New Interim Leader at Camp Stevens

[This post first appeared here.]

Camp Stevens, the Diocese of San Diego’s longtime camp and conference center shared with the Diocese of Los Angeles, has named the camp’s former operations director, Kathy Wilder, as interim executive director.

Wilder’s appointment was approved by Camp Stevens board of advisors in consultation with Bishops John H. Taylor and Diane Jardine Bruce of the Diocese of Los Angeles and Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori of the Diocese of San Diego. She succeeds Beth Bojarski, who has resigned from the Camp Stevens staff to relocate with her family to Ohio.

“I am so excited Kathy has accepted our offer to serve as interim executive director,” said McCarthy, who is a member of the camp’s board of advisors. “Her breadth of experience, her enthusiasm and joy for all things Camp Stevens, and her good relationships with the Diocese of San Diego and Los Angeles all make this a wonderful match. I look forward to seeing how Camp Stevens develops and flourishes under her capable leadership.”

Wilder has served in the youth development field for 24 years, starting as a camp counselor and wilderness leader for the Girl Scouts of San Diego-Imperial Council. She completed a college internship at Camp Stevens 1996 while studying social work and secondary education at Kalamazoo College. After graduation, she continued to find career opportunities outdoors with youth, working for the Orange County Outdoor Science School program, YouthServe AmeriCorps and directing camp for the Girl Scouts in the summer.

Wilder returned to Camp Stevens in 2007 as operations director. She helped navigate the aftermath of the Angel Fire, supporting and leading recovery efforts on all levels. She departed in 2010, serving at the Jackie Robinson YMCA as the youth program director and for the last six years as the chief operating officer for Pro Kids | The First Tee of San Diego.

Wilder earned a master’s in business administration and masters of science in leadership from Grand Canyon University in 2015. She currently working towards a doctorate of education in organizational leadership with an emphasis on resilience and transformation.

Wilder’s wife, Hannah; son, Owen, age 17; and dog, Sadie, are also happy to rejoin the camp community. Owen works as a counselor in the summer and is in 11th grade. Hannah is the communications director for the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego and a postulant at the School for Ministry.

“I am honored to join the Camp Stevens staff once again, and shepherd our team, our operation and our focus through this time of change and transition,” Wilder said.

More information about Camp Stevens is online here.