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Leaders from the eleven church camps operating within Pacific Mountain and Chinook Winds Regions of the United Church of Canada will gather on the shores of Shawnigan Lake for a full weekend of connecting, learning and inspiration:
First Third Ministry invites registrations from three representatives of each of the eleven camps who are interested in building a more cohesive and collaborative camping ministry within the region. Accommodation and meals are provided, along with support for travel to Shawnigan Lake on Vancouver Island. Schedule of Event
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Accommodation and Travel Information
Participants and resource leaders will be hosted by Camp Pringle and stay in accommodation at the camp. We ask that you bring your own sleeping bag, pillow, towels for your use. Costs of food, accommodations and supplies during the retreat will be paid for by the regions.
Travel: The closest airport is Victoria International Airport. We can arrange to pick up people from the airport or one of the Vancouver Island Ferry terminals (in Nanaimo or Swartz Bay) If you require a travel bursary to attend, please note that on your registration and someone from your region will be in touch. Meet our Speakers!The Spiritual Lives of Young People
Nurturing the spiritual and faith development of young people is vital for fostering connection, supporting their identity and purpose, and building resilience and hope. 
Mary Nichol (she/her) lives on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded land of the Semiahmoo, sq̓əc̓iy̓aɁɬ təməxʷ (Katzie), and Kwantlen peoples. She loves to cook and share her successes (and failures) with her husband, young adult daughters, and her eldest daughter’s partner. With over fifteen years of supporting young leaders in their work in day camp ministry and congregations, Mary now serves as Vancouver School of Theology’s Director of Theological Field Education.
Collaborative Futures: Building Capacity and Sustainable Relationships Inside & Outside This workshop, led by Katherine Smart, will inspire a vision in which United Church staff and volunteers collaborate to create a brighter future for one another and our camper families.
We will explore the importance of cooperation across regions, emphasizing shared goals and collective efforts in addressing challenges and developing sustainable solutions. By working together, regions can pool resources, ideas, and expertise, resulting in innovative outcomes and stronger relationships both within and outside the organization for long-term success. Building donor capacity involves enhancing the ability of potential and current donors to engage with camp initiatives that align with their individual values. Finally, we will discuss strategies for fostering lasting connections that cultivate sacred trust and ongoing support, ultimately enhancing the mission and vision of the United Church. You will be divided into working groups to develop collaborative approaches through the sharing of diverse perspectives and skills. Together we can ensure that every camper can 
Katherine Smart has dedicated her career in service to others. With decades of experience in fund development, she now specializes in gift planning, helping donors achieve their philanthropic goals. Her relational approach puts love, kindness and empathy at the centre of everything she does.
In her role at Abundance Canada, as a Gift Planning Consultant, she brings more than three decades of experience working with notable charities, such as Habitat for Humanity, Heart and Stroke Foundation, United Way, and 4-H Ontario.Katherine is affiliated with the Vancouver Chapter of the Canadian Association of Gift Planners (CAGP), where she serves with pride as Co-Chair of the Professional Development Program. In 2024, Katherine completed the Original Gift Planning Course offered by the CAGP. In her free time, Katherine delights in one-off volunteering projects, outdoor activities, travel and embracing adventure through playful pursuits. Workshop Leaders 
Duty of Care, Emergency Protocol and other Necessary Things
Lisa Penzo has over a decade of experience as a Children and Family Minister in the United Church of Canada, where she created and applied Duty of Care standards for kids, families, and camp programs. Her time as a Supervisor at YMCA Calgary’s Camp Riveredge and as an Aquatic Director helped sharpen her skills in safety, leadership, and managing volunteers. As a First Aid Instructor, Lisa has always been committed to keeping people safe and prepared. Lisa also brings a wealth of experience in emergency planning, occupational health and safety (OH&S), and child protection. On top of that, her work as a trainer with Girl Guides of Canada and her long-term volunteer efforts with the Calgary Police Service show her passion for building safe, supportive environments. She has a strong track record of putting safety at the forefront through solid guidelines and policies.
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