Northern Pines is governed by a Board of Directors that meet monthly and work on behalf of the Northern Pines ministry througout the year. If you see a board member at camp, please say hi! We'd love to talk to you and hear your story.
Aaron Wine
Chairman
Aaron and his family first attended Northern Pines in 2012 when they were invited by close friends Brian and Kris Baker. The first time they came to camp, all four children stayed with them in the Lodge. Northern Pines quickly became an integral part of the family’s spiritual growth and refreshment as well as the highlight of their summers. For years, Aaron and his wife Dawn would offer alternatives to Northern Pines, including Disney World and International travel. Their four children always declined such offers because Northern Pines was the only option in their hearts. Over the years, their children have been a part of every program. In 2016, Aaron was honored to join and serve on the Board of Directors from 2016 to 2022. A few years ago, Aaron started getting involved annually with the Men’s Work Retreat. As the incoming Board Chair, Aaron feels tremendously grateful to be able to serve in this capacity. Outside of Northern Pines, Aaron, a Chemical Engineer, stays busy in the manufacturing sector as a Plant Manager for Ardagh Glass Packaging. Aaron has a passion for seeing things continually improve and made better each day.
Reid Kilberg
Vice Chair
Reid and his wife, Carrie and their 4 children (Ben, Olivia, Tessa, Annika) have been attending Northern Pines since 2005. They were lucky enough to have been introduced to NP by some friends after the birth of their 4th child, and have been attending ever since. It has been a blessing to watch our children grow in their faith as they have progressed through the programs. Equally important has been our own understanding of how Christ strengthens our family and marriage. It is uplifting to have a place to take your family each year where you know you are surrounded by others who share your values and faith. When not at camp, Reid does Institutional Sales for a large investment management firm. He enjoys traveling, hunting, fishing and especially time on the Lawsonia golf courses.
Kris Baker
Secretary
Kris has been attending Northern Pines since she was in high school in the late 80s. Since that first week of camp, Northern Pines held a special place in her heart and she knew she wanted to return someday with a family of her own. Since then, Kris has attended Northern Pines with her husband Brian and their two children Hanna and Eli who have attended all of the different children and youth programs. If you ask anyone in their family, they would all say that Northern Pines is an integral part of their walk with the Lord and instrumental in their spiritual growth and understanding. Kris works as the Special Education Coordinator for Shelbyville Central Schools and believes Northern Pines is the perfect spiritual reset before beginning each school year. This is Kris’ first year on the board and is thrilled to have the opportunity to serve the ministry that has meant so much to her and her family.
Shawn Gardner
Treasurer
Shawn and his wife Heidi were originally invited to attend Northern Pines in 2009 and after persistent asking they made it in 2010 and they have returned every year since (with the exception of the whole covid thing). The first year they brought their oldest son, Graham, who was two at the time and Matthew followed the next year. Eventually they were also joined by Claire and Emma.
Northern Pines has been a second home to the Gardner family, a place where they have all grown closer in their relationship to one another and more importantly to Jesus. Their adult children make every effort each year to return to serve at the camp that they all look to as being foundational in their faith journeys. Heidi and Shawn both look forward to the day when they welcome the next generation to the Northern Pines family.
When not at camp Shawn works as a Commercial Banker with Minnwest Bank in Minnetonka MN and in his spare time loves to spend as much time possible outdoors camping, hiking, running, biking and playing pickelball.
Lynn Schoolmeesters
Lynn has been attending Northern Pines since the first year when she was a high-school camper. She has served in most of the programs through the years. She married her high school sweetheart Scott. They have 3 grown children and 5 grandchildren. Mark Alan (& Jill), Paul (& Liza) and Amy.
Most of them attend now with their families. They have had 4 generations together at camp. NP has been very instrumental in her walk with the Lord; in the good times and hard times. It is an honor and blessing to give back by serving on the board. When not at camp she enjoys gardening, traveling, Gateway prayer ministry, sewing, doing therapy visits with dog Penni and spending time with their grandkids and family.
Bill Cheeseman
The Cheeseman family has attended Northern Pines since 2002. Bill attended that first year with some trepidation as he ‘wasn’t sure he wanted to do church for a whole week’. That anxiety was quickly permanently erased and now the family can’t imagine a year without Northern Pines! The annual respite that is Northern Pines has had a tremendous positive impact on the faith, mental health, and life of the entire family. It is without a doubt the most favored week of the year for the entire family. Our two older children, Alise and Garrett, have graduated and now serve as Jr. High and Senior High counselors and our third child, Nathan, is in the Senior High and serves as a Wilderness counselor. Beyond the teaching, worship, and growth, we look forward every year to spending precious time with the many friends and family that also attend. In addition, Bill is also a huge fan of the annual Men’s retreat. For the other 51 weeks of the year Bill works for Procter and Gamble and Judith is an Area Team Leader for Bible Study Fellowship.
