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  • A Table in The Wilderness: History, Theology, and Practice of Summer Camps in The Evangelical Lutheran Synod

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    Jeffrey Hendrix
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    This thesis explores the idea whether or not summer camps in the ELS have a common historical and theological foundation which has guided them in developing a distinct Lutheran camp culture. Besides the social and theological foundation of these camps, this study also seeks to examine the culture of the Lutheran summer camp experience. What are the shared experiences at these camps which can help paint a picture of summer camps in the Evangelical Lutheran Synod? A summary of the history, theology, and practice of summer camps in the Synod will help detail the unique need that these camps fill, as well as the unique ways that camps are able to minister to people of all ages. Possible areas of improvement and outreach will also be explored in order to assist future leaders and directors of camps in the Synod. To accomplish these goals, this thesis employs a method of ethnography as well as the simple combing through of historical documents. The camps included in this study are Camp Indianhead - MN, Camp Indianhead - WI, Camp Lor-Ray, Camp 4 Star, Camp Lutherhaven, the ELS Circuit Camp in Florida, and the now sold and renamed Schwan Retreat Center, as well as other camps of the Synod held in Iowa and Texas. As a point of context, two appendices are included: A listing of every Lutheran Youth Association convention by year and theme, and an incomplete list of every summer camp theme. The summer camps of the Synod were found to have shared common histories, many of the camps were founded as a direct result of discussion on the Synodical youth board level. The camps in one way or another all share similar programs and features, many of which have been borrowed from one camp to the next. Finally, continuity was found in the summer camps of the Evangelical Lutheran Synod, a continuity of helping young people grow into the life of the church, as well as a continuity of teaching the historic Christian faith.

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    This thesis explores the idea whether or not summer camps in the ELS have a common historical and theological foundation which has guided them in developing a distinct Lutheran camp culture. Besides the social and theological foundation of these camps, this study also seeks to examine the culture of the Lutheran summer camp experience. What are the shared experiences at these camps which can help paint a picture of summer camps in the Evangelical Lutheran Synod? A summary of the history, theology, and practice of summer camps in the Synod will help detail the unique need that these camps fill, as well as the unique ways that camps are able to minister to people of all ages. Possible areas of improvement and outreach will also be explored in order to assist future leaders and directors of camps in the Synod. To accomplish these goals, this thesis employs a method of ethnography as well as the simple combing through of historical documents. The camps included in this study are Camp Indianhead - MN, Camp Indianhead - WI, Camp Lor-Ray, Camp 4 Star, Camp Lutherhaven, the ELS Circuit Camp in Florida, and the now sold and renamed Schwan Retreat Center, as well as other camps of the Synod held in Iowa and Texas. As a point of context, two appendices are included: A listing of every Lutheran Youth Association convention by year and theme, and an incomplete list of every summer camp theme. The summer camps of the Synod were found to have shared common histories, many of the camps were founded as a direct result of discussion on the Synodical youth board level. The camps in one way or another all share similar programs and features, many of which have been borrowed from one camp to the next. Finally, continuity was found in the summer camps of the Evangelical Lutheran Synod, a continuity of helping young people grow into the life of the church, as well as a continuity of teaching the historic Christian faith.

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    A Table in The Wilderness: History, Theology, and Practice of Summer Camps in The Evangelical Lutheran Synod

    Uploaded by

    Jeffrey Hendrix
    This thesis explores the idea whether or not summer camps in the ELS have a common historical and theological foundation which has guided them in developing a distinct Lutheran camp culture. Besides the social and theological foundation of these camps, this study also seeks to examine the culture of the Lutheran summer camp experience. What are the shared experiences at these camps which can help paint a picture of summer camps in the Evangelical Lutheran Synod? A summary of the history, theology, and practice of summer camps in the Synod will help detail the unique need that these camps fill, as well as the unique ways that camps are able to minister to people of all ages. Possible areas of improvement and outreach will also be explored in order to assist future leaders and directors of camps in the Synod. To accomplish these goals, this thesis employs a method of ethnography as well as the simple combing through of historical documents. The camps included in this study are Camp Indianhead - MN, Camp Indianhead - WI, Camp Lor-Ray, Camp 4 Star, Camp Lutherhaven, the ELS Circuit Camp in Florida, and the now sold and renamed Schwan Retreat Center, as well as other camps of the Synod held in Iowa and Texas. As a point of context, two appendices are included: A listing of every Lutheran Youth Association convention by year and theme, and an incomplete list of every summer camp theme. The summer camps of the Synod were found to have shared common histories, many of the camps were founded as a direct result of discussion on the Synodical youth board level. The camps in one way or another all share similar programs and features, many of which have been borrowed from one camp to the next. Finally, continuity was found in the summer camps of the Evangelical Lutheran Synod, a continuity of helping young people grow into the life of the church, as well as a continuity of teaching the historic Christian faith.

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    of 118

    ATABLEINTHEWILDERNESS:

    HISTORY,THEOLOGY,ANDPRACTICEOFSUMMERCAMPSINTHEEVANGELICAL
    LUTHERANSYNOD

    ATHESIS
    SUBMITTEDTOTHESEMINARY
    INPARTIALFULFILLMENTOFTHEREQUIREMENTSFORTHEDEGREE
    MASTEROFDIVINITY
    BY
    JEFFREYD.HENDRIX
    BETHANYLUTHERANTHEOLOGICALSEMINARY
    ADVISOR:DR.THOMASKUSTER
    MANKATO,MINNESOTA
    APRIL2015

    Abstract

    THESIS:ATableintheWilderness:History,Theology,andPracticeofSummerCampsinthe
    EvangelicalLutheranSynod

    STUDENT:JeffreyD.Hendrix

    DEGREE:MasterofDivinity

    DATE:April2015

    PAGES:117

    ThisthesisexplorestheideawhetherornotsummercampsintheELShaveacommon
    historicalandtheologicalfoundationwhichhasguidedthemindevelopingadistinctLutheran
    campculture.
    Besidesthesocialandtheologicalfoundationofthesecamps,thisstudyalso
    seekstoexaminethecultureoftheLutheransummercampexperience.Whataretheshared
    experiencesatthesecampswhichcanhelppaintapictureofsummercampsintheEvangelical
    LutheranSynod?
    Asummaryofthehistory,theology,andpracticeofsummercampsintheSynodwill
    helpdetailtheuniqueneedthatthesecampsfill,aswellastheuniquewaysthatcampsareable
    toministertopeopleofallages.Possibleareasofimprovementandoutreachwillalsobe
    exploredinordertoassistfutureleadersanddirectorsofcampsintheSynod.
    Toaccomplishthesegoals,thisthesisemploysamethodofethnographyaswellasthe
    simplecombingthroughofhistoricaldocuments.ThecampsincludedinthisstudyareCamp

    IndianheadMN,CampIndianheadWI,CampLorRay,Camp4Star,CampLutherhaven,the
    ELSCircuitCampinFlorida,andthenowsoldandrenamedSchwanRetreatCenter,aswellas
    othercampsoftheSynodheldinIowaandTexas.Asapointofcontext,twoappendicesare
    included:AlistingofeveryLutheranYouthAssociationconventionbyyearandtheme,andan
    incompletelistofeverysummercamptheme.
    ThesummercampsoftheSynodwerefoundtohavesharedcommonhistories,manyof
    thecampswerefoundedasadirectresultofdiscussionontheSynodicalyouthboardlevel.The
    campsinonewayoranotherallsharesimilarprogramsandfeatures,manyofwhichhavebeen
    borrowedfromonecamptothenext.Finally,continuitywasfoundinthesummercampsofthe
    EvangelicalLutheranSynod,acontinuityofhelpingyoungpeoplegrowintothelifeofthe
    church,aswellasacontinuityofteachingthehistoricChristianfaith.

    Acknowledgments
    Sincerethanksandappreciationareextendedtomythesiscommitteefortheirinputand
    graciousunderstandinginthisuniqueareaofstudy.Iamespeciallygratefultomychair,Dr.
    ThomasKusterforhisguidanceandgenuineinterestinmyefforts.Inaddition,Iamgratefulto
    Prof.ErlingTeigenandPres.JohnMoldstadJr.fortheirhelpinresearchingcertainareasofmy
    thesis.Eachofthesethreecommitteemembershavehadsomepersonalexperiencewithsummer
    campingintheELSandIhavebenefitedfromtheirfirsthandknowledge.
    Mythanksalsogoouttomyparents,JamesandJacalynHendrixwhohavecontinuously
    supportedmethroughmylengthypostsecondaryeducationandfinallytomywifeCarla,who
    hasnowbeenforcedtowatchmestrugglewithtwograduatethesesinfouryears,andhasbeen
    wonderfullyforgivingandpatient.FinallythankstomycolleaguesandbrothersatBethany
    LutheranTheologicalSeminaryaswellasallofmyprofessorsfortheirinterestintheworkof
    theGospel,andencouragingmeinmypastoralstudy.

    Abstract

    Acknowledgments

    1.IntroductionHistorical&TheologicalBackground

    2.HistoricalandTheologicalContext

    12

    TheDevelopmentofChristianCampsinAmerica

    12

    Scouting&Pioneers.

    15

    EarlySynodicalYouthWork.

    18

    YoungPeoplesAssociation.

    20

    3.BriefHistoryofSummerCampsintheELS

    27

    ASynodSummerCampisFounded.

    27

    CampIndianheadMN&CampIndianheadWI

    29

    CampLorRay.

    34

    SouthernMinnesotaNorthernIowaCircuitCamp.

    47

    CampFourStar.

    49

    CampOlympicLutherhaven.

    51

    FloridaCircuitCamp.

    54

    TexasCircuitCamp.

    56

    SchwanRetreatCenter.

    56

    4.ReligiousActivities

    60

    ServiceUndertheTrees.

    60

    BibleStudiesandMethodsofReligiousInstruction.

    63

    Devotions&Songs.

    68

    ConclusiontoChapterFour.

    74

    5.Conclusion

    77

    SuggestionforFutureResearch.

    77

    BlessingsandChallenges.

    77

    AreasforOutreach.

    79

    Glamping

    80

    EarlyChildhood

    81

    Hispanics

    82

    PracticalApplications&SuggestionsforPlanningandOrganizingaCamp.

    84

    Conclusion:TheDistinctNatureofELSSummerCamps.

    88

    Bibliography

    90

    AppendixA.YPA/LYAConventions

    97

    AppendixB.ELSCampDates,Locations,Directors,andThemes

    99

    1.IntroductionHistorical&TheologicalBackground
    OnaMondaymorninginearlySeptemberof1844,dozensgatheredundertwooaktrees
    forauniqueworshipservice.Somanywereinattendancethatnobuildingcouldcontainallthe
    worshippers.Asimpleboardwaswedgedinbetweenthetwotreestoserveasanaltar.Thetext
    forthepreparatoryaddresswasfromPsalm78:19,canGodfurnishatableinthewilderness?
    ThetextforthesermonwasMatthew11:28,Comeuntomeallyethatlaborandareheavy
    laden.1Thisservicewasnotasummercampservice,norwastheserviceheldoutsideby
    choice,ortryingtomanufactureapioneerexperience.Thiswasthetruepioneerworship
    experience.Onlyadaybefore,thefirstNorwegianLutheranchurchserviceonAmericansoil
    ledbyaregularlytrainedclergymanwasheldinasmallbarninthesettlementofKoshkonong,
    Wisconsin.J.W.C.Dietrichsonwasthepastor,amanwhohadventuredfromNorwayoutof
    sympathyfortheseemigrantsofNorway,alwaysplanningonreturningtohishomelandoncehis
    workoforganizingwasdone.ThiswasthebeginningoftheEvangelicalLutheranSynodasit
    existstoday.ThesceneistaughttoeverypastoroftheSynodtoserveasareminderofits
    humblebeginnings.
    121yearslater,anothergroupofworshipers,thetheologicaldescendentsofthosefirst
    settlers,gatheredbeneathagroveofoaktreesafewhundredmilesawayinwesternMichigan.
    Thesettingwassimilar,butthereasonwasverydifferent.Seekingpastoralrelaxationwhile
    receivingpastoralcare,campersvacationedatanewlypurchasedforestedpropertysurrounding
    aprivatelake.CampLorRaywasthefirstcamppropertypurchasedanddevelopedbymembers

    S.C.Ylvisaker,
    GraceforGrace:BriefHistoryoftheEvangelicalLutheranSynod
    ,ChristianAnderson,
    andGeorgeO.Lillegard,eds.(Mankato,MN:LutheranSynodBookCompany,1943),1921.
    1

    oftheEvangelicalLutheranSynod.Whenitwasfoundedin1965,itseemedtoberightinthe
    middleofaLutherancampboom.MorepermanentLutheransummercampswerestarted
    between1955and1965thananyotherperiodofexistenceofLutheranisminAmerica.2
    However,researchershavenotedthatbeginningaround1960,summercampsinAmericawere
    actuallyonadeclinedecliningnotonlyintermsofthenumberofcamps,butdeclininginthe
    sensethatthetraditionalemphasesofAmericancampsweregivingwaytoalternativecamps.
    Thispresentsthequestionofwhy,withinthebroadsettingofAmericanorganizedcamps,
    Lutheransummercampsdevelopedinthisspecificperiodinhistory?Weretheresome
    theologicalemphasesthatwereespeciallystressedduringthisperiodoftimethatgavewaytothe
    explosionofLutheransummercamping,orwasthedevelopmentofthesecampsmorepractical
    innature?Thesequestionsserveasguidingquestionsforageneralbasisofstudy.Thetime
    periodbetween1955to1965willreceivesomespecialattention,butanentirebriefhistoryof
    summercampsoftheEvangelicalLutheranSynodispresented,sothisstudywillgofarbackas
    the1940s,aswellasuptothepresentday.Besidesthesocialandtheologicalfoundationof
    thesecamps,thisstudyalsoseekstoexaminethecultureoftheLutheransummercamp
    experience.Whatarethesharedexperiencesatthesecampswhichcanhelppaintapictureof
    summercampsintheEvangelicalLutheranSynod?
    Presently,theonlyresearchthatexistsonthetopiciseitherofasecularnature,ortoo
    narrowlyfocusedonaspecificcamptoansweranyquestionsrelatingtothecultureofthe
    Lutheransummercamp.Threebooksdeservementionhowever,becauseoftheir
    crossdepartmentalresearchintosummercampinginAmerica.Thefirstis
    ChildrensNature:

    Thatis,campseitherowningtheirownlandorcampscomprisedofofficialassociationsororganizations,
    ratherthansimplychurchoutings.BasedonasurveyofELS,WELS,andNLOMAcampwebsites.

    TheRiseoftheAmericanSummerCamp
    ,byLeslieParks,whichresearchesthebusinessof
    summercampsaswellastheircontributiontotheupbringingofchildren.Secondisthedoctoral
    dissertationofClarencePetersin1951:
    DevelopmentsoftheYouthProgramsoftheLutheran
    ChurchesinAmerica
    .3Thisworkistheoneofthemostcomprehensiveworksexaminingthe
    theologyofyouthprogramsinthelate1800sandearly1900s.Howeverthismassiveworkof
    over550pagesspendsamereonepageontheNorwegianSynodsyouthprograms.Afewmore
    pagesaredevotedtoLutheransummercampsingeneral,butcampingisnotthefocusofhis
    work.Hisdissertationwasalsofinishedayearbeforethefirstsummercampwasevenbegunin
    theNorwegianSynod.PetersdoeslistthenumberofLutheransummercampsacrossallsynods
    andchurchesasbeinginthehundredsalreadyin1950.Nearlyallofthesewerecampsthathad
    nospecificpropertyoftheirown,andmanydontexisttoday.Thisreinforcestheideathat
    campssincethe1960sandthusmanyofthecampsintheELSareofadifferentnature.
    Thethirdbookworthmentioningis
    AManufacturedWilderness:SummerCampsandthe
    ShapingofAmericanYouth
    ,18901960byAbigailA.VanSlyck.VanSlyckusesthefieldsof
    architecture,psychology,sociology,andeducationtotracethehistoryofcamplifeandthe
    impactofwhatsheaptlytermed,manufacturedwildernessesonAmericanyouth.
    VanSlyckhassuggestedthatcampsofthelate19thandearly20thcenturieswere
    institutionsaimedatprovidingrespitefromwhatwereregardedasthemoralandphysical
    degradationsofurbanlife,evilstowhichwomenandchildrenwereunderstoodtobeparticularly
    prone.4Shehasgonesofarastoclaimthatastheteachers,directors,andScoutleaders

    ClarencePeters.
    DevelopmentsoftheYouthProgramsoftheLutheranChurchesinAmerica.(
    PhD.diss.,
    ConcordiaSeminary,St.Louis,1951).
    4

    AbigailA.vanSlyck.
    AManufacturedWilderness:SummerCampsandtheShapingofAmericanYouth,
    18901960.
    (Minneapolis,MN:UniversityofMinnesotaPress,2006),ixx.
    3

    arrangedtheenvironmentofsummercampstomeettheneedsofthechildren,theyhelpedinvent
    asociallyconstructednotionofmodernchildhood,whichwasinpartarejectionof
    modernism.Fromtheperspectiveoftheseadults,shewrote,themodernworlddeprived
    youngstersofessentialchildhoodexperiences,andcampswereonemeanstocompensatefor
    thoselosses.5Thisraisesthequestionofwhetherornotreligiouscampsattempttocorrector
    compensateforwhatsomeleadersmayseeasfailingsofthemodernchurchorofmodern
    cultureatlarge.Doreligiouscampstrytocreateoasesofreligiousorliturgicalpractice
    perfection,atleastinthemindsofleaders?Anascertainablemethodofdeterminingthisvery
    thingwillsimplybecomparingthereligiousaspectsofvariouscampstothecommonreligious
    practiceintheSynod.Thisisdoneinchapterfour.
    Bothofthebookspreviouslymentionedfitwithintheemergingfieldofthehistoryof
    childhood.Whileeachisuseful,bothbookshavetheirshortcomings,inthattheytendto
    overstressthecreationofraceandgenderidentificationasadominantmotivatorinearlysummer
    camps.Additionally,neitheronespendsmuchtimeonthereligiousexperience,andwherethey
    do,religionisoftennegativelyconnectedtoracialandgenderidentification.6Eventhesetwo
    studiesendtheirresearchonsummercampsatabout1960,duetothealreadynoteddeclinein
    Americansummercamping.7SincethebulkofthisessayfocusesontheLutheranCamp
    experienceafter1951,whenthefirstyouthorganizationoftheELSwasfounded,thetwo

    vanSlyck,xxi.

    Forinstance,ParisspendsaconsiderablelengthindiscussingthemuscularChristianitymovementand
    thewaysitattemptedtoreinforcemasculineidentitieswhilesuppressingfemininity.
    7

    Parischaracterizes:Ifyourchildhoodexperienceofcampincludeshavingsung,LittleRabbitFooFoo
    orAlShermans1963classicHelloMuddah,HelloFadduh,thenyouareyoungerthanthegenerationsshe
    chroniclesinherbook.Stillyouwillundoubtedlyrecognizemanycampritualsthatarewelloveracenturyold,
    suchastheuseofthetermcounselor,theimportanceofcampsongs,andthevarietyofactivities.Forovera
    century,childrenhaveexperiencedthepainofhomesickness,learnedtoswim,andsataroundcampfiresatnight,
    14.
    6

    10

    aforementionedstudieswillprovidesomecontextualnotesoncertainuniversalcampritualsand
    themes.
    ThehistoricaldevelopmentofsummercampsintheEvangelicalLutheranSynodisa
    timelyandinterestingsubject,notonlyfromanhistoricalperspective,butalsoparticularlyfrom
    areligiousandcommunicativeperspective.2015marksthe50thanniversaryofCampLorRay,
    thefirstcamppropertyownedbymembersoftheSynod.Reflectingonthelast50yearsisa
    positivewaytolearnusefulapproachesinconductingauniquelyLutheransummercamp,and
    alsotoanticipatewhatchallengesacampmayfaceinthefuture.Examiningtheshared
    experiencesofcampsservestoshowwhatprogramsandactivitieshaveworkedinteachingand
    instillingtheChristianfaithinthecampers.Finallycomparingreligiouspracticesallowsusto
    seewhetherleadersviewcampsasvenueswheretheymaybeallowedtoexperimentwitha
    varietyofliturgicalpractices,withoutthesupposedhindrancesofthetraditionalservicestructure
    seeninmostchurches.
    BesidesbeingtheonlycomprehensivelookattheLutheransummercampexperience,
    thisessayisuniqueandimportantinafewotherways.First,thisessayaimstoexaminewhat
    socialfunctionsandreligiousfunctionsLutherancampsserve.Second,itexamineswhycertain
    religiouspracticesmayexistatcampsandwhateffectthedifferencesinpracticehasoncampers.
    Finally,thisessayofferspracticalapplicationandguidancefromcurrentcampdirectors.
    Themethodthisessayemploysisacombinationofethnographyandthecarefulcombing
    throughofhistoricaldocuments.Brochures,Biblestudyoutlines,devotiontopics,summer
    themes,songbooksandhymnbooks,listsofactivities,andevenpictures,oldslidereelsand

    11

    videoshavebeenexamined.Nearly40interviewswereconductedwithindividualsconnectedin
    somewaytocamps:directors,Bibleleaders,boardmembers,andformercampers.
    ThecampsincludedinthisstudyareCampIndianheadMN,CampIndianheadWI,
    CampLorRay,CampFourStar,CampLutherhaven,theELSCircuitCampinFlorida,andthe
    nowsoldandrenamedSchwanRetreatCenter.ThroughouttheSynodshistory,othercamps
    havebeenheldinIowaandTexasthesewillreceivepassingmention.Asapointofcontext,an
    appendixisincludedwhichisthefirstlistingofeveryLutheranYouthAssociationconvention
    byyearandtheme,aswellasincompletelistofeverysummercampthemeofeachcamp,based
    onavailableinformation.
    Thisthesisisarrangedaccordinglyinthefollowingfourchapters:Chaptertwosurveys
    theh
    istoricalandtheologicalcontextinwhichthemajorityofELSsummercampsdeveloped.
    Chapterthree
    containsabriefhistoryofthesummercampsintheSynod,withparticularfocus
    onCampLorRay.Chapterfourexaminesthereligiousactivitiesatvariouscamps.
    Finally,
    chapterfiveconcludeswithpracticalapplicationsforsummercamps,specificallyrelatingto
    theologicalmatters,butalsomoregenerallyintheoverallsuccessfuloperationofaLutheran
    summercamp,andfinallyc
    ommentsonthedistinctnatureof
    LutheranSummerCamps.

    12

    2.HistoricalandTheologicalContext

    TheDevelopmentofChristianCampsinAmerica
    ThehistoryofELScampsissituatedwithinalargercontextofAmericansummercamps
    generally,andreligioussummercampsspecifically.AboutthesametimethatNorwegian
    immigrantsweresettlinginthemidwest,buildingchurches,andlivingtruepioneerlives,
    semirusticresortswerespringingupintheeastformiddleandupperclassAmericanswho
    wantedtoescapehecticurbanlife.Towardsthemiddleofthe19thcentury,doctors,religious
    leaders,andthepopularpressbeganincreasinglytopromotevacationing,especiallyasatonic
    forurbanmencaughtupintherisingindustrialeconomy.8Infactthetermvacationingitself
    didnotcomeintobroadusageuntilthe1850s.Vacationing(whichusuallymeantescapingtoa
    rusticretreatormoderatelyrusticlodge)waslargelylimitedtomiddleandupperclass
    Americans,sincefarmdwellingAmericanscouldnotaffordtoleavethefarmforanextended
    periodoftime,andurbanworkingclassAmericanslivedpaychecktopaycheck.9 Thissetthe
    backgroundofsummercampsforyouth.Earlysummercampsexistedtogivetheboysandgirls
    entrustedtotheircareasummertimeoasisfreefromcare,withtheexceptionofcertainmoral
    instructions,hygiene,andpracticalskills.
    Thefirstchurchsponsoredsummercampwasactuallyonlythesecondboyscampin
    America,accordingtoatleastoneaccount.10 Itwasbegunin1880bytheReverendGeorgeW.

    LeslieParis.
    ChildrensNature:TheRiseoftheAmericanSummerCamp.
    (NewYork,NY:NewYork
    UniversityPress,2008),22.
    9

    Ibid.,22.
    10

    Ibid.,32.NancyFergusonandJenniferBurchin
    CampingMagazine
    reportedthatthefirstorganizedcamp
    beganin1861,withotherorganizedcampsspringingupsoonthereafter.Whiletheydontclaimitisthefirstof
    itskind,theylistCampChocoruainNewHampshire,foundedin1881,asthebeginningoftheirhistoryofreligious
    camping.2011November/DecemberCampingMagazine.
    8

    13

    HinckleyofWestHartford,Connecticut.Hinckleywasanondenominationalministerwhohad
    surrenderedtoGodafteraperiodinlifewherehehadrebelledagainstreligionforbeing
    unabletoattendYaleCollegeandYaleTheologicalSeminary.11 Hewasaselfproclaimed
    apostleoffreshair,startinghiscampforChristianboyswiththereasoningthattheracewas
    dyingdyingofitsownstupidity,dyingofindoorness.12Inabookheselfpublishedonthe
    subjectoverthirtyyearslater,helamentedthemodernideaofcampinginagloriouslodge
    withallthemodernconveniencesormoreofhome.Hecalledthatsortofcampingafarce,
    andclaimedthatitdidntevendeservethetitleofcamping.Healsolamentedthepoor
    trainingandequippingofboysofhistime,andinadequateboyscamps.Manyboyscamps,
    hewrote,areconductedonthesameprinciple[suchascampinginagloriouslodge].Itseems
    tobeassumedthataboydoesnotknowhowtodoanyoneofahundredthingsthatwouldprove
    apositivebenefitandthatbecausehedoesnotknowheshouldneverlearn.Threeyearsago,I
    campedoutwithfourorfiveboysitwastherealthing.13
    HinckleywasdeeplyimbuedwiththesocalledmuscularChristianitymovementwhich
    soughttoincreasepiety,morals,andphysicalhealthformenthroughthecombinationofcertain
    Christianteachingswithphysicalactivities.Themovementtookitsfoundingprinciplesbasedon
    PaulsvarioussportandphysicalmetaphorsfortheChristianlife.TheYMCA(YoungMens
    ChristianAssociation)wasformeddirectlyfromthismovement.Anotherorganizationwasthe
    BoyScoutsofAmerica,whichwillbetouchedonlaterinthischapter.

