By: Christa Meland

The Minnesota Conference’s Camping and Retreat Ministries is looking for an experienced professional to lead and manage Koronis Ministries.

Koronis, located in Paynesville, started in 1922 and welcomed thousands of campers and guests this summer.

Former Director Mike McArthur recently resigned from his position to pursue other opportunities.

“We are very grateful for Mike’s five years of service to the camping ministry and wish him well in his future endeavors,” said Keith Shew, director of the Minnesota Conference’s Camping and Retreat Ministries.

A search process for a new director is underway, and the goal is to have a new leader in place by November. Until a new director is named, Shew will work closely with staff and provide oversight of the camp.

“We’re very excited to find and welcome a new director to oversee the quality programming and exceptional Christian hospitality that Koronis is known for,” said Shew. “Koronis is well-positioned to provide faith-building opportunities for people of all ages well into the future.”

Koronis saw a 9 percent increase in the number of children and youth who attended camp this summer.

The search for a new director comes at an exciting time for Camp Minnesota, which has recently undergone some shifts that have positioned it for long-term success.  

One of the most exciting changes in the past few years has been around Koronis’ summer program, which now allows campers to choose their own activity “pathways” when they attend camp. All campers also participate in the traditional summer camp activities like swimming, boating, singing around the campfire, worship, Bible study, nature activities, and of course, s’mores.

Some key upgrades have been made to year-round facilities as well. The upper level of Koronis’ popular retreat center has been completed, and work on the lower level will begin this fall.

Plans are also underway for a new tabernacle at Koronis—one that will honor the cherished memories and features of the original structure but that will better meet the needs of future generations. (Watch for an update story next week about the tabernacle project.)

Koronis is one of three primary camp sites that are part of Camp Minnesota—the Minnesota Conference’s Camping and Retreat Ministries. Camp Minnesota’s mission is to provide quality camp, retreat and conference experiences in which Christ is offered to as many as possible to raise up faithful disciples so that the world is transformed.

Christa Meland is director of communications for the Minnesota Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church.