Glenn C. Johnson / Director for Camp Leelanau

Born and raised in the Boston area, camp life is in my family. My mother Connie Johnson was Director of Camp Newfound in Maine for years and my brother Seth “Chic” Johnson was Director of Camp Owatonna. I now have the privilege of being the Director of Camp Leelanau.

My camp days started when I was nine years old and I was fortunate enough to attend camp for eight weeks. This trend continued for the next 11 years and the only complaint I ever had was that it was only eight weeks. To this day, my mind goes back to camp every June as that is where I would like to be headed. In 2000, I became a member of the Leelanau-Kohahna Family Camp Staff and have loved being a member of this Staff each summer since then.

Early in 2008 and after over 30 years in the automotive parts business, I sold my home and business and decided to take a six-month sabbatical. Part of this sabbatical evolved in to spending the summer of 2008 at Camp Leelanau and this in turn evolved in to the opportunity to be the Director of Leelanau. Looking back over the sequence of events that lead to this appointment is just confirmation that when we are willing to listen and trust, we are always lead to our right place.

I have three wonderful children who all had wonderful camp experiences of their own and join with me in the excitement of this position. They are all excited about visiting Camp Leelanau next summer to see our camps in action and the beauty of Pyramid Point.

Sue Pierce / Director for Camp Kohahna

It is great to be back HOME!  I am so excited to be at camp again!!!  I look forward to serving you in any way that I can.  As the camp liaison last summer I had the privilege to be involved as an important part of camp.  It was so heart-warming every day to see the love and support expressed by counselors and campers.  The staff was incredible and I left each day knowing that my daughters were embraced, loved, and that all their needs were being met.  It was 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!

I have been involved with camp for over sixteen years with a nine-year gap as I raised my family.  During my years at Kohahna I have been a camper, C.T., counselor, camp liaison, and I now have the honor of being Kohahna’s Director.

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

Katie Wallingford / Assistant Director for Kohahna

I am heading into my eleventh summer at Kohahna in 2008! I was a camper for four summers, Silversmithing counselor for three, and in North Star as a head counselor for two more. I have been serving as the camp's Assistant Director since January of 2007 and am looking forward to my second summer in this position.

I grew up near Atlanta, Georgia, and graduated from Principia College in 2006 with a degree in Sociology and Anthropology. During my college years I volunteered at a youth detention center, a shelter for battered women, and a homeless center. My yearning to be involved in social advocacy is largely what drew me to a full-time position at Kohahna. Here I have the opportunity to help individuals find self-worth and a solid sense of integrity, and I believe that spiritually minded people with strong character uplift the world around them. Camp is evidence to me of the ripple effect, because what happens on this peninsula never stops spreading outward as people leave here and share the lessons they've learned at camp.

Over the years, I have come to highly appreciate the varied activities Kohahna shares with its campers. For me, these activities have developed into a wide variety of interests, from studying classical music across Europe to backpacking in New Mexico. I am grateful for all of the lessons that I've gained from my years at camp, particularly the spiritual qualities of womanhood and the constant and practical application of Christian Science. I am so grateful to be at Kohahna and cannot wait for another significant summer!

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 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 10 years and live in a peaceful meadow home in Empire. I have two grown stepsons, Travis and Lane, who currently live in Seattle and Kalamazoo.

Amber Rand Watt / Director of Development

Amber is happy to serve the camps in the role of Director of Development and witness the progress that is made each year at the camps.  She is a Kohahna alumni; she absolutely loved her 5 years as a camper and 4 years as a counselor.  Amber considers it quite a treat to once again work for an organization that she loves while helping to ensure that others will be able to experience the joys of Kohahna & Leelanau.

Amber grew up in the Chicago area, in Naperville, IL.  After receiving a Masters degree from Eastern Illinois University, she worked in the technology and business consulting field for 7 years.  She worked for a small technology firm, as well as IBM before coming back to work at camp.  Amber lives near Tampa, FL with her husband, Morgan, and their sons Jonathan and Jamie.

Marcia Hufstader / Director of the Endowment Campaign

When I received a call asking if I would help to grow the Endowment Fund 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.