Ribbon-cutton participants pictured from left. Florida Conference personnel: Phil Younts, Camp Ministries director; Mike Cauley, president; Carmen Rodriguez, executive secretary; Duane Rollins, treasurer; Norm Middag, former youth director. Members of Lynn Nielsen's family: Megan Nielsen-Hegstad, daughter; Joree Nielsen, mother; Verbelee Nielsen-Swanson, sister; Alex Hegstad, grandson; Trevor Lynn Swanson, nephew; Mary Nielsen, widow; and Robert Swanson, brother-in-law. Family members unable to attend: Brian Hegstad, son-in-law; Penny Nielsen, sister; and Julia Swanson, niece. (Photo: Leonard Fernandez)

by Theresa Sroka

For more than 50 years, families and campers have come to ride the horses at Camp Kulaqua in High Springs, Florida. Now, they are becoming familiar with the latest addition to the horse barn, the Vernon Lynn Nielsen Equestrian Welcome Center. This pavilion features benches, an educational hands-on display, a life-size demonstration horse, and a television that gives instructional information about the trail ride.

The Nielsen Equestrian Welcome Center was donated by Joree Nielsen in memory of her son, Vernon, fondly called Lynn by his family. At the age of 17, he came to Camp Kulaqua and began working in the horse barn.

Starting out as a wrangler, Lynn’s hard work and love for horses led him to become the Equestrian Director of the Camp’s stables. His passion for horses and his love for God was shared with each camper on trail rides and riding lessons as he worked his way through college and law school.

Camp Kulaqua took the opportunity to thank Mrs. Nielsen, Lynn’s mother, for her generous donation to Camp Kulaqua’s stables at a special ribbon-cutting ceremony where Norm Middag, former Florida Conference youth director, spoke of the Camp’s history. Mrs. Nielsen shared the significance of the Center and what a difference she hopes it will make on the lives of young people in the years to come. In addition, she thanked Phil Younts, Florida Conference Camp Ministries director, for his vision and overseeing the design of the new Equestrian Center. Then, Mrs. Nielsen proudly introduced members of Lynn’s family who were present.

As Lynn’s memory rides on, it is the hope of his family that all who come to the stables will find the same joy that Lynn experienced in his relationship with the horses of Camp Kulaqua.