Beth Ehlers, CRE, Executive Director
Beth became the Executive Director of Lakeshore Center at Okoboji in December of 2010. Originally from Mason City, Iowa, Beth comes with a variety of skills and a passion for the Lakeshore Center's ministry. Beth has served as the Director of Christian Education at First Presbyterian Church in Mason City for 12 years, was the Administrator for a 4 provider medical practice in Mason City and as a Residence Director at Rockford College in Rockford, Illinois. Beth has a B.A. in Administrative Management and an M.E. in College Personnel Administration, has completed the Lay Academy and is a graduate of the Compass Points Certification program through the Presbyterian Church Camp and Conference Association. She serves on the Board of the Presbyterian Church Camp and Conference Association.
Beth believes that everyone needs to get away from the comfortable and go to a place to learn, discover, or be reminded of what it means to be a child of God. Summer Camp and Retreats are a great place to do this because the distractions of our everyday life are not present. It is then that we can experience the presence of God so that when we return to our busy-ness, we can still recognize God in our everyday lives.
Beth believes that everyone needs to get away from the comfortable and go to a place to learn, discover, or be reminded of what it means to be a child of God. Summer Camp and Retreats are a great place to do this because the distractions of our everyday life are not present. It is then that we can experience the presence of God so that when we return to our busy-ness, we can still recognize God in our everyday lives.
Harry Gabe, Associate Director
Harry grew up attending summer camp at Clearwater Forest Camp and Retreat Center in Deerwood, Minnesota where he served on summer staff for three years before serving as the Creative Director there in 2013. After Clearwater Forest, Harry worked as a Program Specialist at John Knox Center in Ten Mile, Tennessee for a year. Harry is a graduate of the Compass Points certification program from Columbia Theological Seminary in connection with the Presbyterian Church Camp and Conference Association.
After visiting Lakeshore Center in 2014, Harry said, “I really love this site! I felt an almost immediate connection to it. I am looking forward to meeting and working with the staff, seeing the site in summer, and meeting all the campers. I am just excited to have the opportunity to work at such a beautiful facility.” After 3 years as our Program Director, Harry is ready for this new challenge.
After visiting Lakeshore Center in 2014, Harry said, “I really love this site! I felt an almost immediate connection to it. I am looking forward to meeting and working with the staff, seeing the site in summer, and meeting all the campers. I am just excited to have the opportunity to work at such a beautiful facility.” After 3 years as our Program Director, Harry is ready for this new challenge.
Cassie Gabe, Associate Director
Cassie joined our team in 2016 as our part time Hospitality Coordinator. She is a graduate of the Compass Points certification program.
Cassies has served as a Program Specialist at John Knox Center in Ten Mile, Tennessee, a Program Director at Camp Wyoming in Wyoming, Iowa, and currently serves as the Summer Program Director for Clearwater Forest in Minnesota. That has allowed her to work here and learn more about Lakeshore Center and assist in building our guest facility usage. Cassie will her her position with Clearwater in September 2018 and join our staff full time.
If you attend community theatre in Spencer, you will have seen Cassie on stage sharing her beautiful voice and acting talents.
Cassies has served as a Program Specialist at John Knox Center in Ten Mile, Tennessee, a Program Director at Camp Wyoming in Wyoming, Iowa, and currently serves as the Summer Program Director for Clearwater Forest in Minnesota. That has allowed her to work here and learn more about Lakeshore Center and assist in building our guest facility usage. Cassie will her her position with Clearwater in September 2018 and join our staff full time.
If you attend community theatre in Spencer, you will have seen Cassie on stage sharing her beautiful voice and acting talents.
Don Reed, Site Manager
Don joined the staff team in April, 2007. Don has lived in Spirit Lake, IA his whole life and has been married to his wife, Jean, for 37 years. Together, they have two sons, Jason and Kyle. Jason is married to his wife, Mandie, and they have two children, Austin and Kaitlynn.
Don has seen a lot of good changes at Lakeshore Center over the past several years. As Site Manager, Don can help your work group with possible projects for the Center. He loves working with all the different people to help improve Lakeshore Center.
Don has seen a lot of good changes at Lakeshore Center over the past several years. As Site Manager, Don can help your work group with possible projects for the Center. He loves working with all the different people to help improve Lakeshore Center.
Jean Reed, Head Cook & Maintenance Assistant
After generously volunteering at Lakeshore Center for years, Jean finally came on board as a full time staff memeber as of September 2015. Before coming to Lakeshore, she spent 20 years in the insurance business. Jean is married to our trusty Site Manager, Don Reed, and together they have two sons, Jason & Kyle as well as two grandchildren, Austin and Kaitlynn.
If you or your group would like meals while you are here with us and would like to speak with Jean, you can email her at kitchen@lakeshorecenteratokoboji.org
If you or your group would like meals while you are here with us and would like to speak with Jean, you can email her at kitchen@lakeshorecenteratokoboji.org
