Year-Round Staff

Executive Director, Pat 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 over 30 years. He has two sons. A black lab also shares his home.

Cynthia Amsden, Development Director
Cynthia 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.

Paige Carroll, Camp Naturalist
Paige has been a volunteer at camp, along with her family, for many years.
Professionally, she serves as a Supervising Teacher for the Home School Assistance Program, Davis County Schools.
She holds a BS in K-12 physical education, teaching and biology from Southern Baptist University, Bolivar, MO.
She has an MS in biology from the Institute in Creation Research, Dallas TX.
An advocate for Biblical creationism, Paige serves in the summer as the camp “Naturalist”, or as we prefer, “Creationist”, bringing attention to truth which God has revealed through His created universe.
Along with her husband, David (a physical therapist), she has a daughter Brianna and two sons, Kaleb and Micah.
They live on an acreage with llamas, sheep, emus and so much more… and not far from camp.

Marshall Sandlin, Program Director

Marshall’s family was quite involved in Christian camping in the Primitive Methodist Churches of southwestern Wisconsin, where his mother often served as camp nurse. At a fairly young age he became involved with youth ministries in the Dubuque area while completing Biblical studies at Emmaus Bible College. Experience in the trades of property maintenance, teaching hunting safety, and foster parenting all contributed to the rich background of experiences which he brings to Camp Appanoose. Most recently, Marshall served in the Galena Bible Church as a deacon, during which time he hosted foreign exchange student from a number of countries for the Tri State Christina Schools and participated in ministry trips to the Dominican Republic. The rich array of experiences which God has given him compliments very well the core values upon which this ministry rests. He is at home on the campground (until we are able to do a housing upgrade!) with his cat, Rambo.