The Rev. Erica Robinson Johnson, Director of Connectional Ministries for the New England Conference of the United Methodist Church, is pleased to announce the hiring of Ashley and Jeffrey Dodson to serve as Co-Directors of Covenant Hills Christian Camp in Cabot, VT.  The Dodsons will begin in this ministry on December 1, 2013, succeeding interim directors Bob and Joy Lowenthal, who have served the camp for the past year.

"Bob and Joy Lowenthal stepped in to manage CHCC at a critical time, so that the camping season operated seamlessly while we searched for a permanent camp director. Bob and Joy have blessed our camping ministry and we are grateful for their service to the conference, the camp, and to Christ," said Dave McGowan, chair of the search committee. "We are pleased to have been able to take the time needed to find directors with the talents and passion of Ashley and Jeffrey Dodson."

Ashley and Jeffrey come to the Annual Conference staff with 20 years of combined outdoor leadership experience at camps in Colorado, Wyoming, Michigan, and Wisconsin.  Together, they have experience in the myriad of roles and functions involved in camp life, serving as counselors, program directors, fundraisers, administrators, cooks, instructors, and more. 

In addition to numerous volunteer experiences, Ashley has held camp staff positions as a Program Director at the Pilgrim Center, United Church Camps, Inc. in Ripon, Wisconsin, and as a Youth Minister at Edgebrook Community Church in Edgebrook Illinois. She also spent a year as a Chaplain Intern at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Orange, California. Ashley graduated from Viterbo University with a Bachelor’s degree in Ministry, Psychology and Servant Leadership, and is currently completing her Master of Divinity degree at Chicago Theological Seminary, and is in the ordination process in the United Church of Christ (UCC).

Jeffrey has served in a number of UCC staff positions as a minister and educator, as well as volunteering as a youth leader, retreat planner, and chaperone for camps, churches, and educational organizations. A lifelong camper and camp volunteer, his most recent camp staff experience was serving as a Program Director/Counselor at the Pilgrim Center camp in Ripon Wisconsin, where he directed all ages of youth throughout summer and retreat seasons for more than 2,000 campers per year. He also gained significant outdoor ministry experience at La Foret in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Jeffrey received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theatre with a Religious Studies minor from Ripon College in Ripon, Wisconsin, and is also in the UCC ordination process and completing a Master of Divinity degree at Chicago Theological Seminary.

"Jeff and Ashley bring many gifts for camping ministry,” commented Rev. Robinson-Johnson. “We are confident they will give excellent leadership in building congregational and community partnerships, and strengthening our camping program while administering a collaborative vision for a sustainable and meaningful outdoor ministry in Vermont."

About Covenant Hills Christian Camp

Covenant Hills Christian Camp is one of the five New England Conference camp and retreat centers, with programming which is jointly developed by the United Methodist Church and the United Church of Christ in Vermont. The camp provides experiences which enable people of all ages to grow in their awareness of and response to God as they live in Christian community and in harmony with God’s creation. Visit the Covenant Hills Christian Camp web site at www.covenanthillsvt.com.