Community Hero: Susie Pundmann

For parents, summer camps offer a safe and engaging environment for their children while they manage work or other responsibilities. For kids, camp is a place to grow socially and create lasting memories. As Camp Glory enters its 11th season, we’re celebrating its showrunner, Susie Pundmann, whose leadership has been instrumental in the camp’s ongoing success.

Leading with Compassion

Pundmann has managed Camp Glory for three years, ensuring the camp runs smoothly from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. each day. With flexible program options, families can choose the schedule that best fits their needs. The camp is hosted at St. Charles Christian Church, a partnership that has flourished for over a decade. “We rent the church from them and they've been incredible partners for us for the entire 11 years,” Pundmann shared.

Activities that Inspire Growth

Campers enjoy a variety of activities, including swimming twice a week, fishing once a week, ‘camper’s choice’ days, and sessions with character counselors. These counselors facilitate important discussions on topics like bullying, self-worth, and celebrating differences. “It's typically a topic that either has to do with bullying, has to do with your self-worth and other people's self-worth and making sure that we're, instead of pushing people away because they're different, that we're celebrating our differences,” Pundmann explained.

Building an Inclusive Community

Pundmann is intentional about hiring a diverse staff, ensuring that children see a range of leadership styles. “I want some kids to see that leaders can also hang back and read the room a little bit and find a way to incorporate their gifts instead of everybody trying to be this, you know, perfect mold of what the world seems to think a leader or a positive influence on their community is,” she said.

The camp’s mission is to make sure no child is left out, whether they are outgoing or more reserved. “We're always scanning for the kids who just need a little bit of an extra support and encouragement in helping navigate things a little bit,” Pundmann noted.

Mentoring Staff and Campers Alike

Beyond watching children grow, Pundmann finds fulfillment in mentoring her staff. “I didn't realize how cool it would be to watch my staff grow and benefit from having these kids look up to them and lean on them and see them as valuable people. So it's really exciting to not just serve the kids, but to be able to serve as a mentor,” she said.

Community Support and Involvement

The local community plays a vital role in Camp Glory’s success, from sponsoring treats to providing safe shelter during inclement weather. “I've got a text group of people who have given permission and been background checked and all of that, that if we need shelter, we can go to their basement and they will either leave a key for me or give me the code to their house or whatever it is and I'll let them know if we have to come over,” Pundmann explained.

A Legacy of Giving Back

Pundmann’s commitment to community service is inspired by her mother, a connector in times of crisis. After graduating from Lindenwood and working in fundraising for 25 years, Pundmann faced her own challenges as a single mother. She recalls a moment of kindness when a stranger left her a Bible and a $500 grocery gift card during a difficult time. “I still don't know who that person is, whether it was a neighbor or a family member or whomever, and I never want to know because I want to pay it back like they did,” she said.

She continues to pay it forward, whether through listening to others or organizing community projects like the porch pantry at St. Charles Christian Church, which distributed over 10,000 items during a government shutdown.

Gratitude for Community

Pundmann credits the supportive spirit of Newtown and its residents for Camp Glory’s enduring success. “There are so many kind and generous and thoughtful people in this neighborhood who rally together to support each other quietly in times of need,” she said.

To learn more about Camp Glory, visit www.campglorynt.com.