Shanasi Bagnariol-Shafer

In addition to serving as a delegate and recruiter for the Mid du Lac service unit, Shanasi is also the Lakamaga Conference committee vice chair. This is her second year working on the event and she believes staying organized, meeting deadlines and maintaining a positive attitude are all critical to her role. “I’m excited by the ideas I get to be a part of and seeing the conference come to life,” Shanasi said.

Debbie Grimmer

For six years, Debbie has served on the Lakamaga Conference committee in a leadership position. “I love the team I have been a part of and enjoy meeting all the new people,” she said. As chair, Debbie plans and leads two-hour, monthly meetings and ensures everything is on schedule. She’s also a delegate, the organizer of the service unit manager group called Order of the Trefoils and the Woodbury service unit manager.

Charmin Pelletier

Charmin is from the Centennial service unit and has been part of the Lakamaga Conference committee for eight years. Her favorite thing about handling accommodations (lodging, welcome ceremonies) is making people feel special, particularly new attendees. Charmin also looks forward to camping, meeting new people and seeing old friends each year.

Karla Wakefield 

As the transportation lead for the Lakamaga Conference committee for the past several years, Karla is constantly on the go, transporting people to and from their classes and sleeping areas, or delivering supplies to different parts of camp. “I get to meet a lot of people during the conference,” she said. Karla is from the Kinni Croix Valley service unit and enjoys seeing old friends and the delicious meals. 

Amy Jones, Sharon Blackie, Sheila Ambrose, Andrea Koukol, Don Lee, Lori LeVasseur, Jan Pluff, Sharon Reece, Terri Siebert, Caroline Thompson, Karla Wakefield, Deb Walstrom-Riske, Emily White and Sandi Wintz also serve on the committee. Bert Jones designed the theme artwork, T-Shirt and patch.

Christine Pearson

Christine will be attending the Lakamaga Conference for the sixth time this year. She originally signed up to complete required trainings, but the networking, enrichment activities and service projects have kept her coming back. “I really enjoy the conference as a way to learn fun skills that I can bring back to the girls,” she says.

Christine’s most memorable experience was an evening sing-along around a fireplace. Participants were invited to lead a song, and then everyone shared why they liked singing it.

Christine leads a group at the conference that works on quilts in the Old Lodge art studio during downtime. “I have only been leading the project for two years, but in that time, we have been able to donate eight quilts to Project Linus and another six quilts to Bundles of Love,” she says.

Liz Cooney

Liz found a great deal of camaraderie as a new attendee and staff member at the 2012 Lakamaga Conference. “I’m always looking for ways to learn more and grow. The conference sounded like a wonderful opportunity for me as a staff member to interact with volunteers in a fun, relaxed environment,” she says.

Liz also wanted to expand her outdoor knowledge and skills, which she accomplished by starting a fire using flint rock and steel. “I came away as a stronger person with more skills and a better understanding of our volunteers, their needs and the girls we are all working for,” she says. In addition to attending again in 2013, Liz plans to lead an enrichment workshop.

Christine + Liz’ Advice to New Participants

• Take advantage of all the conference has to offer
• Share ideas and stories
• Listen to others
• Complete required training sessions
• Get out of your comfort zone
• Introduce yourself to someone new
• Try something new—you might surprise yourself
• Have fun and see what Girl Scouts are capable of!