    AmericanCampAssociation,November/December2011,accessedMarch2015,
    http://www.acacamps.org/campmag/1111/religiouscamps.
    11

    Ibid.
    12

    GeorgeW.Hinckley.
    RoughingitwithBoys:ActualExperienceofBoysatSummerandWinterCampsin
    theMaineWoods
    .(NewYork,NY:AssociationPress,1913),2.
    13

    Ibid.,3.

    14

    Parishasfoundthatatthebeginningofthe1900s,manycampbrochurespromised
    healthandstrengthandtrueChristianmanliness,asoutcomesofthecampexperience.14
    MuscularChristianityandmanycampsinthelate1800shadanovertlyantimodernistictone,
    evenwhilethecountrywastransitioning.However,withWorldWarIcameanalmostuniversal
    acceptancethatmodernismwasheretostay.15Thus,ParishasnotedthatmuscularChristianity
    cametoseemoldfashionedand,inthewakeoftheFirstWorldWar,evendistastefully
    militaristic.16 ForcedtoreinventthemselvesaftertheWar,Christiancampsadoptedmore
    ecumenicalprogramsthatstressedmoralsoverreligiosity.17
    Campssawrapidgrowthandchangeintheinterwarperiod.Manysecularcampsused
    theoutdoorsasspringboardsforoutdoorsactivities,whileprotestantreligiouscampsusedthe
    outdoorsasameansinandofitself.Theoutdoorsaddedaspecialdimensiontoreligious
    contemplation,withmostservicesbeingconductedinopenairchapelsinclearingsinthe
    woods.Eventhecampfirewasareligiousevent.18Infact,Parishasquotedonecamperata
    YWCAcampinFloridain1925,andcommentedthatherletterwasexactlythetypeofresponse
    tocampthatthestaffmostwishedtoelicit.Thecamperwrote,Iamolderthisyearandcan
    appreciatethewondersofGodsworldmore...inBibleclassIhavemetanewJesus,anoutdoor
    Saviourwholovednatureasmuchasweourselvesandwhoknewhowtounderstandittoa
    greaterextent.19Characteristicofreformedtheology,attendeesattheseChristiancampscame

    14

    Paris,71.

    TheNorwegianSynodsessayin1931bytheRev.Geo.O.LillegardwasonModernism,citingexamples
    ofwheremodernismhadpollutedanddestroyedgoodtheology.
    16

    Paris,72.
    17

    Ibid.
    18

    Ibid.,118.
    19

    Essayinscrapbook,PinellasCounty,GirlReserveCamp1925atPortRichley,Florida,box219,YWCA,
    inParis,132.
    15

    15

    toviewworshippinginnatureascommuningwithGod.ApartfromtheWord,theexperienceof
    timealonewithGodinnaturewasitselfviewedassacramental.
    DuringthesecondWorldWar,forobviousreasonsfewercampswerefounded,andsome
    wereevenconvertedintomilitarycamps.TheAmericanCampAssociationreportsthatthe
    periodafterthesecondWorldWarandbefore1970sawthehighestpercentageofAmerican
    summercampsbeingfounded.20 ThiscouldverysimplyexplainwhythemajorityofLutheran
    summercampswerefoundedwithinthistimeperiod.
    VanSlyckhasnotedthat
    byabout1960,however,traditionalcampsseemedtobeonthe
    decline,outpacedbycampsteachingspecialskillsandeventuallyoutnumberedbydaycamps
    (whichoftenfunctionedassummertimedaycarecentersforschoolagechildren).21
    Lutheran
    summercampsseemtofitwithinthemodeloftraditionalsummercamps,sincetheirspecial
    skilloremphasiswastheinstructionofyouthinGodsWord,asimilaremphasisformanyof
    theearlycamps.Itappearsthenfromthisperspective,thatLutherancampsweremerelylatein
    developing.

    Scouting&Pioneers.
    OneofthemoststressedareasofdiscordduringthebreakupoftheSynodicalConference
    (TheELSwithdrewfellowshipfromtheLutheranChurchMissouriSynod(LCMS)in1955,the
    WELSin1961,forcingthebreakupoftheconferencein1967)wastheissueofBoyScoutsand
    GirlScoutsandthefalseteachingsallowedandtaughtinboth,andthustheconcernsover
    participationineachorganization.TheBoyScoutsofAmericawasfoundedonFebruary8,

    20

    21

    AmericanCampAssociation.
    Mapping
    PowerPoint.,n.d.,slide10.
    vanSlyck
    ,
    xxvii.

    16

    1910,theGirlScoutsjusttwoyearslater.22 Itwouldbealogicalassumptionthatanalternative
    totheseprogramswouldcompriseasignificantamountofearlydiscussionintheELS,and
    especiallyontheELSyouthboard.
    Surprisingly,verylittlehasbeenwrittenbytheELSontheissueofscouting.23Even
    fromWELSsourceshowever,verylittlewaswrittenearlyon.Oneoftheseearliestwritingsby
    theWELS,whichpointedouttheerrorsintheScoutsandtheproblemsoffellowshipwith
    joiningascoutorganization,wastitledOurPosition
    Against
    Scouting(quotedbyJohn
    HuebnerinanessaycalledAFreshLookatScouting,emphasisoriginalinHuebner)published
    in1954.24 Huebnersuggestedthatthiswasreallyanunfortunateattitudetohave,sinceWELS
    wasnot,afterall,against
    Scouting
    ,butagainsttheunavoidablefalseteachingsandpractices
    withintheorganization.OnlyonerelevantessayexistedinWELSbefore1954,onepresentedat
    theMichigandistrictoftheWisconsinSynodin1951byProf.C.Lawrenz.25 Huebnerhas
    suggestedalsothatthereasonthereappearstobelittlecommentaryonthescoutsfromearlyon
    iswhathecallstheargumentfromsilence,thatis,virtuallyeveryoneinWELSwasin
    agreementonScouting,andthatsinceeveryonewasinagreement,nopapersoressaysneededto
    bewritten.26 Indeed,wheretheargumentfromsilenceholdstrueforWELS,itisevenmoretrue
    fortheELS.ThefirstmentionofscoutingintheannualSynodReportoftheformerNorwegian

    22

    BoyScoutHandbook,10thEdition,1990inJohnHuebner,AFreshLookatScouting,(paperpresented
    attheEvergladesConference,WELSSouthAtlanticDistrict,Sept.1819,1990),6,
    http://www.wlsessays.net/files/HuebnerScouting.pdf.
    23

    PaulR.ZagerpreparedanessayfortheELSDoctrineCommitteein2001entitledTheChristianand
    Scouting:HowCompatible?InithementionedthatwrittenevaluationsbyearlierpastorsfromtheELSand
    WELScanstillbefoundwithalittlesearching.
    24

    JohnHuebner,AFreshLookatScouting,(paperpresentedattheEvergladesConference,WELSSouth
    AtlanticDistrict,Sept.1819,1990),2,http://www.wlsessays.net/files/HuebnerScouting.pdf.
    25

    CarlLawrenz.
    TheHistoryoftheBoyScoutIssue
    .(EssaygivenataspecialconventionoftheMichigan
    DistrictoftheJointSynodofWisconsinandOtherStatesatSt.PaulsLutheranChurch,Saginaw,Michigan,June
    2829,1951),http://www.wlsessays.net/files/LawrenzScout.pdf.
    26

    Ibid.,8.

    17

    Synodwasin1961andwasactuallyasuggestiontoexaminethepioneerprograminWELSto
    seeifitwouldbeanacceptablealternativefortheSynod.In1962
    theSynoddidofficially
    recommendedtheLutheranPioneerprogramasapositiveapproachtotheproblemof
    scouting.27
    However,wheretheELSandWELSweresilent,theLCMSwasnot.Atthenational
    conventionoftheLCMSin1944(whichalsowasheldinMichigan),theSynodadoptedan
    officialstanceonScouts:Itisamatterforthelocalcongregationstodecide.28 Theacceptance
    ofscoutsinoneofWisconsinssistersynodsnaturallycausedriftsinWELS,andevencourt
    cases.29WELSfoundasolutionbystartingtheirownScoutslikeorganization,Lutheran
    Pioneers.
    TheideaforaLutheranPioneerassociationactuallystemsfromoneofthemostunlikely
    sources:apamphletpublishedbyalaymanintheformerLutheranChurchinAmerica(LCA).
    Oneoftheconcludingstatementsinthepamphletwasthis:Wehavenootherchoicebuttocut
    offthisgrowingmenace(i.e.Scouting)andtodevelopourown
    Christ
    centeredyouthprogram,
    onethatisestablishedbyLutherans,ledbyLutherans,andthereforecontainsonlytrueLutheran
    theology.SurelyourLutheranchurchhastheresourcesforestablishingsuchaprogram
    (emphasisoriginal).30BruceThompson,aWELSlayman,andhispastor,ReubenMarti,tookup
    thechallengeandcreatedtheLutheranPioneersinJuneof1951.Itwasfoundedonthe
    followingpillars:1)thatitcontaintrueLutherantheology2)givetheboysthegreatoutdoors3)

    ReportoftheYouthBoard,ActionoftheSynod,
    1962SynodReport
    ,(Mankato,MN:Evangelical
    LutheranSynod,1962),70.
    28

    Huebner,8.
    29

    Ibid.,89.
    30

    ScottCarmichael,TheEarlyHistoryoftheLutheranPioneerProgram,(SeniorHistoryPaperfor
    WisconsinLutheranSeminary,Mequon,WI,1986),2.
    27

    18

    buildleadership4)buildcitizenship5)teachsafetyand6)givetheboyssomething
    constructivetodo.31Onlyafewmonthslater,andwhileattendingapastoralconferenceto
    explaintheLutheranPioneerprogramtoothercongregationsintheirconference,Rev.Marti
    sufferedastrokeandtheLordcalledhimhomeafewhourslater.ThePioneerprogramwould
    spreadnonetheless,growingupto500trainsinWELScongregations.32
    SincethePioneerprogramwasrecommendedforuseintheELSin1962,various
    congregationshavemadeuseofit.Howevernothinginwritingcouldbefoundaboutspecific
    numbersofcongregationswithPioneertrains.Onethingiscertain:Pioneertrains,wherethey
    wereused,providedapositiveapproachtoscouting,incorporatingBiblicalteachingswith
    physicalprograms.
    ItispossiblethattheacceptanceofScoutsintheMissouriSynodgavetheirsummer
    campsareasontostart,thewaythattherejectionofScoutsintheELSandWELScaused
    summercampstospringupinthesetwosynods.ScoutsintheMissouriSynodwouldneeda
    placetoholdretreats.ChildrenintheELSandWELS,sincetheycouldnotbecomescouts,
    wouldalsoneedaplacetocampandholdsimilarretreats.Nodoubtthereweremanyother
    factorsbesidesPioneersthatwentintothefoundingofeachcamp.Oneofthesefactorswasa
    willingnesstorevitalizetheYoungPeoplesAssociationoftheSynod(laterLutheranYouth
    Association)andtocreateacommitteewhichwouldhandlealltheyouthworkfortheSynod.

    EarlySynodicalYouthWork.

    31

    32

    Ibid.,3.
    Ibid.,4.

    19

    AfterWorldWarIIended,theSynodturneditsattentiontoworkithadstartedbeforethe
    war,includingbeginningaSeminaryprogramandorganizingyouthwork.In1947aresolution
    waspassedtobeginayouthcommitteefortheSynod.The1947GeneralPastoralConference
    electedacommitteetobringrecommendationstotheSynodregardingyoungpeopleswork.
    Soin1948thefollowingrecommendationswerepresentedattheannualSynodConvention:
    1)thattheSynodelectastandingboardforyoungpeople'swork2)thatthisboard
    shallbemadeupofonepastorandonelaymanfromeachcircuitofsynodandthe
    presidentofBethanyLutheranCollege...4)thatthisboardnowbeelectedtolayplansfor
    permanentjointworkamongtheyoungpeoplessocietiesinthecongregationsofthe
    synodandpresentthoseplanstothenextconventionofthesynod5)thatmeanwhilethis
    boardshallimmediatelymakeplansforsuchworkduringthisyearandcarrythemoutin
    suchamannerastheboarddeemsadvisable6)thatthisconventiondiscuss:a)the
    possibilityofhavingaconventionandchoralunionthissummerb)topicdiscussion
    materialc)theformationofregionalgroups.33

    However,noactionwastakenatthisconventionotherthanthecreationofthis
    committee.The1949reportgaveanexplanation:
    Thecommitteebelievesthatallrecommendationsandproposalsforactioninthis
    conventionareprematureuntiltheSynoditselfhasformallydecidedwhatpartofthe
    Synodasasynodwishestotakeinyoungpeople'swork(E.g.,shalltheSynodinterest
    itselfinasynodwideeducationalprogramforyoungpeople,synodwideprojectsfor
    youngpeople,synodwidegatheringsorconventionsoftheyoungpeople?Etc.)34

    Accordingly,atthesameconvention,threedirectivesweregiventothisnewlyformed
    committeea)arrangeaSynodWideyoungpeoplesconvention,b)takestepstorevivethe
    ChoralUnion,andc)makesuggestionsforeducationalworkintheyoungpeoplessocieties.35
    From194950theyouthcommitteeconsistedofRev.ClarenceHanson,Rev.IverJohnson,and

    OverturetoSynodRegardingYoungPeoplesWork,
    1948SynodReport
    ,(Mankato,MN:Norwegian
    Synod,1948),65
    34

    ReportoftheYoungPeoplesWorkCommittee,
    1949SynodReport
    ,(Mankato,MN:NorwegianSynod,
    1949),74.
    35

    Ibid.,76
    33

    20

    Prof.J.A.O.Preus,36 andfrom19501951thecommitteewasmadeofRev.AlfMerseth,Rev.
    NeilHilton,Prof.AlfredFremder,anddelegatesElmerOlson,J.FrankHarmon,andEinar
    Ingebretson.37
    In1950,inadditiontotheprojectssetforthayearearlier,thecommitteecametothe
    SynodConventionwiththreemainobjectives:1.TheencouragementofChristianknowledge
    andfellowshipamongtheyoungpeopleoftheNorwegianSynod.2.TherevivaloftheChoral
    Union.3.ThefurtheranceofinterestinBethanyLutheranCollege. 38Thecommittee
    immediatelysettoworkonaccomplishingthetaskstheSynoddelegatedtoitandbegantoplana
    Synodwideyoungpeoplesconventiontobeheldin1951fromaSaturdayatnoonuntilthe
    followingSundayevening.Inaddition,thecommitteeproposedthreemoregoals:a)Thatan
    annualsummercampforourSynodsyoungpeoplebeestablished,b)Thattothiscampallour
    Synodsyoungpeoplewhohavereachedtheeighthgradebeinvited,c)Thattheinitialsummer
    campbeconductedin1951.39

    YoungPeoplesAssociation.
    WhilethefirstSynodsummercampwouldnotbeheldthatsummer,thefirstYoung
    PeoplesAssociation(YPA)conventionwasheldin1951attheNorselandNorwegianGrove
    Parishfrom
    July2122withabout80inattendance.Thetopicwas
    TheFirstTableoftheLaw
    presentedbyD.L.PfeifferofCottonwood,Minn.Inactuality,thisconventionwasa

    ConventionCommittees
    1950SynodReport
    ,(Mankato,MN:NorwegianSynod,1950)7.

    ConventionCommittees
    1951SynodReport
    ,(Mankato,MN:NorwegianSynod,1951),5.
    38

    ReportoftheYoungPeoplesWorkCommittee
    1950SynodReport,
    (Mankato,MN:NorwegianSynod,
    1950),5152.
    39

    Ibid.
    36
    37

    21

    reorganizationmeeting,butthefirst
    national
    conventionofYPA.40TheYoungPeoples
    AssociationwasofficiallyfoundedonOctober17,1936astheYoungPeoplesOrganization
    (YPO)oftheNorwegianSynod,thoughaninformalassociationhadexistedsinceatleast1933.41
    YPOwasoriginallyanorganizationofthesocietiesintheAlbertLeaCircuitoftheSynod,with
    annualtwodayconventionsinMankatoclosingwithaChoralUnionconcert.42 Apparently
    sometimeduringtheSecondWorldWar,bothYPOandtheChoralUnionhadceasedtomeet,
    likelyduetoashortageofmanpower.43 YPOwastheumbrellaorganizationofyouth
    organizationswithineachchurchoftheNorwegianSynod,calledYoungPeoplesSocieties
    (YPS),whichhadexistedintheformerNorwegianSynodsince1906.44
    Itshouldbenotedthatintheearlytomidtwentiethcentury,thetermYoungPeoples
    Societywasmoreorlessauniversaltermreferringtowhatwouldroughlybeequivalenttoa
    youthgrouptoday.TheindividualyouthprogramsoftheWisconsinSynodandMissouri
    SynodcongregationswerealsocalledYoungPeoplesSocieties.

    40

    TheEvangelicalLutheranSynodsarchiveshasasinglefoldertitledFirstYPAConventioninBoardfor
    EducationandYouthLutheranYouthAssociation19361970.Coll.s.720.EvangelicalLutheranSynod,Bethany
    LutheranTheologicalSeminary.
    The1950SynodReportsuggeststhatthiswasthefirstconvention,butthe1951Reportmentionsitisa
    reorganizationmeeting,whichseemstoimplymeetingsinthepast.
    41

    AbudgetwassetasidefortheYoungPeoplesAssociationin1933,andin1934,theSynodReportstated
    thefollowing:
    TheSaturdayafternoonsessionwasgivenovertotheYoungPeoplesAssociationoftheAlbertLea
    Circuit,thepresidentofwhichisWilfordHuso,Northwood,Iowa.StudentMartinGalstadofConcordiaSeminary,
    St.Louis,MOdeliveredanexcellentlectureontheworkoftheyoungpeopleofthecongregations,whichcreated
    interestingdiscussion.Addedtothis,severalmusicalnumbersandanexcellentaddressbyRev.J.A.Moldstadof
    ChicagoabouttheworkofthefirstleadersoftheSynod,makingaspecialpointofthefirstserviceandsermon
    undertheJuveoaksonWestKoshkononginSeptember,90yearsago,madethisindeedaveryfestivesession.
    1934SynodReport
    (Mankato,MN:NorwegianSynod,1934)
    ,63.
    42

    TheChoralUnionoftheSynodhasbeeninoperationsincethereorganizationoftheSynodin1918.The
    ChoralUnion,madeupofYPO(YPA)membersfromacrosstheSynod,wouldjointogetherinasacredconcert
    eachyearforSynodConvention.TheeventisknowntodayasHonorChoir.
    43

    ClarencePeters,322323.
    44

    LutheranYouthAssociation
    (Mankato,MN:ELSOttesonMuseum,n.d.),museumexhibitlabel.

    22

    In1951,theYPOconstitutionwasreworkedandtheorganizationrenamedYoung
    PeoplesAssociation.AswithYPO,thepurposeofYPAwastheglorificationoftheGodofall
    grace,andthepromotionofthespirituallifeofChristianyoungpeople.45 Verydifferentfrom
    anyyouthprogramtoday,YPAfunctionedasaminisynod,withanelectedpresident,
    vicepresident,treasurer,andsecretarywithannualbusiness.Similarly,theYPAconvention
    functionedlikeaminisynodconvention,withbusinessmeetings,boardmeetingswithyouth
    appointedtoindividualboards,anannualessay,andtheselectionofannualserviceprojects.All
    confirmedmembersoftheAssociationwereeligibletovoteandholdoffice.46Timeforfunand
    fellowshipwasobviouslyincluded,buttheemphasisoftheconvention,andoftheassociation
    itselfwasservice.47 Theformatoftheseconventionsremainedsimilarallthewayuntilthe
    1990s.

    45

    ConstitutionoftheYoungPeoplesOrganizationoftheNorwegianSynodasadoptedatBethanyLutheran
    College,Mankato,Minn.,onOctober17,1936,andrevisedOctober15,1938,andOctober19,1940,and1952,
    BoardforEducationandYouthLutheranYouthAssociation19361970.Coll.s.720.EvangelicalLutheranSynod,
    BethanyLutheranTheologicalSeminary.
    46

    UnliketheMissouriSynodsWaltherLeague,whichseemedtobeasocietywithinasociety,the
    NorwegianSynodregardedallYoungPeoplesSocietieswithinSynodcongregations,orcongregationsservedby
    Synodpastorsasmembersoftheassociation.Forcongregationswhichhadnoformalsociety,individualmembers
    uponrecommendationoftheirpastorwereregardedasmembersoftheassociation(
    ConstitutionoftheYPA,
    Article
    IIIMembership).
    Everysocietywasentitledtofourvotesatconventioneverypastor,professor,andChristianDaySchool
    teacherservingintheSynodwasentitledtoonevoteeachandeveryconfirmedmemberinaSynodcongregation
    waseligibletoofficeandspeakatconvention(
    ConstitutionoftheYPA,
    ArticleV.Conventions,par.24).
    47

    The1951YoungPeoplesWorkCommitteereportedthattheyoungpeopleofYPAofferedtoassistinany
    waypossiblewiththeCentennialCelebrationoftheSynodin1953.WiththeCentennialCelebrationofthe
    reorganizedSynodcominguptwoyearsfromthewritingofthisessay,itcouldbeaworthwhileprojectforyouthin
    theELStodaytobeinvolvedwithhelpingwiththe2018anniversarycelebration.
    TheConstitutionofYPAstatedthatitshallservethelocalsocietiesbyfurtheringthestudyand
    appreciationoftheBible,adeeperunderstandingofhistory,principles,andactivitiesoftheorthodoxLutheran
    Church,andbyofferingpracticallessonsinChristianservice,andassistinginthesocialphaseofyoungpeoples
    work.Ibid.

    23

    AsimilarsynodwideyouthorganizationhadexistedintheMissouriSynodcalledtheWalther
    League,buttheWisconsinSynoddidnothaveanysuchorganization.48Thegeneralsentimentin
    theWisconsinSynodthroughatleastthe1950sseemedtobethatthereweredangerous
    theologicaldevelopmentsintheyouthorganizationsofsomeotherLutheranchurchbodies.An
    essaydeliveredin1937intheWisconsinSynodbyE.E.Kowalkestatedthatyouthgroups
    shouldnotexistinthechurchasspecialgroups.Theyposedathreattotheunityofthechurch
    theysoeasilyinstillintheirmembersawrongconceptionoftheircallingbeforeGodas
    childreninthefamilyandasmembersoftheChurchtheysoeasilydevelopafalseconception
    ofwhatconstituteschurchworktheirattentionisdistractedfromtheonepurposeofthewhole
    congregationtotheirownprivateobjectives.49
    Anotherreasonwasaverypastoralconcern,thattheyouthinacongregationshouldbe
    servedbytheirownpastors.In1951,Rev.JohnBrenner,presidentoftheWisconsinSynod,
    wroteinalettertoDr.ClarencePeters,whoservedontheMissouriSynodsBoardforYoung
    PeoplesWorkandwasworkingonhisdissertationaboutyouthprogramsinAmerica,The
    WisconsinSynoddoesnothaveasynodicalprogramforyoungpeople,believingthateach
    congregationshouldtakecareofitsown,allofthem,andnotonlythosethatgetinterestedinan
    intercongregationalorganization.AlthoughtheMissouriSynodsWaltherLeaguewasnot
    intendedtousurptheauthorityofthelocalcongregation,thisseemedtobeafearamongthe
    WisconsinSynod.IntheELShowever,thisdidnotseemtobeaconcern.Infact,althoughthis

    48

    Asapointofinterest,thefirstLCMScampwasestablishedinArcadia,MIbya1923conferenceofthe
    WaltherLeague.Theexperienceofcombiningaprogramofeducationandworshipwithwholesomeoutdoor
    recreationprovedtobesopopularthattheWaltherLeagueextendedthecampingprogramtothedistricts.In1950,
    43campswithareportedattendanceof2,208campersfrom36camps,wereheldintheLCMS.Peters,94&
    140141.
    49

    E.E.Kowalke,
    TheChurchanditsYouth
    (Milwaukee,WI:NorthwesternPublishingHouse,1937),1417
    inPeters,324.

    24

    nevercametobe,in1959itwassuggestedtomodeltheyouthworkafterthatoftheEvangelical
    LutheranChurch(ELC),withafulltimepastorasdirectoratthetop,notsimplyasanadvisor.50
    Attheinauguralsynodwidereorganizationconventionin1951,anexecutivecommittee
    wasformedfortheYoungPeoplesAssociation,consistingofhighschool,college,andseminary
    ageindividuals.ThefollowingofficerswereelectedtothisfirstExecutiveCommittee:Sven
    Tjernagel,PresidentOwenSwenson,VicePresidentGudrunAnnexstad,Secretaryand
    DorothyGullerud,Treasurer.TheSynodsYoungPeoplesBoardandtheExecutiveCommittee
    oftheAssociationweretoworktogethertoplantheannualconventions.
    In1954,theYoungPeoplesWorkCommitteebeganpublishinganewperiodicalforthe
    YoungPeoplesAssociation,called
    YPAQuarterly
    undertheeditorshipofRobertMoldstad,a
    youngSeminarystudentandpresidentofYPA.TheYPAhadelectedMoldstadtobethe
    associationspresidentin1953.OtherofficersincludedLarryMonsonasvicepresident,
    AmandaTjernagelassecretary,andayounghighschooler,JamesOlsenastreasurer.51
    By1954,theSynods1949directivestotheTheYoungPeoplesWorkCommitteewere
    capablyfulfilled.Muchwasaccomplishedbytheboardduringthisyearanditsreporttothe
    SynodstatedthattheguidelineswerereviewedandapprovedbytheBoard,anddutieswere
    establishedandreaffirmed.TheSynodhadonemoreimportantchangetomakeregardingthis
    boardin1955:Whereas,thenameTheYoungPeoplesWorkCommitteeisanunwieldyone,
    1)resolvedthattheSynodadopttherecommendationoftheCommitteeofCommitteesthatthe

    MinutesfromtheELSYouthBoardmeeting,May26,1959,Minneapolis,MN,

    BoardforEducationand
    YouthMinutes/Correspond.1987_.Coll.s.700.EvangelicalLutheranSynod,BethanyLutheranTheological
    Seminary.
    51

    ReportoftheYoungPeoplesWorkCommittee.In
    1954SynodReport
    ,(Mankato,MN:Norwegian
    Synod,1954),69.
    50

    25

    nameofTheYoungPeoplesWorkCommitteebechangedtothenameYouthBoard.52
    Thatsameyear,theyoungpeopleinYPAreportedtheytoowereconsideringanewname:
    LutheranYouthAssociation(LYA).LYAwassuggestedasthenewnamebecausethepresent
    nameYoungPeoplesSocietydoesnteventellusthatitsaLutheransociety.53AttheYPA
    conventionitwasdecidedtowaittorenametheassociationuntiltheSynoddecidedanewname
    foritself.Thenewnamewouldbeusedanywayin1956,twoyearsbeforetheNorwegianSynod
    wasrenamedtheEvangelicalLutheranSynod.
    YPA/LYAisanorganizationthatappearedatfirsttohaveonlypassingsignificancefor
    ELSsummercamps.54Furtherstudyhoweverrevealedjusthowmuchthisorganizationaffected
    summercampsintheSynod.SinceYPAfunctionedlikeaminiSynod,manyofthedutiesofthe
    youthintheassociationparalleledthatofboardmembersintheSynod.The
    YPAQuarterly
    revealedthatinadditiontopromotingtheYPAconvention,promotingtheattendanceatBethany
    LutheranCollege,andwritingtheologicalessaysandmeditations,theyouthoftheassociation
    activelypromotedthecampsintheELSandhelpedplanthem.An
    LYAQuarterly
    article
    entitledCometoCamp:ARealVacation!hadthistosay:
    Haveyoueverhadtheunhappyfeelingthatyouhavepracticallywastedyoursummers
    vacation?Perhapsyoulookedforworkandcouldnotfindany.Norcouldyouaffordan
    expensivevacation.Soyoustayedaroundhome,andloafedawaymostofyourtime.
    Normuchtodo,andnothingveryexcitinghappenstomakeyoufeelthatyoursummer
    vacationwasworthwhile.Oryoumaybeamongthemorefortunateyoungpeoplewho
    haveajoborliveonafarmwherethereisalwayssomethingtodo.Yoursummer,then,
    hasnotbeenwasted,butyoumayfeeldisappointedbecauseyoursummerwasalmostall
    work,andnorecreation.Ineithercasehavehavetheanswertoyoursummersproblem.
    AweekatoneofourLutheranyouthcampswillmakeyoursummeronetoremember. 55

    GuidelinesfortheYouthBoard.In
    1955SynodReport
    ,(Mankato,MN:NorwegianSynod,1955),74.

