Lutherdale Bible Camp began as a summer camp back in 1944 for about 1800 children each summer. The camp received such strong community support that Lutherdale was able to grow and now offers a year-round program of spiritual and camping activities for over 12,000 youth and adults annually. Their mission statement is to be “a faith community, dedicated to building lives in Christ, through the wonder of God’s creation, and the study of God’s word.” Lutherdale, though, is not just for Lutherans. The camp accepts people of all faiths, and programs are structured to teach basic principles acceptable by all faiths.
Located in Elkhorn, Wisconsin, Lutherdale offers year-round programs, including re-treats for adults and youth, adult tours and a conference center open to public, non-profit and business organizations. Lutherdale staff helps plan events for a wide range of groups.
In the summertime, Lutherdale really comes alive as the camp offers a huge range of summer camp activities for all age groups. The theme for the Summer 2012 camp is “Flawed and Forgiven.” The Bible study will deal with heroes from the Bible, presenting them as ordinary people whose strength came not from their superhuman qualities, but because they were loved, forgiven and empowered by God and God’s grace. In the process, campers can discover the power of God’s grace in their own lives.
Children who have completed kindergarten can start with Day Camp, and at the other end of the spectrum, there is Grand Camp for grandparents and grandkids. In between, there’s a wide assortment geared to each season and interest, including Night Owl camp, which lets kids who have completed grades 5-8 stay up all night and sleep all day and get a “hoot” out of flashlight tag, breakfast at midnight, star gazing, an evening film festival, and a worship service at dawn. Family Camp offers the whole family a safe and fun vacation and includes housing, meals, and activities like youth and adult Bible studies, arts & crafts, the challenge course and the climbing tower, swimming, canoeing, and pontoon boat trips. Weekly overnight camps offer a wide range of activities for school children of all ages.
And most important, Lutherdale’s policy is that no child should be denied a camp experience for financial reasons. That’s where we come in. Our Mission Possible for May is to support this far-reaching ministry and to help cover the costs of children whose families cannot. For more information visit their website website www.lutherdale.org