Cohn points out the site of Friday night creekside worship services, which he says are very moving.
When the new director of Aldersgate Camp and his wife moved in at the end of February, they knew they’d better get everything unpacked right away with summer camp season right around the corner.
Although he had never been to Kentucky before, Cohn and his wife are enjoying their new home a lot, thanks to a welcoming community.
“I’m loving it. People here are friendly,” he said. “Churches brought food those first few weeks because they knew we wouldn’t be able to find our pots and pans.”
“Not only have they made me feel welcome, but they’ve been very welcoming to Laura,” he said, “and I appreciate that.”
He says he and his wife, who is a native of Florida, met on a blind date and have been married for two years. She does strategic planning for Giant Leap Consultants.
The Cohn’s are avid outdoorsmen and have taken up rock climbing since they live so close to the Red River Gorge.
“I love that we’re in the country here, yet only a short drive to Richmond and Lexington.”
Loving the outdoors is definitely a plus when involved in camp ministry, which Cohn says he has been doing for 21 years now.
“I was a recreation major, and one day I was standing on a cliff overlooking the Pacific Ocean when I felt God calling me into this area of ministry.”
Since then, he has moved “through the ranks” in such roles as camp counselor, program director and now, director.
Before moving here, Cohn worked with camps in Atlanta, South Carolina and Asheville.
He says he feels honored to be the third director of Aldersgate, which is owned by the Kentucky Conference of Methodist Churches and is now operating in its 50th year.
“We are one of the best kept secrets in Estill County,” said Cohn, “but we want people to know who we are. We want to become more of a community-based program.”
Besides hosting summer camps for kids, Cohn says that the camp is used by scouting organizations and for weddings, church retreats and reunions.
“If folks want to use it, we want them to,” he said. “We want to be an active part of the community.”
Cohn says another thing he appreciates about Aldersgate Camp is that it is also very “adult-friendly.”
“We really have the best of both worlds here,” said Cohn. “We have both camp and conference.”
There are dozens of activities for those who enjoy typical outdoor camp life, including a nine-hole disc golf course, a soccer field, basketball and volleyball courts and a barnyard full of animals.
Aldersgate also has nice facilities with air conditioning for those who have business to conduct indoors or who would rather just enjoy the views.
The camp and retreat center employs seven full-time staff members, but during the summer those ranks swell to 24.
Cohn says many staff members are college students who are future teachers looking for experience working with children. He says they also employ a lot of people who are planning to go into other service-oriented careers.
The summer camp experience at Aldersgate includes a wide range of programs for a variety of interests.
“We have the Extreme Adventure program which includes hiking, caving, and the challenge course on ropes.
“We have programs that focus on the arts—music, art and drama.
“We’ve had princess camp, man camp; we even have a program called “Weird and Gross,” but all are faith-based. Our goal is to help strengthen their [participants] walk with God—and to have fun.”
“One of the big focuses in our summer camps is to “disconnect, reconnect,” said Cohn. “We ask campers to leave their cell phones, laptops and games at home.”
He admits that it’s challenging for kids to leave those behind, but he feels that it’s an important part of the camp experience, a time to reconnect with nature and with God.
Cohn says he loves to see the kid who’s in tears and homesick upon arrival at camp in tears again a week later because he or she doesn’t want to leave. “I love seeing their growth,” he said.
Cohn says when he interviewed for the job, he said, “If you’re looking solely for an administrator, I’m not that person. I need to get out and interact with the kids at least one day a week.”
“I like to take the kids out canoeing or caving. It helps keep it real for me too.”
For now, Cohn isn’t making a lot of changes in existing programs. He says he’s taking the time to “learn the tradition of a very solid, very competent program.”
“We hope to build on the positives and tweak what needs tweaking.”
So far, the changes have been minor, he says. Some new projects are in the works, however.
One of the latest additions to Aldersgate is a 350-foot zip line that was built last December. Cohn says they hope to eventually add a few more sections to that and create a canopy zip line.
Ground has been broken for a new lodge and nearly half the funds have already been raised. The plan is to raise all the money before beginning to build.
“People say, ‘if you build it they will come,’ but what happens if they don’t?” said Cohn. “We don’t want to get stuck with a big mortgage that we struggle to pay for, especially in this economy.”
The lodge will contain meeting space for large groups, a new dining facility, and a new office and welcome center.
A feature that many people don’t know about is the RV park with 10 pads that is “open to anyone,” provided that potential campers submit to a background check.
The campground has 10 pads and water, electric and sewer hook-ups are available. No alcoholic beverages are allowed, but Cohn says “it’s amazing how many people are looking for that.”
Besides the RV park, there are cottages for rent, as well as additional space in the Hill House and Lodge.
Dave’s role as camp director involves wearing many hats. Besides constantly evaluating programs, and looking for ways to keep things fresh for campers and staff, much of his role is administrative and focuses on the business side of the camp.
“There is a lot of marketing to this job,” said Dave.
He considers that very important considering the remoteness of the camp, which could otherwise “slide under the rug.”
His job also involves traveling to lots of churches, colleges and job fairs to recruit staff and support for the camp.
Whatever role he’s playing, Cohn is glad to be part of the Aldersgate tradition.
“We had never been to Kentucky, didn’t know anything about it, but we both have really felt God’s hand here,” he said. “We believe we are right where God has called us.”