately seeking the restroom, because I feared if I wet myself on the first day of camp I would be too ashamed to follow through on my plans.  Thank God for my counselor Bill Helms for showing me the bathhouse and setting me on my career path.

Maybe it didn’t go quite like that.  But the camp nurse can tell you that from a very young age Green and Sand has been coursing through my veins.  I am honored to be the Leelanau Director and look forward to utilizing my ten years of Outdoor Education experience to lead Camp Leelanau.  My tenure working for other programs like the National Outdoor Leadership School, and the Boojum Institute for Experiential Education opened my eyes to the secular side of Outdoor Education and matured my ideas of judgement and decision-making, competence, and leadership.

I look forward to the joys and challenges of this new appointment, the growth for camp and myself, and the opportunity to bear witness to God’s unfolding demonstration here on the shores of Pyramid Point.

Kathleen Moyer / Director of Camp Kohahna

In the summer of 1999 I made the decision to come to Camp Kohahna, not knowing the scope and spectrum of opportunities camp would provide.  I enjoyed my brief camper experience (two high school years), loved my CT experience, and have truly relished every moment as a Kohahna counselor these past eight years. My staff experience has included Swimming, Landsports, CT counselor, and Head Counselor in North Star. I have had the great fortune to work in camper cabins with the very youngest campers through our high school agers too! My summers at camp have offered me the opportunity for personal growth in womanhood and Christian Science that no other experience in my life could match. It is a privilege to come back each year and enjoy the fun we share at camp as well as encourage character growth and understanding of Christian Science.

A native of Michigan, I grew up in the Detroit suburb of Birmingham. I was active in a wide array of sports, theatre, art and music. In high school I was introduced to Kohahna, and it has been a mainstay in my thought and experience ever since! I graduated from Denison University in 2008 where I earned my BA in both History and Communication.  Prior to Denison, I spent two years at Truman State University, swimming on their NCAA Div II National Champion swim team. My professional work experience prior to my position here at Kohahna includes my employment at Queens University of Charlotte in North Carolina. At Queens, I served as the Assistant Sports Information Director and Hospitality/Event Management for the Athletic Department. Since August 2009 I have resided at the home called Lakeview on camp property, and I am blessed to be part of the year round staff of Camps Leelanau & Kohahna. Camp experiences reach the core of what I love and support the most: the growth in grace experienced through practicing Christian Science.

Laura Ann Johnson / Director of Leelanau Outdoor Center

After attending camp for the past 15 summers and working at LOC it is only natural that I make Pyramid Point Michigan my new home! I have spent the past six years on the Camp Kohahna staff as the Camp Crafts, Riflery, Windsurfing and the past four years as a Trips Counselor.  I am extremely excited and grateful to have this amazing opportunity to be the Director of the Leelanau Outdoor Center.

I am originally from a suburb of Chicago Illinois and a graduate of DePauw University in Greencastle Indiana where I was an Educational Studies major with a minor in music.  I did extensive research on outdoor education during my time in school. Fall of 2008 I lived and worked in Yellowstone National Park interning with Expedition: Yellowstone! the national parks education program.  Spring of 2009 I went back to the windy city of Chicago to intern with Chicago Opera Theater’s education department. I love outdoor education and also have dreams of being a professional opera singer one day.

I appreciate how active the LOC Program is making sure “no student is left inside”. It is truly amazing how much the students learn about themselves and their natural surroundings in such a short period of time. I have had many wonderful opportunities to experience and work with different education departments and am thrilled to be the new Director of LOC.

Pamela Chernivsky / Office Manager

Camp has been a cherished part of Pamela’s life since 1960. For two summers she was a camper in the cabins of Chipper and Silver in the Waukeenah section. Later on, her two sons and one daughter all attended camp, and during 3 of those years she was a parent volunteer. She cherished those summers as a chance to give back to camp, and remembers them as being the best summers of her life.

Pamela is continuing to give back to camp as Office Manager, which she began full time early in 2005. She loves the connection with the children and young adults that her job includes and values the opportunity to work with families to help break down any barriers that might keep a child from attending camp. Whether it is a financial concern, a parenting concern, or any fear that might crop up, she is eager to help find a solution. As she says: “Having 3 kids attend camp for many summers, our family has worked through many of these issues ourselves.”

The biggest asset Pamela brings to her job is her deep love of Christian Science and her recognition of the wonderful role camp plays in developing that love in our youth. Working in an environment where Christian Science is woven into the fabric of every activity of the day gives her the immense satisfaction and reward that keeps her happy on those hot summer days when she is in the office and everyone else is on the blue waters of Lake Michigan.

