Sacred Experiences in Extraordinary Places
Sacred Experiences in Extraordinary Places
There are moments when time slows down. Moments of wonder, connection, and renewal.
Outdoor ministry creates space for these sacred experiences by inviting people to step away from daily routines and rediscover connection with the earth, with one another, and with the Creator.
United Church Camps, Inc. stewards three unique retreat destinations in Wisconsin. Cedar Valley, Daycholah Center, and Moon Beach each offer natural beauty, welcoming hospitality, and meaningful opportunities for rest, learning, and spiritual growth.
Our Mission
We will love God, all others, and the earth by providing sanctuary, practicing hospitality, and performing ministry.
This mission guides every experience at Cedar Valley, Daycholah Center, and Moon Beach. Our goal is to create environments where guests feel cared for, inspired, and at home.
Welcoming All
Programs and facilities are open to people of all ages, backgrounds, identities, and abilities. United Church Camps, Inc. celebrates diversity and works to create spaces where everyone feels respected, supported, and safe.
As an Open and Affirming organization, UCCI welcomes individuals regardless of race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, or life circumstance. We continue working to improve accessibility across programs, grounds, and facilities so more people can experience the renewal outdoor ministry provides.
Our History
Church camping in Wisconsin has roots stretching back more than 120 years.
United Church Camps, Inc. was founded in 1967 as an independent nonprofit organization to manage outdoor ministry programs and properties connected to the Wisconsin Conference of the United Church of Christ. Since that time, UCCI has grown to welcome thousands of guests each year through camps, retreats, workshops, and community gatherings at its three sites.
Leadership
Outdoor ministry comes to life through a dedicated leadership team committed to hospitality, sanctuary, and meaningful guest experiences.
Rev. James Schleif
Executive Director
Jim joined UCCI in 2020 and has served in multiple leadership roles focused on ministry, operations, and organizational development. His background includes pastoral leadership as well as decades of experience in engineering management and emergency preparedness. He brings a servant-leadership approach to guiding UCCI’s mission while supporting long-term sustainability and growth.
Michelle Spettel
Managing Director,
Cedar Valley
Michelle’s prior work with people-centered nonprofit organizations, marketing, and her lifelong passion for the arts prepared her to manage and nurture this community-focused retreat center. Under her direction, the team successfully hosts a wide array of gatherings, including artist workshops, retreat groups, and special events. Since she joined United Church Camps, Inc. (UCCI) in 2021, her vision has centered on expanding connections and welcoming even more visitors to experience the beauty of Cedar Valley.
Missy Miller
Managing Director,
Moon Beach
Missy Miller is the managing director of Moon Beach. Missy joined the UCCI team in early 2022. She is an ordained minister, having served in ministry for over two decades. Miller’s connection to Moon Beach began as a retreat guest/leader, parent of children attending youth camp, and volunteering for Camp AweSum. Fun fact, Missy and her husband got engaged at Vesper Point! Missy loves the outdoors and serving the many guests and families that come to Moon Beach generation after generation.
Jaime Craig
Managing Director, Daycholah Center
Jaime "JC" Craig serves as the Managing Director of Daycholah Center and Development Director for UCCI. Her background in nonprofit development and leadership, conference planning, fundraising, and hospitality prepared her to lead and grow the mission-focused community at Daycholah. Under her direction, the team continues to expand retreat offerings, outdoor ministry programs, weddings, camps, and community partnerships that welcome people of all backgrounds to connect with nature, spirituality, and one another. Since joining UCCI, her vision has centered on creating accessible, welcoming experiences that help more people discover the beauty and belonging found at Daycholah Center. Jaime is happiest at camp, watching the sunrise over the lake while her husband, five kiddos, and pup sleep safely nearby in their little corner of camp.
Board of Directors
United Church Camps, Inc. is guided by an independent Board of Directors whose experience, integrity, and dedication provide strategic leadership and support for the organization’s mission and future growth.
Lori Davis
UCCI Board President
Chuck Thiesenhusen
UCCI Board Vice President
Wendy Dallman
UCCI Board Secretary
Barb Uehling
UCCI Board Treasurer
Rev. Chris Davis
Mission and Ministry Committee
Rev. Chris Davis serves on UCCI's Mission and Ministry Committee and is the pastor of Grace Presbyterian Church in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin. He brings valuable experience in outdoor ministry and experiential education, along with a passion for helping people encounter God's presence and unconditional love in meaningful ways.
Although he was unfamiliar with UCCI before moving to Wisconsin, Chris has become a strong advocate for the ministry and its three retreat campuses. He remains connected to outdoor ministry through his belief in its transformative impact on individuals and communities and enjoys sharing the opportunities of Daycholah Center, Moon Beach, and Cedar Valley with others.
Rev. Franz Rigert Conference Minister
Rev. Franz Rigert serves as Conference Minister for the Wisconsin Conference of the United Church of Christ and brings a passion for collaboration, visioning, and strengthening the partnership between the Wisconsin Conference and United Church Camps, Inc. He is committed to helping ensure the long-term sustainability and impact of outdoor ministry across Wisconsin.
