New communications associate joins Camp & Retreat ministry staff

Tanner Morton grew up spending his summers at Sawtooth Camp in Idaho, so when the opportunity presented itself recently to join the Oregon-Idaho Conference Camp and Retreat Ministries staff as the communications associate, he was thrilled.

The 25-year-old Pocatello native has spent the last three summers working as a resource staff member at Camp Magruder on the Oregon Coast while his wife finished working on her degree at Pacific University in Forest Grove.

“It’s surreal working with people I’ve looked up to all my life,” Morton said.

Morton takes over for Eric Conklin, who left in December to pursue other ministries.

He’s looking forward to collaborating with site directors and staff and sharing their stories.

“I love learning about their work and want to help get their voice out to the community – how their faith informs their work,” he said.

Morton is finishing his bachelor’s degree from Idaho State University in theater and performing arts.

"I am excited to welcome Tanner to the team because he brings a passion for camp and retreat ministries, he is familiar with four of our sites," said Todd Bartlett, director of Camp and Retreat Ministries for the Oregon-Idaho Conference. "He grew up going to Sawtooth Camp, has worked at Magruder, he was part of our traveling counselor team that provided leadership at Latgawa, Suttle Lake and Magruder, he has served as a dean at Latgawa and he was also part of the program division for Camp and Retreat Ministries".