Our Leadership
Get to know our awesome team!Chris Mikiel
Director
Chris grew up in a camp community setting which involved understanding her native culture, spiritual teachings, herbal medicine as well as playing important roles within her community’s activities. She is no stranger to being a part of something bigger than herself. She strives to achieve perfection in everything she is involved in.
In 2022 she made her way to the Potosi Pines Camp, she instantly fell in love with the area. The camp needed a part-time facility maintenance manager and Chris was hired. Her relationship with the camp continued to grow. She would later get married at camp because of her love of this beautiful place.
Chris is very passionate about bringing Potosi Pines up to its full potential. She was promoted to interim Camp Director in September 2024. When Chris isn’t at camp you will find her on the road trucking, operating heavy equipment, or maintaining her little farm at home with her family. Chris is a mother to 4 Children and has 3 Grandchildren. Working at camp is a family affair for Chris’s family. They enjoy helping provide guests with a worry-free experience in the great outdoors. Without question, camp life is and always has been a part of her and her family’s calling.
Contact Chris!
Office: (702) 875-1980
director@potosipinescamp.org
Katharine Namchek
Program Director
Katharine Namchek, known affectionately as “Lightning” within the camp community, brings a strong passion for youth development, outdoor education, and camp culture to her role as Program Director at Camp Potosi Pines. With over a decade of hands-on experience in program coordination, leadership training, and youth engagement, she is dedicated to creating environments where young people can grow in faith, friendship, and confidence. A lifelong camper herself, Katharine deeply believes in the transformative power of the camp experience and is honored to help lead the next generation on their journey of growth and discovery.
Contact Katharine!
programming@potosipinescamp.org
Desert Southwest Camp & Retreat Ministries
Emma Gowan
Office Administrator
When Emma was 12 years old, she was invited to summer camp by a friend. It being her first time at camp, she didn’t know what to expect; that simple invitation changed her life forever! After many summers as a camper, Emma worked on Summer Staff as a counselor and Crafts Director. After graduating from UT Chattanooga with a degree in Communications, Emma worked with many nonprofits — from summer camps to community centers to Habitat for Humanity. Emma is looking forward to being back in the camp mindset (although it feels like she’s never left.) One invitation to camp by a new friend changed Emma’s career path, friends, college choice, and camp is even where she met her husband! Needless to say, she really believes in the power of camp! Emma and her husband are raising three young boys — so free time is limited — but on the off chance she has some, she enjoys reading books and drinking lots of coffee.
If you have questions about registration or payment, you can reach Emma using the contact info below.
Contact Emma!
Office: 928-719-6162 (call/text)
egowan@dscumc.org
Interested in joining our team? Check out our job opportunities HERE!