    YPAQuarterly
    ,VolII.,No.III,(1955),4.
    54

    TheonlyexperiencetheauthorhaswithLYAisattendingthe2014conventionasaSeminarystudent
    breakoutsessionleader,andobservingLYAasmerelyanannualyouthconvention.
    55

    LYAQuarterly
    ,Vol.III,No.III,July1,(1956),1.
    52
    53

    26

    TheoldermembersofYPAtookownershipofthesummercampsintheSynodand
    regardedthemastheirresponsibility.InthiswayYPAwasacompletesupportnetworkfor
    youthworkintheSynodfromgradeschoolagetoSeminary.
    Knowingthesehistorical,cultural,andreligiouscontextshelpstobetterunderstand
    possiblemotivatorsbehindformingsummercamps.Withthesebackgroundssetforcampsin
    theSynod,thenextchapterwilloutlinethespecifichistoriesofeachcamp,howandwheneach
    onedeveloped,aswellasmajoreventsandundertakingsinparticularcamps.

    27

    3.BriefHistoryofSummerCampsintheELS

    ASynodSummerCampisFounded.
    ThefirstSynodyouthcampwasscheduledfor1951,but
    didnottakeplaceaswas
    planned.TheYoungPeoplesWorkCommitteeexplained:
    Uponexaminingtheaspectsoftheworkinvolvedinthisproject,thecommitteefound
    thatitwasamuchgreaterundertakingthantheyhadrealized,andconcludedthatitwould
    beunwisetoundertakesuchaventurewithoutsufficientpreparation.Thereforethe
    committeehasnotarrangedfortheestablishmentofayouthcampthissummer.The
    committeehasnotdisregardedtheSynodsinstructions.Itisplanningtoconducta
    summercampatBethanyLutheranCollege,Mankato,Minnesota,in1952.Asummer
    camp,ifitistobemadeavailabletotherankandfileofouryouth,maynotbe
    selfsustaining.Thecommittee,therefore,asksiftheSynod,sinceithasauthorizedthis
    venture,wouldbewillingtogiveitanyfinancialsupport.56

    TheSynoddidnotgrantthisfundingtothecommitteeasithadrequestedinsteadit
    offeredfundstohelpwithpromotionswhennecessary.TheresolutionstatedthattheYoung
    PeoplesSummerCampbeoperatedonitsownincome.57ThiswouldimpacthowtheSynod
    dealtfinanciallywithsummercampsinthefuture.Tothisday,theSynodgrantsonlyasmall
    stipendtoeachcamp.
    Bythenextsummer,theYoungPeoplesBoardhadacquiredtheuseofLakeShetek
    StateParkinTracy,Minnesota,fortheSynodssummercampsotheuseofBethanyColleges
    propertywasnotneeded.Thiscamp,calledSummerBibleCampatLakeShetekStatePark
    washeldfromJuly2027,1952underthedirectionofJohnA.Moldstadforallchildrenof
    confirmationageorolder.Thecostwas$15forthewholeweek,or$3.00forcamperswho
    wishedtostayshorterperiods.Aspiritualandphysicalprogramwasplanned,includinga

    ReportoftheYoungPeoplesWorkCommittee,
    1951SynodReport,
    (Mankato,MN:NorwegianSynod,
    1951),79.
    57

    Ibid.
    56

    28

    specialclosingopenairserviceonSunday,July27,at11:00a.m.DeanNormanA.Madson
    ofBethanyLutheranTheologicalSeminarydeliveredthesermon.58
    Childrenwerewelcometobringacamera,musicalinstruments,aphonograph,anda
    flashlight.ThisofficialSynodcampwouldbeoperatedbytheSynodonlyfortwoyears.That
    samesummerhowever,thecongregationsintheEauClaire,WIcircuitestablishedtheirown
    YoungPeoplesCampinDrummond,WIunderthedirectionoftheRev.RaymondBranstad.
    ThiscampwasnamedIndianheadLutheranCamp,areferencetotheshapeofthe
    WisconsinMinnesotaborder,whichwascommonlythoughttoresembletheheadofaNative
    Americanwithheaddress.Thiscampwasopentoyoungpeopleage12andupwhowereof
    goodChristiancharacter.59
    WithtwocampsintheSynod,onerunexclusivelybylocalchurches,theSynodurgedthe
    YoungPeoplesBoardtomakeeveryefforttocontinuesuchcamps.60
    TheYoungPeoples
    BoardoperatedthecampwhichbecamereferredtoasLutheranCamporLakeShetekCampin
    1952and1953.Howeverthe1953campwasnotaswellattendedasthepreviousyearandthe
    campdirectorsrecommendedtotheBoardthatotherarrangementsshouldbeconsideredforthe
    comingseason.Afterstudyingthematter,theYoungPeoplesWorkBoardconcludedthatit
    shouldnotcontinuetooperateacamponbehalfoftheSynod,butratheritrecommendedthatthe
    variouscircuitsoftheSynodconsideroperatingtheirowncamps.
    Asaresult,twocampswouldbeoperatedbylocalcongregations,LakeShetekCampand
    thecampatDrummond,Wisconsin.
    Thesetwoinitialcampseventuallybecameknownas

    58

    Ibid.

    YPAQuarterly
    ,VolI.,No.II,(1954),5.
    60

    ReportoftheYoungPeoplesWorkCommittee,
    1952SynodReport
    ,(Mankato,MN:NorwegianSynod,
    1952),4748
    59

    29

    CampIndianhead,throughasometimesconfusingarrangement:Thecampnowknownas
    CampIndianheadMNwaslocatedforatimeinWisconsin,andwhatisnowknownasCamp
    IndianheadWIwasatoneperiodjoinedtogetherwiththecampinMinnesota.

    CampIndianheadMN&CampIndianheadWI
    Thesecondissueofthe
    YPAQuarterly
    ,publishedinJulyof1954bySeminarianRobert
    Moldstad,describedthecampswhichwouldbetakingplaceinthecomingweeks.TheLake
    Shetekcamp,itstressed,wouldbethesamecampthattheSynodoperated,butnowrunbythe
    circuitconsistingofcongregationsinSiouxFalls,Okabena,Luverne,RoseDell,Belview,Delhi,
    RockDell,Cottonwood,andTracy.Rev.T.N.Teigenwouldbethecampdirector.Whileit
    wouldbeoperatedbyalocalcircuit,theywelcomedyoungpeoplefromthewholeSynodand
    evenfromthewholeSynodicalConference.TheinclusionoftheothersintheSynodical
    conferencewasthebeginningoftheWisconsinSynodsownLakeShetekCamp,Minnesota
    ValleyBibleCamp,stillheldatthesamelocation.
    IndianheadLutheranCamphasoneofthefinestcampingsetupsavailable...withsuch
    conveniencesashotandcoldwater...twolovelybeaches,boats,ballgrounds,etc.Itisthekind
    ofequipmentwhichoneexpectstofindonlyatthemoreexpensiveresorts,boastedThe
    YPA
    Quarterly
    .61 Theprogramlikewisewasimpressive,describedastheresultofyearsof
    experienceinthistypeofyouthwork.Itisawellbalancedprogramofspiritualinstruction,
    devotion,andrecreation.62

    61

    62

    YPAQuarterly
    ,VolI.,No.II,(1954),5.
    Ibid.

    30

    By1955,interesthadincreasedincampssomuchthatfourcampswouldbeconducted
    byareacongregationsindifferentregions.LakeShetekCampwouldbesponsoredbythe
    SouthwesternMinnesotaSouthDakotacircuit,withRev.ArthurSchultzservingasDeanofthe
    Camp.IslandLakeCamp,inLengby,MN,wouldbesponsoredbytheNorthern
    MinnesotaNorthDakotacircuit,underthedirectionofRev.JohnA.Moldstad.63 ClearLake
    CampwastentativelyplannedbytheIowaSouthernMinnesotacircuitinNorthernIowato
    includethecircuitYPSconventiononthelasttwodaysofthiscamp.Finally,Indianhead
    LutheranCampinDrummond,WI,wouldbesponsoredbytheWisconsincircuit,withRev.R.
    Branstadasdirector.64Thenextyearin1956afteronlyoneseason,theNorthernMinnesota
    campwassuspended,butIndianheadLutheranCampwasextendedtotwoweeks:thefirstweek
    forpreconfirmationageyouthandthesecondweekforteens.65Asmanyas175youthattended.
    66

    In1957,theoriginalLakeShetekCampwasalsonotheld,droppingthenumberofcampsin

    theSynoddowntotwo.
    CampIndianhead,whichnowdrewyouthfromasfarawayasChicagoandIowa,was
    forcedtochangeitslocationin1959andwasheldatSt.CroixStateParkinMinnesota.This
    movepromptedtheBoardtowriteofthedifficultiesinsecuringcampsitesandbegan
    consideringthepurchaseofacampsite:TheBoardhasspentsometimeconsideringthe
    possibilitiesofpurchasingacampsiteorencouragingsomegroupwithintheSynodtodoso.
    MinutesfromtheYouthBoardshowthattheBoardhadactuallydiscussedanumberofoptions,
    includingajointcampwithdoubleauthority.DirectorBranstadpreferredhowevertooperate

    63

    TheMinnesotaCampwouldreturntothislocationyearslater.TheislandcampisanLCMScampnamed
    LutherIslandCamp.
    64

    YPAQuarterly
    ,Vol.II,No.II,(1955),10.
    65

    ReportoftheYouthBoard,
    1956SynodReport,
    (Mankato,MN:NorwegianSynod,1956),80.
    66

    ReportoftheYouthBoard,1960SynodReport,(Mankato,MN:EvangelicalLutheranSynod,1960),78

    31

    thecampfreelancestyle.Alsomentionedwasthemisconceptionthatmosthaveaboutthe
    SynodYouthBoard,thatitisincontrolofthecamps.ItwasmadeclearthattheSynoddoesnot
    havecontrolorresponsibilityinthesummercampsprogram,anditwasnotedthattheonecamp
    theSynoddidoperatefoldedup.Sotheideawasfloatedofacorporationaffiliatedwiththe
    SynodpurchasingacampandmakingitavailableforyouthworkintheSynodonarentalbasis.
    67

    Nothingwasdecided,andthusattheSynodConvention,theyresolvedthatforthemoment

    owningtheirowncampsitewasnotfeasible.68HowevertheBoardwouldcontinuetostudysuch
    anoptionyearbyyearforthenextsixyears.
    AsubcommitteeoftheBoardwasauthorizedin1960tostudyandplantheSynods
    summercampsprogramwithpowertoact.Thisdecisionbroughtthecamponceheldin
    Drummond,WIundertheSynodsdirectcontrol.Inadditiontothecircuitcampsleaders
    difficultiesinsecuringland,theBoardgaveonereasonwhythiswasdone:Regrettablythe
    leadershipofPastorBranstadinthesummercampprogramisnolongeravailable.69Rev.
    BranstadhoweverhadrecentlypurchasedaretreatonSullivanLakeinHillman,Minnesota
    calledSquawPoint.HeinvitedtheBoardtorenthisfacilitiesforthesummercampsofthe
    Synod.TheBoardacceptedhisofferandmovedIndianheadLutheranCamptohisresort.Thus,
    beginningin1960,CampIndianheadwouldbetheofficialSynodcamp,andClearLakeCampin
    Iowa,nowoperatedbytheSouthernCircuitNo.4oftheSynodduetoarestructuringofthe
    circuits,wouldbeheldonlyonemoreyear.

    MinutesoftheELSYouthBoard.May26,1959
    ,
    BoardforEducationandYouthMinutes/Correspond.
    1987_.Coll.s.700.EvangelicalLutheranSynod,BethanyLutheranTheologicalSeminary.
    68

    ReportoftheYouthBoard,
    1959SynodReport
    ,(Mankato,MN:EvangelicalLutheranSynod,1959),70
    69

    ReportoftheYouthBoard,
    1960SynodReport,
    (Mankato,MN:EvangelicalLutheranSynod,1960),
    67

    32

    UponarecommendationfromtheYouthBoardtocreateapositionofaYouthDirector,
    theSynodresolvedatthe1960conventionthattheYouthBoard,asquicklyaspossible,fillthe
    positionofYouthDirectorto:a.EditandpublishtheLYAQuarterlyb.Serveasexecutive
    secretarytotheYouthBoardc.BeadvisortotheLutheranYouthAssociationd.Directthe
    SummerCampprogram.70Thispositionwasneverfilledbyafulltimecalledindividual.
    Beginningin1961,onlyonecampservedalltheyouthoftheSynod,ages10andup,and
    childrenwouldarrivebybusortrainfromallacrosstheSynod.
    ThiscampwasgenerallyregardedasthecontinuationofCampIndianhead,WI.Inan
    LYAQuarterly
    articlefrom1963whichproclaimedFun?Ifyouhadmuchmoreofit,you
    woulddieofexhaustion!thecampwascalledthe13thconsecutiveseasonofcamping.The
    programremainedthesameinfactitwasexplainedtherewouldbeahowlofaprotestifwe
    triedtochangeittoomuch.Ithasproveditselfovertheyears.71
    Whilepastorsandcongregationssupportedthiscamp,itwasnotdonesowithout
    criticism.SomecongregationspleadedwiththeBoardtolowerfeesandfindamorecentrally
    locatedarea.TheBoardreported:
    InconsideringthecampingneedsofourSynodsyouthprogram[weare]repeatedly
    facedwiththequestion:ShalltheSynodownitsowncamp?Beforegoinganyfurther
    withthedetailsofacquiring,financing,andoperatingacentrallylocatedcampsiteofits
    own,theYouthBoardisherewithaskingtheSynodinconventiontoexpresswhetherit
    wishestheYouthBoardtoproceedfurtherinthismattertowardsacquiringacampsiteof
    ourown.WearenotaskingtheSynodtoworkoutthedetailsoffinancing,orthedetails
    ofoperatingsuchacampifweweretohaveone,butsimplytoindicatewhetherthe
    SynodwishestheYouthBoardtoconsiderfurtherthequestionofourowncampsite,and
    totakestepstowardworkingoutarrangementswhichmightmakesuchacampsite
    feasible.72

    70

    72

    71

    Ibid.
    CampAction,
    LYAQuarterly
    ,Vol10,No.1,(March1963),7.
    ReportoftheYouthBoard,
    1963SynodReport
    ,(Mankato,MN:EvangelicalLutheranSynod,1963),76.

    33

    TheSynodrespondedin1963byacknowledgingthefactthatnotallthecongregationsof
    theSynodarelocatedwheretheycouldmakeuseofaSynodacamp,suchascongregationsin
    MichiganorWashington,andsoitresolvedthattheSynoditselfshouldnottakeuponthetaskof
    purchasingacampsite.Notcompletelydroppingthecampsiteidea,anotherresolutionwas
    passed:Weshouldencouragecongregationstoestablishsummercamps,andthattheYouth
    Boardcontinuetoworkwithinterestedcongregationsintheestablishingofsuchcampsor
    camp.73
    Finallyin1964anevaluationoftheSynodcampatSquawPointwasdonebytheYouth
    Board.ItwasnotedthatthecampservedfiveareasoftheSynod:TheNorthernCircuit,Twin
    CityandSouthernMinnesota,MadisonArea,Chicagoarea,andIowa.FortheNorthernCircuit,
    theboardobservedthateventhoughthecampwasthemosteasilyaccessibletothiscircuit,
    interestwasnotsogreatsincethechurchesservedmostlyruralfamiliesoflowereconomic
    status.FromtheTwinCitiesandSouthernMinnesotaagoodnumberofyouthattend.Itwas
    observedthatasmanyas50%ofyouthcomefromtheMadisonarea,butdistancewasa
    problem.ForChicago,itwasreportedthatdistancewasaproblem,andnochildrenhadcome
    fromtheChicagocongregationssincethepricewasraisedabove$15.00,butLombardalone
    supplied30campersin1962.74Costwas$21.50fortheweekin1964.SincetheSynodcamp
    wasalreadylowerthantheaveragechurchoperatedyouthcampofothersynodsorchurches
    whichwerebetween$30$40,theYouthBoardcoulddolittletoreducecost.Regarding
    distanceitwassuggestedamorecentrallocationfortheSynodcampwouldbetowardsEau
    Claire,WI.Asafairsolution,theBoarddecideditwouldarrangefortwoSynodcampsfor
    73

    Ibid.,7778

    Inadditiontohostingtheirowncircuitcampin1962with166campersandcounselors,sending30campers
    toCampindianheadshowswhatanimpressiveinterestincampingtheLombardcongregationhad.
    74

    34

    1964:CampIndianheadNorthatSquawPoint,andCampIndianheadSouthnearBlackRiver
    Falls,WIataYMCACamp.Rev.N.MadsonwouldbethedirectorofCampIndianheadNorth,
    assistedbyRev.CarlWosje,andRev.A.V.KusterwouldbethedirectorofCampIndianhead
    South,assistedbyRev.W.Petersen.75
    WhiletheBoardwasbusyregainingacampunderitscontrolandquestioningwhetheror
    nottobuyland,Robert(Bob)Moldstad,thefirsteditorofthe
    YPAQuarterly
    andnowthepastor
    atLombard,ILJames(Jim)Olsen,oncethehighschoolstudenttreasurerofYPA,nowpastorat
    Holton,MIandTheodore(Ted)Kuster,pastorinChicago,ILtooktheencouragementofthe
    YouthBoardtobeginacampseriously.

    CampLorRay.
    Campingisnotnew.Mansfirstnightsinthisworldwereundoubtedlyspentunderthe
    newlycreatedstars.TheChildrenofIsraelspentfortyyearsintents.AndGodschurch
    convenedregularlyinatent.Neverthelesscampingpossibilitiesarestillnew...inthefieldof
    campingtherearenoprescribedlimitations.76ThesewordswerepennedbytheRev.Robert
    MoldstadforapresentationtotheChicLaDistrictoftheLutheranPioneersatPalosHeights,IL
    onMay28,1963.Thiswashisrationaleforcamping,onewhichhehaddevelopedthroughhis
    yearsofexperienceinthewoods.
    MoldstadhadspentmanysummerscampingintheNorthernMinnesotaBoundaryWaters
    withhisfamilyandhadbeenaBibleleaderatCampIndianhead.77Hebroughthislovefor

    ReportoftheYouthBoard,
    1964SynodReport
    ,(Mankato,MN:EvangelicalLutheranSynod,1964),84.

    RobertMoldstad,
    IntroductiontoChurchCampingintheLocalCongregation.
    (PresentationtotheChicLa
    DistrictoftheLutheranPioneersatPalosHeights,ILonMay28,1963),

    BoardforEducationandYouthLutheran
    YouthAssociation19361970.Coll.s.720.EvangelicalLutheranSynod,BethanyLutheranTheologicalSeminary.
    77

    KathyBruss,interviewbytheauthor,June,2014.
    75
    76

    35

    campingtohiscongregation,St.TimothyLutheraninLombard,IllinoisandtotheentireLake
    MichiganCircuit.Intheoutlineofhispresentation,hedescribed11differenttypesofcamping.
    Hiscongregationwasinvolvedwithmanyofthem,includingcampingonthechurchlawn.
    ThishasbeenusedeffectivelyinLombardasafathersondaughtercampout,anyage,held
    onceeachsummer,withmothersinvitedtobreakfastthenextmorning.Fatherspreparethe
    breakfast.Asecondtypewascircuitcamping,whichhehadstartedforthefirsttimetheyear
    beforein1962atHerrickLakenearLombard.Hedescribeditasacampwhereseveral
    churchesofagivenareacometogetherforajointcamp,eachgroupresponsiblefortheirown
    childrentoagreaterextent.78
    CongregationsoftheLakeMichiganCircuitoftheELS,mostlyfromtheChicagoarea,
    pulledtogethertoputonthecampunderMoldstadsdirection.Rev.TedKusterwasassistant
    director.Initsfirstyear,excitedtoescapethecitylifeofChicago,166campersandcounselors
    attended.Boyscampandgirlscampweresplit,fourdayseach.Thesecondyearthey
    anticipatedupto250attendees.79 LorlieandEinarRaymondRayReiser,Jr.,membersofSt.
    Timothy,wereyouthleadersofthiscamp.80
    TragicallyonAugust3,1963,theLordcalledthem
    hometoheaveninanautomobileaccident.
    In1964,withRobertMoldstadontheSynodsYouthBoardandthesuccessofhiscircuit
    camp,theBoardreportedthatitonceagainwasinvestigatingthepossibleacquisitionofarea
    campsitesforredevelopment.81Thepossibilityoflandcameatanunexpectedlocation.Rev.

    78

    7576.
    80

    6970.
    81

    79

    RobertMoldstad,
    IntroductiontoChurchCampingintheLocalCongregation.

    ReportoftheYouthBoard,
    1963SynodReport
    ,(Mankato,MN:EvangelicalLutheranSynod,1963),
    ReportoftheYouthBoard,
    1965SynodReport
    ,(Mankato,MN:EvangelicalLutheranSynod,1965),
    ReportoftheYouthBoard,
    1964SynodReport
    ,(Mankato,MN:EvangelicalLutheranSynod,1964),85.

    36

    JimOlsen,whograduatedfromBethanyLutheranTheologicalSeminaryin1963andhad
    receivedajointcallin1964fromthemissionboardandHoltonLutheranChurch,waspastorin
    Holton,MI.AlreadythatfallOlsenlearnedfromamember,JeanThompson,ofpropertyforsale
    nearthecongregation.IntheSpring,ThompsoninvitedOlsentovisitthepropertyandlaterthat
    weekOlsencalledMoldstadtoinformhimoftheproperty.
    Thelandwas23acresoffederalgovernmentownedpropertysurroundinga16acre
    borrowpit.AnupgradeofUS31in1963extendedthefreewaynorthfromMuskegontojust
    northofMontague.82Theconstructionofthissegmentofthehighwayinvolvedbringingsandto
    helpraiseandlevelareasofland,andasaresult,numerousmanmadelakes(borrowpits)were
    formedalongthenewstretchoffreewaywhichthefederalgovernmentwasnowselling.Afew
    shortweekslater,bothMoldstadandOlsenexploredthepropertytogether.
    AboutthesametimeinMarchofthatyear,Moldstadhadreceivedandacceptedacallto
    serveatFirstLutheranChurchinSuttonsBay,MI.83 TedKusterfilledthevacancyatLombard.
    GodstimingincallingMoldstadtoSuttonsBayallowedforthatcongregationtobemoreeasily
    includedinthecircuitcamp.MovingthecircuitcampwhichwasbeguninLombardtoacentral
    locationinMichiganwouldmakeperfectsense.
    MoldstadandalaymanfromhisnowpreviouscongregationinLombard,Dr.William
    Langreder,workedtoformanassociationwiththeintenttobuytheland.84 TheAssociationwas
    arrangedsimilarlytotheLutheranYouthAssociationwhichMoldstadhadbeenpresidentofjust

    82

    MichiganStateHighwayDepartment.OfficialHighwayMap(Map).Scalenotgiven.Cartographyby
    MSHD.SectionM7L8.,1963.
    US31Wikipediaarticle,
    accessedJanuary,2015,
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.S._Route_31_in_Michigan.
    83

    LeroyMeyer.BriefHistoryofSt.TimothyLutheranChurch,Lombard,IL.
    OakLeaves
    ,Vol.10,No.4,
    2007,4.http://www.elshistory.org/download/oakleaves/oakleavesvol10no42007.pdf
    84

    CampLorRayHistory,CampLorRay,(n.d.)accessedJanuary2015,http://camplorray.org/history.

