news article
Aldersgate Camp & Retreat Center welcomes Ben Mudge as Assistant Director
May 11, 2021 / By Shannon Hodson / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Aldersgate Camp & Retreat Center has been without a full-time, year-round staff person since 2014. On May 3, 2021, that changed when Aldersgate Director Pam Harris welcomed Ben Mudge as the full-time Assistant Director. This position became possible because of Aldersgate’s growth and momentum over the past year.
Pam said, “This past summer when we were able to host family retreats, we reconnected with families who we haven’t seen in 10-12 years. Many of them became very generous donors after spending a weekend or two at the site and that enabled us to open an Assistant Director position”
Ben Mudge has been connected to Aldersgate his entire life.
Ben said, “Some of my earliest, happiest memories as a kid were from Aldersgate. I knew early on that this is where my heart is, and where I most want to be. It has always been a home to me…I have a long history with Aldersgate. My family has been coming here since I was a baby. We used to have a trailer across the road from the main camp in what was the Tent and Trailer section and would spend most of the summer at camp.
When I was old enough, I started attending every summer as a camper. As soon as I was old enough to be on staff, I was! I spent three summers on summer staff. Then in fall of 2006, I became a maintenance assistant. Even after I began working in my career as a CNC Machinist at Bartell’s in Rome, N.Y., I still was drawn to Aldersgate and stayed part time, coming up and working on the site, helping in the kitchen, anything I was able to do on days off, vacations or even after a full work day.”
Pam added, “Ben is so deeply connected to Aldersgate that I believe with his assistance, our growth will continue.”
Ben can visualize the future Pam believes is possible. Enthusiastically, Ben described his passion and vision for the continuing ministry at Aldersgate and requested the help of anyone across the Conference who may be interested.
Ben said, “There is an amazing amount of precious history and future potential on these Holy grounds! I celebrate all the dreams and ministry that has gone before us, and the names and faces of faithful disciples are etched in my mind. Now, there is a lot of work to do to preserve our Camp Aldersgate and move forward into a fruitful future. I'm excited to work on the improvements to our cabins, the dining hall, and the rest of the site. I look forward to future improvements and changes, and I am going to need your help.
Come home this summer and visit this beautiful Camp – walk our grounds and remember all that God has done here among us. Let’s dream big dreams together.”