Your Guide
Cathleen is the founder and Boundary Waters guide for Waters of Rest. This ministry has been birthed out of God’s work of redemption in my life and love for His creation, His Word, and the saving grace of His Son.
Shepherd Leader
David shepherded them with integrity of heart;
with skillful hands he led them.
(Psalm 78:72)
Though David was a great leader in Israel, this Psalm is ultimately fulfilled in Christ who perfectly shepherds us with integrity and skill.
My heart has been profoundly transformed by the love of Christ: salvation in high school, growing through college ministries, diving into the Word, receiving rich counseling, training as a Bible study leader, studying biblical counseling, and being carried by Christ through many trials, hardships, and times of restoration.
My hands and mind have been trained as a guide by camping in the Boundary Waters with my family since I was a kid, working on program staff at a YMCA family camp for 5 summers, guiding youth Boundary Waters trips for 2 summers, and multiple years of praying for, preparing, and piloting trips for Waters of Rest.
It is my joy to serve you with these trips as we serve each other and ultimately look to Jesus, lean on Jesus, and run to Jesus because He first loved and pursued us.
Guiding the Group
I will be leading each group with years of experience guiding in the Boundary Waters, teaching camping skills, doing wilderness rescues, learning wilderness water safety, and making decisions on trail. I will be adjusting plans throughout each day based on weather conditions, our strength and skills, and the safety of the group. It will be vital for the enjoyment and safety of the group that campers fully commit to the Wilderness Living Commitments.
Part of the Team
You’ll see me on trail doing the same things you do: portaging, paddling, sleeping, eating, napping, getting muddy, swimming, sweating, and getting bug bites (actually, I’m immune to mosquito bites after tons of exposure, so I don’t get bites… sorry!). I will also be learning and growing in the Lord alongside of you on this trip: doing trail study, participating in the evening discussion, letting the Lord work in my heart and grow me. Like each camper, I will be hungry, tired, excited, happy, sad, and experiencing the journey in real time.
Delegating
My role is to assist us in drawing near to God in a wilderness setting. This is not something I can do on my own. Each team member will be responsible for camp chores for the benefit of the group. Some will be assigned beforehand, such as water filtration, setting up breakfast, serving lunch, and cooking dinner. But others’ tasks will come up in the moment and the whole group will be needed to make our trip a success. If you’ve led a group, had children, or facilitated anything, you know how important a sincere and willing attitude is in the group (leader and members). Let’s choose that attitude together, be honest and open, and help each other on this journey!
Cathleen’s Certifications
Wilderness First Responder with CPR/AED
Wilderness Medical Associates (WMA)
Biblical Counseling Certificates Levels I, II, III
Christian Counseling Education Foundation (CCEF)
Masters of Education in International Education with Emphasis in Biblical Studies
Philadelphia Biblical University (now Cairn University)
Minnesota Teaching License in Secondary Mathematics and German
Minnesota Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board