Andy Smude
Andy married his high school sweetheart, Sheila (Otness), in 2007. In doing so, he also married into the Northern Pines family. Sheila was no stranger to the Northern Pines experience, having grown up through the children’s program all the way thru Senior High, holding many volunteer positions as CCA and Counselor. Andy has joined Sheila as a Children’s program teacher on occasion. Finalizing an adoption in 2019 permanently added four more children to their family for a total of six: Connor, Emma, Nathan, Kai, Nova and Maya. During the work week, Andy is an Aerospace Engineer for AirCorps Aviation, an historic aircraft restoration company in Minnesota. When not busy working or shuttling kids around, he is a private pilot and amateur runner. Andy is honored to be serving on the Northern Pines Board of Directors.
Kacia Hosmer
Kacia has been attending Northern Pines for over 30 years, now returning with her husband and three kids, parents, in-laws, sisters, nieces, and nephew. Since the first year she attended with her immediate family as a child, she’s rarely missed a summer — seeing the impact first hand on her own life both as a child, teen and young adult, and now as a wife and mother. Now living in California, it’s no small feat getting to camp each year, but one that each member of the family cannot imagine Northern Pines not being part of their summer routine. Kacia is honored to have joined the Board of Directors in 2023 as the Marketing lead. A creative through and through, Kacia has worked in a variety of fields from church to healthcare focusing on marketing, communications, and operations. In her (not so frequent) free time, Kacia loves running, yoga, quilt and bag pattern design, and finding new hobbies she doesn’t have time for. Kacia is so thankful for the financial sacrifice her parents made years ago to get to camp — and the ongoing commitment to keep going back.
Lyn White
Lyn and her amazing husband Jeff have been married for 29 years. She has one grown child, Josh, a 6th-grade math teacher. Lyn and her family began attending Northern Pines in 2009 after a good friend had gone the year before and shared that they absolutely should give it a try. They were hooked! Over the years Lyn and Jeff have had the opportunity to serve in various roles including technology for the worship leaders and speakers, and spend many years on the weekend team between camp weeks ensuring our young volunteers rest up for week 2. Outside of Northern Pines Lyn lives in the St. Louis area and celebrates working over 23 years for McCarthy, an employee-owned commercial construction company. She is a Learning & Development Manager focused on Leadership Development programs supporting over 3,500 partners. Lyn has also attended BSF (Bible Study Fellowship) since 2002, and gets to enjoy St. Louis Cardinals baseball games regularly. In addition to setting aside precious time to vacation at Northern Pines each year, Lyn and her family enjoy visiting Walt Disney World any time possible.
Jacque Bolt
Jacque has been coming to Northern Pines since 1977. She first came with her husband, Dick, and their 4 children. Dick passed away in 2025 but Jacque and her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren still consider Northern Pines to be a "must event" each summer. Although her circumstances in life have changed, Jacque is still confident God never changes. The Northern Pines family will always be very special to her. If you ask anyone in Jacque’s family about Northern Pines, they will tell you about how they have been impacted by a speaker, a counselor, a program, a worship event, a song, or a friend. Jacque enjoys being on the NP board and is humbled to be part of such a gifted and passionate team. Jacque writes and leads Women’s Bible studies, serves on several committees for her church and volunteers regularly for Set Free Ministries. She loves spending time with her children and grandchildren and she is an avid Detroit Tigers fan!
Patrick Aston
Patrick, his wife Jessica, and their four children have attended Northern Pines since 2018. Initially attracted by the Child Care Assistant Program to care for their four children under eight years old every night for four hours, the Aston family knew within hours that they wanted to return to Northern Pines every summer. Currently residing in Colorado Springs, Colorado, they look forward to returning to the pinnacle of the summer every year, Northern Pines. The ministry impact of friendship, prayer, teaching, and rest is integral to the Aston family. The Aston family enjoys skiing in the Rocky Mountains, gardening, and hiking around Garden of the Gods at sunset. Patrick has over 18 years of financial management experience working for nonprofits and the federal government.
Susan Richter
Susan and her husband Steve have been married over 45 years, with four wonderful children (Matthew & Jaycee, Bryan & Danielle, Kristin & Drew, Emily & Lonnie) and 8 fantastic grandchildren who all live near by. She does the office work for her husband’s home remodeling business. Susan has been involved in various leadership roles in church. Their family has made numerous mission trips to Mexico, and have close cross-cultural friends both in the US and in Mexico. Susan is blessed to be able to minister to women of all ages helping provide spiritual and emotional support. Northern Pines has been a great blessing to Susan and Steve and the entire family as their children have gone through all the programs as well as been on staff in several programs. Many of the grandchildren have also been in program and are starting to serve. There have been four generations attending for 13 years. Susan has volunteered/attended Northern Pines for over 50 years.
Iris Johnson
Historian — Life Board
Iris is a wife, mom, and gramma. Her history with Northern Pines began in 1984 when she and her family attended their first Northern Pines' conference at the urging and with the help of her mom. She has been on the Northern Pines board for many years and has served in many roles. Her daughters, Joette and Leah, participated in the programs, and also served on staff as CCAs, teachers, and as counselors in the youth programs. They now attend with their husbands and children. Northern Pines has become a legacy for Iris and her husband, Doug, as the whole family finds spiritual refreshment and relaxation at Northern Pines.