February 10th

Camp Positions Filled

When Camps with Meaning Director Dorothy Fontaine and Camp Assiniboia Facilities Manager Ed Doerksen both gave notice on the same day last August—purely coincidentally—Mennonite Church Manitoba Executive Minister Michael Pahl’s first thought was a prayer. God, we’re trusting in you!

And God has indeed provided. Jody Godwaldt has accepted the position of Director of Camps with Meaning, starting in mid-March, and Peter Enns has already started in the Facilities Manager position at Camp Assiniboia.
“We were grateful initially that Dave Bergen was able and willing to step into the Director position on an interim basis, and he’s done a terrific job,” says Michael. “But then to have both the Facilities Manager position and the permanent Director position to be filled so quickly as well, that’s a tremendous gift.”

Jody Godwaldt comes to Camps with Meaning from Ontario, where she served for many years with Countryside Camp and Conference Centre. Most recently she has worked in human resources for an architectural firm.
“Returning to camp ministry feels like a homecoming,” she says. “I’m excited to learn more about Camps with Meaning and help build connections between people, God, and nature. Camp creates spaces where faith and community grow naturally, and I’m grateful to step into that work again.”

There is much from Jody’s experience that connects into this new role. “I’ll be drawing on my camp foundation in hospitality and guest experience, supporting teams as they continue to elevate camper and guest experiences. I’m especially passionate about team development and look forward to building strong relationships and growing together.”

Peter Enns comes to his role with a lifetime of experience in facilities maintenance, including a previous stint at Camp Assiniboia. He has also worked in maintenance at Canadian Mennonite University, for Lindenholm Ministries with their 55+ housing, and in Winnipeg’s Exchange District for a warehouse property developer.

Peter and his wife Annie will be living on site at Camp Assiniboia, and he says they’re looking forward to it. “We loved our time there before, we know some of the people we’ll be working with, and Annie is already stepping in to help out with different things on site.”

Jody is reflective as she thinks about her upcoming role overseeing this important ministry of Mennonite Church Manitoba. “Camp is a place where we ground ourselves, return to our roots, and continue to grow in our love for God, ourselves, one another, and creation. There’s nothing else quite like it.”

Praise God for providing Jody and Peter to fill these important roles! We’re also grateful to God—and to you—for helping Camps with Meaning meet its budget for 2025. One note for prayer: we are short on summer leadership staff for this coming summer. Help us spread the word to the young people among us—summer camp leadership is an amazing experience! See www.campswithmeaning.org for more information.