    37

    tenyearsprior.AnypersonintheEvangelicalLutheranSynod,orinacongregationin
    fellowshipwiththeELS,regardlessofage,couldbeconsideredamemberintheassociation.
    Theinitialgroupmenandwomen,andyouthmembersofLYSgroupsfromtheELSchurches
    inChicago,Lombard,SuttonsBay,andHoltonmetneartheproposedsiteonMay22,1965.
    TheAssociationdeclareditspurpose:Theobtainingofacampsiteanddevelopingitforuseof
    theEvangelicalLutheranSynodcongregationsoftheIllinoisandMichiganarea...Olsenwas
    electedasChairman,Moldstadassecretary,andLangrederastreasurer.85
    TheassociationwascalledtheLorRayCampAssociationinmemoryofLorlieand
    EinarRaymondRayReiser,Jr.,theyouthleadersoftheinitialcircuitcampinLombard.Soon
    othermembersfromSt.Marks,Chicago,St.Pauls,Chicago,Holton,andFirstLutheranjoined
    theassociation.OlsenvisitedthestatehighwaydepartmentofficeinMuskegonandlearnedthat
    thelakeandpropertywereunderfederalcontrol,butthesalewasbeinghandledbythestate,and
    anauctionwasscheduledforthecomingfall.Moldstadsecuredfinancingforthelandfrom
    personalfundsandfrominheritancemoneygiventothechurchfromLorlieandRaymond
    Reiser,andatthelandauctionthebidputoutbyOlsenandMoldstadwon.The23acresofland
    whichsurroundedthe16acrelakewerepurchasedonOctober14,1965,atapriceof$4,600.00.
    InadditiontothemembersofthecongregationsoftheLakeMichiganCircuit,Olsen
    traveledtoaboutahalfdozenWELScongregationstotrytointerestmenandwomenthereto
    jointhenewassociation.Membershipsweresoldfor$2perindividualand$5forfamilies.As
    membershipsintheLorRayCampAssociationbroughtinfunds,theloanfrompastorMoldstad
    wasrepaid.SoonMoldstadloanedmoremoneytotheassociationtopurchaseanother102acres

    85

    SummaryoftheOrganizationalMeetingoftheLorRayCampAssociation,TwinLake,MI:LorRayCamp
    Association,1965.

    38

    ofadjacentlandonMarch1st,1966for$3,000,andfinallyanother40acresoflandownedby
    JeanThompson.EventuallytheLorRayCampAssociationhadaphysicallocationtocamp,and
    with165acres,CampLorRaybecametheSynodsanswertoyearsofdiscussionsofbuyinga
    camppropertyforSynodyouth.86CongregationsfromasfarawayasMadison,WIwouldtravel
    tousethisnewcamp.87
    TheYouthBoardoftheSynodnotedinconventionthatsummerthatitwaspossibleto
    operatetwoSynodcampswithoutcampersfromIllinois,andsoitrequestedthatCampLorRay
    beathirdSynodyouthcamp.
    TheYouthBoardaskspastorsTheodoreKusterandRobert
    MoldstadtooperateacampthatwouldservetheIllinoisandMichiganYouthofourSynod.This
    campwillbeatentcamp,insessionJuly1117,atalocationneartheHolton,Michigan,
    congregation.88
    Withinonlyoneyear,theassociationbegandevelopingthelandforcampuse.APioneer
    TrainfromSt.Pauls,Stevensville,MI(WELS)workedduringthespringof1966toclearan
    entranceroadtothecamp.89 TheLutheranYouthSocietyfromSuttonsBayclearedanareanext
    tothelakeforachapelandbuiltanaltarandcross.Olsencommentedinaninterviewthatthere
    wasnoendofwillinghelpers.NumerousWELSmembersfromcongregationsinMuskegon,
    GrandHaven,St.Joseph,Stevensville,andBentonHarborallcametohelp.DuaneAnderson,
    whowasanarchitectandmemberatSt.Pauls,Chicago,drewuptheplansforthecamp
    86

    ReportoftheYouthBoard,1966SynodReport,(Mankato,MN:EvangelicalLutheranSynod,1966),
    7172.WithclarificationsfromJamesOlsen,interviewbytheauthor,June2014.
    87

    MinutesfromtheAnnualMeetingoftheLorRayCampAssociation,TwinLake,MI:LorRayCamp
    Association,April19,1969,6.
    88

    ReportoftheYouthBoard,in1965SynodReport,(Mankato,MN:EvangelicalLutheranSynod,1965),.
    6970.
    89

    CampLorRayHistory,http://camplorray.org/history.
    Myfather,JamesHendrix,waslikelyoneoftheyoungpioneersalongonthistrip.Hedoesntrecall
    helpingclearland,buthedoesrecallgettinghitinthefacewithaflyingbaseballbat,swungbyfellowpioneer,
    FreddyKrieger.

    39

    buildingsandGusGorskefromStevensvilleheadedthebuildingcommittee.90Duanewould
    laterbecalledtobethechiefarchitectfortheWisconsinSynod. 91Ingeneral,theLutheran
    ChurchinMichiganwasexperiencingtremendousgrowthandmomentumduringthesefew
    years.AnewELSCongregation,FaithLutheraninMuskegonservedbyRev.TomKuster,92
    wasadmittedintomembershipandanewpreachingstationinPetoskeywasbegunbyMoldstad
    in1966.93
    Amidthegrowthandexcitementhowever,tragedywouldstrikeagainformembersofa
    congregationservedbyMoldstad.InearlyJulyof1966,GeneandAlbertSetterboweredriving
    threechildrentoCampLorRayfromFirstLutheraninSuttonsBay.Godsawfittoallowan
    automobileaccidenttobringbothGeneandAlberttotheirheavenlyhome.ThelakeatCamp
    LorRaywouldbenamedintheirmemory.94
    RobertMoldstadwouldcontinuetoserveastheleaderoftheLorRayCampAssociation
    inhismostinfluentialrole[ofthecamp]asheadcampcounselorateachyouthcamp,95
    untilhe
    wascalledasamissionarytoPeruin1972.96Infact,TedKusterwastheSynodsfirst
    missionaryinPeruin1968,andJimOlsenfollowedin1970.Thethreemenwhoworkedto

    90

    JimOlsen,interviewbytheauthor,June,2015.

    FromArchitecturetoEvangelism:HesStillBuildingtheChurchin
    ForwardinChrist
    ,Vol.82,No.5,
    May1995.
    http://wels.prometdev.com/newsevents/forwardinchrist/may1995/architectureevangelismhesstillbuildingchur
    ch
    92

    1966SynodReport
    ,(Mankato,MN:EvangelicalLutheranSynod,1966,pg.4.
    93

    ReportoftheBoardofMissions,
    1966SynodReport
    ,48.
    94

    SpecialNoticesin
    RecordEagleNewspaper
    ,TraverseCity,MI.July19,1966,18.Also,CampLorRay
    History,http://camplorray.org/history
    95

    JamesOlsen,interviewbytheauthor,June2014.
    96

    Inall,Moldstadwouldfoundtwocongregations,acircuitcamp,acampassociation,anewsletterfor
    Lutherancollegeagedyouth,MissionNews,FaithMissionarySociety,andhelpfoundthePeruvianSeminary,all
    between195778.RobertMoldstadwasconcernedfortheministeringofpeopleofallagesandallnations.Hehad
    aheartformissionsanddesiredtoworkforaWELSMissioninAfricasothathemightgainexperienceforworking
    inaforeignmissionoftheELS.
    91

    40

    foundCampLorRaywouldworktogetheragaintobuildtheEvangelicalLutheranSynodin
    Peru.
    In1968,theyouthcampwasexpandedtotwodifferentweeksfordifferentages.
    MoldstadwrotethatinadditiontotheELSyouth,25WELSyouthattendedthisyearaswell.97
    In1969,aseparateWELSyouthcampwasbegun,andbetweentheyouthcamp,groups,and
    familycampers,over500peopleusedCampLorRay.98
    TheyouthcampatCampLorRay
    continuedtobeoperatedandsupportedbytheSynodYouthBoardandconsideredoneofthe
    threeofficialSynodCampsuntil1970whenitwasturnedovertotheLorRayCamp
    Association.
    By1973,theSynodsYouthBoardwouldturncontrolofitsothertwocampsto
    areacongregations.99
    Sixweeksofgroupyouthcampswereplannedfor1970,dividedamongELS,WELS,
    andLCRyouthcampsofvariousages,directedbyRobertMoldstad,Mr.KenNolte,andRev.
    DonKrause.Inaddition,threeteenretreats,agirlscamp,anorganizedfamilycamp,a
    programmedcampforinnercityChicagoyouth,andahalfweekhandicampwerescheduled,
    nottomentionchurchoutings,pioneerretreats,andweeklycampersinthefamilycampportion
    ofthecamp.100
    Withtheexplosioningrowth,theassociationhiredafulltimesummerCampManagerin
    1971,BobRing.Hewasgivenatrailertoliveinforthesummeralongwithasmallstipend.

    Letter,RobertMoldstadtoTedKuster,August16,1968.
    AHistoryoftheELSPeruMission19681972
    .
    AccessedMarch2015,
    http://www.kusterweb.net/HistoryELSMission/historyelsmission/1968moldstadcorrespondence/680816bobto
    tfka.html.
    98

    ReportoftheYouthBoard,
    1970SynodReport,
    (Mankato,MNEvangelicalLutheranSynod,1970),73.
    99

    ReportoftheBoardforEducationandYouth:Youth,
    1973SynodReport
    ,(Mankato,MNEvangelical
    LutheranSynod,1973),63,andReportoftheBoardforEducationandYouth:Youth,
    1974SynodReport
    ,
    (Mankato,MNEvangelicalLutheranSynod,1974),8788.
    100

    ScheduleduseofthegroupcampareaTwinLake,MI:LorRayCampAssociation,March5,1970.
    97

    41

    Theassociationalsolookedtocreatetwomoreadministrativepositions,includingonethat
    wouldmanageaplannedcollegeministryprogramofthecamp.101Inlessthantenyears,asmall
    circuitcampinIllinoisbecameoneofthelargestnonprofitorganizationsaffiliatedwiththe
    ELS.
    TheLorRayCampAssociationhostedachurchcampingseminarin1970,entitled
    ChurchSponsoredYouthCampoutsPrinciplesandMethodsatthenewlyconstructedFaith
    LutheranChurchinMuskegon.Moldstadreiteratedhissimpleandhumblerationalefor
    camping:Camping,orlivingintentsisnotnew...tentingforGodspeoplehelpedconveythe
    ideathattheirlifeonearthwasjustasojourn,heavenwastheirpermanenthome.102
    Afteradininghallandcabinswereconstructedatthecamp,amasterplanfortheCamp
    LorRaypropertywasdeveloped.Anewbuilding,whichwouldserveasafamilycabinfor
    groups,anursescabinfortheyouthcamp,andawintercabinduringcoldermonthswasplanned
    for1967.103Threewashhousesweretobecompletedby1972andthreeroadsofcampsitesfor
    familycamptobefinishedby1974,alltohavewaterandelectric,andmanytohavesewer
    hookups.104 Twocabinsforthegroupcampareawerebuiltbymaterialspurchasedfrom
    ConsumersPowerCo.in1974,butprogressslowedaftersomeoftheoriginalmenleftthe
    association,andtherestoftheplanswerenotcompletedasplanned.Thenursescabinwasnot
    completeduntil1984,andthethirdwashhousewasnotstarteduntilthe1980s.Afterthedeath
    101

    ReportoftheSecretaryoftheBoardofDirectors,TwinLake,MI:LorRayCampAssociation,September
    4,1971,5.
    102

    RobertMoldstad.WhatMakesaWellOrganizedChurchSponsoredCampOut?

    (Presentationgivenat
    the
    ChurchSponsoredYouthCampoutsPrinciplesandMethodsSeminar,
    Feb28,1970),BoardforEducationand
    YouthLutheranYouthAssociation19361970.Coll.s.720.EvangelicalLutheranSynod,BethanyLutheran
    TheologicalSeminary.
    103

    ReportoftheYouthBoard
    1967SynodReport
    ,(Mankato,MN:EvangelicalLutheranSynod,1967),
    6566.
    104
    ReportoftheSecretaryoftheBoardofDirectors,TwinLake,MI:LorRayCampAssociation,September4,
    1971,1115.

    42

    ofRobertMoldstad,theLorRayCampAssociationBoardrenamedthemaindininghall
    MoldstadHallinhismemory.105
    Internalstrugglesandacontroversyatcampwouldhurtattendanceatboththeyouth
    campandfamilycampandimpedethecompletionofthemasterplan.Thecontroversywhich
    aroseatCampLorRaywasamatterofdifferencesinviewpointbetweensomeareaWELS
    pastorsandsomeELSpastorswhoservedatthecamp,andconcernedthehistoryandpracticeof
    thecamp.Anopiniondevelopedinthe1990samongsomeWELSpastorsthatwomenshould
    neverbeallowedtoexerciseauthorityovermen,whetherinthechurchorinsecularsociety.106
    TheLorRayCampAssociation,whichhadhadwomenservingontheBoardofDirectorssince
    itsincorporationwasthusindirectconflictwiththeirview.DavidZahn,aWELSpastor,had
    expressedhisconcernovertheissuetotheWELSMichiganDistrictConstitutionCommitteein
    1994.MoreWELSpastorsbecameinvolvedandrequestedthattheVicePresidentoftheWELS
    MichiganDistrict,PaulNaumann,alsostepin.Later,Rev.PaulZageroftheELSDoctrine
    Committeealsobecameinvolved.Theissueeventuallybecameanissueoverthedefinitionof
    churchratherthanontherolesofmenandwomen.Rev.MichaelSmith,thenamemberofthe
    BoardofDirectors,wrote,
    Theprimaryissueathandappearstobe:istheLorRayCampAssociationchurch?
    ManyoftheWELSpastorsintheMichigandistricthaveweighedinwithadefiniteyes.
    IftheAssociationisdefinatelychurch,thenwewouldhavenochoicebuttodisallow
    womenthevoteintheannualAssociationmeetings.However,afterspeakingand
    correspondingwithmanypastorsintheELS,includingthepresidentofBethany
    LutheranTheologicalSeminary,thevicepresidentofthesynod,anothermemberofthe
    synodsdoctrinecommittee,andtheVisitorofELSCircuit3,Idonotbelievewecan
    answerthatquestion(IstheLorRayCampAssociationchurch?)withsuchcertainty.
    TheAssociationsstatedpurposesare:TotaketitletorealestateintheStateof
    Michigan,foracampsite,andtodevelopitfortheuseoftheEvangelicalLutheran
    105

    56.
    106

    LeeNicol.
    CampLorRay:20YearsofGrace
    .(TwinLake,MI:LorRayCampAssociation.May1985),
    PaulSchneider,interviewbytheauthor,February2015.

    43

    Synodcongregations,andcongregationsinfellowshipwiththeEvangelicalLutheran
    Synod,andtoassistthecongregations,especiallyintheirworkwiththechurchsyouth.
    (fromtheoriginalArticlesofIncorporation,ArticleII)
    ...OneoftheprimaryfociofKidsCampisthedailyBiblestudiesanddevotions.Soyes,
    hereisworkinvolvedwithGodsWord.Butisthistheprimaryfocusofthe
    Association?Hereisoneareainwhichthematterofchurchasitrelatestothe
    Associationisgray.107

    Afteryearsofstruggles,theconflicthadreachedsynodicallevelsandameetingbetween
    theWELSCommitteeonInterChurchRelations(CICR)andtheELSDoctrineCommitteewas
    heldJanuary11,2002.TheWELSCICRnotedthattheycouldnotacceptaproposedrevisionof
    theconstitutionbecauseitimpliedthatthecampassociationneednotnecessarilybeconsidered
    church.Rather,theyunequivocallystatedthatthecampassociationwaschurchbecauseall
    oftheattendeesattheannualmeetingaremembersoftheELSandWELS.108
    AmeetingwascalledbetweenbetweenthetwosynodsinJuneof2002,withthenVice
    PresidentoftheELS,Rev.JohnMoldstadJr.,actingaschairman.Thepurposeofthismeeting
    wastoresolvethedifferencesthathavedevelopedconcerningtheorganizationstructureofthe
    associationthatrunsCampLorRay,anditwasagreedthatthethedesireofbothsynodswasto
    followBiblicalprinciplesregardingtheroleofmanandwoman.109 ItwasnotedthattheLorRay
    CampAssociationsawitselfasanindependentorganization,andthemembersdidnotviewthe
    ELSasseekingtoexerciseanyauthorityovertheassociation.However,therewasthe
    perceptionthattheWELSseemstobeexercisingauthorityratherthanservingasadvisory.110

    107

    MichaelK.Smith.LettertotheBoardofDirectorsoftheLorRayCampAssociation,April5,2000.

    CampLorRayELS/WELSdiscussion,minutesofthemeetingwhichwasheldatEmanuelFirst
    EvangelicalLutheranChurch,Lansing,MI,June3,2002,revisedJuly2002,12.
    109

    Ibid.,2.WhilebeingmoreorlessclearlydividedbetweenELSandWELSonthepastorallevel,the
    controversyseemstohavebeenlessclearamongthelaityatcamp.
    TotrytomakethepointthatCampLorRaywas
    notchurch,andsokeepwomenvoters,somelaymembersinchargeoffamilycamptriedtostoptheweekly
    chapelservicesfrombeingheldontheweekendsatthecamp.FredAdrian,emailtotheauthor,April9,2015.
    110

    CampLorRayELS/WELSdiscussion,minutes,2.
    108

    44

    Inthemeeting,V.P.PaulNaumanstatedthattheprinciplesoftheheadshipofman
    appliedtotheworldjustasmuchastothechurch.TheELSviewpointreflectedtheirdoctrinal
    statementwhichnotedthatScripturedoesinfactmakealawastotheheadshipprincipleinthe
    church,butthatonenotbelegalisticaboutapplyingthatlawtosecularsocietyandgobeyond
    whatScripturesays.Eventually,theELSrepresentativesconcededwithrestrictingboard
    positionsandvotingrightstomales18andover.111Inaddition,totrytokeepunityamongthe
    LorRayCampAssociation,theELSrepresentativessuggestedincludingRomans14:21and1
    Corinthians10:32,passagesonnotgivingoffense,acknowledgingthatthereweredifferencesof
    viewpoint,andconsideringtheoriginalorganizationoftheassociation.JonBalgefromWELS
    notedthattheRomanspassagemightmakesomequestionwhoistheweakerbrother,andsothe
    passagewasdropped.112
    Historically,bothsidesoftheargumenthadprecedencefortheirpreferredorganizational
    structure.Inthe
    ELStherecouldexistorganizationswithinthechurchandoperatedbythe
    churchthatwerenotconsideredchurchthemselves.YoungPeoplesAssociationhadallowed
    anyconfirmedmembertoserveontheexecutivecommitteesince1936Camp4Starhad
    allowedwomentoholdpositionsontheboardandothersocietiessuchastheELSHistorical
    Society,allacknowledgedthisviewpoint.ItseemstobewiththisassumptionthattheLorRay
    CampAssociationdevelopeditspolicy.Certainly,whenCampLorRaygatheredtoworship,the

    111

    AsummaryoftheLorRayCampAssociationOrganizationmeetingbrochuresentouttoELSchurchesin
    1965statedveryclearlythattheoriginalbylawsoftheassociationrequiredthatonlymaleswhoareoflegalage
    couldvote.BoardofDirectorsweretobechosenfromvotingmembership.Acopyofthebylawsfrom1972
    howevershowedthatthebylawshadbeenamendedApril11,1970.Thisamendmentwasinclusive,mentioningthe
    WisconsinSynodforthefirsttimeinthebylaws,andalsobroadeningvotingmembershiptoincludeactive
    members,21yearsandup,whoarepartoftheEvangelicalLutheranSynodorWisconsinEvangelicalLutheran
    Synod,orofacongregationinfellowshipwiththesesynods.
    112

    Ibid.

    45

    leaderwasalwaysapastor.Similarly,theleadersoftheELSyouthcampwerealwayspastors,
    andtheWELSrequiredthatcalledmaleteachersorpastorsleadtheiryouthcampatLorRay.
    OthercampswithinWELS,suchasMichigansownCampKillarney,havefemale
    boardmembersandevendirectors.Thesecampsareseenasorganizationsrunbythechurchand
    notneedinganecclesiasticalpolityorwithanyobligationtofollowPaulsrolesofmenand
    womenintendedforecclesiasticalorderinthechurchproper.Theteachingroleswithinthese
    campsandconventionsandthemeetingsaroundWordandSacramenthoweverdid/doneedto
    followPaulsguidelines.ThisisinkeepingwiththeWisconsinSynodsstatementonchurch.113
    Yetsincetheexternalformofthechurchisnotnotdivinelyinstituted,Christiansareto
    begovernedbythelawofloveandwillwanttodothingsdecentlyandinorder. 114Thus,ina
    sense,anorganizationlikeCampLorRay,whichdoesgatheraroundtheWord,couldbe
    rightfullyconsideredchurch.ThisalsoisinagreementwiththeELSStatementonchurch.115
    Thelatterarrangement,totreattheLorRayAssociationasachurch,wasdecidedonandwasthe
    conclusionofthecontroversy.
    In2014,amongtheBoardofDirectors,aquestioncameupabouthavingafemaleactas
    directorofoneoftheweeklycamps.Basedonthepresuppositionthattheorganizationwas

    113

    TheChurch,thecommunionofsaints,ispresenttherewherethemeansofgraceareinuse,wherethe
    GospelisrightlytaughtandtheSacramentsarerightlyadministered(MarksoftheChurch).Wisconsin
    EvangelicalLutheranSynod.
    ThesesontheChurchandMinistry
    ,Adopted1969,I.,D.,
    http://www.wels.net/aboutwels/doctrinalstatements/churchandministry.
    Likewise,I.,D.,4:
    Thespecificformsinwhichbelieversgroupthemselvestogetherforthefellowshipand
    workoftheChurch,thespecificformsinwhichtheyarrangefortheuseofthemeansofgraceinpublicworship,the
    specificformsinwhichtheyestablishthepublicministry,havenotbeenprescribedbytheLordtoHisNew
    TestamentChurch.
    114

    EvangelicalLutheranSynod,
    DoctrineoftheChurch,
    Adopted1980.
    http://els.org/beliefs/doctrinalstatements/thedoctrineofthechurch,thesis7.
    115

    Ibid.

    46

    church,itwasdecidedthathavingafemaledirectorwouldviolatethecampspositiononroles
    ofmenandwomen.
    Thelongstrugglewasnotwithoutanynegativeeffect.The1990sareconsideredby
    someintheassociationasalowpointinCampLorRayshistory.AletterfromWELSpastor
    DonaldW.Seelhoff,Jr.actuallysuggestedthattherighthandoffellowshipwiththe
    WELS/ELSbesevered. 116AnotherpastorandsuperintendentofCampLorRayKidsCamp
    viewedtheassociationssuspensionofworkonanewconstitutionwhichwouldhaveincluded
    revisedarticlesthatdeclaredtheassociationtobeachurchanddisallowedwomen'ssuffrageas
    anapparentbreakinfellowshipwiththeWELS.117 Duetothecontroversy,achangewas
    proposedtotheoriginalarticlesofincorporationofthecamp.Theoriginalarticlesof
    incorporationstatedthatintheeventthattheassociationwouldeverdissolve,alloftheproperty
    andassetsoftheLorRayCampAssociationwouldbecomethepropertyoftheEvangelical
    LutheranSynod.FearinganactualsplitinfellowshipbetweentheELSandWELSoverthis
    controversyatCampLorRay,achangewasproposedthatwouldgivehalfoftheassetsand
    propertytotheWisconsinSynod.Thiswasneverdone.Instead,anunalterableand
    irrepealablechangewasaddedtotheconstitutionwhichstatedthatthepropertyandall
    equipmentofthiscongregationshallremainwiththatportionofthemembershipwhichadheres
    tothisConstitution,regardlessofnumber.118Notablewastheadditionoftheterm
    congregationtodescribetheassociation.

    116

    DonaldW.Seelhoff,Jr.LettertoMichaelBrenner.February6,1996.

    FredAdrian.LettertoCampLorRayBoardofDirectors.November5,1999.
    118

    LorRayCampAssociationArticlesofIncorporation,December1,1965andLorRayCamp
    AssociationConstitution,ArticlesVIIandVIII,Adopted2002,Ratified2003.
    117

    47

    Personalityconflictsandotherissuesplaguedtheassociation.LYAhadactuallyplanned
    toholdtheirannualyouthconventionatCampLorRayin1989,andwhenthatfellthrough,
    planswereadjustedtoholdtheconventiontherein1990instead.Possiblyduetothelow
    capacityofthefacilitiestheconventionwasneverheldatLorRay,119althoughmismanagement
    couldhavebeenanotherlikelyreason.In1994theELSYouthBoardreceivedwordthat
    LorRaywasfoldingeventhough145campershadattendedin1993,thehighestnumberofall
    ELScampsthatyear.Determinednottolosetheyouthcamp,theBoarddirectedR.ONeillto
    contactRev.M.KrentztoseeiftheBoardcouldhelpestablishanewcampinMichigan.120
    Afteraperiodofstruggles,andtheeventualclosingoftheyouthcampin2004,oneofthe
    originaldirectorsoftheWELScampin1968,Mr.KenNolte,assumedthepositionof
    superintendent.Underhisleadership,theyouthcampwasheldagainin2005andhasgrownto
    attractaround160youtheachsummer.
    ThusanewerawasbegunatCampLorRay,andoverthelast10yearsthecamphas
    experiencedagreatamountofmomentum.Twoadditionalweeksofyouthcamp,a
    KinderCampandateenretreat,underdirectionoftheauthor,havebeenheldbringingthe
    numberofscheduledgroupcampsbackuptofourweeks.Anewresidentialcabinwas
    completedin2013,andthewashhouseandsewerlinesinfamilycamp,whichhadbeenapartof
    theoriginalmasterplan,willfinallybecompletedthissummer.Asthecampcelebratesits50th
    anniversaryin2015,theassociationislookingforwardtoanumberofprojects,includinga
    renovatedchapelarea,newfamilycampcabins,andadualcablezipline.ALorRayDay,an

    ReportoftheBoardforEducationandYouth.In
    1988SynodReport
    ,(Mankato,MN:Evangelical
    LutheranSynod,1988),9495.
    120

    MinutesfromtheELSBoardforEducationandYouth,KingofGraceLutheranChurch,GoldenValley,
    MN.September30&October1,1994,BoardforEducationandYouthMinutes/Correspond.1987_.Coll.s.700.
    EvangelicalLutheranSynod,BethanyLutheranTheologicalSeminary,5.
    119

    48

    homagetotheLorRayDayheldin1970overthe4thofJuly,isagainscheduledandwill
    includeananniversaryservice.Rev.JimOlsen,oneofthecofoundersofthecamphasbeen
    askedtopreach,andPres.JohnMoldstad,Jr.willbebringinggreetingsonbehalfoftheSynod.

    SouthernMinnesotaNorthernIowaCircuitCamp.

