STAFF SPOTLIGHT: GUEST SERVICES COORDINATOR

Name: Laura Bunish

Position at camp: Guest Services Coordinator

For how long: I have interned for two years, apprenticed for one, and now I am continuing my journey as being a full time staff member!

Camp History... I first learned about Camp Shamineau my sophomore year of high school when my youth group came for a Fall Fling youth retreat. I thought then it would be so cool to work at camp one day! A few years later I was in between jobs and I thought I would only serve one summer on staff. Turns out the Lord had other plans for me. And I loved it so much I haven’t left since.

What do you do day to day? Day to day I coordinate with various groups to confirm activities, check on housing, schedule staff, monitor the camp calendar and of course, be present while any groups are on site to help in any way I can. I also work under our registrar Sandy, to assist with any office needs. Aside from rental groups, if you attend any of our programmed retreats, I will probably see you at check in.  

What do you like most about your job?  

What I like most about my job is how it challenges me – in a very good way! It challenges me to think outside the box, how things can be improved, and how to best utilize the time to staff activities. I am also not very fond of speaking in front of people, but part of the job is to give each group a welcome/orientation to camp. Those groups can range anywhere from 10-400 people. Working around weather can also prove to be a challenge, but it helps to keep me creative in my scheduling and a good reminder to always have a backup plan.

What are some fun facts or unique things about you?

-       I have never been to a concert

-       I once read 100 books in three months

-       Dodgeball is my favorite gym game

If you had a day to do whatever you want, what would you do? If I had a day to do whatever I want, I would wake up early (before 6), drive into town for some donuts and coffee, and bring them back to camp to enjoy while sitting next to the lake. Later on I would connect with a good friend to spend the rest of the day together, shopping, go see a movie, eat good food, get more coffee, and then meet up with some other friends to play a few rounds of Live Action Mafia.

In your Camp position, what are you most excited about / future?

I am excited to build relationships with the groups that visit camp. A lot of groups that come here have been coming to camp for a few years, or if they are new, quite a few of them choose to rebook for the next year. It is fun to get to know them and then that really makes the groups feel like they’re home when there’s a relationship there. It also helps me to better prepare for their stay when I feel like I know them well.

Hobbies… My hobbies include: Reading, horseback riding, knife throwing (just started), baking and hammocking (preferably by the lake).

Dream car / mode of transportation? My dream car is a black four door ’67 Chevy Impala. Or a time machine known as the TARDIS (Time And Relative Dimension In Space).