Camp Staff and Leadership

Camp Leadership

Camp staff is perhaps the most significant single factor in producing an effective camp program. Each staff member is selected on the basis of his or her: confession of faith in Jesus Christ, commitment to His Lordship, professional backgrounds including both education and practical experiences, love for young persons and ability to mentor them.

Camp counselors range in educational backgrounds from high school graduate to post graduate level students. They came to camp from several evangelical church backgrounds, each affirming their agreement with the spiritual foundations of Camp Appanoose.  All staff members attend one week of leadership camp during which time they receive training in group dynamics, first aid, recreational leadership, camp craft, youth guidance, and the specific Bible teaching program of the summer.

Along with counselors, a limited number of high school age staff members (Age 16 and above) receive training and serve as support staff. All staff must adhere to lifestyle expectations.

Administrative Staff

Patrick Amsden– “Pastor Pat,” has been Executive Director of the camp since its inception in 1989. He holds a BS degree in Bible from Faith Baptist Bible College in Iowa, an MA in Christian Education from Biola, University in Los Angeles, CA, and post graduate work in sociology from Pepperdine University in Malibu, CA. He has worked as a chaplain in the Los Angeles County Probation Department, served as pastor of two congregations, worked in urban youth ministry, and directed wilderness camping programs for “at risk” youth. He is a treatment level foster parent and has fostered adolescent boys for well over 20 years. He has one son. Two collies also share his home.

Cynthia Amsden– has served as Development Director since 2001, and as a summer time volunteer at camp nearly every year prior to that time. Cynthia has a BS in theology from Faith Baptist College, and holds an M.S.T. in Curriculum and Instruction from Drake University. She has also completed post graduate studies in art at Biola University. Cynthia has taught private piano lessons as well as all levels of elementary education including art and music. Her specific interest is in curriculum development. She is at home in rural Plano with her collie, Laila. 

Program Staff

Linda Moehring– is an educational consultant for the Heartland Area Education Agency. As a professional educator, she has experience across the spectrum, in special education as well as with talented and gifted students. Linda is a certified water safety instructor. Linda holds a BA in Elementary Education from Buena Vista University, an M.S. in Learning Disabilities and Behavior Disorders from Drake University and an M.A. in gifted education from the University of Northern Iowa. She has taught in the public schools, her church’s Sunday School, as well as Bible studies and parenting classes in her home. Her organizational and leadership skills have greatly enhanced the camp. With her husband Chuck, she has three grown children and seven grandchildren, and lives in Carlisle, Iowa.

Lowell Devries– has worked in all areas of camp leadership for over a dozen years as a volunteer. He is a graduate of the University of Northern Iowa with post graduate work at Drake University and teaches school in the Johnston, Iowa school district. Lowell works with many areas of the camp program and is an excellent canoeing instructor. He is actively involved with environmental education programs at camp. Living in the Des Moines area he maintains summer housing on the camp ground and also spends many weekends at camp throughout the year. He fostered one son from Vietnam who is now married and in his own home.

Jesse & Hannah Hill– oversee the Sugar Creek Ranch Horse Camps here at Camp Appanoose. They are graduates of Hannibal LaGrange College in Missouri. Jesse is pastor of the Unionville Baptist Church. Hannah is an educator, currently devoting full time to their two sons, Isaiah and Jonah. Both Jesse and Hannah love softball. Along with his pastoral ministry, Jesse trains horses, plays football, gives softball clinics and enjoys coon hunting. Jesse also holds a mathmatics degree from Truman State University in Kirksville, Missouri.

Rachel Nunnikhoven– became involved with Camp Appanoose in 2005 as a counselor. Having worked previously in national parks and forests such as Yellowstone, Organ Pipe, and Coronado, Rachel brings an enthusiasm for the out-of-doors and a commitment to see that no camper at Camp Appanoose suffers from a nature deficit disorder! Around camp she always has a camera ready and enjoys involvement with the music whether it is vocal or with the harmonica, recorder, or her newly acquired bongo drums. Rachel works with programming and she finds great joy in taking campers backpacking for the first time. She has personally hiked hundreds of miles in God’s great creation. A graduate of  the University of Iowa with a major in social work, Rachel enjoys spending time with her parents and eight siblings, as well as working in the youth program of her home church.

Tammy Claiborne – oversees food service. Tammy and her husband Cary own several restaurants in central Iowa. They bring excellent skills in both quality assurance and the economics of camp food service.

Bill Gilbert- teaches courses relating to a Biblical World View. Originally from Beloit, Kansas, Bill completed his undergraduate studies in music at Midland Lutheran University and his mater’s degree at the University of Northern Iowa. Having taught school in David City and Louisville, Nebraska, he currently teaches in Malvern, Iowa where he has been for over forty years. Beginning in the early 1980’s, Bill began to develop interest in Biblical apologetics and has devoted the past three decades to intense study which has culminated in the courses which he now teaches at Camp Appanoose and elsewhere. With his wife Mary Jane, he has two grown children and four grandchildren.

Board Members

All members of the Board of Directors confess their personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, are in agreement with the Biblical Foundations of this agency, and are financial supporters of Camp Appanoose, Inc. Board members normally serve three year terms and meet at least four times per year. Each board member is actively involved in an evangelical church in his or her locality.

Dwight Loomisis an engineer by profession and owner of Performance Powder Coating in Des Moines, Iowa. Among other areas, Dwight works with business and facility development concerns of the camp. He normally spends at least one day a week on grounds. He and his wife Leanna, have two grown sons and five grandchildren. As an aside, Dwight has the distinction of “engineering” the first babysitting schedule for the famous McCaughey septuplets.

Ken Baileyis a graphic artist and owns Imagine 5 Graphics in Des Moines, Iowa. His education is from DMACC in Ankeny. Ken designs nearly all of the camp’s printed materials. He makes his home in Des Moines with his wife Jeanne. They have two married sons and five grandchildren.

Dell Collinsis the Director of Facilities at Vermeer Manufacturing in Pella, Iowa. Dell holds a BSCE degree from California State University, Long Beach and an M.S. degree in Construction Management from Stanford University. He formerly worked for Toyota in Los Angeles, CA. Dell works with various areas of facility and program development at the camp. He and his wife, Julie, have two daughters in college at Iowa State University.

Cynthia Amsden – Mentioned above.

Lowell Devries – Mentioned above.

Linda Moehring – Mentioned above.