The Camp Luther Log

As 2017 nears its end, we're looking back at all that happened at Camp Luther this past year. We are so thankful for all who bless the ministry that happens here through their gifts, talents, time, and prayers. This year we're giving thanks for: All of the items (not people) listed were donated or able to be purchased because of fabulous people like you! Thank you!

1. So much snow! 2. The Broomball court is ready!  Rescue always puts in a lot of hard work prepping the court and continues to make sure it's perfect throughout the winter. Follow Camp Luther on Instagram 3. Summer Camp brochures are here and have been mailed. 4. Winter Youth Retreats are filling up...  …but there is still room! Register your youth group today! Big Chill (Middle School)   |  Deep Freeze (Middle/High School)   |  Sub Zero (High School) 5. Summer Camp Registration is open! Register here  for an unforgettable, faith-enriching summer. 6. T ubing runs are open. Our downhill tubing innertu bes were inflated this fall and are ready to hit the hills!  7. Summer Staff applications are open! Love kids? Love Jesus? Want to be part of a close-knit community who will become some of your best and closest friends? A summer spent working at camp is nothing short of life-changing. Get more information and find out how to apply here . 

Name: Richard Campbell Camp Nickname: Rescue Position: Maintenance & Improvements Director How long have you worked at Camp Luther? 9 years So, what do you do?? I make sure camp facilities and grounds are well maintained and look good. I also oversee new projects and supervise volunteers and work groups.  Where is your favorite spot on camp, and why? The courtyard. When all the kids are gathered there you can see that camp is a blessing to them. If you could participate in any camp program, what would it be? Teen Camp, IMPACT, or Junior Counselor because I think it's important for teens to have close Christian friends with the same beliefs. How did you first get involved with Camp Luther? I brought all six of my children to KinderCamp. If you could make any new village, what would it be and why? Teepee Village. I think it would be cool for kids to camp and sleep like Native Americans lived.  What do you like to do when you're not working? Spend ti

We understand that with new programs and clever names, it can be confusing to know which program is which and which one is right for you or your camper. Here is a guide to help you choose the Keweenaw Base Camp (KBC) program that is perfect for you! The Edge (9th-12th grade) The Edge is our introductory adventure-based program at KBC. Each day you’ll take an off-site trip to one of the many adventure activities in the Keweenaw area. This includes hiking to a waterfall, exploring the cliffs and bluffs overlooking Lake Superior, and kayaking Lake Superior’s crystal-clear waters. In between adventures you’ll make lasting friendships, build your faith, and have a blast hanging out at KBC. The Edge is a great choice if this is your first time attending KBC and you want to see what the excitement is all about! Venture (9th-12th grade) Take your adventure to the next level! Venture is our intermediate adventure-based program at KBC. The focus of Venture is a two-night overnight

Name: Kristina Aschenbrenner Camp Nickname: Kash Position: Business & Finance Manager How long have you worked at Camp Luther? 1 year So, what do you do?? What does a “typical” day look like for you?  I review all invoices and code them to the appropriate area and work closely with our accountant to track cash flow to ensure we have enough money to pay our bills. I manage our vendor accounts; updating contracts and getting bids for projects. Managing Camp’s HR functions is also my responsibility; performing background checks and maintaining personnel files. I also work with the budget; tracking expenses, planning for projects and preparing reports for the Board of Directors. Where is your favorite spot on camp, and why? Waterfront - when my daughter attended day camp last summer I loved watching her having fun splashing around and enjoying life. If you could participate in any camp program, what would it be? Probably IMPACT, after 10 years in the

  For we have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. – Hebrews 6:19 This summer at Camp Luther and Keweenaw Base Camp, thousands of campers got to experience the theme “Anchored” lived out in their own lives. Campers, guests, and families were reminded of the hope we have in Jesus Christ. They learned that in Jesus, we have a hope that rescues us, a hope that we can trust in, and a hope that we know is true and living. They left Camp Luther knowing that Jesus loves them tremendously and that He is stronger than any earthly anchor and will hold them through the storms of life. While it’s impossible to measure how many lives were impacted by the Holy Spirit this summer, we can measure some things! At Camp Luther... Over 1,500 children and youth attended overnight camps at Camp Luther! 275 first-time campers were sent to Camp Luther through the Every Kid to Camp program! Over 20 kids participated in the second year of a local day camp program a

