Board of Directors
Michigan Area United Methodist Camping is a 501(c)3 nonprofit corporation led by a Board of Directors. At least 60% of the board members are elected by the Michigan Conference of the United Methodist Church. The Board selects no more than 40% of its members.
The nonprofit organization owns and manages properties that include camps, campgrounds and retreat centers across Michigan. It was created in 2015 by action of the West Michigan and Detroit Conferences of the United Methodist Church to combine their outdoor and retreat ministries in one state-wide entity.
OUR MISSION
The mission of the Board of Directors is to grow disciples of Jesus Christ by providing camp and retreat experiences.
OUR VISION
The vision of the Board of Directors is reaching out and changing lives by faith experiences which inspire relationships through quality camps.
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
President Stuart Smith
Stuart lives and works in Jackson. He’s a CPA for Dawn Food Products and brings experience from serving on various boards. He and his wife Joani have two adult children. Family camping at Lake Michigan has been valuable for the family to get away and reconnect. “I love the ‘big lake’ but also the closeness the camp brings everyone. It’s one of our ‘thin spaces’ where we feel closer to God,” Stuart says. email
Vice President Rev. Joel Walther
Rev. Joel Walther currently serves as the pastor of Goodrich United Methodist Church. He grew up in the Minnesota Conference where he attended camps from a young age, eventually working as a counselor and finally the director of one of the camps in Minnesota. He received his call to ministry while at camp as a teenager, so he knows personally that Camp Changes Lives. He has also participated in counseling at camps in Michigan since serving here and has previously served on the Camping Board of the Detroit Conference prior to the uniting of the two conferences. email
Secretary Michele Hills
Michele has been part of United Methodist camping for most of her life through her home church Jackson First UMC. She previously served on the West Michigan Board of Christian Camping during the long-range planning that led to the creation of Michigan Area United Methodist Camping. She lives in Parma and has two adult children and two grandchilden. email
Treasurer Bob Wyatt
Bob is a management consultant and licensed professional engineer with over 25 years in management. He has prepared and managed multi- million dollar annual operating and project budgets. Bob and his wife Christine attend Clarkston United Methodist Church. His children attended Camp Kinawind and Lake Huron. His young grandsons love Teddy Bear Camp. Bob has served on the conference personnel committee, is currently co-chair of the Eastwinds District Location & Building Committee and serves on the steering committee for the South Flint Soup Kitchen. email
MEMBERS
Rev. Dwayne Bagley, Cabinet Representative
Rev. Dwayne Bagley is an elder in the West Michigan Conference of the United Methodist Church as serves a District Superintendent to the Kalamazoo District. As an undergraduate he attended Western Michigan University. Seeds planted at his home church- Delton Faith UMC- began to take root during this time largely through experiences made possible by United Methodist Campus Ministry. He holds a Master of Divinity from United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio. Rev. Bagley has also served as Dean of the Lansing District Senior High Camp. He and his wife Shelly have two sons and two daughters. email
Charles (Chuck) Boayue III
Rachael Dunlap
Rev. Rachael Dunlap serves as pastor of Flat Rock First UMC. She earned her Master of Divinity from Asbury Theological Seminary. She moved to Michigan after college to pursue a career in camp ministry. She and her husband Rev. Zack Dunlap met at Judson Collins Center; they have four elementary aged children. She loves bringing family and friends to camp. email
Rev. Terry Euper
Rev. Anita Hahn
Steve Steggerda
Steve lives in Zeeland, Michigan, and attends First United Methodist Church of Holland. He and his wife Sandi have five children who have all attended various United Methodist camps through the years. Steve is a full-time Project Manager working in the field of education technology and holds an MBA in Strategic Management from Davenport University and Project Management Professional certification.
“The growth of my children spiritually has never been greater than through church-led mission trips and summer church camps and that is why it is so important to continue the traditions of camps in Michigan and the Methodist church.” email
Emily Williamson