“The clearer you can be with people, and in writing, the better.” —Chuck Wysong, executive director of Mission Springs Camp and Conference Center (Scotts Valley, California)
When a section of the local fire department’s build-
ing was washed away in a flood, Camp Susque started a fundraiser for the department, even though they were in the midst of a busy fundraising season them- selves. As a result of their generosity, the camp was recognized by the community as “Person of the Year” for Williamsport, Pennsylvania in 2024. Sometimes, you actually get to choose your neigh-
bors. In 1926, members of the Evangelical Covenant Church found property in the Santa Cruz mountains and established Mission Springs Camp and Conference Center (Scotts Valley, California). To afford the prop- erty, they leased out parcels of land (approximately 1,200 to 1,500 square feet) for church members to build cabins on. Today at Mission Springs, leaseholders use 115 cabins. To buy into the ministry, leaseholders must be in good standing with the Evangelical Covenant Church and sign an agreement with expectations. Chuck Wysong, executive director at Mission
Springs, intentionally sets aside time each Friday to nurture this connection and interact with the lease- holders. He listens to their concerns and ensures a positive relationship by setting clear expectations. “Te clearer you can be with people, and in writing, the better,” Wysong advised. While the camp encourages leaseholders to view
their involvement as a mission, they also get involved beyond the financial aspect and join events like a pancake palooza or coffee time. Wysong designs these events to connect fellow leaseholders with camp staff for updates on Mission Springs.
Your neighbors won’t always sign an agreement,
though, let alone know they’re even standing on your campus. Christiaan Snedeker, CEO of Lake Geneva Ministries (Lake Geneva, Wisconsin), has a public footpath that goes right through the camp’s property. Geneva Lake’s artery, connecting the shoreline proper- ties, is known locally as “Te Shore Path.” Snedeker said the lake has a public easement that encircles the entire shoreline. He explained, “If you have lakefront property, the public is allowed to walk right through your property. Te path goes around the entire lake. It’s part of the charm of Geneva Lake.” Snedeker and his staff prominently wear lanyards to make themselves identifiable to non-guests walking through. “We typically approach people with kindness and
the fruit of the spirit being on our mind as we greet them, but we also have to be clear and firm in our conversations with them,” Snedeker shared. If some- one wandering the property is not part of a group staying there, staff say something like, “Let me escort you back to the shore path so you can get back to where you’re going. Can I give you directions or recommendations to great places to go in town?” His team also turns the interaction into a chance to share what their camp is about. Snedeker shared the value of approaching these
resort-town tourists with kindness: “Some tours have come out of those interactions. And some of those people may have donated initially because we were a convenient nonprofit — but it was the kindness in our response that turned those gifts into lasting partnerships.”
November/December 2025
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