    Forashorttime,anotherELSCampwasheldinIowafrom19741975,aftertheYouth
    BoardhadbegunlookingintothepossibilitiesofoperatingacamptoservetheSouthern
    MinnesotaNorthernIowaCircuitin1969. 121Afteritopenedin1974,theYouthBoard
    explained,OneoftherealblessingsoftheEvangelicalLutheranSynodisthesmoothoperation
    andgrowthofthecampingprogram.NotonlywerecampsinMinnesota,Wisconsin,Michigan,
    andWashingtononceagaincarriedonbutalsoIowabecamethesiteofyetanotherELScamping
    program.122 Ayearlater,althoughtheBoardwouldcommentthatthepotentialforgrowthof
    thepresentcampsandpossibleexpansionofthecampingprogramlooksbright,thecampwould
    seeitslastseason.123 Nonetheless,theBoardwouldsuggestalreadyin1979thatacampforthe
    SouthernMinnesotaNorthernIowaDistrictbereopened.124 Ratherthanopeninganewcamp,
    theBoardwouldonceagainassumecontrolofCampIndianheadNorthin1981andmovethe
    campsouthtoIowa.125Ingeneral,theBoardseemedtohavetheviewthatyouthworkinthe
    Synodwasonadownwardtrend.Despiteasubsidyof$500tothiscamp,yetonly38attended

    ReportoftheYouthBoard,
    1969SynodReport
    ,(Mankato,MN:EvangelicalLutheranSynod,1969),
    6223.
    122

    ReportoftheBoardforEducationandYouth:Youth
    1974SynodReport
    ,(Mankato,MN:Evangelical
    LutheranSynod,1974),8788.
    123

    ReportoftheBoardforEducationandYouth:Youth1975SynodReport,(Mankato,MN:Evangelical
    LutheranSynod,1975),79.
    124

    ReportoftheBoardforEducationandYouth:Youth,
    1978SynodReport,
    (Mankato,MN:Evangelical
    LutheranSynod,1978),83.
    125

    ReportoftheBoardforEducationandYouth:Youth,
    1982SynodReport
    ,(Mankato,MN:Evangelical
    LutheranSynod,1982),91.
    121

    49

    in1982,126 andtheLYAconventionin1981hititslowestpointat30attendees.Shockingly,the
    Boardwouldstatein1982thatThefutureofcampingandthepossibilityofobtainingacamp
    forouruseyearroundhasbeenbroughtupanddiscussed.127 Withseeminglynoknowledgeof
    theBoardspreviousattemptsatacquiringacamppropertyandwithnoreferencetothecamp
    successfullypurchasedbyanassociationofELSmembers,CampLorRay,theBoardwould
    onceagaintrytobuyacamp.Howeveralreadyby1983,CampIndianheadNorthwouldbe
    appropriatelymovedbacknorthtoanewlocation,CampJIMnearBrainerd,anddiscussion
    wouldendregardingthepurchasingofacampsite.128

    CampFourStar.
    WhiletheSynodtookofficialactiontocreateasummercampinsouthernMinnesota,and
    eventuallytookactiontocontrolsummercampswithinthemidwest,churchesonthefringesof
    theSynoddevelopedcampsontheirownwithsmallgroupsofdedicatedpeople.Asillustrated
    bytheBoardsattemptsthroughouttheyearsoftryingtocontrolandoperateaSynodCamp,
    programsstartedbylocalgroupssometimesendupmoresuccessfulthanprogramsstartedbya
    topdownapproach,sincetheneedismoreacutelyrecognizedandresponsibilitymore
    personallyappropriated.Indeed,onlythecampsbegunintheSynodbylocalassociationsor
    groups,orthosethathavebeenturnedoveragaintolocalgroupshavesurvived.Suchwasthe
    casewithacampbegunin1959inWashington.

    ReportoftheBoardforEducationandYouth:Youth,
    1983SynodReport,
    (Mankato,MN:Evangelical
    LutheranSynod,1983),91.
    127

    ReportoftheBoardforEducationandYouth:Youth,
    1982SynodReport
    ,(Mankato,MN:Evangelical
    LutheranSynod,1982),91.
    128

    ReportoftheBoardforEducationandYouth:Youth,
    1984SynodReport,
    (Mankato,MN:Evangelical
    LutheranSynod,1984),84.
    126

    50

    AgroupofparentsfromParklandLutheranChurchinTacoma,WAplannedaweeklong
    sleepoverBiblecampforchildreninthesummerof1959.OneotherELScongregation
    (LakewoodLutheran)andtwoWELScongregations(FaithandSt.PaulsLutheran)wereinvited
    tojoin.Eventually,membersfromadditionalcongregationsinthePugetSoundareabecame
    interested.TwodifferentlocationswereusedfortheyouthcamppriortofindingMillersylvania
    StateParkby1965,thesiteatwhichthecamphasbeenheldeversince.Theyouthcampisheld
    ataseparatesectionoftheparkknownastheEnvironmentalLearningCenter.Thiscenter
    includesbeachaccesstoalake,largemeadowsforgames,twoseparatecabinareas,acampfire
    areawithlogbenches,andaniconicloglodgedininghallandkitchen.Mr.WillisLloydTex
    Morrowwasthedirectorofthecampandremainedthedirectorformanyyears,evenupuntilthe
    1980s.HissoninlawRonO'NeilltookoverafterTexretireduntilaBoardofDirectorswas
    formed.Currently,theBoardappointsadirectorofthecamp.129TheBoardofDirectorsconsists
    oflaymenandlaywomen,withlocalELSandWELSpastorsprovidingspiritualleadershipand
    support.PastorsH.TheisteandW.McMurdiewerelistedascampdirectorsin1965inthe
    LYA
    Quarterly
    ,meaningthatwhileTexwasthedirectoroftheentirecamp,programdirectorshave
    beenchosenduringtheyouthcamptomanagetheprogram130
    ThefirstacknowledgementofthecampbytheSynodsYouthBoardwasin1963,Our
    WashingtoncongregationsatParklandandLakewoodhaveoperatedaweeklongcampfor
    childrenoftheircongregations.131 The
    LYAQuarterly
    promotedthecampasoneofthefour
    campsinthesynodin1969

    withthisnote:Theresquiteaselectionofcampstochoosefrom
    thisyear.Takeyourpickwellseeyouatcamp...FromJuly1622,1015yearoldscancamp
    129

    131

    130

    MaureenKelly,emailmessagetotheauthor,January29,2015.
    LYAQuarterly
    ,Vol.12,No.2,(June12,1965),5.
    ReportoftheYouthBoard,
    1963SynodReport,
    (Mankato,MN:EvangelicalLutheranSynod,1963),76.

    51

    nearoneofthebeautifullakesinMillersylvaniaStateParknearTacoma,Washington(Ifyou
    andyourfolksarecomingintheWestthissummer,stopatthestateparkforafinecamping
    spot.)132
    Inthelate1960sanamethecampcontestwasheld.Camp4Starwasthewinning
    name,payinghomagetothefourcongregationsoriginallyinvolvedinthecamp.Camp4Star
    stillenjoyssenioritystatuswhenreservingthestateparkfacilityeachyearduetoits
    longstandinguseofandgoodrelationwiththestatepark.Infact,aCamp4StarAssociation
    hastakengreatprideintheircampandputefforttowardthecampssuccessevenbeforeyouth
    campbeginseachsummer.Eventhoughthecamphasbeenheldatayouthcamplocatedinside
    MillersylvaniaStatePark,andnotatacampownedbytheAssociation,annualfellowshipand
    workdayshavebeenheldonaweekendeachSpringtocleanupandpreparethecamp.Infact,
    theAssociationevenhelpeddevelopthephysicalsiteofthecamp.Theinvitationtothework
    daysin1981fromCamp4StardirectorTexMorrownotedthatAftermanyyearsofrequests
    fromourAssociation,theStateParkshavegivenusthepermissiontobuilda8x18additionon
    thesouthcornerofthelodge...anothermilestoneachievedispermissiontoinstallunderground
    waterandelectricalhookupsforsixtrailers.133
    TodaythecampserveschildrenfromELSandWELScongregationsacrossthestateof
    Washington,andiscurrentlyintheprocessofattemptingbecomeanonprofitorganization.To
    accomplishthis,anoverhaulingofthehandbooksisrequired,andsoCamp4Starhasreceived
    somehelpfromCampLorRay,alsoanonprofit,andhasborrowedtheircurrenthandbook.

    LYAQuarterly
    ,Vol16,No.3.,(Summer1969),67.

    TexMorrow.CampFourStarAnnualFellowshipandWorkDaysInvitation.Spring,1981,Olympia,WA:
    Camp4Star.
    132
    133

    52

    CampOlympicLutherhaven.
    OfalltheSynodcamps,anothercampinWashingtonisactuallytheoldestcampsite
    ownedbyagroupwithintheSynod.However,itwasntuntilanumberofyearsafterthiscamp
    wasformedandthelocationpurchasedthatoneoftheassociationchurchesbecameamemberof
    theELS.CampOlympicLutherhaven,orsimplyCampLutherhaven,beganasanassociationof
    LCMSandALCchurches.The
    HistoryofOlympicLutherhavenCamponWildcatLake
    has
    describedthebeginningofthiscamp:
    ItallbeganMay1955.EmilSunderlandofSilverdaleLutheranChurchreceivedaphone
    callfromafriend,Mrs.Roseboom,tellinghimshewasgoingtosellherpropertyon
    WildcatLake,whichwasknownasRosey'sRoostResort,consistingof35acresandover
    1,000feetofwaterfront.Shewonderedifhewouldbeinterestedinbuyingit,andshe
    wouldgivehimtimetothinkitover.EmilthoughtWhataniceplaceforaBibleCamp,
    sohecalledhiscousinAlbertHeglandofOurSaviour'sLutheranChurchinBremertonto
    sharehisidea.Themoretheytalkedaboutitthemoreexcitedtheybecameaboutthe
    possibilityofaBibleCampinKitsapCountyandtheOlympicPeninsula.Thenthey
    sharedtheirideawithBillTennesen,alsoofOurSaviours,whoagreedwiththemand
    said,Letsdoit.SomemoneywasputdowntoholdthepropertywhileEmil
    SunderlandmadethefinalarrangementswithMrs.Roseboom.134

    AsteeringcommitteewasformedandthecommitteecontactedalloftheLutheran
    Churchesinthearea,withthegoaltogetalloftheminvolved.Ninechurchesagreedandjoined,
    withBethanyLutheran,aMissouriSynodcongregation,beingoneofthesefoundingchurches.
    Tofundthecamp,allchurchesagreedtopay10centsperconfirmedmember,permonth.Each
    churchwastoelecttwomemberstobeontheBoardofDirectors.RobertShadboldandLarry
    BaughnwerethetwodirectorsappointedfromBethanyLutheran.Fifteenyearslater,onJanuary
    1,1970,thefinalpaymentwasmadeonthecamppropertyandallcongregationswereequal

    134

    HistoryofOlympicLutherhavenCamponWildcatLake,in
    OurSaviorsLutheranChurch100th
    Anniversary
    ,Clarkston,WA:OurSaviorsLutheranChurch,RevisedAugust28,2007,accessedJanuary,2015,
    3839,http://olympiclutherhaven.org/CampRulesandForms/History_of_Lutherhaven.pdf.

    53

    ownersofthecamp.135Justoneyearlaterin1971,BethanylefttheMissouriSynodover
    doctrinalconcernsandjoinedtheEvangelicalLutheranSynod.SoitwasthenthatCamp
    LutherhavenbecameayouthcampassociatedwiththeELS.
    Asanequalownerofthecampproperty,BethanyLutherancontinuedusingthesitefora
    youthcamp.Rev.TonyPittenger,currentseniorpastorofBethanyLutheranstatedthatthe
    originalideaforthecamppropertywasforeachcongregationtoreceiveoneweekeachsummer
    tousethecamp.Sincethechurchhadahistoryofusingthecampfornearlytwentyyears,and
    couldcontinueusingthecampwithoutcompromisingfellowshipprinciples,Bethanynever
    joinedtheotherELScongregationswithCamp4Star.Pittengerremarkedthathowthis
    arrangementworksouttodayisa
    casestudyoftheologyinitself.136
    TheremainingLCMScongregationswhoownthecampremainratherliberal,andhave
    cooperatedtogetherwiththeELCA(formerALC)congregationstooperateajointyouthcamp.
    Whilethetheorystillstandsthateachchurchcanusethefacilityforaweek,BethanyLutheran,
    whichoperatesaseparatecamp,istheminorityopinioninthings.Pittengernotedthatthe
    constitutionwasaliveandletlivearrangement.Thehistorypublishedofthecampreflects
    this,
    TheoriginalconceptoftheBibleCampwasthatthecampwasNEVERtobesold.Itwas
    tobeusedasaBibleCampandRetreatforallLutheranChurchesinthearea.Ifcostbecametoo
    great,ortheenthusiasmwaned,thenallthechurchesinthecountywouldbeinvitedto
    participatesoitwouldalwaysbeaplaceforChristianpeopletomeetandpicnic.137
    TheproblemforBethanyLutheranariseswithatheologicalmisunderstandingofthe
    wordministry.Pittengerexplainedthattheothercongregationscallthecampourministry,
    135

    137

    136

    Ibid.
    TonyPittinger,interviewbytheauthor,December2014.
    HistoryofOlympicLutherhavenCamponWildcatLake,39.

    54

    andproceedtorentthecampoutforaNativeAmericanSweatLodge,aceremonywhich
    includesprayersandsongs,andofferingstothespiritworld.Inthemindoftheotherchurches
    andmembersofthecamp,theNativeAmericansusethecamptobeoutwithnature,andsothey,
    byallowingtheSweatLodgestotakeplaceintheircamp,aredoingaGodpleasingthing.
    Similarly,thecamphasalsobeenrentedouttoBuddhists,andatonepoint,theBoarddiscussed
    tearingdownthecrosstoavoidoffendingclients.Allowingthesegroupstousethecamp,in
    themindsoftheotherchurches,isaddingtoandimprovingtheministryofLutherhaven.
    BethanyLutheran,owninganequalshareofthecampyethavingonlytworepresentativesonthe
    BoardofDirectors,isoftenleftpowerless.TheotherchurcheswilloftenaskBethanytojoinin
    theirprograms,withthereasoningthatItscamp...whydoesitmatter?ItsnotSeminary.138
    Inspiteofthesechallenges,theyouthcamprunbyBethanyLutheranatCamp
    Lutherhavenhasbeenblessed.Itistreatedaspartofthechurch,inasimilarwaythatmost
    churchestreatVBSprogramsandasaresult,thecamphasafantasticattendancerate.The
    CamphasalwaysbeenformorethanjustyouthfromBethanyhowever.In2002,throughELS
    missionworkandtheThoughtsofFaithorganization,twoEasternEuropeanyouthdesiredto
    volunteeratLutherhavenandattendtheLYAconvention.TheBoardforEducationandyouth
    devoted$1,000topartiallysubsidizetheirtrip.139 CampLutherhavennowserves3rdand4th
    generationkidsfrom4th8thgrade.About57campersattendeachyear.140

    FloridaCircuitCamp.

    138

    TonyPittenger,interviewbyauthor,December,2014.

    MinutesfromBoardforEducationandYouth,KingofGraceLutheranChurch,GoldenValley,MN,
    January11&12,2002,4
    140

    TonyPittenger,interviewbyauthor,December,2014.
    139

    55

    In1989,theELSYouthBoardreportedthatplanswereunderwayforanewcircuitcamp
    tobegininFlorida.141Duringthe1980s,astheFloridaCircuitoftheELSdeveloped,regular(at
    leasttwiceayear)weekendyouthretreatswereheld.Rev.DonMoldstad,whowaspastorin
    Naples,FLwasinstrumentalintheseretreats.Numbersofyouthinattendanceatthesewere
    relativelyhigh,oftenover40.Soon,therewasadesiretohaveaweeklongretreatduringthe
    summertobringtheyouthtogetherforChristianfellowshipandthestudyofGodsWord.
    Rev.JoelWillitzarrivedatanewmissionstartinSebring,Floridain1990andlearnedof
    theLakePlacidConferenceCentersite.Earlythenextyear,thepastorswinkelmetatthecenter
    andbeganmakingplanstoconductacamptherebeginningthatsummer,andinthesummerof
    1991,thiscampwouldhaveitsinauguralseason.142
    Revs.CharlesKeeler,JonathanMadson,
    KenMellon,andJoelWillitzwerethefourpastorsthatinitiallybeganthecamp.
    AdroughthitFloridainthelate1990s,causingthemainfeatureofthecamp,Lake
    Placidtonearlydryup.DanielRuiz,whohadbeenacamperaroundthetimerecalledthat
    becauseofthis,interestamongyouthalsoseemedtodryup.143TheYouthBoardreceivednotice
    thatthecampmightnottakeplacein1997.144However,thecamppersistedandWillitzreported
    thatby2005therewereonlyaboutthreecongregationsthathadchildreninvolved,andthe
    numberofkidsatcamphaddeclinedtoabout20.145 Consequently,therewasahiatusinthe

    ReportoftheYouthBoard
    1989SynodReport
    ,(Mankato,MN:EvangelicalLutheranSynod,1989),
    102103.
    142

    JoelWillitz,emailtotheauthor,January25,2015.
    143

    DanielRuiz,inconversationwiththeauthor,March18,2015.
    144

    MinutesfromtheBoardforEducationandYouth,KingofGraceLutheranChurch,GoldenValley,MN,
    February6&7,1997,BoardforEducationandYouthMinutes/Correspond.1987_.Coll.s.700.Evangelical
    LutheranSynod,BethanyLutheranTheologicalSeminary,5.
    145

    Ibid.
    141

    56

    campforanumberofyears.In2014acampwasonceagainheld,andtheorganizerslooked
    forwardtoagainmakingthisayearlyevent.
    TwentyfouryouthenjoyedtheELSCircuit1CityCampfromJuly28th31st.Thecamp
    washeldinthelargestOrlandocityparkissurroundedbytheFLTurnpikeandhighrise
    apartments.Howeverdespitebeinglocatedinthecity,thecampersenjoyedmuchof
    Godscreationandtraditionalcampthingslikestayingcabinsandnightlycampfires.
    PastorMattMoldstadservedastheCoordinator.PastorPeterHeynandPastorAndrew
    BurmeisteralsohelpedwithleadingthegroupindevotionsandBibleClassalongwith
    funcampfiresongs.ThreeotherELSmembersservedascampcounselorsforthecamp.
    MuchfunwashadbyallandCircuit1looksforwardtomakingthisayearlyevent.146

    TheELSYouthBoardreportedsixcampswereoperatedbycongregations,circuits,and
    associationswithintheSynodin1993:CampIndianhead,Brainerd,MNCampIndianhead,
    Montello,WICampLorRay,TwinLake,MICampLutherhaven,PortOrchard,WACamp
    FourStar,Olympia,WIandanewcampinFlorida.Atotalof144staffvolunteeredtoservethe
    550totalyouthinattendance.147

    TexasCircuitCamp.
    IntheELS,theSynodhasseemedtoexpandinpockets,withregionsoftheSynod
    experiencingnewstartsandgrowthatdifferenttimes.Inthe60s,thisgrowthtookplacein
    Michigan.Inthe80s,inFlorida,andinthe2000s,inTexas.AswithMichiganandFlorida,
    whenacampdevelopedhandinhandwiththegrowthofchurches,soagaininTexas.Seven
    campswereheldin2002,includinganewcampinTexas.148 Thiscampwouldbeshortlived

    146

    FacebookpostbyEvangelicalLutheranSynod(ELS),Aug26,2014,
    https://www.facebook.com/elslutherans/photos/a.141339675951157.37508.125469784204813/668323583252761/?t
    ype=1&theater.
    147

    ReportoftheBoardforEducationandYouth,
    1993SynodReport
    ,(Mankato,MN:EvangelicalLutheran
    Synod,1993),131132.
    148

    ReportoftheBoardforEducationandYouth,
    2003SynodReport
    ,(Mankato,MN:EvangelicalLutheran
    Synod),103

    57

    however,andreceivedonlyasinglementionfromtheELSBoardforYouthintheannualSynod
    Report.

    SchwanRetreatCenter.
    Afteryearsofdiscussingpurchasingcamppropertyinthemid1950s,early60s,and
    early80s,eventhoughtheELSnowhadtwocamppropertiesownedbycongregationsand
    associationswithinitself,theSynodwouldonceagainfinditselfinthesamepredicamentinthe
    late1990s.Althoughthistime,thesuggestionwasnotbytheYouthBoard,butbytheBethany
    LutheranCollegeBoardofRegents.
    WhenCampIndianheadmovedfromWisconsintoMinnesota,itfolloweditsfounder,
    RaymondBranstadtotheresortheownedcalledSquawPoint.Branstadhiredamanbythe
    nameofMarvinMeyerandhiswifetomanagetheresortin1961.AyearlaterBranstadsoldthe
    resorttothem.In1976,Meyersoldtheresortagain.In1970,Branstadreceivedthecalltobe
    presidentofBethanyLutheranCollegeandironicallyin1982,Meyerwouldalsobecalledtobe
    presidentofBethanyLutheranCollege,apositionhewouldremaininuntil2002.
    Meyerstatedthattheideaofthecollegeowningaretreatcenterwashisdream.Sincehe
    wasinthemidstoftransitioningBethanyLutheranCollegefromatwoyearcollegetoafour
    yearcollege,MeyerwasheavilyinvolvedinthetwoyearprivatecollegemovementintheUS.
    OneofthemeetingsheandotherrepresentativesfromBethanyattendedwasameetingofthe
    PrivateJuniorCollegeCouncil.TheymetataretreatcenterontheEastCoastthatwasowned
    bytheCouncil.Itwasagreattime,itenergizedyoutodothings...anditkeptyouawayfrom
    theglamourofamajorcity.Ithoughtitwouldbewonderfulifthecollegecouldownaplace

    58

    likethat.149 SoMeyerwenttotheBoardofRegentsandsuggestedtheideain1993andthey
    beganlookingforlandin1995.HowevertheBoardofRegentsmentionednothing(atleastin
    writingorinofficialnotes)totheSynodatConventionuntil1998afterthepurchasehad
    alreadybeencompleted.Eventhen,theRegentssimplydetailedeverythingtheyhadbeendoing
    forthepreviousnumberofyears.
    AtaBoardofRegentsmeetinginthesummerof1993,therewassignificantdiscussion
    onthepossibilityofthecollegeowningandoperatingaretreat/conferencecenter/camp
    forthecollege,synod,andotherstouse.Inthefallof1995,thecollegebeganinearnest
    tolookforapieceoflandoranexistingfacilitytodevelopforthatpurpose.In
    Septemberof1997,asitewaslocatedandnegotiationsbegan.Thenegotiatingleadtoan
    agreementwiththeclosingdatesetforMay1,1998.Thepropertyisinnorthern
    Wisconsinapproximately20milesnorthofSpooner.Withinthe700acresoflandare
    twolakesittrulyisamarveloussite.Planninghasbeguntodeveloptwocampuseson
    thesite.Onesitetofacilitateaconference/retreatcenterandoneforayouthcampus.
    Bothsiteswhencompletewillhouse120individuals.Itisourhopetohavemuchofitup
    andrunningbyfallof1999.150

    Thepropertywasquicklydeveloped.Aportionwasdevotedtoyouthandaportionto
    families.AstheRegentstalkedmore,itwasalsodecidedtobuildanupscalelodgeand
    conferencecenterwhichwouldservetheSynod,groupsfromtheWELS,aswellasotherchurch
    bodies.ItwastobesomethingextremelyspecialinourSynod.151 Itwouldalsobea
    permanentplaceforbothCampIndianhead,MNandCampIndianhead,WItoholdcamp.The
    facilitywasfinallycompletedby2001andDr.TedManthewashiredastheexecutivedirector.
    Rev.DavidRossowwascalledandinstalledasthecenterschaplain.In2003,afterRossowleft,
    Rev.DavidThompsonwascalledandinstalledasthenewchaplain.152

    149

    MarvinMeyer,interviewbytheauthor,March,2015.

    ReportoftheBoardofRegents,in
    1998SynodReport
    ,(Mankato,MN:EvangelicalLutheranSynod,
    1998),84.
    151

    MarvinMeyer,interviewbytheauthor,March,2015.
    152

    ReportoftheBoardofRegents,
    2003SynodReport
    ,(Mankato,MN:EvangelicalLutheranSynod,2003),
    7778
    150

    59

    However,plansdidnotworkoutaswellaseveryonehadhoped.Pastoralconventions
    wereheldthere,butratherthanembracingthesecludedenvironment,somecomplainedoverthe
    distancefromamenities.153TheCenterhadenjoyedacoreclienteleofLutherangroups,
    includinganationalgatheringofWELScollegiansin2000,butneveraggressivelycourt[ed]
    outsidebusiness.154Thecollegesownfacultyalsodidnotusetheretreatasmuchaswas
    hoped.CampIndianheadappearstohavebeentheonlygroupintheSynodtorecognizethe
    immenseblessingthatwasbeforethem.Still,theretreatcenterhadyettomakeaprofit.
    NotlongafterMeyerretiredfromofficein2002,theRegentsdecidedtosellthecenterin
    Octoberof2005toThriventFinancialforLutherans.ArepresentativefromThrivent
    commentedtotheBusinessNorthonlinepublicationthatBethanyapproachedThriventand
    madeacompellingcaseforthesale.Financialdetailswerenotdisclosed,howeverrevenue
    wassaidtohaveincreasedsubstantiallyinthefirstyearunderThriventownership.Thriventdid
    notattempttomanagetheresortonitsown,butinsteadhiredafirm,Flik,whichin2005
    managed13propertiesacrosstheUnitedStates.Thriventrecognizedthatthehospitality
    businesswasnotacorecompetencyofthecompany.155
    Whilethebasicprinciplebetweenacampandasecludedwildernessretreatcenteris
    similar,thebusinessandtheclienteleofthetwoareverydifferentfromeachotherinmany
    ways.Bethanysimplywasnotuptothetaskofrunningsuchalargehospitalityorganization.

    153

    MarvinMeyer,interviewbytheauthor,March,2015.

