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Pilgrim Firs opens doors for annual Pride Picnic

Director reconnects with past leaders

Mark Boyd, executive director of Outdoor Ministries for the Pacific Northwest Conference of the UCC, will lead the You and Me camp at Pilgrim Firs this summer with Kristen Miller and Lauren Stoneberg.

“I’m especially excited to be sharing this time with Kristen and Lauren as they both introduced me to Junior High Youth years ago. Kristen was resourceful leaders. Lauren was a camper who never failed to impress,” he said.

 “These two were my introduction to Pilgrim Firs youth camp and that began my path that led to my current role as executive director for both our camps, N-Sid-Sen and Pilgrim Firs,” Mark said.

“It will be great to be back in a more hands-on role as we share the message that God has for us as we venture into the ‘In the Wilderness’ curriculum this summer,” said Mark, looking forward to seeing many conference children, youth and adults at their “home on the lake.”

You & Me Camp will be held July 5 to 8 at Pilgrim Firs in Port Orchard. It’s for children entering grades one to four to attend with an adult guardian.

For information, visit camp.pncucc.org/ucc-summer-camp.

Camp Together will celebrate wonders

Mark also added a word to point to “Camp Together,” an intergenerational event Aug. 2 to 8 at Camp N-Sid-Sen, The PNC outdoor ministry site in the mountains of northern Idaho on Lake Coeur d’Alene.

“We’ll create a community and celebrate the wonders of God’s glorious creation,” Mark said. “Together we’ll reflect on the wilderness of truly wild and unexplored places and situations to the wilderness of everyday life.”

Camp Together this summer will provide activities, adventures and learning opportunities for all ages and abilities.

Those include stories, songs, campfires, crafts, learning about labyrinths, looking at stars through telescopes, games, hikes, water activities, quiet conversations, thoughtful reflections, play time and prayer time.

“It’s directors, Randy and Linda Crowe, share a deep love for our outdoor ministry programs. They have been full-time volunteers at N-Sid-Sen this past year,” he said, celebrating their gift to N-Sid-Sen.

In the Camp Together tradition of reading an epic story, they will explore how The Silver Chair by C.S. Lewis connects with wilderness experiences.

For information, visit camp.pncucc.org/event/898.

 

Pilgrim Firs hosts annual Pride Picnic beside Pride Garden

Group converses in Pilgrim FIrs' Pride Garden during the annual Kitsap Pride Picnic. Photo courtesy of Pilgrim Firs

Zachary Norenberg, associate director of Pilgrim Firs Camp and Retreat Center on Lake Flora, was excited to share the beauty of Pilgrim Firs from noon to 4 p.m., Sunday, June 7, for the annual Picnic with Pride in partnership with Kitsap Pride.

“This is our gift to the broader community: a free afternoon of food, music, laughter and belonging,” he said.

There was live music, a barbecue lunch, lawn games, a tie-dye station, button making, rock painting and a “Build the Rainbow” scavenger hunt for all ages.

“As a PNCUCC camp, Pilgrim Firs exists to be a place where everyone experiences welcome,” said Zachary.

“Hosting this celebration is one of the most natural things we can do, opening our land and our table to the LGBTQIA+ community and their friends and families as Pride Month begins,” he added.

“This is one way we show up as the church in our local community,” he added, inviting donations to Kitsap Pride for youth programming in Kitsap County.

For information, visit kitsappride.org/2026/05/picnic-with-pride-2026 or pilgrim-firs.org.

 

Pacific Northwest United Church of Christ Conference News © June 2026

 

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