Wendy DesAutels / Business Manager

It is an honor to serve Leelanau and Kohahna in the role of Business Manager. I came to northern Michigan in 1994 and soon became one of the original staff members of the Leelanau Outdoor Center. I was also privileged to direct Harvest Weekend for Women for the first five years.

As a child, I spent nine summers at Camp Newfound on the shores of Long Lake in Maine, so while I’m not a Kohahna alum I deeply cherish my Christian Science summer camp experience. My husband, David (a.k.a. “Desi”) and I have been together for over 12 years and live in a peaceful meadow home in Empire. I have two grown stepsons, Travis and Lane, who currently live in Seattle and Washington, D.C.

Marcia Hufstader / Alumni Coordinator

When I received a call asking if I would help to grow and work with the Alumni for the camps it was a simple and enthusiastic “Yes!” It was simple because I love the camps and what they stand for, and enthusiastic because I’d love to see them stand forever. I thought, “What a blessing and a wonderful opportunity; it’s an answer to prayer.”

Camps Leelanau and Kohahna have enriched my family’s life immeasurably. My husband, Paul, and I spent over 20 summers as campers, counselors, head counselors and then directors in the 1980’s. Our three sons have shared the Leelanau experience totaling over 30 years. It doesn’t end there! Our sisters, brothers, in-laws, cousins, nieces and nephews have also been rewarded in their experiences as campers and counselors. You can imagine the memories and camaraderie this brings to a family with over 240 combined years of rewarding summers at Camps Leelanau and Kohahna! We are all grateful.

Life for me beyond camp included getting my Masters degree in Sports Administration, teaching PE and coaching. Being at home with our children was also a priority. In 1998, I began working full-time for The Mother Church and did that for five and a half years. The past few years, I’ve been substitute teaching and coaching, apparently just waiting for this new opportunity. It is a joy to be giving back to the camps that have blessed me and my family in profound ways.

Joshua Miller / Kitchen Manager

Josh came to Leelanau County in 1973 at 6 months old.  He was raised here with his parents and sister to love our land, our lives, and the people. He attended Glen Lake School where he ran track, skied, and played football. He attended NMC in Traverse City and studied commercial art for three years with a minor in photography. Realizing he did not want to be an artist, he got a job as a butcher in Glen Arbor in the mornings and as a cook at the Good Harbor Grill in the evenings, serving up delectable entrees. During the winters he became P.S.I.A. certified to teach skiing.  After 17 years of teaching skiing, he has taught hundreds of children, as well as adults, how to enjoy the powdery slopes.

Josh joined the camp staff in April of 2001.  He held the title of Head Cook for 6 years and became our Kitchen Manager in 2010.  Josh loves to be in the kitchen and concocting delicious dinners.  Not only does he spend time in the kitchen but in the winters works on maintenance, building cabins, plowing many inches of snow, and helping keep the property looking good and running smoothly.  Josh is also the resident expert in tie-dye, earning an honorary Ph.D. in the field.  He appreciates the positive, caring, and spiritual element of camp and loves driving down Port Oneida to work everyday and the opportunity to work with a dedicated staff in the most beautiful spot on earth.

Steve Bluhm / Grounds & Maintenance Guru

After graduating from Michigan State University with a BA in Business/Marketing, I attended a “camp show” on the MSU campus. Five minutes into the program, I was convinced my right place was at camp. I was hired as a counselor for the cabin of Shawnee and my activity was sailing. After that wonderful summer, I married my best friend and companion Sue Pierce. I spent the next fifteen or so years in various sales and marketing positions. During that time, I was also able to return to camp and assist on many CT projects.

Summer 2004, I received a call asking if I could help out at camp in the maintenance department.  I was hesitant at first; my plate was full, working various jobs for a number of clients. It took me an entire hour to finally call back!

Spending time at camp is magical, including having our two lovely daughters enjoy the Kohahna experience.  Camp is a big part of our family and we fully embrace the opportunity. To this day, many of my absolute best friends are Leelanau/Kohahna alums.

Many changes have taken place since coming back to Pyramid Point in ’89, including adding new cabins, renovating and adding housing for directors.  My right hand man and co-worker Frank Watson has been a blessing. There are very few things that we can’t do.  As I like to say: “if we can’t, I know who can”.

Camp has changed my life.  Daily I see the spiritual growth of the campers, the counselors and everyone involved.  Camp is the best place in the world for children to grow in Christian Science and gain an understanding of themselves as God’s children.