Christy Penner - Hospitality Coordinator
Christy came to River’s Edge in the spring of 2005, joining the team as an Assistant Cook. What was a 4 month summer commitment has become a vocational calling for Christy, creating a welcoming environment for guests and campers here at River’s Edge by overseeing our food and beverage services, our guest services, our Bridge Café and General Store and just about anything else she can get her hands into! Her background in youth and family psychology has come in handy on more than one occasion and her passion for writing and study led her to take a break from ministry in 2007 to write her MA in Theology – focusing on Jesus’ meal sharing practices and contemporary culture. In her free time she LOVES hanging out with her niece and nephews, reading and writing, public speaking and hot tubbing!

Fiona MacDonald - Guest Group Coordinator
Fiona came to River’s Edge in July 2008 as she felt that God was calling her to leave her native land, Australia, and seek a different camping experience. Fiona has served in camping ministries for seven years full time and has been involved in camps since her first camp back in 1995. Fiona has an amazing toolbox of skills that she has picked up along the way and originally joined our summer programming team and stayed on after the summer of 2008 as the Program Team Leader. Since then Fiona has moved into focusing on our Guest Group Ministries and coordinates the comings and goings of all guests on the property. Fiona now has stronger roots in Canada since she married Cameron MacDonald, one of our past summer staff, in March 2010. They met and married here at River’s Edge Camp!

Gerry Neufeld - Camp Manager
Gerry has been involved in Christian camping since a young camper at Gull Lake Bible Camp, James River Bible Camp and Elkton Valley Bible Camp. He has served three terms on the boards of James River Bible Camp and River’s Edge Camping Association, one of them being the transition year to River’s Edge Camp. Gerry is pleased to join the leadership team as Camp Manager and looks forward to the continued growth of camp services. Gerry has over twenty-five years experience in the energy and construction industries from which he brings a wealth of knowledge in the areas of management and field operations supervision, working with small, medium and junior multi-national companies. Complimenting this experience are six years of involvement in management and business development in environmental remediation services. Gerry’s technical background brings a valuable perspective on issues relating to construction, equipment and mechanical information. Gerry and his wife Marlene have been married for over 40 years and have 5 children and 14 grandchildren.

 
Hilde Spence - Administrative Assistant
Hilde has been serving at River’s Edge Camp since November 2006.  Her growing up years were spent in Three Hills attending Prairie Bible School and enjoying life lived with her parents and younger sister. Hilde was introduced to camp as an elementary aged camper, as she attended the many camps in which her Dad ministered as the Children’s Camp speaker. Hilde is a self titled “ Camp Addict” having served in Camping Ministry for 15 summers and year round at camps for six years. Hilde loves the unique ministry opportunity of camp and the amazing impact it can have on the lives of children, teens and adults! She is a graduate of Rocky Mountain College and is a great asset to the River’s Edge Team. Hilde currently serves in the area of administration assisting with reception, promotions, ministry partner development, registrations and other office related tasks.    

Jeff McIntosh - Site Operations
Jeff and Lorna are our longest serving staff members and have been at River’s Edge since May 2004. Jeff brings with him an amazing skill set, many of us don’t know what we’d do without him and we don’t want to find out! Jeff overseas all of our site projects and continues to keep River’s Edge functioning on a day to day basis. Lorna helped as a part of the River’s Edge Team in many different roles, both in and out of the office, until becoming a full time mum in April 2006. They now have 3 beautiful children, Meagan, Hailey and Tyler and enjoy spending as much time as possible as a family.

Jon Cooper - Equine Coordinator
Jon first worked with River’s Edge in the summer of 2006. Since then Jon has moved around and gathered a lot of experience in the Equine field. Jon trained and became a Certified Horsemanship Association (CHA) Coach: Level IV Western & Level I English. Jon also advanced his skills as a cutting trainer at his previous employer. In April 2009, Jon became the Head Equine Coordinator at River’s Edge. Here he runs his lessons, colt starting, horsemanship clinics and trail rides. In October 2007, Jon discovered his true source of favor, his wife Carmen (nee Luyenduk, Kelly & Sein’s daughter), whom he met and married at River’s Edge Camp. In October 2009, Jon and Carmen became the proud parents to Lyla. 

Judith Newsome - Bookkeeper
Judy was with River's Edge in the early years under Dennis Punter's leadership and re-joined the team in April of 2010 as our Bookkeeper. Judy lives just outside of Didsbury and has proven to be a valuable asset to the Administration Team. Judy is married to Dale and they have two children, Joel and Lacey. Any chance that Judy and her family can get, Judy loves to take off with her family and go camping.

Ken W. Lehman - Program Coordinator
Ken joined the River's Edge Team as the Program Coordinator in May of 2011 after spending thirty-four years in pastoral ministry mostly focused on raising up young leaders in student ministries. He has been connected with camp ministry all through his pastoral career, having overseen many youth, children and family retreats.  Along with his wife, Neila, he has been connected with James River Bible Camp and River's Edge Camp from their beginnings. He brings a shepherd's heart of nurturing and mentoring as well as a wealth of programming experience.  As a couple they have been called by the Lord to this place and work closely together.  They have been blessed with three adult children, all married; who have in turn blessed them with eight incredible grandkids.