Our seasonal summer camp staff is a highly trained and professional team of college-aged individuals who are passionate about creating a fun and enriching experience for our campers. Our staff members come from a variety of backgrounds, including philosophy, education, conservation, recreation, and ministry. They are all eager to share their love of Jesus and adventure with our campers.
Our staff members are trained in CPR, first aid, and child safety. They are also trained in a variety of activities, including swimming, hiking, canoeing, and arts and crafts. We are committed to providing a safe and fun environment for our campers, and our staff members are essential to making that happen.
We are proud of our staff members and the work they do each summer. They are the heart of our camp, and we are grateful for their dedication to our campers.
Site Director
Sean Gundersen is an experienced Camp Director with an extensive background in risk management and camp operations. He is passionate about the camp experience and the transformations seen through summer camp. Sean has both a B.S and M.S in Recreation Management and Administration from Northwest Missouri State University. Sean has 15 years of professional camp experience in the Des Moines Metro and most recently at the Des Moines YMCA Camp, and previously, University of Nebraska – Lincoln. In addition to his professional experience, Sean got his start as a summer camp counselor in adventure programming and waterfront at a private boy’s camp in New Hampshire. When not at camp, Sean enjoys family time with his wife and children, camping, creek stomping, and enjoying a nice campfire.
Camp Programs Manager
Sierra brings extensive experience from UM camping, having served at UMC Camps in Louisiana and North Carolina. She has a deep passion for horses and has held several leadership roles in equine programs, most recently coordinating a large summer camp riding program. Sierra was also a Golden Valley Camper!
Guest Services Manager
Kari Borlaug has dedicated the past 23 years of her career to teaching while also raising her children. Throughout her life, she has felt a deep calling to serve in Outdoor Ministry and live out her faith and has served in her church for 25+ years. Past years in Outdoor Ministries, she has faithfully worked her way through a variety of roles in camp ministry, from cabin leader to program director, gaining valuable experience along the way. Kari holds degrees in Elementary Education and Youth and Family Ministry. She is truly honored and overjoyed that God has called her to serve at Wesley Woods as the Guest Services Manager. Mark 10:45: “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Property Manager
John has been full time staff at Wesley Woods for more than 30 years. He has served on Summer Staff, Volunteer Ministry Assistant and Ranch Manager before taking over as Building and Grounds Manager. John is originally from northeast Missouri and is married to Lora Appenzeller. John and Lora are blessed with four children: Andreas, Annaliese, Angelika and Anson.
Summer Staff Lead
David has been a part of camp for many years. As a kid he was a camper, and as he grew older he started volunteering at Wesley Woods as Junior Staff. His favorite camp was “Best of the Best.” David has been on staff since 2021 as a Summer Staff, Adventure Coordinator, and Maintenance Staff. David holds degrees in Education, Religion, and History from Simpson College.
Director of Camping Ministries of the Iowa Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church
In this role, Nancy provides leadership for Iowa UM Camps’ exciting and life-changing ministries at our year-round camp and retreat facilities at Wesley Woods and Lake Okoboji UM Camps. She grew up in Iowa and served as summer staff at Wesley Woods in the ’80s. Rev. Lane is a deacon in full connection from the North Georgia Conference. She resides with her husband and daughters in Bloomington, IL while also serving the Illinois Great Rivers Conference. Collectively they love inviting others to experience Jesus through camping and retreat ministries.
Camp Registrar & Development Coordinator
Shannon has been happily greeting you on the phone or by email to help get your campers registered for camp or to help with a donation to camp since 2018. She was a camper at Wesley Woods as a youth in the early 1990s. Her favorite camp was Let’s Do A Musical. She and her husband Jason live near Indianola with their cats and bees.