    PaulOsterman&JenaSchwichtenberg,StarsintheWilderness,
    ForwardinChrist,
    Vol.88,No.4,
    WisconsinEvangelicalLutheranSynod,April2001,
    http://www.wels.net/newsevents/forwardinchrist/april2001/starsinwilderness.
    PaulLundgren,Heartwoodconferencecenterresortreshapesitsimage.BusinessNorth.com,December
    11,2006.http://www.businessnorth.com/viewarticle.asp?articleid=1662
    155

    Lundgren,Heartwoodconferencecenterresortreshapesitsimage.
    154

    60

    Reflectingontheventure,Meyerreiteratedthatamainfocusofthecenterwastheyouth
    oftheSynod.
    Ijusthopeourchurchcancontinuetohavecamps.Iamagreatbelieverinthe
    valueofthem,andthattheyouthcanfindtimeandthechurchcanfindresourcestohave
    them...Sometimesweforgettheneedsthatouryoungpeoplehaveandthechallengesthatthe
    youngpeoplehave.Headdedthatheprayedthatwedontleavethemoutinthewildand
    allthatcanbedonenowisprayandmoveforward.156
    Ashasbeenexplored,manyofthecampsintheSynodsharemanyofthesameroots,
    manyhavesharedresources,somehavesharedthesamelocation,andsomehaveevenshared
    staff.Assuch,thecampswouldtheoreticallyhavesimilarreligiouspracticesandreligious
    programs.ThenextchapterwillexaminetheseprogramsatthevariouscampsoftheSynod.
    4.ReligiousActivities

    ServiceUndertheTrees.
    Theoutdoorserviceundertheoaksconductedin1844byRev.Dietrichsonwasdoneby
    necessity.Bothpastorandparishionerslongedforanadequatebuildinginwhichtoworship
    reverentlyandreceivethegiftsofGodinthedivineservice.Theconstructionofaworshipspace
    wasofsecondpriority,behindorganizingaformalcongregation.Infact,twochurchbuildings
    wereconstructedonlyaboutthreemonthsafterthefirsttwoAmericancongregationsofthe
    Norwegianchurchwereorganized.Dietrichsongatheredtogethertheimmigrantsandon
    October10and13,1844thefirsttwocongregationsoftheNorwegianchurchwereestablished.
    TwochurchbuildingswereerectedanddedicatedonDecember19andJanuary31,1845

    156

    MarvinMeyer,interviewbytheauthor,March,2015.

    61

    respectively.157 ForNorwegianimmigrants,manyofwhomlivedinpoorconditionsinNorway,
    lifeinAmericapromisedmorecomfortablelivingandbetterlivingconditions.Forothers,
    includingpastorswhohadenjoyedarelativelyhighersocialclassandmorecomfortableliving
    conditionsinNorway,lifeintheAmericanpioneertownsinthemid19thcenturywasa
    sacrifice.158 OthergroupsofsettlersfromEuropehadsimilarexperiences.
    Ironically,bytheearly20thcentury,theideaoflivinglikeapioneerhadalreadybeen
    romanticized.EvenmoreironicisatendencythatParishasnoted:youngcampersgenerallydid
    notarriveatcampdrivenbyambivalencetowardthemodernage.Infact,campwasoftenwhere
    boysandgirlslearnednostalgiaforanerathattheyweretooyoungtorecall.159 Nevertheless,a
    worshipserviceliketheonedescribeddoesallowforsomeromanticizing.
    Infact,abrochureforthefirstSynodcampin1952atLakeShetekdescribedthe
    religiousprogram:ThemorningswillbespentinastudyofabookoftheBibleandthehistory
    oftheNorwegianSynod.OurSynodwillbeonehundredyearsoldin1953,andheresyour
    chancetolearnmoreaboutit.160 Nodoubttheserviceundertheoakswasmentionedand
    parallelswerelikelydrawn.
    Evangelicalcampstracetheirworshiphistory,sometimesinverysimilarwaysinterms
    oflocation,theology,andpurpose,totentrevivalsorcampmeetings.Intheirhistoryofreligious

    S.C.Ylvisaker,
    GraceforGrace:BriefHistoryoftheEvangelicalLutheranSynod
    ,22.

    SeeElisabethKorensdiaryonherexperience,fromlivingratherluxuriouslyinNorwayasthedaughterof
    apastor,tohernewlifeinAmericawithherhusbandU.V.Koren,wheretheyhadnohouseoftheirownfornearly
    thefirsttwoyearsuponarrivinginAmerica.
    ElisabethKoren,
    DiaryofElisabethKoren
    ,trans.anded.byDavidT.Nelson,(NorwegianAmerican
    HistoricalAssociation,1955).
    159

    Paris,13.
    160

    Brochure,
    SummerBibleCampatLakeShetekStatePark,Tracy,Minnesota
    .(Mankato,MN:TheYoung
    PeoplesBoardoftheNorwegianSynodoftheAmericanEvangelicalLutheranChurch,1952),BoardforEducation
    andYouthLutheranYouthAssociation19361970.Coll.s.720.EvangelicalLutheranSynod,BethanyLutheran
    TheologicalSeminary.
    157
    158

    62

    camps,FergusonandBurchseeadirectconnectionbetweenthebeginningsofmodern
    evangelicalcampsandtheearlycampmeetings:Thesinglereligiouspurposeofcampmeetings
    wasconversion.Thestructureofthecampmeetingmovedparticipantstowardcommitmentto
    JesusChrist.Singing,exhortations,testimonials,andpreachingwereelementsofsmallandlarge
    meetings.161
    Unlikethesecamps,noneoftheELScampsstudiedhavemadeaconsciouseffortto
    createanysortofromanticizedpioneerworshipexperienceoranattempttoharnessconversion
    experiencesthroughtheoutdoorsetting.Indeed,theexplanationoftheNorwegianSynod
    historyin1952wasatheretellingofpioneerhistory,butnotanattempttorecreateaspiritual
    experience.Afterall,theserviceundertheoaktreeswasnodifferenttheologicallythanservices
    todayintheSynod.However,theredoesseemtobeafeelingofconnectionwiththepastwhen
    worshippingoutdoors.However,theconnectionisinahorizontaldirection,aconnectionwith
    Christiansandpioneersofthepast,thecontinuityofChristiansworshippingGodinoutdoor
    settings,ratherthaninaverticaldirection,aconnectionwithGodsimplybybeinginthe
    outdoors.
    TheplacementoftheCampLorRaychapelandespeciallythealtarinthemiddleof
    someoaktreesonthepropertymaybeoneindicationofthis.Whilenoonecouldconfirmthe
    serviceundertheoaksin1844wasinmindwhenthefoundersofCampLorRayplacedthe
    chapelthere,thefactthatELSmembersandpastorsfoundedthecamp,andkeepinginmindhow

    161

    NancyFergusonandJenniferBurch.ReligiousCamps:CommonRootsandNewSprouts,
    Camping
    Magazine
    ,Nov/Dec2011.AmericanCampAssociation.AccessedFeb25,2015.
    http://www.acacamps.org/campmag/1111/religiouscamps

    63

    wellknowntheaccountistobothpastorsandlaymen,thetheoryiscertainlyplausible.Afew
    interviewssuggestedthatthiscouldhaveverywellbethecase.
    AmongELSCamps,CampLorRayisnotunusualinworshippingintheoutdoors.In
    fact,thescheduleandreligiousprogramofCampLorRaywasdirectlycarriedoverfromthe
    Indianheadcamps.Thethreecampsclosedtheweekswithanopenairserviceat11a.m.for
    campers,parents,andfriends.Infact,eventodaytheschedulesofbothIndianheadcamps,
    LorRay,4Star,Lutherhaven,andtheothercircuitcampshaveremarkablysimilarschedules
    withregardstoreligiousactivities.Daysbeginandendatallcampswithdevotionandhymn
    singing,andtwoBiblelessonsaretaughteachdaybyareapastors.Thesestudiesandmethods
    ofinstructionareexplorednext.

    BibleStudiesandMethodsofReligiousInstruction.
    BibleStudiesandmethodsofreligiousinstructionhavevariedsomewhatthroughoutthe
    campsintheSynod,butmostofthemoweatleastsomeoftheirstructuretoCampIndianheadat
    Drummond,WIandtheleadershipofRaymondBranstad.FromtheverybeginningatCamp
    Indianhead,manydifferentpastorswereinvolvedwithdifferentaspectsofthecampreligious
    (andphysical)program.OnepastorwouldleadmorningMatins,onepastorwouldleadevening
    Vespers,anotherwouldleadBiblediscussiontopics,andfinallyafourthwouldleadtheBible
    Study.Anentirelydifferentpastorwouldbethedirectorofthewholeprogram.Stilltodayat
    everycamp,Biblestudiesaretaughtanddevotionsledbypastors(incertainplaces,malecalled
    teachersalsoleadthese),andmostcampshavepastorsasdirectors.

    64

    Theimportanceofinvolvingthepastorsoftheyouthintheworkoftheiryouth,seemsto
    besomethingthatisuniquetotheELS.AtmanyLCMScampsandevenatsomeWELScamps,
    Biblestudiesanddevotionsaredonebyhiredcollegestudentsservingascounselors.Also
    uniquetoELScampsisacampnewspaper.CampIndianheadstarteditspaper,the
    Camp
    IndianheadTomTom
    ,forthecampsinauguralyearin1952.CampLorRayandCamp4Star
    wouldeventuallypublishpapersbasedonthesameformat.Includedineachpaperwere
    highlights,jokes,news,andmoreimportantly,arecapofthepreviousdaysdevotionsandBible
    studies.63yearslater,CampIndianhead,WIstillpublishesthe
    TomTom
    today.
    In1960,the
    LYAQuarterly
    includedanoticeforthesynodstwoyouthcampsthatyear:
    ClearLake,IAwhichwastobeheldattheRegularBaptistCamp,andCampIndianhead.For
    CampIndianhead,itwassaidthatafter13years,theprogramremainsunchanged,withdaily
    devotions,talksbyneighboringpastors,andgroupdiscussions... 162TheprogramatClearLake
    wasdescribedinthisway:
    Theprogramisdesignedtogiveyouaweekstimulatingtobothbodyandsoul.Latest
    wordisthatthemorningtopicstudieswillbemostinteresting.Topicsincludethese:The
    lastthings,datingandmixedmarriages,istheCatholicchurchreallysobad?,Christian
    education,scienceinthelightofChristianity,andafinalquestionboxonSaturday
    morning.Besidesthesetopics,dailyBiblestudiesandeveningdevotions,thecamp
    programincludesswimming,softball,horseshoes,croquet,excursionboatrides,
    campfires,andlotsmore! 163

    AcompendiumofvariouscampdevotionalandBiblestudythemeswasdevelopedbythe
    YouthBoardin1965.Sixtopicsofthreecampswerelisted,inadditiontothreeyearsofseries
    usedbyanunnamedBaptistcamp(mostlikelythesameBaptistcampwheretheClearLake
    campwasheld).FortheELScamps,therewassometimeslittleconnectingallofthedaily

    162

    163

    LYAQuarterly
    ,Vol.7,No.1.,(1960),7.
    Ibid.,6.

    65

    topics,apartfromtheobviousthateachonewasbasedonthetruthsofScripture.LakeShetekin
    itssecondyearhadsixtopics,allofthemverymuchlawbased:Obediencetoparents,humility,
    forgivingspirit,submission,loveforlostsouls(whichstressedhowyoungpeopleshouldbe
    missionminded,notonlybringingtheirgiftsofmoneytomissions,butalsobybeingreadyand
    eagertospeaktoothers),andfinallyobediencetoGovernment.ClearLakespentfourdayson
    theTrinityandtheworkofeachperson,andthenadayonjustificationandadayonlastthings.
    In1958,ClearLakechosetopicsfortheinterestofthecampers,suchasthefourth
    commandment,thesixthcommandment,andfaithhealing.ThefinalstudywasaQuestion
    Boxwherethepastorswouldanswerquestionsthechildrenhadsubmittedthroughouttheweek.
    In1961,CampIndianheadNorthusedaseries,studyingvariousAmericanchurches.Finally,
    CampIndianheadNorthin1964developedaweeklongcohesiveseriesbasedonYou.#1.
    You!YouandYourSavior,YouandYourChurch,YouandYourSex,[and]YouandYour
    Vocation.164
    RobertMoldstadinhispresentationattheLutheranPioneerconventionin1963,spokeof
    possiblespiritualideas,themes,andstudiesforcamps.Innocaseshouldthespiritualprogram
    beomitted,heimplored.Ifpossible,takeadvantageoftheoutdoorsurroundingsinyour
    spiritualpresentation.JesusreferredtothethingsaroundHiminHisteaching.Insidethetent
    devotions,andlakesideorfiresidedevotionsateveningtimearemostinspiring.Havesome
    goodrainyweatherdiscussionquestionsinmindifhardrainshouldconfineyoutothetentsfor
    awhile.HeevenwentontosuggestpossibledevotionandBiblestudytopicthemes,relatingto

    164

    CampDevotionalThemes,1965,BoardforEducationandYouthLutheranYouthAssociation19361970.
    Coll.s.720.EvangelicalLutheranSynod,BethanyLutheranTheologicalSeminary.

    66

    theoutdoors:TheCamperWhoHadNoCampEquipment,(JacobfleeingEsau)andA
    CampPartnerWhoWasMerciful,(DavidnothurtingSaulinthecave).165
    Moldstademphasizedthattherewasmorespiritualgrowththathappenedatcampthan
    throughformalworshipservicesandBiblestudies.Indoingthishesometimesborderedon
    equatingmoralismwithspirituality.Wewillleadinspiritualgrowthbyconductingourcamp
    fairly,teachingotherstobefair,apportioninggoodoldKPevenly...Wecanshowconcernand
    loveforeachother...Teacheachcamper:Iammybrotherskeeper.166 Butinalmostallofa
    campsdailyroutine,hesawspiritualvalue,simplybecauseChristianityisinseparablefroma
    personseverydaylife.Forexample,weareinterestedinFirstAidbecauseoftheFifth
    Commandment.Headmittedthattherewasmoretochurchworkthancamping,butcamping,
    properlyused,canbeaneffectivemeansofdoingpartofthechurchswork.Itwashisgoal
    thatthechildrensinterestinwhatthechurchdoesincamping,wouldaddtotheirinterestin
    SundaySchool.167
    AninformalteachingmethodhasbeenusedforsometimeatCampIndianhead,WI
    throughanactivitycalledRomansandChristians.168Thisroleplayinggameallowscampers
    todontheidentityofChristiansduringthetimeofEmperorNero.Thegamecreatesashared
    identitywithChristiansofthepast,demonstratingthatChristiansofalltimeshaveneededto

    RobertMoldstad,
    IntroductiontoChurchCampingintheLocalCongregation,
    BoardforEducationand
    YouthLutheranYouthAssociation19361970.Coll.s.720.EvangelicalLutheranSynod,BethanyLutheran
    TheologicalSeminary,3.
    166

    Ibid.,4.
    167

    Ibid.,5.
    168

    NateAbrahamson,inconversationwiththeauthor,July,2014.
    165

    67

    witnesstheirfaith.Withtheproperinstructionanddebriefingafterthegame,thisgamecanbea
    powerfultool.Without,thegamecanpotentiallybeoverlyintimidatingandevenharmful.169
    ThereligiousprogramatCamp4Starisuniqueinthattheprogramactuallyrotateseach
    yearbetweentheELSandtheWELS,plannedbytheirpastors,andthusreflectingtheirSynods
    respectivestylesandcultures.ThetwosynodsalternateresponsibilityfortheBiblestudieseach
    year.MaureenKelly,oneofthecampsdirectorsontheboardexplained,
    Arepresentativefrom
    theCampBoardnotifiesapastorfromtheresponsiblesynodwhatthecampthemeisforthe
    year,andthepastorsfromthatsynoddecidewhofromtheirmembershipwillprovidetheBible
    studiesthatyear.Sometimesmultiplepastorssharethedutysometimesonepastorpresentsall
    weeklong.170 Thecampreallyhastwothemeseachyear.Themainthemefortheentirecamp
    ischosenbytheBoardandmayormaynotnecessarilybeBiblical.Sometimesthethemeis
    secular,suchasGoGreen!andwouldgivetheleadersextraopportunitiestoteach,suchas
    howtobegoodenvironmentalstewards.ThepastorsofeithertheELSorWELSchooseatheme
    forBibleStudiesanddevotions.In2013,thecampthemewasJesusisOurTreasure,andthe
    BiblestudyanddevotionthemewasTeDeum.
    SomethingsimilarhasbeendoneatCampLorRay.TheSuperintendentorBoardof
    Directorswouldchooseasummertheme,butthepastorsappointedbytheSuperintendentwould
    chooseBiblestudies.TheseBiblestudieswouldoftenbefrommaterialspublishedby

    169

    FromtheauthorsexperienceatplayingaRomanonesummerataMissouriSynodcamp,ifthegamewas
    nottaughtproperly,orifcamperswerenotinstructedhowtowitnesstheirfaith,sometendedtoresorttoReformed
    theologyie.,ChristianstellingRomanstopraythatJesuswouldworkintheirheart.Ifcamperswerenot
    properlydebriefedandtheactivityexplained,manywouldbelefttheimpressionthatthecounselorswereterrorizing
    themfortheirfaith.
    170

    MaureenKelly,emailmessagetotheauthor,January29,2015.

    68

    NorthwesternPublishingHouse.Recently,therehasbeenanattempttocoordinatestudiesand
    devotionsdirectlywiththesummertheme.
    AtCampLutherhaven,pastorsleadBiblestudiesalsopublishedbyNorthwesternor
    ConcordiaPublishingHouse.Pittengernotedthataround2025camperseachyeararefriendsof
    members,andmorethanlikelythesechildrenareunchurched.Thispresentsagreater
    opportunitytoevangelizethanattheothercampsandsoPittengersaidhetriestoreturntosome
    basicsofChristianityeachyearforthebasisofthestudies,suchastheLordsPrayer,Psalm23
    (whichisrecitedeveryotheryearintheevening),andLuthersMorningPrayer.Ateacherfrom
    BethanyLutheranSchoolwilloftencometothecampandteachimportantBiblestudiesifsome
    childrendonotknowthem,andifsomeonedoesnothaveaBible,theywillbesenthomewith
    one.TheteachersunderstandhowimportantitisthatchildrenopenuptheBibleandreadfrom
    it.Someobjectlessonshavebeenusedaswell,suchasfireandaflashlighttoteachthethemeof
    theLightofLife,andamapandcompasshavebeenusedtoteachthatChrististheWay.171

    Devotions&Songs.
    AyoungboywhowasattendingCampIndianheadinDrummondin1954wroteofa
    TypicalDayatCampinanarticleforthe
    YPAQuarterly
    .Everymorningbeganat7:00amby
    thesoundofabugleorsiren.Thenitwasofftobreakfast.Afterbreakfasteveryonewould
    assembleinthechapelforaMatinsservice,whichwasfollowedbytwoBiblestudies.He
    commented,Whilethissoundslikeschool,itdoesntseemlikeitatall.Wereallygetalotout
    oftheseclasses.Therewasalsoaperiodofmusic,inwhichwelearnsomethingaboutmusic
    inourchurch.Itseemsthatwiththismusicperiod,thecampprogramattemptedtomirror

    171

    TonyPittenger,interviewbytheauthor,December,2014.

    69

    normalchurchlife.Therewasanotherspecifictimethatwasdesignatedforsongswithcatchy
    tunesandcleverwords,butthisonewasdedicatedforsacredmusicandoflearningaboutthe
    churchsmusic.EveryeveningcametoaclosewithaVespersservicewhichusuallytookplace
    inthechapel.Theboyaddedhowever,thatononenightofthecamp,Wehavealakeshore
    Vesperthatistrulyimpressive.Youhavetotakepartinittotrulyappreciateit.
    OnSundaymorningwehaveaservicejustaswedoathome,withchoirandall.Yet,
    somehow,outthereinthewoodsontheshoreofabeautifullake,theserviceseemsevenmore
    impressiveandyoucantellthatthesermonhasbeenwrittenjustforus.172
    AnotheryoungcamperwouldexpoundonthespeciallakeshoreVesperinthe
    YPA
    Quarterly
    in1961.Somethingshavebecomeatraditionatindianhead.Oneofthemost
    beautifuloftheseisthemoonlightvespers.Candlesaresetoutonpaperplatesinasemicircle
    onthelakeandtheministerpreachesfromeitherarowboatoracanoe.Itisreallyvery
    impressivesittingoutunderthestarslookingoverapeacefullake.Iamremindedofthetime
    whenJesuswentoutinaboatontheSeaofGalileetopreachtothepeople.173
    TheseexperienceswouldnotbelimitedtoCampIndianheadalone.ApparentlyRobert
    Moldstad,whohadbeenaleaderatCampIndianhead,wouldbringthisuniqueservicewithhim
    toCampLorRay.174JimOlsen,KathyBruss(Moldstadsdaughter),andBobRing,all
    emotionallyrecalledtheeveningcandlelitlakesideVesperininterviews.

    LarryMonson.ATypicalDayatCamp
    YPAQuarterly
    ,Vol.1,No.II,(1954),3.

    JudyMaginnis,CampingAheadin
    YPAQuarterly
    ,Vol.10,No.1.,(1961),1112.
    174

    The1959CampIndianheadTomTomnewspaperreportedthatMoldstadledMatinseachmorningatthe
    camp.DevotionswerebasedonmorningscenesintheBible,suchasthemorningthatamanandhisonlyson
    walkedtogetherupamountainwithwoodtoburnasacrifice,butnolamb.VesperswasleadbyRev.Luther
    VangenofEauClaire.Moldstadalsoledthesportsprogram,withhelpfromTedCuster(sic)oftheUniversityof
    Minnesota.ThepapersaysofMoldstad,mostofyouwillrememberhimfromformeryears.
    CampIndianheadTomTom
    .Vol.VIII,No.1&3,August15&17,1959.Hinckley,MN,Boardfor
    EducationandYouthLutheranYouthAssociation19361970.Coll.s.720.EvangelicalLutheranSynod,Bethany
    LutheranTheologicalSeminary.
    172
    173

    70

    Whileothercampsmayhaveservicesanddevotionswithlittlestructure,campsinthe
    ELSallhavehadliturgicalservices,usinghistoricordersofworship.Somehaveevenhadfull
    worshipservicesinvolvingapreachingpastor,aliturgist,andevenanorganist.Thesettingsfor
    theseserviceshavealsobeenimportant.CampIndianheadconvertedtheirdiningroomintoa
    chapelin1959andexpectedcamperstoactasyouwouldinchurch.Enterquietlyand
    reverentlybeforetheservicejustasyouwouldinyourownchurch.Camperswerealsoasked
    todressintheirbestfortheservice.Thecanteencampbankwouldbeopenforyouthto
    takeouttheirofferingmoneytogotowardSynodyouthwork.175
    AllofthecampshaveusedtheservicesofMatinsandVespersforopeningandclosing
    devotionsatsomepointintheirhistory,andmoststilldo.PrimeandComplinearealso
    regularlyused.Earlycampsusedhymnsfromboth
    TheLutheranHymnal
    and
    TheLutheran
    Hymnary
    ,andatleastin1959attheClearLakeCamp,thehymnarywasfavored.176
    TheYouthBoardpublishedahymnbookin1967,editedbyRobertMoldstad.1500
    copieswerepublished.177
    Thishymnbook,calledthe
    CampHymnbook
    andbearingtheinsignias
    ofLutheranPioneers,LutheranGirlPioneers,BethanyCollege,andCampLorRay,wasusedat
    thethreesummercampsoftheSynodandattheLYAConvention.ItssubtitlewasServingour
    congregationsandtheiryouth,buildingforourSavior,Jesus.Arevisededitionwaspublished
    almostimmediatelyafterin1969.
    Justbetweenthetwoeditionsofthehymnbook,therearevast
    differences.The1967editionincludeshymnsfromvarioushymnals:
    TheLutheranHymnary
    ,

    CampIndianheadInstructionSheet,
    1959.Also
    CampIndianheadTomTom
    ,Vol.III,No.2.,August16,
    1959,Hinckley,MN,BoardforEducationandYouthLutheranYouthAssociation19361970.Coll.s.720.
    EvangelicalLutheranSynod,BethanyLutheranTheologicalSeminary.
    176

    AletterfrompastorRichardNewgardtopastorGeorgeGullixsondatedMay25,1959statedinapostscript
    notetochooseahymnfromthe
    Hymnary
    tosingforthedevotion&Biblestudyhewastoplan.
    177

    ReportoftheYouthBoard,
    1967SynodReport
    ,(Mankato,MN:EvangelicalLutheranSynod,1967),
    6566.
    175

    71

    TheLutheranHymnal
    ,
    WorshipandServiceBook
    ,and
    TheServiceBookandHymnal
    .Afair
    numberofsongswouldhavebeenconsideredcontemporarytothoseintheELSandWELSsince
    manywereincludedfromHopePublishings
    WorshipandServiceBook
    andAugsburgs
    Service
    BookandHymnal
    .ThereIsaGreenHillFarAway,Jesus,SaviorPilotMe,ThyWordis
    LikeaGarden,Lord,AmazingGrace,WhereYouThereWhenTheyCrucifiedMyLord?,
    HowGreatThouArt,PraiseHim!PraiseHim!andotherrelativelygenericpraisesongs
    wereincluded.AsabookofficiallypublishedbytheYouthBoard,thiswouldhavelikelybeen
    thefirstSynodicalhymnbookbetweentheELSandWELSwhichincludedsuchsongs.
    Interestingly,allofthesesongswereremovedintherevisededitionpublishedonlytwo
    yearslater.Itappearstherewasadesiretoimprovethetheologicalcontentofthesongsused
    evenatcamp.AnorderofMatinsandVesperswasincludedinthisnewversionandhymns
    weretakenalmostexclusivelyfrom
    TheLutheranHymnary
    and
    TheLutheranHymnal
    .More
    songswereincludedinthishymnbook,andmanyusedimageryofnature,suchasTheSunHas
    GoneDown,andJesusShallReignWhereertheSun.Almostrightawayitseems,theYouth
    Boardsawtheimportanceofchildrensingingatcampthesamehymnsthatwereusedinchurch.
    Sillysongswereofcoursesung,buttheseweretaughtverballybycounselorsand
    memorizedbythecampersthroughrepetition,orwrittenonlargeposterboards.Thiswouldnot
    alwaysbethecasehowever.AtCampLorRayyearslater,anewcampsongbookwasput
    togetheraround1995.Thissongbookcontainedallofthesongshymns,secularsongs,and
    evensillyreligioussongswhichwouldbesungduringaweekatCamp.Nodivisionwasmade
    betweenhymnsandsillyreligioussongs,butsimplycategorizedunderasacredsection.Also,
    nohymnswereincludedfromthe
    TheLutheranHymnary
    or
    TheLutheranHymnal
    ,thetwo

    72

    hymnalsusedbytheELSatthetime.Manyofthesongsremovedfromthe1967
    Camp
    Hymnbook
    wereputintothisnewsongbook.
    Camp4Starintheearly1980sincludedasingingtimeorchoirrehearsal.Thistook
    placebetweenthetwomorningBiblestudytimesintworotatingsessions.Whileonegroupwas
    singing,anotherhadfreetime.Achoirwouldsingattheclosingserviceofthecamp.
    Devotionswereabout15minuteslong,andincludedahymn,thedevotionbasedonthe
    themefortheweek,aprayer,andthelastverseofthehymnsungpriortodevotion,oranother
    hymn.AlettertopastorsparticipatinginCamp4Starin1981notedthatWednesdayevening
    devotionisusuallyoutsidearoundacampfire.TheHarstadshaveasingalongandthena
    devotiontowardstheend.178 SongssuchasTurn!Turn!Turn!,ItOnlyTakesASpark,and
    TelltheWorldweresung.Thesongbookusedatthecampwas
    SongsAlongtheWay
    ,
    publishedbyAugsburgPublishingHouse.ThisbookcontainedthesongAContemporary
    Psalmonthefrontcover,andEarthandAllStars,Love,Love,Love,HesGottheWhole
    World,alongwith21otherhymns,fivePsalms,theApostlesCreed,theLordsPrayer,anda
    suggestedorderforworship.ThereligiousprogramatCamp4Startodayissimilar,onlywith
    singingandtheBiblestudiesbeingdoneinalternation.In2013,thelasttimetheELSpastors
    plannedthecamp,theychoseforareligiousthemeTeDeum,andappropriatelysungthe
    Te
    Deum
    .AmodifiedversionoftheserviceofPrimewasusedformorningdevotions.
    Recently,worshipatCampIndianhead,MNhasreturnedtoamorereverentstyle,thatis,
    purposefullyconductingtheworshipservicesinthesamemannerthatanormalSundaydivine

    178

    TedGullixson.LettertoPastorsparticipatinginCampFourStar,19June,1981.

