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.