Franz's connection to UCCI began as a youth attending confirmation retreats and family camp, and later continued when his own children attended camp experiences at UCCI. He remains inspired by the opportunity to help future generations experience faith, community, and renewal in the natural beauty of UCCI's retreat campuses. Outside of ministry, he enjoys mountain hiking, adventurous travel, and playing the cello.
Rev. Jeremy Hylen
Rev. Jeremy Hylen serves as a member of the UCCI Board and is both an active pastor and the Daycholah summer camp director. With more than 30 years of experience working and volunteering in UCC camps, he brings a deep passion for outdoor ministry and helping people explore life's big questions through faith and experiences in the natural world.
Jeremy's connection to UCCI began after accepting a call to St. Paul's UCC in Sheboygan in 2015, when he was invited to volunteer at Daycholah Center. One of his favorite memories is helping lead a camp rock-climbing adventure at Devil's Lake. He credits camp with shaping his own faith journey and call to ministry and remains inspired by the people, community, and beauty of God's creation found throughout UCCI's outdoor ministries.
Jill Umlaft
Liz Metzloff
Rev. Nathan Athorp
Member of Personnel Committee
Rev. Nathan Athorp serves on UCCI's Personnel Committee and is the pastor of a UCC congregation. He brings a unique combination of ministry leadership and hands-on experience, having worked at Daycholah Center from 2014–2020 in various roles, ultimately serving as Managing Director. In addition to his pastoral work, Nathan has a strong background in carpentry and enjoys putting those skills to use whenever he can.
Nathan remains deeply connected to UCCI through his belief in the power of outdoor ministry to nurture faith and spiritual growth. He continues to volunteer each year at Camp AweSum at Moon Beach and treasures the many memories of campers overcoming challenges and growing in confidence. A particularly meaningful milestone in his journey was being ordained as a UCC pastor at Daycholah Center in 2016.
Paul Karch
Director
Paul Karch serves as a Director on the UCCI Board and brings decades of leadership experience through his work as an attorney and his involvement in UCC congregations and the Wisconsin Conference. Throughout his legal career, he enjoyed helping businesses navigate complex issues and transactions in practical, thoughtful ways.
Paul's connection to UCCI spans generations, from attending Moon Beach Family Camp with his parents and siblings in 1968 to returning with his own family in 2003. One of his favorite memories is taking his daughter Rachel to the dock each morning for polar bear swims. He remains connected to outdoor ministry through Wisconsin Conference gatherings and his appreciation for the beauty of worship and prayer in God's creation.
Rev. RaeAnn Beebe
WI Conference Chair of the Board of DirectorsÂ
Rev. RaeAnn Beebe serves as Chair of the Wisconsin Conference Board of Directors and brings a lifelong love for UCCI and outdoor ministry. A retired UCC pastor, RaeAnn found great joy in walking alongside people through all stages of life and faith. She is passionate about sharing the camp experience with others and now enjoys bringing her grandchildren to the same camps her children loved growing up.
RaeAnn's connection to UCCI is deeply personal. It was at Daycholah Center that she first felt God's call to ordained ministry, and she continues to treasure sharing that sacred place with her grandsons. She remains inspired by the beauty of camp, the faith formation it fosters, and the lasting impact it has had on her family for generations.
Rob MacDougall
Sheryl Stefaniak
Rev. Todd Hackman
Mission and Ministry Committee Member
Rev. Todd Hackman serves on UCCI's Mission and Ministry Committee and is the Senior Pastor at St. John's UCC in Monroe. He brings a deep passion for outdoor ministry, particularly programs that support youth and young adults, and has served in a variety of leadership roles with camps and retreat centers throughout his ministry.
Todd's connection to UCCI includes family camps at Daycholah Center with his sons and retreats at Cedar Valley, where he especially enjoys exploring the trails and experiencing God's creation. Having experienced the impact of camp on his own faith journey and call to ministry, he is committed to helping others discover the transformative power of outdoor ministry.
Tom Schmelzle
Tom Schmelzle serves as a member of the UCCI Board and brings more than 30 years of experience in education as a school principal. Throughout his career, he especially enjoyed working with students and helping them grow and succeed.
Tom's connection to UCCI began in 1974 when he started spending time at his late wife's family cottage across the lake from Moon Beach. Since then, he has developed a deep appreciation for Moon Beach and the ministry of UCCI. He remains committed to supporting the success of all three UCCI properties and enjoys spending time outdoors, appreciating the beauty of God's creation.
Employment Opportunities
Join our team and help create meaningful experiences rooted in hospitality, community, and care for creation.
United Church Camps, Inc. offers year-round and seasonal opportunities across Cedar Valley, Daycholah Center, and Moon Beach. We welcome applicants who are passionate about service, collaboration, and mission-driven work.
Available Positions
Cedar Valley Retreat Center - West Bend
- Casual Part-time | Housekeeping and Kitchen
Apply for Employment
Submit an application using the PDF application linked below
For employment questions or to submit application materials, contact:
Kaitlyn Boscaljon
Human Resources
920-745-8537 ext. 3
kboscaljon@ucci.org