    73

    Serviceisconducted.DavidThompsoncommentedthatatCampIndianhead,theydistinguish
    betweenatimeforfunandatimetofocusonChristandhisWord.
    Wemadesurefunwasfunwildfunattimes(likeourcrazySummerandFoul
    Olympics)andsometimesborderingonrecklessness(likeCapturetheFlagwhereblood
    wasspiltonrareoccasion).ButwheneverwefocusonChristandhisWorditisalways
    donewithcompletereverenceweavoidsillyprayersandsongsthatwerelessthan
    reverentagoodlessonforyouth.179

    Guitarandpianoaresometimesusedtoaccompanythesinging,butallofthesacred
    songsandhymnsthataresungaretakenfromtheELH.Eachsummer,ahymncorresponding
    withthesummerthemeischosentobesungandmemorized(usuallyabout45stanzasare
    knownbytheendoftheweek).Atthecampfire,afterthefunandsillysongshavebeensung,
    thishymnispracticedandsung,followedbytherecitingoftheCreed,chantingtheLords
    Prayer,singingOnMyHeartImprintThineImage,andfinallyclosingwiththeAaronic
    blessing.Thereishardlyacamperthatdoesnotappreciateourcleardistinctionbetweenfun
    andworship,Thompsonreflected,addingthatRev.JoeAbrahamsonwasworkingonanew
    campworshipbook,whichwillbethebesteverintheworld(noexaggeration).180
    CampLorRayisattemptingtocapturethesuccessofthespiritualprogramatCamp
    Indianheadandreflectitwithsomemodificationsforitsownuniquecamperneeds.Aserviceof
    PrimeandComplineandmorehymnshavebeenincludedinarecentsongbookusedbythe
    camp.Favoritessuchasthedoxologyareroutinelysung,andAbideWithMeissungasthe
    closinghymnofeverycampsession,ifnotsungastheclosinghymneverynight.
    TheELSBoardforYouthOutreachiscurrentlyassistingCampLorRayinfindingused
    ELH

    hymnaries
    tobeusedintheoutdoorcampchapelandfordevotionaluseatthecamp.After

    179

    180

    DavidThompson,emailmessagetotheauthor,February14,2015.
    Ibid.

    74

    aplannedchapelrenovationproject,whichwilladdbencheswithseatbacksandsomeneeded
    shade,thehopeisthatthechapelwillonceagainbeusedregularlyforkidscamp.Currently,
    thechapelisusedonlyforshortworshipservicesontheweekendsforfamilycampers.Abellat
    thechapelisrungandsummonseveryonetotheservice.
    AtCampLutherhaven,whenabellfromanoldNorwegiancongregationringseach
    morning,camperscomeintotheindoorchapel,whichfeaturesapictureofJesusintheGardenof
    Gethsemane,formorningdevotion(PittengernotedthattheELSgroupistheonlyyouthcamp
    thatstillusesthechapelasachapel).TheorderofPrime,oravariationofPrimeisusedeach
    morning.Complineoravariationofitisusedintheevenings.Funsongswillbesungaround
    thecampfire,andthensongssuchasThreeMenonAMountain,asongbythebandThe
    Divers,agroupformedofELSmembersfromMankato,issungbeforedevotiontowindthe
    campersdown.HymnssuchasAbidewithMe,orMyLovedOnesRestSecurelyaresung.
    181

    AtLakePlacidCamp,DanielRuizrecalledfromhistimeasacamperthattherewere

    devotionseveryday,butonceaweekaformalservicewasconducted.Childrenwerenot
    expectedtodressup,buttheywereexpectedtobecleanfortheservice.
    HealsorememberedadevotiongivenbyRev.GregSchmidt,usingthethemeofChief
    ofSinnersfrom1Timothy1:15.SchmidtusedtheimageofaNativeAmericanChief,wearing
    anelaborateheaddresswithmanyfeathers.ThefeathersrepresentedtheexperienceoftheChief
    themorehedid,themorefeathershewouldreceive.Inasimilarway,eachtimeapersonsins,it

    181

    TonyPittenger,interviewbytheauthor,December,2014.

    75

    isasiftheyareearningafeatherintheirheaddress.Eventually,thatpersonbecomesthe
    Chiefofsinners.182

    ConclusiontoChapterFour.
    B.W.TeigenwroteashortessayontheimportanceoftheSynodscampingprogramin
    1964,muchofwhichdeservesquoting:
    OurLutheranyouthCampsnowgobackmanyyears.OurSynodhashadconsiderable
    experienceinthisphaseofyouthwork.Itisremarkablehowmanymembersofour
    Synodhaveattendedoneormoreofthesecamps,eitherasacamperorasamemberof
    thestaff.Thisfactpointstooneofthevaluesofhavingsuchcamps.Theyouthfromour
    scatteredcongregationsgettoknoweachothertheylearntheblessingsofthefellowship
    offaith,andtheregrowsoutofthesesharedcampexperiencesasolidaritywhichismost
    beneficialtothechurchduringthesetimeswhenourcivilizationandculturetendtobe
    unstableandmobile.

    Teigenobservedthat,ratherthandrawingchildrenawayfromthechurchwithnewideas
    andmethods,theSynodscampsdrewchildrenintothechurchandincludedtheminthelifeof
    theSynod.Hewrote,
    ThereareevengreaterblessingswhichaccruetoourSynodthroughwellrunyoung
    peoplessummercamps.Bywayofillustration,thebrochureforthesummercampheld
    atLakeShetekStatePark,July2027,1952,carriesthisparagraph:Themorningswill
    bespentinastudyofaBookoftheBibleandthehistoryoftheNorwegianSynod.Our
    Synodwillbe100yearsoldin1953,andheresyourchancetolearnmoreaboutit.
    ThosepioneeringyoungpeoplewhowenttothisfirstcampsponsoredbyourSynods
    YouthBoardlearnedmuchatthatsummercampwhichencouragedthemtolovetheir
    Saviorandtoappreciateevermoredeeplytheheritagewhichhascomethroughthe
    doctrineandthepracticeoftheNorwegianSynod.183

    Whilethephysicalsettingandmindsetsofindividualspresentin1844mayhavebeen
    different,attheheartoftheirservicewasanappreciationforthegiftsofGod,exemplifiedmost

    182

    DanielRuiz,inconversationwiththeauthor,March18,2015.

    BjarneW.Teigen.TheValueofOurSynodsCampingProgram.June20,1964,BoardforEducationand
    YouthLutheranYouthAssociation19361970.Coll.s.720.EvangelicalLutheranSynod,BethanyLutheran
    TheologicalSeminary.
    183

    76

    stronglyinthepreparatoryaddressbeforetheLordsSupperwasdistributed.Similarly,atheart
    oftheoutdoorworshipservicesatELScampsisanappreciationforthegiftsofGodinWordand
    Sacrament,andsecondarily,forHismagnificentcreation.Thereisacontinuitythatexistsinthe
    summercampsoftheELS,acontinuityintermsofreligiousandphysicalpracticesfromcampto
    camp,andmoreimportantly,acontinuityofthehistoricChristianfaith.

    77

    5.Conclusion

    SuggestionforFutureResearch.
    Theauthorofthisthesishasheardonmorethanoneoccasionandinvariousplacesthe
    sentimentthatbadtheologyandliberalnesstendtogrowintwoplaces:Inforeignmissionsand
    inyouthorganizations,suchassummercamps.IfPres.JohnBrennersaforementioned
    commentregardingtheWisconsinSynodsnegativeperspectiveonyouthorganizationsalready
    inthe1950sisanyindication,thenthissentimenthasbeenaroundforsometime.Thisessay
    hasexploredinparticularthereligiousactivitiesandprogramsofELSsummercampsandhas
    foundacontinuityinpracticeandthehistoricChristianfaith.Sowhiledeterminingthe
    liberalnessofcampswasnotagoalofthisthesis,itcangenerallybesaidthatthesentiment
    doesnotappeartobetrueoftheELS.Ofcourse,amorecomprehensiveandmoreindepth
    studywouldperhapsprovideexplanationtowhereandwhythissentimenthasdeveloped.A
    comparativestudyofotherLutheranSynodscamps,youthorganizations,andyouthrallies
    wouldservewellforthispurpose.Ifthesentimentisinfacttrue,thenthiswouldhavebroad
    implications,forasvanSyckhasevencommented,Amongsocialinstitutions,onlypublic
    schoolshavetouchedthelivesofmoreyoungsters[thansummercamps].184
    Ofcourse,thefactthatsummercampsarethelargestinstitutionwhichimpactthelivesof
    youngpeoplecanbeatremendousblessingaswell.

    BlessingsandChallenges.

    184

    vanSlyck,ixx.

    78

    Forthepastfewyears,CampLorRayhasconductedaclosingmeetingwitheachofits
    staffgroupscalledcoalsanddiamonds,orsomevariationonthetitle.Everystaffmemberis
    givenanopportunitytostateanegativethingthathappenedatcamp(acoal),andoneormore
    positivethingsthathappenedatthecamp(adiamond).EachoftheELScampshave
    challenges,buttheyallhaveblessings.Likeacoalturningintodiamond,sometimesthese
    challengesturnintoblessings.TheIndianheadCampswillrentpropertyfromLCMS,Baptist,
    orothergroups,andaresometimesfacedwiththeproblemofthenonfellowshipstaffatthose
    campswantingtoassumespiritualleadershipovertheELSyouthcamp,byleadingdevotions
    andprayers.Ontheotherhand,holdingcampatthoselocationshasallowedtheyouthofthe
    ELStoletthelightoftheGospelshine.DavidThompsonrecalledthatatLutherIslandCamp,
    theyinteractedwithsomegoodconfessionalLCMSpastors,whoweresomewhat
    jealousofour
    campanditstheologicalandconfessionalemphasis(thecampsthatLICrunarealittlemore
    Kumbayaoriented).Onseveraloccasions,LutherIslandstaffwantedtoknowwhatisthe
    ELS?andanumberoftheminreturnhavecometoBethanyLutheranCollege.185
    Theauthorofthisessaywasalsoprivilegedtowitnessanotherblessingthispastsummer
    attheannualLutheranYouthAssociationconvention.Astudent(notELS,butstillinfellowship
    withtheELS)wasinattendancewhoapparentlyhadseemedtobegrowingawayfromthe
    worshipofthechurchandhadapparentlynodesiretoattendaLutherancollege.Bytheendof
    theconvention,thestudentstatedthatshelovedtheconventionandwasactuallynow
    consideringattendingBethanyLutheranCollege.

    185

    DavidThompson,emailmessagetotheauthor,February14,2015.

    79

    ThecommenthascomeupagainandagaininannualSynodReportsthatLYAand
    summercampshaveaverypositiveeffectonattendanceatBethanyLutheranCollege.
    MembershipretentionintheSynodwouldalsolikelybepositivelyaffected.Statisticswere
    attemptedtobegatheredfromthecollegeregardingLYAandcampattendance,howevernosuch
    dataexistsintheadmissionsdepartmentofthecollege.Keepingtrackofsuchadmission
    statisticswouldperhapsbebeneficialforthecollege,aswellasLYAandthesummercamps.
    SummercampsintheELS,undoubtedlyhavebeenablessingtothecollegeandtothe
    SynodandtotheChristianChurchatlargeevenifnoquantitativenumberscanbefound.
    TherearehoweverareaswhichthesummercampsoftheELScouldexploretoenhancetheir
    outreachprograms.

    AreasforOutreach.
    The
    2014AmericanCamperReport
    showsthatcampingparticipationintheUnitedStates
    hasremainedsteady,atleastforthelastcoupleofyears.In2010,39.9million,or14.1percent
    ofthepopulationspenttimecamping.186In2013,40.1millionAmericanscamped,aslightdrop
    inpercentagewhencomparedtototalpopulation,at14%.187Overall,campingisanactivity
    thatisremainingsteadyintheunitedStates,andfromtheauthorsperspective,Christianyouth
    campingevenseemstobeslowlyontheriseagain.188 Assuch,thereareafewareasfor
    expansionandpotentialoutreachworthconsidering.

    TheColemanCompany,Inc.andtheOutdoorFoundation,
    2012AmericanCamperReport
    ,1,
    http://www.outdoorfoundation.org/pdf/research.camping.2012.pdf
    187

    TheColemanCompany,Inc.andtheOutdoorFoundation,
    2014AmericanCamperReport
    ,1,
    http://www.outdoorfoundation.org/pdf/research.camping.2014.pdf
    188

    AttendanceatCampLorRayhitalowrightbeforeandduringtherecession,buthasbeenclimbingagain
    foraboutthelastfiveyears.
    186

    80

    Glamping
    Thenewzipline,sewerlines,newbathhouse,andfamilycabinsthatCampLorRayhas
    begunimplementingorhasplanstoimplementinthefuturearenotwithoutwarrant.Anew
    trendhasbeennotedincamping,(onethattheRev.Hinckley,andanyofthemuscular
    Christianityvariety,wouldverylikelydespise),thatmanycampersprefermoremodern
    amenities.The
    2012AmericanCamperReport
    hadthistosay:
    Whileconventionaltentsandbarebonesbivysarestillavailabletotraditionalcampers,
    manycampsitesareevolvingtomoremoderntastes,providingsuchamenitiesasindoor
    bathrooms,washersanddriersandfreeWiFi.Othershavegoneastepfurtherby
    offeringheatedpools,waterslides,ziplines,golfcartsandacalendarfullofactivities.
    KOACampgroundsprovidesdeluxecabinrentalswithflatscreenTVsandair
    conditioningforcustomerswhowanttoexperiencetheoutdoorswithallthe
    conveniencesofhome.Thetrendinthisglamorouscampinghasevenearneditsown
    name,glamping,189

    Perhapsmoreaccurately,thisisnotreallyanewtrendbutacategoryofcampingthat
    finallynowhasitsownterm.Certainlytherearemanywhostillpreferthetraditionalcamping
    experienceoflimitedamenitiesandluxuryandarusticexperiencehoweverromanticizedthe
    experiencemightbe.Campswhichowntheirownpropertywouldbeinapositiontotake
    advantageofglamping,providedofcoursethesenewadditionsandimprovementsfitwithin
    thescaleandbudgetofacamp,oratleastfitwithinaplanofexpansionforthecamp.
    Projectionswillbeneededandfiguresanalyzedonthepossibilitiesofsupportingthenewcostly
    infrastructure.PhysicalimprovementstocampscouldleadhowevertotheChurchtoreachnew
    people,particularlytheuppermiddleclass.

    189

    TheColemanCompany,Inc.andtheOutdoorFoundation,
    2012AmericanCampReport,
    1.

    81

    EarlyChildhood
    AsecondareaofoutreachfortheChurchtoreachoutthroughcampsisthrough
    implementingprogramsforyoungerchildren.MartinLutherCollegeandtheWisconsin
    EvangelicalLutheranSynodclaimthattheyareinthemidstofanearlychildhoodeducation
    boom.In2012,enrollmentinWELSpreschoolsnumbered10,725,upover40%fromtenyears
    prior.In2002,ChristianDaySchoolsoutnumberedpreschools,butin2012thatnumberwas
    dramaticallyreversed.Therewereover400preschoolsintheWELSin2012,evenasChristian
    DaySchoolsasawholeweredeclininginnumber.190
    Sincethe1960s,daycampsandspecialtycampshavebeenontherise.Oneofthese
    specialtycampsisashortercampgearedtowardspreschoolandkindergartenagecampers.
    Whilethenumberdoesntreflectsummercampsspecifically,50%ofallcamperstaketheirfirst
    campingtripbeforetheyare7,andonly1%arelikelytotaketheirfirstcampingtripafter18.191
    Itisalsounlikelyforsomeonetobeintroducedtocampingafterage10.36%ofHispanicshad
    theirfirstcampingexperienceaftertheageof10,comparedtoonly21%ofCaucasians.
    Short,onenightortwonightlongscheduledcampsarearelativelynewoptionfor
    parentslookingtospendtimewiththeirchildren.CampLorRaybeganaKinderCampin
    2010bythesuggestionandunderthedirectionoftheauthorofthisthesis.Thiscampwasalso
    combinedwithanew1stthrough3rdgradecamp.Theresultsweremodestintermsofnumbers,
    buttheresponsewasoverwhelminglypositive.TheKinderCampwasandisstructuredsothata
    parentattendswiththeirchild(ren),engaginginactivitiesintheoutdoorswiththem,and

    190

    LettheLittleChildrenCome,(NewUlm,MN:MartinLutherCollege,2012),3,
    http://mlcwels.edu/letthechildrencome/materials/letthechildrencomecasebook
    191

    TheColemanCompany,Inc.andtheOutdoorFoundation,
    2012AmericanCampReport
    ,50&54.

    82

    studyingScripturerightalongsidethemfortwoofthreeBiblelessons.ThethirdBiblelessonis
    gearedspecificallyforparents.ThesidebysideBiblestudyissomethinguniquethatmost
    daycaresareunabletoprovide,andthegoalisforittobeasmuchofateachingmomentforthe
    parentsasitisalearningmomentforthechildren.Parentsdonotusuallyattendforchildrenin
    1stthrough3rdgrade,andsincethecamprunsoveronlytwonights,homesicknesshasnotbeen
    anymoreofanissuethanatothercamps.BothcampsengagechildrenwiththeScriptureata
    youngageinalessformalenvironment.Nowinitssixthyear,theretentionratehasbeennearly
    100%forcampersreturningtocampinoldersessions.
    Hispanics
    AthirdareaforpotentialoutreachistopeopleofHispanicbackground.Hispanicsarethe
    secondlargestethnicgroupinAmericatocamp.Oftheapproximately40millionAmericans
    whocamp,8%areHispanic,while77%areCaucasian,and6%areAsian/PacificIslander,and
    just4%areAfricanAmericans.192 The
    AmericanCamperReport
    notedin2012thatHispanics
    wereanimportantdemographictowatch.Itfoundthat23%ofHispaniccampersages18and
    overtriedcampingforthefirsttimein2011.Bycomparison,only2%ofnonHispanicscamped
    forthefirsttimein2011.ThenumberoffirsttimeHispaniccampersisexpectedtogrowto
    55%by2020!193
    Animportantstatisticforcamporganizationstryingtoreachoutandexpandtheirreachis
    whereandhowchildrenareintroducedtocamping.Whilesummercampsinfluenceahuge
    portionofAmericanyouth,summercampitselfisnotwheremostchildrenbegintheircamping
    experiences.The
    AmericanCamperReport
    hasfoundthatamere1%ofall
    192

    193

    TheColemanCompany,Inc.andtheOutdoorFoundation,
    2014AmericanCampReport
    ,7.
    TheColemanCompany,Inc.andtheOutdoorFoundation,
    2012AmericanCampReport
    ,2.

    83

    Caucasian/nonHispanicpeople18+wereintroducedtocampingbysummercamps.Thatmeans
    thevastmajorityfirstexperiencedcampingintheoutdoorsinsomeotherway.ForHispanics,
    0%ofchildrenwereintroducedtocampingfirstbysummercamps.Rather,bothHispanicsand
    Caucasians18+reportedthattheywereintroducedtocampingbytheirfathers:35%for
    Hispanicsand45%forCaucasians/nonHispanics,respectively.Friendswerethesecondhighest
    introducerforbothgroups.ThethirdhighestintroducertocampingforHispanicshoweverwere
    churchesorreligiousorganizations,at10%.Comparatively,thethirdhighestfor
    Caucasians/nonHispanicswastheBoyScoutsat12%.Churcheswerereportedtointroduce
    only4%ofCaucasianstocamping.
    ThesenumberssuggestapossiblemethodofoutreachtoHispanics.Summercamps
    themselveslikeCampLorRaywouldnotbeinapositiontointroduceHispanicchildrento
    camping,butlocalchurchescould.UsingacampfacilitylikeCampLorRay,churchescould
    schedulesimpleretreatsforgettingtoknowHispanics,connectingwiththem,introducingthem
    tocamping,andmostimportantly,introducingthemtotheirSavior.Aretreatsuchasthiswould
    reflectcertainculturalvaluesofHispanics.The
    ACR
    reportedthatwhenHispanicswereasked
    whatcampingmeanttothem,theyweremorelikelytorespondwithwordslikeparty,cabin,
    family,andkids,orsocialterms,ratherthantermsreflectingactivitiesortheenvironment.
    ThereportconfirmsthatHispaniccampersaresocial,usingcampingasanopportunityto
    connectwithfriends,familyandextendedfamily.ThisissupportedbyMandalaResearchsUS
    TravelersReport,whichfindsthatHispanicsusuallytravelwithmorepeoplethan
    nonHispanics.194

    194

    Ibid.,2.

    84

    PracticalApplications&SuggestionsforPlanningandOrganizingaCamp.
    RobertMoldstadwrotein1970,Theorganization(planning)ofachurchsponsored
    campoutislikeascaffoldbywhichtoreachthepurpose(s)thecampexperienceisintendedto
    achieve.Thesimplestscaffoldthatdoesthejobbestshouldbethemostpractical.195
    Unfortunately,requirementsfromdifferentstatesonyouthprogramsoftenmakessuch
    organizationanythingbutsimple.Thefollowingsectionhighlightsjustafewprogramming
    suggestions,whichhavebeenlearnedovertimebyvariouscamps.Indeed,Moldstadalsosaid
    organizationmustbeanongoingprocess.196
    Oneimportantcautionforanycampisthehiringprocess.Moststateshavedifferent
    definitionsofwhatdefinesacampandsoeachstatewillalsohavedifferentrequirementsasto
    thelevelofbackgroundchecksandDepartmentofHumanServiceformsthateachstaffmember
    willneedtofillout.Forinstance,theStateofMichigandefinesacampasanorganizedevent
    havingover10childrenformorethan5days.Ifotherstatesaresimilar,thenallcampsinthe
    ELSwouldfallunderthisdefinition,andthustherequirementsofthestate.MaureenKelly
    notedtheimportanceofanorganizedsystemofhiringforCamp4Star.Sheacknowledgedthat
    atonepoint,thecamphadaproblemwithapredatoryperson.Thebestthing,Kellysaid,is
    thatyoudonthaveasystembasedonapersonality,butbasedonastructure.197
    Astrongorganizationalstructure,onewhicheveryoneknowsandfollows,isimportant
    foranycamp.Differentstructuresmayworkbetterfordifferentcamps.AtCampOlympic

    RobertMoldstad,WhatMakesaWellOrganizedChurchSponsoredCampOut?1970,1,

    Boardfor
    EducationandYouthLutheranYouthAssociation19361970.Coll.s.720.EvangelicalLutheranSynod,Bethany
    LutheranTheologicalSeminary.
    196

    Ibid.
    197

    MaureenKelly,emailmessagetotheauthor,January29,2015.
    195

    85

    Lutherhaven,Pittengerstatedthatinhisopinion,itisimportantforapastornevertobethe
    director.Then,thepastorisseenasthelawofthecamp,morethanaministerofthegospel.198
    ForCampLorRay(andeventheotherELSCamps),itistheexactopposite.Itisrequiredfor
    thesuperintendentanddirectorstobepastorsorteachers,fortheyarethespiritualheadofthe
    campprogram.ThedifferenceisatCampLutherhavenisthatthereisreallyonlyonechurch
    involved,andsothecampistiedintimatelywiththecongregation.Itisimportantinthat
    instancethatcampersseetheirpastorinthesamerolehefillseveryotherweek.
    Regardingspiritualprogramorganization,campswelcomingbothELSandWELS
    campers,suchasCampLorRaycouldpotentiallybenefitfromorganizingthereligiousprogram
    similarlyto
    Camp4Star
    withpastorsfromeachsynodtakingturnsplanninganddirectingthe
    camp.Acommentwasmadeoncetotheauthortobecarefulnottoincludetoomanyunique
    thingsfromtheELSliturgy/hymnalatCampLorRayforfearthattheunfamiliaritymightmake
    someWELSpeopleuncomfortable.Perhapsthesamecanandshouldbesaidinreverse.Indeed,
    overtheyearsasWELSpastorsbecamemoreprevalentinexercisingauthorityovertheLorRay
    youthcamp,thenumberofELSyouthdropped.Whilethetwosynodsareinfellowship,eachis
    uniqueandeachissimplymostfamiliarwithreachingouttotheirownyouth.Nomatterthe
    numberorratioofELStoWELScampersorleaders,careshouldbetakentonotisolateone
    group.Thisrequiresthatallleaderstaketimetounderstandsomeoftheparticularitiesofeach
    synod,especiallyinworshippractices.Ofcourse,thisisevenmoretrueifacampplanstodo
    vigorousoutreachtotheunchurched.Caremustbetakentofullyunderstandeachpersonwhois
    beinginvitedtothecamp.

