Camp Tekakwitha announces two leadership promotions
GREEN BAY, Wis. (Aug. 7, 2023) – The Diocese of Green Bay is pleased to announce two leadership promotions for Camp Tekakwitha. McKenna Runde assumes the role of Director of Camp Tekakwitha, after most recently serving as Communications & Alumni Relations Coordinator, and Kaitlynn Kupsky has been elevated to full-time Summer Camp Director.
“We recognize that Camp Tekakwitha has experienced tremendous growth over the past few years, and our leadership structure was revised to meet the opportunity to invite young people to encounter Jesus Christ at Camp Tek,” said Julianne Stanz, Director of the Evangelization & Discipleship Mission Team. “The Diocese of Green Bay continues to focus on the goals of calling forth and forming 30 seminarians to the priesthood and 1,000 missionary disciples throughout the diocese by 2025. Camp Tekakwitha has been and will continue to be, at the center of those goals as they reach out and form youth and young adults.”
Runde holds a bachelor’s degree in youth ministry and nonprofit leadership. She is celebrating her 10th year at Camp Tekakwitha, having spent two years as a camper, two years on summer staff, five years as Associate Director, and one year as Communications & Alumni Relations Coordinator.
Kupsky has a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and a master’s degree in applied leadership. She is currently in her 11th summer at Camp Tek, including years as a camper, camp counselor, one year as head counselor, and as part-time, year-round Summer Camp Director since 2021.
Runde sees the next chapter for Camp Tekakwitha as one that continues to strengthen and grow its identity as a Catholic camp in the Diocese of Green Bay. “Deepening the quality of experience we provide for campers and those attending retreats will help us build upon the recent growth in numbers at Camp Tekakwitha and shift the focus to the depth of that experience,” said Runde. “I see this next chapter for Camp Tek being one of significance as we establish deep roots leading to our 100th anniversary in 2026.”
For Kupsky, Camp Tekakwitha has always been near and dear to her heart. “Some of the best parts of Camp Tek are seeing campers grow in their faith, self-confidence, and friendships,” said Kupsky. “It is also such a joy to see counselors grow throughout the summer, becoming young servant leaders for our diocese.”
Camp Tekakwitha is an outdoor ministry of the Catholic Diocese of Green Bay, located on the shores of Loon Lake in Shawano County, and was established to help young people encounter Jesus Christ through prayer, community, and self-discovery amidst the beauty of God's natural creation.
Each year, Camp Tek serves over 1,200 summer campers, 100 leadership campers, 50 summer seasonal staff, and more than 5,000 retreatants from parishes, schools, and communities around the Diocese of Green Bay and beyond. For more information on all that Camp Tekakwitha has to offer, visit www.camptekakwitha.org.
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Who we are: As friends and followers of Jesus, the Catholic Diocese of Green Bay is devoted to fostering households and communities of discipleship through the mission and ministry of the Catholic Church. We are missionary disciples striving to lead all people to the Kingdom of God. Established in 1868, the diocese is composed of 256,000 Catholics in 16 counties: Brown, Calumet, Door, Florence, Forest, Kewaunee, Langlade, Manitowoc, Marinette, Menominee, Oconto, Outagamie, Shawano, Waupaca, Waushara and Winnebago.
Contact: Justine Lodl, communications and marketing director, at 920-272-8213 or
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