News & Updates

See & read about what is going on in the Warm Beach Camp & Conference Center community

Staff Alumni News

Kim (Dugard) Smelser, who worked in the Registration Department from ’00 to ‘03, and Brian Smelser, on Summer Staff from ’89 to ’94, and currently a member of the WBC Board of Directors, welcomed the arrival of their third child, Luke Joseph, born June 23rd, 2008. He was greeted by big brother, Wyatt, age 4 ½ and sister, Makenna, age 2 1/2. The Smelsers live in Stanwood, where Kim is a stay-at-home mom, and Brian works as a Forensic Scientist for the Washington State Patrol.

Lea (Sutherland) Coats, on summer staff from ’92 to ’95, and husband John Coats, summer staff from ’94 to ’96, celebrated their 11th anniversary this past June (another WBC romance that made good!). They had more to celebrate, though, because the day before their anniversary, they were delighted to officially adopt their daughter, Hillary Joy, on June 20th. She is 4 ½ years old and had been with John and Lea for three years. She joins 6-year-old daughter, Maija, and 2-year-old son, Caleb.

But there’s more – in September of this year, God surprised them with another little one, a 3 1/2 year-old little boy who arrived in their home through foster care. The Coats live in Everett, Washington, where John teaches middle school, and Lea is a fulltime mom.

If you have news regarding any of our former staff members, please drop us a line to let us know. We will share your news in The Sounder with all of our Staff Alumni. Mail it to the Camp’s address, and mark it “Staff Alumni News,” or e-mail it to Gary Kocher at the Camp.

Calling People Back Home

"Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand." -Isaiah 41:10 NLT The people of God have been scattered everywhere. The Lord has not forgotten them. Kings and nations in whose land God’s people live are making, assembling, and putting their trust in man-made idols. Kings of nations are bewildered at how it is these scattered ...

When Abundance Happens

“Listen, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord alone. And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength. And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today. Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up. ...

Outdoor Education!

The Outdoor Education Program at Warm Beach Camp offers schools a safe platform for their students to explore and grow as individuals, while surrounded by rich biodiversity. During “The Great Pioneer Skills Challenge” class, a middle school student was interested in attempting to make a quilting square. The individual had always been curious to sew but had no one to show them the way. Through trial and error and the help of volunteer staff, the child completed the sewing task ...