The Dakotas United Methodist Camp and Retreat Ministries is pleased to announce that Tanner Clark has been named as director of Storm Mountain Center. Keith Shew, Dakotas-Minnesota Area Director of Camp and Retreat Ministries, comments, “After an extensive national search, we’re happy to share that Tanner Clark has accepted our offer to become Storm’s next director.” Tanner will begin his role in early January 2023.   

Tanner possesses a strong background in United Methodist Camp and Retreat leadership. He moved to Valley City, ND in middle school where he became involved with Epworth United Methodist Church and Wesley Acres Camp. Shew shares, “Tanner is no stranger to the Dakotas. He’s familiar with many of our leaders, local churches, and Area Camp and Retreat Ministry centers. Tanner’s been involved with our Dakotas and Minnesota camps in different roles for many years. He’s served as part of the seasonal staff at Wesley Acres Camp for multiple summers, volunteered in different capacities at all three of our Dakotas camps, and completed his college internship at Northern Pines Camp in Minnesota. He brings a wealth of knowledge and experience as he begins a new chapter in his ministry as director of Storm Mountain Center.”   

Most recently, Tanner has been working as director of Lake Lucerne United Methodist Camp in Wisconsin. “He’s done some excellent work there around growing volunteerism, increasing participation in both camps and retreats, expanding Lake Lucerne’s donor base and generosity, and adding new summer and off-season programs for youth and adults,” says Shew. Tanner brings experience in camping administration, risk management and safety, food service, property and facilities management, staff supervision, and program development and implementation.   

Tanner is excited about accepting the call to serve the camping ministry at Storm Mountain. He describes it this way, “It feels like I am coming home, and I’m excited to see many familiar faces.” He adds, “The Dakotas conference is clear on the value of camping and retreat ministries. They support the camps in many ways, and I’m excited to continue the ministry of Storm Mountain Center.”  

Having spent many years leading in the camp setting, Tanner has a thorough understanding and deep appreciation for safety standards, risk management, and best practices. He knows that the safety of our campers, guests, and staff is our top priority at our Dakotas-Minnesota sites. Shew reports, “Storm is scheduled for an American Camp Association (ACA) re-accreditation visit during the summer of 2023. While this will be Tanner’s first ACA visit experience as a director, his time working at our Dakotas-Minnesota accredited sites and alongside our professional staff have prepared him for this significant challenge.”   

During a recent conversation, Tanner quoted influential naturalist and lifelong environment champion, author John Muir, “The mountains are calling, and I must go.” Welcome home to the Dakotas and to Storm Mountain Center, Tanner. 

Please join us in welcoming Tanner Clark to his new ministry at Storm Mountain Center and the Dakotas Annual Conference.