September 2023
Tending the Fire is a monthly series sharing a deeper look at the people who make up Camp and Retreat Ministries. Each month we will share a story from our campers, donors, staff and volunteers and what impact Camp and Retreat Ministries has had on them, and them on us. We hope these stories will educate you, uplift you and inspire you to get involved in whatever ways you can.
Geneva (Hargreaves) Cook will celebrate 28 years as an employee with Camp and Retreat Ministries next January, but her connection to CRM started long before that, making her first visit to Sawtooth Camp, near Fairfield, Idaho, when she was just four months old. Geneva’s connection to the camping program runs deep and wide. Her father, the late Rev. Ted Hargreaves, was involved in the camping program and was on the site committees at all of our sites (including Loon Lake and McCall), and her brother, Dave Hargreaves, was the Site Director at Sawtooth for 46 years, retiring in 2018.
After a childhood and youth as a Sawtooth camper, Geneva worked several summers at Sawtooth Camp and Camp Magruder and has also worked or volunteered at many of our other sites over the years. Geneva enjoyed working at camp, because “there is a lot of independent learning as well as a wide variety of experiences to be had.”
Geneva was hired as the registrar in the camping office in 1996 as a three-month temporary job; that temp job lasted for 21 years before she moved into her current role as the camping program accountant. When asked why the move to accountant, Geneva said she was “looking for new challenges,” but no matter what role she is in, doing the books, leading games at camp or volunteering, she knows she is making camp happen and helping campers of all ages experience “God in the outdoors.” Geneva herself finds God’s presence in nature, reflecting that “the God I encounter in nature is more real to me and has kept me working in the church.”
In addition to her father and brother, Geneva was greatly influenced by former Executive Director, Kevin Witt. “Kevin kept the mission statement in front of me (reminding me) why we do what we do.” Geneva shared the story of a father who came to the office to pay $20 so his child could go to camp. While a small amount to many, “he saved the money by walking (several miles) to work instead of taking the bus for two weeks. I want everyone to understand the value of camp like he did.”
As an adult, Geneva has been both a dean for past Shakespeare Retreats and a camper or attendee at many events. One previous camp that had a tremendous impact on her was one focused on how to play the Native American flute. Geneva now plays the flute most Sundays at church, and if she doesn’t one week, parishioners will ask if the flute is okay! That camp “gave me a skill that benefits others; (what happens at camp) can give you a moment in time that will influence your future.”
Giving back to the camp is important to Geneva, which is why she shares her time, her money and why her husband, Tom, donates his handmade pottery to be sold in camp stores. “These donations make sure the camps are there for the future,” providing resources to assist with maintenance and other needs.
One of Geneva’s greatest joys is working with the camp staff over the years. Each camp “is special, and they all contribute to this huge program. The best part about it is we’re all together like a family; each person or camp is different” but a part of the whole. When asked why she has continued working with Camp and Retreat Ministries for so long, Geneva said, “I fell in love with the job and the people I work with.”
© 2014 Camp and Retreat Ministries:
A partnership between The Oregon-Idaho Conference of The United Methodist Church
and The Episcopal Diocese of Oregon