Silver Lake Welcomes a New Retreat and Finance Manager

Ashley Nichols, Silver Lake's new Retreat and Finance Manager

“Silver Lake was a huge part of my childhood, and when I read the job description, it felt like it would be a good fit,” she said.

Ashley began as Retreat and Finance Manager on Thursday, March 18. In this role, she will work with rental groups to create retreat experiences that meet their goals. From sales to booking to hospitality, Ashley will ensure that each guest feels welcomed and supported at Silver Lake, whatever the reason for their stay.

She will also be responsible for the financial management of Silver Lake, handling the budget and working with vendors.

Ashley came to Silver Lake one summer as a camper, but most of her experience at camp has been coming on retreat with groups from Terryville Congregational Church in Terryville, CT.

“My family was really into Silver Lake, and I came several times as a youth group leader. I really loved showing kids the Silver Lake ropes,” she said. “I only came one time in the summer. Every retreat I came on, there were six inches of snow on the ground.”

Ashley’s background is in hotel operations and sales. She says that her experience in hospitality will translate well to welcoming retreat guests to Silver Lake.

“Hospitality is all about putting guests and campers first,” she said. “Smiling and saying hello to everyone I meet is second nature to me. I even greet strangers in the grocery store!”

Ashley joins the Silver Lake year-round staff team after the retirement of Stephanie Pitman, who was Business Manager for 16 years.

“It’s a totally different point of view being on staff now,” she said. “I’m most excited to see camp in action this summer. I feel like after this year of Covid, kids just really need to have fun.”

Ashley lives in Washington Depot, CT, and enjoys being outside and singing – and sometimes singing outside! She has three cats, Nevaeh, Franklin, and Naya. When you meet her, ask her the story of her cats’ names.

To talk with Ashley about bringing a group on retreat, whether it’s a family group, church group, or school group, for a weekend or a week or for just the day, email her at ashleyn@silverlakect.org.

Ashley will work with rental groups to create retreat experiences that meet their goals, and will be responsible for the financial management of Silver Lake, handling the budget and working with vendors.

*Anything involving summer camp registration (payments, scholarship, required forms, etc.) goes through Ruth Choate, Silver Lake Administrator and Registrar.

Learn more about retreats at Silver Lake here.