Camp and volunteers from Post Falls collaborate

By Kaye Hult

One never knows when chance connections will take place or where they will lead.

Pam Peterson, designated camp director for N-Sid-Sen Camp and Conference Center for the Pacific Northwest Conference of the United Church of Christ (UCC) near Harrison, Idaho, needed helpers for a work camp in May 2024 to help prepare for the summer season.

She came to N-Sid-Sen in April 2023, bringing skills to administer the camp for a limited period. She ends her service on Dec. 31, 2024.

"While my children were growing up, I directed a Boy Scout camp in Western New York, which taught me facilities management," she said. "I was ordained as a UCC minister in 2013 in Middletown, Conn.

Pam earned a doctor of ministries in church leadership with a focus on eco-spirituality from Hartford International University for Religion and Peace in Hartford, Conn., in May 2022. Her dissertation was on 'Worship in the Wilderness,'" said Pam.

She came to N-Sid-Sen to run the camp while helping determine next steps to find a settled camp manager.

For a spring work camp, she was recruiting people with skills for managing forests, running large machinery and operating a kitchen feeding large groups.

Brana Cully is development assistant and volunteer coordinator for the 3rd Avenue Marketplace, formerly the Post Falls Food Bank. She and her husband, Tim, who does drone filming and video making, moved to North Idaho in 2021.

Brana was born in a small town in Serbia. After she and her family moved to San Diego in 2004, she went to high school, attended community college and transferred to the University of California San Diego, graduating in 2013 with a bachelor's in political science.

She worked in San Diego and Orange County before moving to North Idaho and finding a job at the Post Falls Food Bank, which recently expanded to become the 3rd Avenue Marketplace.

Chelsea Nesbit, who owns Chelsea's Gypsy Kitchen in Coeur d'Alene, is N-Sid-Sen's designated caterer.

When a mutual friend of Chelsea and Brana met Chelsea at the U.S. Chef Store last spring, Chelsea mentioned that Pam needed some help.

This was the chance encounter that led to a new, mutually beneficial relationship.

When Brana learned of N-Sid-Sen's need, she was interested.

Learning of Tim's video skills, Pam invited him to do drone filming for a volunteer work weekend in May. He created videos to help N-Sid-Sen with marketing.

Tim visited N-Sid-Sen. He returned raving to Brana about the beautiful location and suggesting they come with friends for a work weekend to enjoy the camp and help with what they need.

Four of Brana's co-workers at the marketplace and other friends joined other volunteers at the work camp.

After supper Friday, they had a bonfire and enjoyed s'mores.

Brana enjoyed waking up Saturday morning and being called to breakfast by the ringing of a large bell in the yard beside the dining hall. While they ate, Pam handed out the day's assignments.

"Volunteers fixed light bulbs and cut firewood," Brana said. "A friend and I helped a long-time work camper clear dry brush around the wood shop for fire prevention. Then we cleared trails.

"She taught us to use a Pulaski, a fire-fighting tool named after the local fireman who invented it. It combines an axe and hoe to make it easier to dig soil and chop wood," Brana explained. "We crossed the highway and made new trails. They lead to a natural spring where there was once a homestead."

They also created a memorial garden. Everyone worked all morning, broke for lunch and then returned to finish their projects in the afternoon.

Brana relished physical labor and seeing what they did.

"Where else can people come for free, do physical labor and get fed?" she asked.

Sunday morning, after breakfast, Pam led a short worship service before everyone departed.

She was delighted.

"These new volunteers had skills for the work we needed doing," she said. "Some got our Kubota diesel tractor running again. They handled big equipment safely.

"Two worked in the kitchen, preparing it for the season," she continued. "They cleaned up after themselves.

"Two power washed playground equipment and porches," she said. "Others painted and stained furniture.

"Everyone was well-trained, giving support to the camp's limited staff," she said.

At that time, the camp did not have a maintenance person.

"The biggest gift," Pam said, "was that we hired two volunteers from Post Falls as camp maintenance staff. It connected us with new volunteers and contacts for campers for the summer."

The relationship between this group of volunteers and N-Sid-Sen has deepened. The original group with some different people returned in June.

"They continue to help maintain trails and assist the maintenance crew," said Pam. "They made sure we had an adequate wood supply. They came in September to button things up for fall and winter.

"We spread mulch with the tractor from the main camp to the lake. Every trip has its own vibe and a different mix of people," said Brana.

That time there was a church camp. They joined a Saturday bonfire and met new people.

"These days, everyone needs more community, more nature and internet-free, screen-free activities in our lives," Brana said. "We had that chance at N-Sid-Sen to enjoy nature and build community with friends."

"We worked on tasks together, rather than in our own bubbles. We don't own it, but worked as hard as if we did," she said.

Looking ahead, Pam hopes the new ties can lead the camp to connect children and youth who need financial assistance with churches who have campership funds but no children and youth to send to camp.

Brana appreciates the relationship between 3rd Avenue Marketplace and N-Sid-Sen. She hopes to connect their families with the camp.

For information, call 208-689-3489, email director@n-sid-sen.org or email brana@3rdavenuemarketplace.org.