Craig Heinrich found two of his greatest treasures at Leoni Meadows Camp: camp ministry and his wife. Growing up on a ranch in the small town of Igo, Calif., Heinrich grew to love the outdoors. Living approximately 20 miles outside of Redding, Calif., he attended both Redwood Creek and Pine Crest camp throughout his childhood.

Throughout his high school and college years, he would spend his summer vacations working at Leoni Meadows Camp. Serving for 12 summers, his responsibilities ranged from assistant director to waterfront director and counselor. It was during his summers at Leoni Meadows that he found Tina, his wife-to-be.

“Our relationship sparked during a camper rodeo at Leoni back in 1980. She was riding for the opposition and I kept losing. The only thing I could do was switch her to ride on my team, and we have been inseparable ever since.”

In October 2004, Heinrich became the new executive director of Leoni Meadows Camp, and both he and Tina have been extremely happy to return. “I wake up every morning and pinch myself to make sure I'm not dreaming,” said Heinrich. “This place is incredible—so many kids and adults will find their way to Christ because of this fabulous facility. There really is no limit to the ministry possibilities here.”

Heinrich’s transition as the new Leoni Meadows Camp director feels like a natural progression. “We appreciated the many contributions that former director Ron McBroom brought over the years,” said Terry Bolton, camping ministries and associate director. “Now as we make the transition with Craig, we look forward to the additional possibilities, dreams and visions that he brings with him.”

Bolstering his extensive camp experience, Heinrich’s prior ministry with kids will serve as a valuable resource in his new role. After graduating from Mt. Ellis Academy, Heinrich graduated from Union College in Nebraska and then accepted a call to be the boys’ dean at Georgia Cumberland Academy, where he taught religion and U.S. government. Three years later, he became the boys’ dean at Rio Lindo Adventist Academy, where he also taught religion and served as the religious activities facilitator.

After leaving Rio, Heinrich ministered as the youth pastor for the Beltsville church and then the Carmichael church before accepting a call for youth ministries director for the Washington conference.

Following more than six years of service in the Washington conference, Heinrich’s return to Leoni Meadows seemed inevitable to him. “It is neat to come back to a place where so many of the important things in my life have come from, such as my passion for ministry, my job and most importantly, my incredible wife, Tina,” said Heinrich.