About

Glen Hagen

The camp is named after Glen Hagen, Nancy Hagen’s late father, who was born on a farm near Coon Valley Wisconsin.   Glen’s mother died when he was four years old, leaving seven children in the care of his father, Oscar Hagen.  The family moved to Chicago, where Glen attended high school before serving in World War II as a marine in Okinawa and the South Pacific. He gained an appreciation of the Japanese people while there, and indeed an interest and respect for all people of different religions and philosophies. When he returned from the war,  he married his high school sweetheart, Ruth Jensen.  They were active members of Grace Lutheran Church in River Forest, and participated in numerous civic organizations. Glen Hagen’s idea of a fair society was one where resources are equally shared,  opportunities exist for everyone, the outdoors preserved and political leaders are dedicated to truth and justice. It is with an appreciation for the legacy of both Glen and Ruth that glenhagen farm retreat has been created to provide peace, hope, education and community for many and diverse groups, especially those who have few resources to visit outdoor retreat centers. They would love it that all are welcome!

Charitable Status

Glenhagen farm retreat is an Illinois not-for-profit corporation and is exempt from federal income tax under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code so that donations are tax exempt.

Board of Directors

Nancy Hagen, President

Nancy is an accountant and a musician who performs as a pianist and oboist with ensembles throughout the Chicago area.  She was assistant director for finance for Global Mission in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and currently maintains the financial records for the camp.  She served as a camp counselor for St. Thomas Tommy’s Kids grief camp for kids. She and her husband Andy Tecson have been foster parents hosting children who came to the U.S. to receive surgery in Chicago hospitals through Healing the Children.   Nancy is a member of Redeemer Lutheran Church in Hinsdale.

Andy Tecson, Vice President

Andy is an attorney at Chuhak & Tecson, a Chicago law firm. He represents not for profit entities in healthcare and higher education, churches and faith based organizations, and lending institutions, and closely held businesses in wide array of industries. He has served on the boards of approximately 10 not for profit organizations, and leads the ChurchJazz Band, which provides liturgical jazz to worshipping communities (see churchjazz.com). Andy is a member of Redeemer Lutheran Church in Hinsdale.

Ken Jandes, Treasurer

Ken is the Associate Dean of the American College of Education, and has a doctorate in education. He has also served as a math and science teacher, principal and superintendent for elementary schools in the Chicago area. He has participated extensively in Boy Scout activities during the time that both his sons grew up and attained Eagle Scout status.

Rick Pavon

Rick recently retired as a Lieutenant of the Chicago Police Department. Rick was responsible for a wide array of activities during his career, including supervision of forensic investigations and the crime lab, and supervision of tactical units. He received numerous awards for his service. Rick has a Master of Arts in Police Psychology from the Adler School of Professional Psychology and a B.A. in Criminal Justice from the University of Illinois at Chicago. He is an Adjunct Professor teaching criminal justice at St. Augustine College in Chicago, and is a guest lecturer in criminal investigation and forensic investigation at the University of Illinois – Chicago. Rick is bilingual English/Spanish.

Kevin Magro

Kevin is an Executive Vice President of the Clarke Group. He is a hunter and outdoorsman, and also is a founding member of a county chapter of Pheasants Forever. Kevin has participated in the Boy Scouts while his son was in that group.

Sr. Glenna Czachor

Sr. Glenna OSF is a Wheaton Franciscan Sister with more than 25 years experience in group facilitation and retreat leadership, specializing in prayer and worship, scripture study, and creative spirituality. While serving in a rural parish in Minnesota, she worked with youth in faith formation, sacramental preparation and Vacation Bible School. She holds a Masters of Pastoral Studies from Catholic Theological Union in Chicago, and is a graduate of the Hesychia School of Spiritual Direction of Tucson, AZ.

Ana O’Neil and Ken O’Neil

Ana and Ken are physicians who are passionate about preserving the environment and providing opportunity for kids to learn about how to care for the earth. Having grown up in Chicago after coming to the U.S. from Columbia as a young child, Ana is excited about mentoring young people. Ken is a radiologist and avid outdoorsman/fisherman who is an advocate for preserving nature and the environment. Ana and Ken believe that the mission of glenhagen farm retreat to enrich the lives of those less fortunate, especially our young future leaders, is of vital importance to our world.

Ann Maller

Ann Maller has been employed as an English teacher at Hall High School in Spring Valley for the past fourteen years. She grew up in the Princeton area, attended Illinois Valley Community College and Southern Illinois University in Carbondale. Ann worked in public relations for several years before attending graduate school at DePaul in Chicago for secondary education, eventually moving back to the Princeton area. She is a member of St. Louis Catholic Church and has been a volunteer at Second Story Teen Center, Friends of Strays, the Princeton Coffeehouse, and other various community events. Ann loves the outdoors and looks forward to working with kids, creating peaceful and meaningful experiences for our campers while teaching about care for the earth.

Amanda Anderson

Amanda Anderson is an educator, naturalist and gardener living on the South Side of Chicago who is passionate about sustainability and environmental justice issues. Amanda worked as an environmental educator and urban farmer in Chicago before becoming a teacher. She helps her students better understand our local food systems, the environmental issues impacting Chicago, and the ways industries are adapting to meet the threat of climate change. She is the advisor for her school’s FFA chapter, and volunteers with the First Presbyterian Church of Chicago as a manger in their community garden, helping to grow fresh food for their food pantry. Amanda has great love of the outdoors and is excited to share this love with those who visit glenhagen farm retreat.

Kelsey Galante

Kelsey is a web builder, publishing, at McMaster Carr. She is passionate about education, having taught high school math in St. Louis and in the Noble School network in Chicago. She also taught as part of the Teach for America program. Kelsey first came to glenhagen farm retreat when she was serving as Program Director at Project Exploration, which provides STEM education experiences to students in the Chicago Public Schools. She was instrumental in organizing and leading the first three STEM camping expeditions to glenhagen farm retreat.