At the end of May, 45 college-aged servants of Christ arrived at Camp Luther for one unforgettable summer. For some, this was their fourth year as part of the Camp Luther Summer Staff, for others this was the first time they had stepped foot on camp soil. Over the next three months they impacted thousands of lives, became a family, and learned what it is to truly rest in the strength of Jesus Christ. Saying "thank you" isn't enough for all they've done, but we're going to try. Thank you for starting fires in the rain. Thank you for living by the motto "the water is always warm." Thank you for comforting homesick campers. Thank you for sacrificing sleep. Thank you for trying new things. Thank you for making each week memorable for campers and families. Thank you for showing grace to campers and fellow staff. Thank you for pointing everything back to Christ. Thank you for bearing with and building up one another. Thank you for the joy and laught

Every summer approximately 60 high school youth give two weeks of their summer in service at Camp Luther. They assist our counselors and act as "big brothers and sisters" to our campers, making sure they are safe and have a great time. Their duties also include behind-the-scenes tasks like keeping camp clean for all our visitors. The time they spend here and service they provide is priceless, but if we were to put some numbers to it, here's a glimpse of the summer. 150 times cleaning the Dining Hall in a summer  93 Junior Counselor applicants 62 high school Junior Counselors who volunteered at Camp Luther this summer 34 female JCs 28 male JCs 24 fires built for weekend programming cookouts 15 cottages cleaned every Saturday 10 weeks of summer camp 5 sessions of JCs 4 trips to Lick-A-Dee Splitz after cottage cleaning 2 weeks volunteered at a time 1 incredible summer! Thank you, Junior Counselors, for your servant heart

Over 1,600 children and youth will attend Camp Luther this summer. Many of these will be coming for the first time. Over 200 of these first-timers will experience the Christ-centered community, build positive relationships with their counselors and fellow campers, and grow in their faith because of the Every Kid to Camp program.  Every Kid to Camp allows kids who have never experienced a Camp Luther summer program to come to camp at no expense to their parents. Generous supporters who know that camp changes lives make this possible, and we are so grateful! When you give to the Every Kid to Camp program, you are helping kids have new experiences, learn life skills, get unplugged, make lasting friendships, and most of all learn about Jesus and His incredible love for us.  We love opening the mail and seeing thank you notes from Every Kids to Camp recipients! Although they are addressed to Camp Luther, they are really thanking everyone who supports Camp and the Every Kid to Camp

Heavy rains poured on the day before Camp Luther’s 13th Annual Golf Challenge in Rhinelander, delaying the start time for one hour to allow the Northwoods Golf Course to dry out.  With an extra hour of rest golfers came ready to play on a beautiful 70° sunny day! With 15 teams competing for multiple awards in the Competitor and Hackers Division it was game on! For the first time in many years the Volm Team edged out the Strasser Team by one stroke in the Competitor Division. Tim Strasser made up for the loss by winning the Longest Putt on #7. MCL Team 3 took the honors in the Hackers Division by four strokes. Meanwhile, members from MCL and BayTek Teams dominated the Hacker Awards with Terry Hansteadt winning the Most Balls in the Water Honor and Todd Louthain and Carl Treankler tying for Most Lost Balls, with Jane Hunter breaking up the monopoly by winning the Least Used Tee Shot. John Zimdars showed everyone how to hole-in-one the Closest Chip Shot, while Nate Reichle brought in th

This summer, our 45 member Summer Staff joins the legacy of 71 years of Camp Luther summer staffs! These young adults have come to camp to be caring, Christian role models in a number of different capacities. Some are sharing the love of Christ by serving as counselors, others as coordinators for programs such as IMPACT and Junior Counselors. Still others are serving as specialty staff in the maintenance and kitchen departments. Each person, each personality, each skill set has been specifically selected by God himself to be here at Camp Luther this summer, and we couldn’t be more excited! After two weeks of staff training, we can proudly say that we have one of the best trained groups of young adults to serve families, care for children, keep camp safe and maintained, and make sure everyone is fed! During their time of orientation, our staff grew together in their faith, gained countless practical skills, and bonded to form the strong team that is out across camp right now, servi

Summer is just around the corner, and here are 10 signs to prove it! 1.    The Waterfront is in!  Thank you to the hard working volunteers who helped! Quik, Java,  Skipper,  Snack-Shack, Djembe, and Paul braved the cold and rain, and we are so grateful.  Follow Camp Luther on Instagram 2.     Summer Staff have arrived!  Our Program Coordinators move in today and Counselors and Support Staff join us next Tuesday. Meyer, Surge, and Band-Aid are ready for summer! 3.  The cottages are open! During winter, some of our cottages are closed to save on energy costs. Workbee volunteers in April and May made sure they are open and ready to be lived in! 4.    The fish are biting. Our Men’s Fishing and Golf Retreat was last week, and all who attended had a great time. 5.  Canteen is full of snacks, ice cream, drinks, and new merchandise! 6.    Baby geese have been spotted having lunch at the picnic shelter. 7.    Construction projects are wrapping up. L