Interview with Lori Nellist,
executive director of New Frontiers and
What is the purpose of New Frontiers?
"The purpose of New Frontiers is to live intentionally. Too many people make decisions based on the outcome in the next five minutes, we teach campers to intentionally make choices that will positively affect them in the long run. We teach people to live with purpose, with intentionality."
What kind of activities are available to campers?
"We have challenge courses, obstacle courses, ropes course, canoeing, and backpacking. We also have a giant swing, archery tag, paintball, and much more. Pretty much, we strive to provide campers with activities that involves them interacting with a motor, not necessarily an electric motor, but a motor that involves campers to put forth effort and knowledge into whatever they are handling. We take kids on biking or hiking trips, but we won’t take them with four wheelers or anything like that. It’s not about what a machine can do for you, it’s about learning to be efficient with what you have and conquering your fears."
What does the future hold for New Frontiers?
"Well, currently we have the Pivot program, which is a campsite that sleeps 200 campers with daily activities, and then there’s the Arise program, located down the road from Pivot, which is a boy’s home with two houses, and sleeps 16 boys total. Something that’s on the horizon for New Frontiers is the school we plan on building for a small number of people, who will live on camp side and be completely immersed in the program while also being able to get an education. Another thing on the horizon for us is the housing for campers. Currently, campers live in bunk style cabins, sleeping a handful of campers in each cabin. We are trying to instead move towards family style cabins, so that families could come together and experience the adventure together."
What beliefs does this program support?
"Faith-wise, we are Christ centered. We believe in the Apostle’s Creed, it frames our theological basis. The biggest thing is that we are not a religion alone, we believe in committing a strong relationship with Jesus Christ, we believe that there is no better way to live without him as our savior. We spread the word and go on mission trips, sharing our beliefs and skills that we learn at the camp."
What are the qualifications to work at New Frontiers?
"It depends on which position you are applying for. At the Arise homes, we are looking for patient hearts and maturity. We’re looking for people who can see beyond the simple aspect of making the boys behave, but being able to help them understand that they are loved by a forgiving God, and understand that being loved by god presents infinite opportunities for them in life. At Pivot, we are looking for healthy, energetic people who can do all the activities, and still have it in them afterwards to talk to the kids about what they learned and how it relates metaphorically back to God. The staff needs to have the ability to think metaphorically, and seek truth through god, in turn teaching the campers to do the same."
