Excecutive Director

Chris has been Executive Director since 2013. Along with his full time duties at Westminster Woods, Chris continues to work part time at the full-service construction company that he has owned for over 30 years.  He moved from Southern California to Sonoma County in 1981 to attend Sonoma State University where he received his BA degree in Commercial Recreation.  Chris has a true love of the outdoors and spends much of his free time riding the back roads of Sonoma County on his bicycle. He met his wife, Liz, while on a bike trip to the Grand Canyon, and the two have been married for 36 years. Together, they have two adult daughters, Allison and Monika, who have many fond memories of their experiences attending camp at the Woods.

 707-874-2426 ext 632 | chrisr@westminsterwoods.org

Building and Grounds Manager

Ben grew up in Indiana attending Waycross summer camp outside of Bloomington, and experienced the magic of camp. He spent many summers as a camper and eventually counselor. Ben has been a camping professional for almost 20 years! In addition to being the Buildings and Grounds Manager at the Woods, Ben is a volunteer with Camp Meeker Fire and loves to go surf casting along the Sonoma Coast. Ben also helps coach his teenage daughters softball team. Along with Dave Letterman, Ben went to school at Ball State University.

 707-874-2426 ext 625 | ben@westminsterwoods.org

Challenge Course Manager

Benji is from the small town of Lilbourn, Missouri. At first chance, Ben sought out ways to grow and learn in new environments and set his sights on Northern California. As an Americorps volunteer, he discovered the world of outdoor education and fell in love with it. From Americorps he worked as an instructor for the Baltimore Chesapeake Bay Outward Bound School, guiding teens on backpacking, kayaking, and canoeing trips. Eventually his love of outdoor education brought him back to Northern California to work for Walker Creek Ranch in Marin County, and, finally, to Westminster Woods. His hobbies include kayaking, camping, and playing his guitar.

707-874-2426 ext 633 | challengecourse@westminsterwoods.org

School Programs Manager

A series of happy accidents, well-timed decisions and serendipities have led me to Westminster Woods and my role as the School Programs Manager and I couldn’t be happier here!

As the head of School Programs, my task is to guide the vision and direction of our beloved program. In practice, my work centers on balancing deep care for our staff with careful tending of our program. Every day I work to build authentic relationships as well as to make School Programs accessible, equitable and environmentally –conscious.

I believe in integrity and authenticity. I believe that strong leadership comes through listening and learning. I believe that what our team builds together is so much more beautiful than what one person can do on their own. The strength of School Programs is in our people and Westminster Woods is home to the finest educators and youth development professionals that California has to offer. I feel incredibly blessed to work, play, sing, dance and learn alongside my dearest friends.

 707-874-2426 ext 616 | casey@westminsterwoods.org

Summer and Weekend Programs Manager

Charlotte Trotter has a strong passion for social justice and social change. She attended the University in Redlands and graduated with a B.A. in Race and Ethnic Studies and Psychology. Previously, Charlotte worked for experiential education programs, including The Mosaic Project and REACH, which used evidence-based, social-emotional learning curriculum, to address issues of difference, build self-esteem, and inspire inclusion with students from markedly different communities. Through her studies and experience, Charlotte passionately believes that educational weeklong camp programs provides kids from different backgrounds the unique opportunity to come together, listen, understand, and empathize with one another in ways that break cycles of violence and social disparity. Through experiential education and social emotional learning, camp provides space for kids to break down stereotypes and prejudice in order to eliminate the gaps that can so easily divide the Human Family. At Westminster Woods, Charlotte aspires to create an intentional spiritual sanctuary where people of all ages can "Discover Their Song;" to explore, grow, and deepen one's relationship with their Self, Others, Nature, and God.

707-874-2426 ext 612 | charlotte@westminsterwoods.org

Guest Services Manager

Mark grew up in Michigan and has decades of camp and nonprofit experience.  He manages our Guest Group rentals and other various functions around the Woods.  Mark and his family live in Sebastopol, and he loves hiking the California hills any chance he gets.

 707-874-2426 ext 629 | mark@westminsterwoods.org

Food Services Manager

Gayle has been creating healthy, great tasting food for Westminster Woods for over 20 years. Born with a spatula in her hand, Gayle has worked backstage creating food for entertainers such as Ray Charles and Johnny Cash.  Her hobbies include cruising farmer's markets, botanical gardens and continuing her education in health and food connections.  

 707-874-2426 ext 626 | gayle@westminsterwoods.org

Housekeeping Manager

Lupe leads the Housekeeping staff, making sure camp is always looking its best.  She has been with Westminster Woods for over 15 years.  

