The Springs

 2011 Summer Staff

Martha Kohns: Office

Dan and Martha Kohns have been on staff at The Springs since February 2005. They also worked the summer of 2004 as summer camp program director. Dan and Martha have been on staff at Lake Ann Baptist Camp and Skyview Ranch. With over 20 years of experience in the camping ministry, Dan finds The Springs a blessing to be a part of. There is a rich heritage here of many years of God’s blessings. Since taking over in 2005, Dan has faced tremendous challenges in rebuilding a ministry that was all but ready to shut the doors.

Along with the faithfulness of so many supporters, The Springs is today a thriving ministry. The Springs serves over 550 summer campers, 2100 Retreat Center summer guests and year round over 5000 guests. Dan has a passion for ministry and a passion to see people come to know Christ. God has blessed Dan with a vision of to see this ministry move forward. Dan, along with his wife Martha, love the camping ministry. He has experience in Maintenance, Fund Raising, Programming, High Adventure, Construction and Consulting to other camps. Martha has worked in the areas of Food Service and Office Management.

Dan and Martha have 4 children. Their son Aaron is married to Brittany. They live in North Carolina. Aaron and Brittany have both served on summer staff at The Springs. Aaron is a gifted professional photographer. They have one son, Gavin, which makes Dan and Martha Grandpa and Grandma! He turns one this year. Joshua graduated from Grace Bible College in Grand Rapids and has served on summer staff also. He often leads worship for our retreats and Senior High weeks of camp. He lives in Grand Rapids and works at Gaines Church and also is a lifeguard at the downtown YMCA. He is a songwriter and performer. Rebekah, who also has served on summer staff as counselor and cook, is spending this semester in Maui, HI at Calvary Chapel Bible College.   Elizabeth is a cosmetologist and is at Calvary Chapel Bible College for her second semester. She has worked on summer staff as well.

James and Elisheba Petersen Zach, Nate, and Ethan
Assistant Director/Crafts

Petersens joined the staff in April 2009. God’s direction was clear as the Petersen’s left the family farm to spend the summer here. During the summer it was evident that their gifts could be fully used in this ministry. James worked as the program director through the summer and will continue to develop and run the many programs we provide. He also works with guest groups; helping them accomplish their goals during the retreat. Elisheba worked this summer in the craft shop and manages the camp store. She also teaches music at Skeels Christian School.  James and EJ have three boys, Zach, Nate, and Ethan and are anxiously awaiting an addition to their family through adoption.

Steve and Opal Bauman
Food Service

Steve and Opal Bauman came to us from Hamilton, Michigan, in February of 2012. Steve and Opal both grew up going to camp. Steve attended camp at Lake Ann Camp. Opal enjoyed both Camp Patmos and Skyview Ranch. They have worked as volunteers at Lake Ann and spent a summer as food service directors at Skyview. The Baumans have been married for almost 37 years. They are very proud of their family. Stephen and his wife Peggy live in Zealand, MI. Their daughter Brianne and husband Jeff, along with their three precious daughters live in Ripley, NY. They also enjoy their dogs, Taco and Belle, their turtles, Zippy and Zipporah, and their salt water aquarium. Opal shares, “Camping has been the most wonderful experience for our family through the years and now, our children and granddaughters are active with the camps where they live. We are thrilled that God has opened the door for us to be a part of The Springs Ministries as the Food Service Directors. We look forward to feeding our hungry campers with fun and filling food.”

Joshua Decker (JD),
Media

JD has been at The Springs since 2006 and worked the 2 summers before as well. He was a camper and then volunteer staff and now permanent staff . He has finished his degree at Mid Michigan Community College in law enforcement.  He also works  for Clare County Sheriffs Department as a Reserve Officer. He is engaged to Braida Ellenwood and they are getting married June 30, 2012 and they plan on moving to camp for the next 2-5 years afterwards.   JD does a lot of maintenance and also works on most of our media productions. He has been a true asset to the ministry and keeps us all laughing along the way.

Ron & Tami Wasson, Bethany, and Luke
Maintenance Director/Marketing

Ron and Tami Wasson joined our staff in March of 2012.  Ron has worked in a variety of jobs that have given him experience in HVAC, plumbing, electrical, building, and vehicle maintenance. Tami has a degree in writing, and will put this to good use in our many publications. They are excited to use all of this experience to serve God in such an effective ministry. Ron and Tami met as camp counselors at Lake Ann Camp in the summer of 1994. They have lived in the Traverse City area for most of their marriage. They enjoy camping, riding quads and just about anything you can do outdoors. They home school their two children: Bethany, 14, and Luke, 12. The Wassons also bring two golden retrievers to our camp family.

Interns:
Ricky Brooks 

Summer Staff 2010