 707-874-2426 ext 618 | lupe@westminsterwoods.org

Bio coming soon

Communications & Fundraising Specialist

Shayna grew up in Northern California and has always been passionate about building community and connecting people with the outdoors. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Liberal Studies with a concentration in Environmental Science and Human Development from Sonoma State University. At The Woods, Shayna leads donor relations, marketing, outreach, and—of course—fundraising! Beyond Westminster Woods, she has worked as an environmental educator and fundraising consultant for several nonprofits, bringing creativity and energy into every role. When she’s not planning events, making fun videos for social media, or connecting with donors, you’ll find Shayna in the garden, cooking up new recipes, at the farmers market, or caring for her kitties and backyard chickens.

707-874-2426 ext 624 | shayna@westminsterwoods.org

Programs Specialist, Lead Teacher Naturalist

Witakae, of Viking descent, was raised in the great city of Fairfield. Erik has led Westminster Woods in the adoption of cutting edge pedagogy and excellent character development programs. Wita has over fifteen years of experience in the Outdoor School industry and is a certified Leadership Trainer through Lawrence Hall of Science BEETLES program.  His favorite activities include scouring the web for bombastic pundits, investigating the philosophical nature of reality and watching the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

School Programs Coordinator

Originally from Santa Rosa, Meghan has had the joy of living in and exploring different parts of California throughout her life.  Prior to working at Westminster Woods, Meghan worked as an educator for San Joaquin Outdoor Education and the Center for Alaskan Coastal Studies. Meghan is happy to be back in Sonoma County and living/working in this lovely gem of a community. Outside of work, Meghan can be found hiking, trail running, making yummy food (sourdough bread is a favorite), watching Marvel shows, and listening to music. 

707-874-2426 ext 627 | meghan@westminsterwoods.org

School Programs Coordinator

Bio coming soon

Summer and Weekend Programs Coordinator

Morgan brings a unique perspective to his role as he grew up right here at camp, deeply immersed in the program from a young age. With a wealth of experience working our challenge course as well as his four years of Summer Staff, Morgan has honed his skills in fostering teamwork, communication, and personal growth. Passionate about making a positive impact on others, Morgan is currently working toward his Master's Degree in Clinical Counseling at Dominican University of California, and also works as a high school XC/Track coach. In his free time, Morgan is an avid consumer of books and podcasts, and can often we found hiking/running local trails or else posted up at the coast. His firsthand understanding of the transformative power of the camp experience, combined with his commitment to helping others navigate their personal journeys, makes him an invaluable asset to our community. 

707-874-2426 ext 612 | summerprograms@westminsterwoods.org

Guest Services Coordinator and Registrar

Ruth “Feather” spent much of her time outdoors as a kid, including attending camp at Westminster Woods. All this time spent enjoying God’s creation inspired her to pursue a career in the camp industry.  While she was earning her degree in Outdoor Leadership, she spent her summers on staff at The Woods. After graduating, she taught outdoors as a Teacher Naturalist for about ten years before coming into her current role here at camp. Ruth enjoys spending lots of time outside, and those who join her on hikes or bike rides know that she’s always listening to and watching for local birds, earning her the camp name “Feather”.

 707-874-2426 ext 622 | ruth@westminsterwoods.org

School Programs Logistics Coordinator and Head

Lifeguard

Nautilus grew up in Yuba City, California. He went to Cal Poly Humboldt (formerly Humboldt State University), where he received a Bachelor of Science in Marine Biology while also minoring in Scientific Diving. Nautilus has a long history here at the Woods; he first came here as a high school camper back in 2007. Under these redwood trees, he found a calling and a home. He has worked as a Summer Staffer starting in 2011 and all the way through 2022, doing it all. He worked as a cabin counselor, in the kitchen, as the camp photographer, was a lead counselor, and coordinated various parts of our summer programs, such as Elevation, Buccaneer, Friendship Camp, and the Redwood Center. Nautilus started his Outdoor Education career just up the creek at our neighbor Alliance Redwoods for a year before finally coming home and joining the Woods’ year-round team in 2019 as a Teacher Naturalist. He loves spending time at the ocean, both above and below the waves, as he scuba dives along the beautiful northern California coast. When he’s not out adventuring, he enjoys spending time with his friends playing Magic the Gathering or hanging out with his big fluffy cat Louise.

 707-874-2426 ext 623 | logistics@westminsterwoods.org