    198

    TonyPittenger,interviewbytheauthor,December,2014.

    86

    OnefinalsuggestionisthattheELSBoardforYouthOutreachwouldallowtheLutheran
    YouthAssociationtotakeamoredirectroleincamping.Ithasalreadybeenpointedouthow
    LYA/YPAseemedtobeacompletesupportnetworkforyouthworkintheSynod.Fromgrade
    schooltoseminary,theoldermembersofLYAencouragedyoungermembers.Highschoolers
    encouragedgradeschoolchildrentoattendcamps.Highschoolersencouragedotherhighschool
    studentstogototheannualLYAConvention.Collegestudentsencouragedhighschoolersto
    enrollatBethanyLutheranCollege.Seminarystudentsencouragedcollegestudentstoattend
    BethanyLutheranTheologicalSeminary.
    AtatimewhenenrollmentislowatBethanyLutheranCollege,awayforcollege
    studentstoencouragehighschoolyouthtoconsiderenrollingattheCollegewouldbeapositive
    change.ThiswouldhaveapositiveeffectontheSeminaryaswell.Outofthe14studentsthat
    theauthorhasattendedSeminarywiththepastthreeyears,lessthanhalfwouldbeconsidered
    comingfromatraditionalELSbackground,andevenwithallthenontraditionalstudentsthatdo
    finishtheprogram,therearenotenoughpastoralcandidatestocovervacancies.Itwouldseem
    thatanopportunityisbeingmissedtoencourageyoungELSmentoconsidertheministry.
    The
    YPA/LYAQuarterly
    wasthemainvehicleforpromotingthevariousarmsofyouth
    workintheSynod,withhighschool,college,andseminarystudentsaseditorsandwriters.Not
    onlydidtheyencourageattendanceatcamps,theconvention,thecollege,andtheseminary,but
    theyhighlightedthemissionworkthatYoungPeoplesSocietiesweredoinginvariouspartsof
    thecountry.Infact,the
    YPA/LYAQuarterly
    functionedverysimilarlytohowablogfunctions
    today.IwouldsuggestthatinsteadofrevivingaphysicalprintissueoftheQuarterly,theBoard
    forYouthOutreachshouldconsidercreatingawebsiteforallyouthworkintheSynod,witha

    87

    blogcoveringvarioustopicsrangingfromcampstoconventions,tomissionworkandLYA
    business,toevenhistoricalpostsandbasicScripturaldevotions.Thewritersandeditors,asin
    theformerdaysofYPA/LYA,shouldbechosenfromamongthemembersofLYA.
    Whilesomehighschoolstudentsseemcontenttocarrylittleresponsibility,manyinfact
    longformoreresponsibilityintheirChurchandSynod.IfLYAweretoagainbetreatedasa
    partoftheSynodwithactualresponsibilities,thiswouldbeagreatopportunitytotrainupfuture
    leadersinthechurchandtoactuallygivetheyouthavoiceintheworkoftheSynod.Inaddition
    towritingpostsforanLYAwebsite,youthcouldhelpplanthenextLYAconvention,determine
    wheretheirLYAmissionofferingsaregoing,whatmissionandserviceprojectstheycouldfocus
    on,andmanyotherthings.VariouscommitteesofstudentscouldbeformedattheLYA
    Conventionforthesepurposes,andwiththecurrentformatoftheconventioncenteredaround
    topicalsessions,schedulingshouldberelativelyeasy.Perhapsonesessioncouldbedevotedto
    variousprojects/committees,withyouthsigningupforthoseprojectstheyaremostinterestedin.
    Forthosenotinterestedinvolunteeringtheirservices,theycouldchosetoattendaregulartopical
    session.Ifyouthchairmenareelected,muchoftheworkoffindingqualifiedcandidatescould
    bedonebeforehandusingonlineforms.Pastormentorscouldbechosentocorrespondwith
    thesecommitteeheads,orevenentirecommittees,workingwiththemtowritequalitydevotions,
    tofindworthymissionprojects,toplanthenextconvention,etc.
    ViewingLYAasacompletenetworkofyouthworkintheSynod,ratherthanasmerely
    oneyearlyconvention,couldhaveahugeimpactonsummercamps,onyouthworkintheSynod
    asawhole,andontheentireSynod.

    88

    Conclusion:TheDistinctNatureofELSSummerCamps.

    ThedistinctnatureofELSSummerCampscanbesummedupbystatingthatthereisa
    continuitythatexistsamongallthecamps.Notonlyaremanyofthecampprograms,schedules,
    andactivitiessimilarfromcamptocamp,butthereligiousprogramsareconsistentaswell.
    Therehasalwaysbeenaninterestinkeepingthesummercampprogramstiedtothechurch,to
    haveareapastorsdothereligiousinstruction,andtokeeptheworshiplifeofthecampsimilaror
    thesametothatwhichhappensonSundaymorningsinlocalcongregations.From1844andthe
    veryfirstserviceundertheoaks,tothemanyservicesundertheoakseachsummertodayatthe
    variouscamps,whilethereasonformeetingoutsideisverydifferent,thepurposehasremained
    thesame:ThatGodthroughHisWordwouldcausetheyouthandadultsateachplacetogrowin
    Histruth.Neverhastherebeenagoaltoreenacttheworshipoftheearlypioneersforromantic
    reasonsortocreatesomecertainexperienceoffaith.Instead,thegoalhassimplybeenthatof
    ChristsprayerforHisdisciples:SanctifythembyYourtruth.Yourwordistruth(John17:17,
    NKJV).
    ThebenefitsofthesummercampprogramoftheELSarehardtoquantify,butitisnot
    difficulttoseethattheoutcomeshavebeenoverwhelminglypositive.ThecampsoftheSynod,
    althoughallofthemhavegonethroughperiodsoftroublefromadministrationandleadership
    changes,facilitydifficulties,internalconflicts,andevencontroversiesareinvaluableresources
    fortheyouthoftheELS.Allareasofthechurchsworkareimportant,andsummercampsare

    89

    ofcourseonlyonearea,butasRobertMoldstadstated,camping,properlyused,canbean
    effectivemeansofdoingpartofthechurchswork.199

    199

    RobertMoldstad,
    IntroductiontoChurchCampingintheLocalCongregation,
    5.

    90

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    ,Clarkston,WA:OurSaviorsLutheranChurch,RevisedAugust28,
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    http://olympiclutherhaven.org/CampRulesandForms/History_of_Lutherhaven.pdf.

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    http://www.wlsessays.net/files/HuebnerScouting.pdf.

    Koren,Elisabeth,
    DiaryofElisabethKoren
    ,trans.anded.byNelson,DavidT.,
    NorwegianAmericanHistoricalAssociation,1955.

    Lawrenz,Carl,
    TheHistoryoftheBoyScoutIssue
    ,essaygivenataspecialconventionofthe
    MichiganDistrictoftheJointSynodofWisconsinandOtherStatesatSt.PaulsLutheran
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    http://www.wlsessays.net/files/LawrenzScout.pdf.

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    http://www.elshistory.org/download/oakleaves/oakleavesvol10no42007.pdf

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    96

    ListofInterviews:

    Abrahamson,Nate
    Adrian,Fred
    Brenner,Michael
    Bruss,Kathy
    Cronk,Marie
    DeGarmeaux,Rebecca
    Faugstad,Peter
    Gullixson,Ted
    Heyn,Peter
    Keeler,Charles
    Kelly,Maureen
    Kuster,Theodore
    Kuster,Thomas
    Meyer,Marvin
    Moldstad,Don
    Moldstad,John,Jr.
    Moldstad,Matthew
    Nolte,Kenneth
    Olsen,James
    Pittenger,Tony
    Ring,Robert
    Ruiz,Daniel
    Schmidt,Andrew
    Schmidt,Greg
    Schneider,Paul
    Teigen,Erling
    Thompson,David
    Tweit,Bernt
    Willitz,Joel

    97

    AppendixA.YPA/LYAConventions
    1. 1951Nicollet,MN,July2122
    TheFirstTableoftheLaw
    2. 1952Princeton,MN,July1213
    HowCanTheYoungPeoplesAssociationBest
    CelebrateOurCentennialin1953
    3. 1953Waterville,IA,August89YoungPeoplesPrivilegesandResponsibilitiesin
    ChurchWork
    4. 1954Thompson,IA,July31August1PurposeandFormationofSynods
    5. 1955EauClaire,WI,Sept911WhatCanWeDoForOurLocalY.PSocieties?and
    WhyGotoSchool?
    6. 1956Belleview,MN,Sept1416manytopics,includingTheYoungChristianandHis
    Entertainment,TheYoungChristiansandHisLifesWork,andGettingAcquainted
    withBethanyCollege(FirstreferenceasLYA)
    7. 1957Madison,WI,Sept1315
    8. 1958AlbertLea,MN,Sept1214
    9. 1959Mankato,MN,Sept1820Asformeandmyhouse,wewillservetheLord
    10. 1960Minneapolis,MN,Sept1618
    11. 1961Luverne,MN,Sept1517
    12. 1962JerichoSaudeRedeemer,LawlerandNewHampton,IA,Sept1416Continuein
    MyWord,John8:31
    13. 1963Madison,WI,Sept1963ForwardwithChristinDoctrineandLife
    14. 1964Mankato,MN,Aug2830GodMadeMe
    15. 1965Norseland,MN,Aug2022ChristHathRedeemedUs
    16. 1966Princeton,MN,Aug1921GodSanctifiesMe.
    17. 1967BethanyCollege,Mankato,MN,Aug1820OurLutheranHeritage(Word
    Along,GraceAlone,FaithAlone)
    18. 1968BethanyCollege,Mankato,MN,Aug1618Keep...thosewhomthouhastgiven
    me(John17:11)
    19. 1969Madison,WI,Sept1214OurWorldToday
    20. 1970CampCourage,Annandale,MN
    1971NoconventionheldBoardencouragedvariouscircuitstoholdyouthrallies
    21. 1972WisconsinDells,WI(Madison,WI)GoandTell
    1973Noconventionheld
    1974Notreported
    1975Noconventionheld
    22. 1976EauClaire,WI,Oct1517,Topic:FreedominChrist
    1977Noconventionheld
    23. 1978Bloomington,MN,Oct2729,Topic:TheHolySpirit
    1979noconventionheld

    98

    24. 1980Mankato,MN,Aug13,Topic:HistorybehindandcontentoftheAugsburg
    Confession
    1981noconventionheld
    1982noconventionheld
    25. 1983Minneapolis,Sept1618,Topic:Christianrelationships
    26. 1984BethanyLutheranCollege,Aug35
    27. 1985Montello,WI,Oct1113
    28. 1986Minneapolis,MN
    29. 1987Dupont,WAatEvergreenLutheranHS,July31Aug2Shoutfromthe
    Mountaintops
    30. 1988Mankato,MN,Aug57,LivinginHarmony
    31. 1989PlannedforTwinLake,MIatCampLorRayheldinsteadinWisconsinDells,
    Aug46.LastingTreasures
    32. 1990PlannedagainforCampLorRay.Instead,itwasheldatBethanyLutheran
    College,SavedtoServe
    33. 1991FruitlandPark,FLThatYouMayKnowHim
    34. 1992Waukesha,WI,July30Aug2NothingBeyondForgiveness
    35. 1993RapidCity,SD,July29Aug1,FaithofOurFathers
    36. 1994Tacoma,WA,July2831,AMightyFortressisOurGod
    37. 1995BethanyLutheranCollege,July,OneThingNeedful
    38. 1996BowlingGreen,OH,July2528,ACitySetonaHill
    39. 1997Orlando,FL,July2427,ChildrenoftheHeavenlyFather
    40. 1998,ColoradoSprings,CO,July2326,MorethanConquerors
    41. 1999BethanyLutheranCollege,July29Aug1LiftUpYourHeads
    42. 2000MarvinM.SchwanRetreatCenter,Spooner,WI,July2730,FortheBibleTells
    MeSo
    43. 2001KlamathFalls,OR,July2629,Lord,KeepUsSteadfastinThyWord
    44. 2002RapidCity,SD,July2528,BuiltontheRock
    45. 2003BethanyLutheranCollege,July2427,ForAlltheSaints
    46. 2004WinterPark,FL,July29Aug1,AsForMeandMyHouse,WeWillServethe
    Lord
    47. 2005Boston,MA,July3831,ImButaStrangerHere,HeavenisMyHome
    48. 2006SaltLakeCity,UT,July2730,LetUsEverWalkWithJesus
    49. 2007BethanyLutheranCollege,July2629,CeaselessPraise
    50. 2008Seguin,TX,July2427,FriendsForever
    51. 2009CampBerachah,Covington,WA,July2226,TheTreesoftheLordareForever
    Green
    52. 2010VirginiaBeach,VA,July29Aug1,SemperinNavi
    53. 2011BethanyLutheranCollege,July2831,HereIStand

    99

    54. 2012Cincinnati,OH,July2629,FromBeginningtoEnd:YouAreMin.
    55. 2013WinterPark,FL,July2528,YouaretheSaltoftheEarth
    56. 2014Missoula,MT,July2427,IWillLiftUpMyEyestotheHills
    57. 2015BethanyLutheranCollege,July2326,Delivered

    AppendixB.ELSCampDates,Locations,Directors,andThemes

    LakeShetekCamp

    Year Location

    Ownership

    Director(s)

    SynodYouthBoard/
    1952 LakeShetek,Currie,MN OfficialSynodCamp

    BibleStudyThemeor
    Topic

    AbookoftheBible&the
    historyoftheNorwegian
    Rev.JohnA.Moldstad
    Synod

    SynodYouthBoard/
    2 1953 LakeShetek,Currie,MN OfficialSynodCamp

    Rev.JohnA.Moldstad

    3 1954 LakeShetek,Currie,MN

    Southwestern
    MinnesotaSouth
    Dakotacircuit

    Rev.T.N.Teigen

    4 1955 LakeShetek,Currie,MN

    Southwestern
    MinnesotaSouth
    Dakotacircuit

    Rev.ArthurSchultz

    5 1956 LakeShetek,Currie,MN

    Southwestern
    MinnesotaSouth
    Dakotacircuit

    Rev.ArthurSchultz

    Year

    Location

    Ownership

    Director(s)

    BibleStudyThemeor
    Topic

    1 1955

    LutherIsland,Lengby,
    MN

    Northern
    MinnesotaNorth
    Dakotacircuit

    Rev.JohnA.Moldstad

    IslandLakeCamp

    ClearLakeCamp
    Year

    1 1955

    Location

    Ownership

    Director(s)

    BibleStudyThemeor
    Topic

    RegularBaptistCamp,
    ClearLake,IA

    Southern
    MinnesotaNorthern
    IowaCircuit

    100

    RegularBaptistCamp,
    ClearLake,IA

    Southern
    MinnesotaNorthern
    IowaCircuit

    3 1957

    RegularBaptistCamp,
    ClearLake,IA

    Southern
    MinnesotaNorthern
    IowaCircuit

    4 1958

    RegularBaptistCamp,
    ClearLake,IA

    Southern
    MinnesotaNorthern
    IowaCircuit

    5 1959

    RegularBaptistCamp,
    ClearLake,IA

    Southern
    MinnesotaNorthern
    IowaCircuit

    6 1960

    RegularBaptistCamp,
    ClearLake,IA SouthernCircuitNo.4

    Director(s)

    BibleStudyThemeor
    Topic

    1 1952

    PigeonLakeCamp, EauClaire,Wisconsin
    Drummond,WI
    Circuit Rev.RaymondBranstad

    2 1953

    PigeonLakeCamp, EauClaire,Wisconsin
    Drummond,WI
    Circuit Rev.RaymondBranstad

    3 1954

    PigeonLakeCamp, EauClaire,Wisconsin
    Drummond,WI
    Circuit Rev.RaymondBranstad

    4 1955

    PigeonLakeCamp, EauClaire,Wisconsin
    Drummond,WI
    Circuit Rev.RaymondBranstad

    5 1956

    PigeonLakeCamp, EauClaire,Wisconsin
    Drummond,WI
    Circuit Rev.RaymondBranstad

    6 1957

    PigeonLakeCamp, EauClaire,Wisconsin
    Drummond,WI
    Circuit Rev.RaymondBranstad

    7 1958

    PigeonLakeCamp, EauClaire,Wisconsin
    Drummond,WI
    Circuit Rev.RaymondBranstad

    8 1959

    NorwayPointCamp,St.
    CroixStatePark, EauClaire,Wisconsin
    Hinckley,MN
    Circuit Rev.RaymondBranstad

    ThePsalms

    2 1956

    CampIndianhead/CampIndianheadSouth/CampIndianhead,WI
    Year

    Location

    Ownership

    9 1960

    SquawPoint,Hillman, SynodYouthBoard/
    MN OfficialSynodCamp

    10 1961

    SquawPoint,Hillman, SynodYouthBoard/
    MN OfficialSynodCamp

    101

    11 1962

    SquawPoint,Hillman, SynodYouthBoard/
    MN OfficialSynodCamp

    SquawPoint,Hillman, SynodYouthBoard/
    MN OfficialSynodCamp

    Biblestudythemes:
    YouthandtheChurch
    andFiveParables.
    Devotionthemes:Your
    DestinyUnderGodand
    Anchorsthathold.

    CampIndianhead
    becomesCamp
    IndianheadNorthand
    CampIndianheadSouth.
    Northwouldcontinueto
    beheldatSquawPoint.
    Southwouldreturntoa
    newlocationin
    Wisconsin:aYMCA
    campnearBlackRiver SynodYouthBoard/
    13 1964
    Falls,WI OfficialSynodCamp

    Rev.A.V.Kuster

    14 1965

    SynodYouthBoard/
    BlackRiverFalls,WI OfficialSynodCamp

    Rev.A.V.Kuster

    15 1966

    SynodYouthBoard/
    BlackRiverFalls,WI OfficialSynodCamp

    Rev.W.Petersen&
    Rev.AlfMerseth

    16 1967

    SynodYouthBoard/
    BlackRiverFalls,WI OfficialSynodCamp

    WilhelmPeterson&
    A.V.Kuster

    LifeofMartinLuther

    17 1968

    SynodYouthBoard/
    BlackRiverFalls,WI OfficialSynodCamp

    18 1969

    CampCroix(WELS
    ownedcamp)near SynodYouthBoard/
    Spooner,WI OfficialSynodCamp

    Rev.GeorgeOrvick&
    Rev.WilhelmPetersen

    19 1970

    SynodYouthBoard/
    OfficialSynodCamp

    20 1971

    SynodYouthBoard/
    OfficialSynodCamp

    21 1972

    SynodYouthBoard/
    OfficialSynodCamp

    22 1973

    WisconsinCircuit

    23 1974

    WisconsinCircuit

    24 1975

    WisconsinCircuit

    25 1976

    WisconsinCircuit

    26 1977

    WisconsinCircuit

    12 1963

    102

    27 1978

    WisconsinCircuit

    28 1979

    WisconsinCircuit

    29 1980

    WisconsinCircuit

    30 1981

    WisconsinCircuit

    31 1982

    WisconsinCircuit

    32 1983

    WisconsinCircuit

    33 1984

    WisconsinCircuit

    34 1985

    WisconsinCircuit

    35 1986

    WisconsinCircuit

    36 1987

    WisconsinCircuit

    Rev.MattLuttman

    37 1988

    WisconsinCircuit

    38 1989

    WisconsinCircuit

    39 1990

    WisconsinCircuit

    40 1991

    WisconsinCircuit

    41 1992

    WisconsinCircuit

    42 1993

    WisconsinCircuit

    43 1994

    WisconsinCircuit

    44 1995

    WisconsinCircuit

    45 1996

    WisconsinCircuit

    46 1997

    WisconsinCircuit

    47 1998

    WisconsinCircuit

    48 1999

    WisconsinCircuit

    Rev.BerntTweit

    49 2000

    WisconsinCircuit

    Rev.BerntTweit

    50 2001

    WisconsinCircuit

    Rev.BerntTweit

    51 2002

    WisconsinCircuit

    Rev.BerntTweit

    52 2003

    WisconsinCircuit

    Rev.BerntTweit

    53 2004

    WisconsinCircuit

    Rev.BerntTweit

    54 2005

    WisconsinCircuit

    Rev.BerntTweit

    55 2006

    WisconsinCircuit

    Rev.BerntTweit

    56 2007

    WisconsinCircuit

    Rev.BerntTweit

    57 2008

    WisconsinCircuit

    Rev.BerntTweit

    58 2009

    WisconsinCircuit

    Rev.BerntTweit

    PineLakeCamp,
    59 2010 Waupaca,WI(startyear?)

    WisconsinCircuit

    Rev.BerntTweit

    Prayer

    103

    60 2011

    PineLakeCamp,
    Waupaca,WI

    WisconsinCircuit

    Rev.BerntTweit

    61 2012

    PineLakeCamp,
    Waupaca,WI

    WisconsinCircuit

    Rev.BerntTweit

    Baptism(year?)

    62 2013

    PineLakeCamp,
    Waupaca,WI

    WisconsinCircuit

    Rev.BerntTweit

    "IAm"Statementsof
    Jesus(year?)

    HumanLieDetector
    Training:IdentifytheLies
    oftheWorldbyStanding
    Rev.BerntTweit
    onGod'sTruth.

    63 2014

    PineLakeCamp,
    Waupaca,WI

    WisconsinCircuit

    64 2015

    PineLakeCamp,
    Waupaca,WI

    WisconsinCircuit Rev.NateAbrahamson

    "ThroughHisEyes"

    Ownership

    Director(s)

    BibleStudyThemeor
    Topic

    1 1964

    SquawPoint,Hillman, SynodYouthBoard/
    MN OfficialSynodCamp

    Rev.N.Madson

    2 1965

    SquawPoint,Hillman, SynodYouthBoard/
    MN OfficialSynodCamp

    Rev.N.Madson

    3 1966

    SquawPoint,Hillman, SynodYouthBoard/
    MN OfficialSynodCamp

    Rev.CarlWosje

    4 1967

    SquawPoint,Hillman, SynodYouthBoard/
    MN OfficialSynodCamp

    Rev.CarlWosje

    5 1968

    SquawPoint,Hillman, SynodYouthBoard/
    MN OfficialSynodCamp

    Rev.CarlWosje

    6 1969

    SquawPoint,Hillman, SynodYouthBoard/
    MN OfficialSynodCamp

    Rev.ErlingTeigen

    7 1970

    SquawPoint,Hillman, SynodYouthBoard/
    MN OfficialSynodCamp

    8 1971

    SquawPoint,Hillman, SynodYouthBoard/
    MN OfficialSynodCamp

    9 1972

    SquawPoint,Hillman, SynodYouthBoard/
    MN OfficialSynodCamp

    10 1973

    SquawPoint,Hillman,
    MN

    NorthernMinnesota
    Circuit

    11 1974

    SquawPoint,Hillman,
    MN

    NorthernMinnesota
    Circuit

    12 1975

    SquawPoint,Hillman,
    MN

    NorthernMinnesota
    Circuit

    CampIndianheadNorth/CampIndianhead,MN
    Year

    Location

    104

    13 1976

    SquawPoint,Hillman,
    MN

    NorthernMinnesota
    Circuit

    14 1977

    NorthernMinnesota
    Circuit

    15 1978

    NorthernMinnesota
    Circuit

    16 1979

    CampOmega,Waterville,
    MN

    NorthernMinnesota
    Circuit

    17 1980

    CampOmega,Waterville,
    MN

    NorthernMinnesota
    Circuit

    18 1981

    SynodYouthBoard/
    Iowa OfficialSynodCamp

    19 1982

    SynodYouthBoard/
    Iowa OfficialSynodCamp

    SynodYouthBoard/
    20 1983 CampJIM,Brainerd,MN OfficialSynodCamp

    SynodYouthBoard/
    21 1984 CampJIM,Brainerd,MN OfficialSynodCamp

    SynodYouthBoard/
    22 1985 CampJIM,Brainerd,MN OfficialSynodCamp

    SynodYouthBoard/
    23 1986 CampJIM,Brainerd,MN OfficialSynodCamp

    Rev.RobertFehr

    SynodYouthBoard/
    24 1987 CampJIM,Brainerd,MN OfficialSynodCamp

    Rev.Harvey
    Abrahamson

    SynodYouthBoard/
    25 1988 CampJIM,Brainerd,MN OfficialSynodCamp

    SynodYouthBoard/
    26 1989 CampJIM,Brainerd,MN OfficialSynodCamp

    SynodYouthBoard/
    27 1990 CampJIM,Brainerd,MN OfficialSynodCamp

    SynodYouthBoard/
    28 1991 CampJIM,Brainerd,MN OfficialSynodCamp

    SynodYouthBoard/
    29 1992 CampJIM,Brainerd,MN OfficialSynodCamp

    SynodYouthBoard/
    30 1993 CampJIM,Brainerd,MN OfficialSynodCamp

    SynodYouthBoard/
    31 1994 CampJIM,Brainerd,MN OfficialSynodCamp

    SynodYouthBoard/
    32 1995 CampJIM,Brainerd,MN OfficialSynodCamp

    105

    SynodYouthBoard/
    33 1996 CampJIM,Brainerd,MN OfficialSynodCamp

    SynodYouthBoard/
    34 1997 CampJIM,Brainerd,MN OfficialSynodCamp

    SynodYouthBoard/
    35 1998 CampJIM,Brainerd,MN OfficialSynodCamp

    36 1999

    ThunderBay,Hillman, SynodYouthBoard/
    MN OfficialSynodCamp

    37 2000

    SchwanRetreatCenter, SynodYouthBoard/
    Trego,WI OfficialSynodCamp

    38 2001

    SchwanRetreatCenter, SynodYouthBoard/
    Trego,WI OfficialSynodCamp

    39 2002

    SchwanRetreatCenter, SynodYouthBoard/
    Trego,WI OfficialSynodCamp

    40 2003

    SchwanRetreatCenter, SynodYouthBoard/
    Trego,WI OfficialSynodCamp

    "Psalms:theLittleBible"

    SchwanRetreatCenter, SynodYouthBoard/
    Trego,WI OfficialSynodCamp

    PlantingYourFeetIn
    Scripture(whenSatanis
    tryingtomakeyoufollow

    thecrowd)

    SchwanRetreatCenter, SynodYouthBoard/
    Trego,WI OfficialSynodCamp

    ConnectingManto
    NatureandHisMaker
    (1starticlestudyand
    comparisontoevolution
    andpantheism)

    43 2006

    SchwanRetreatCenter, SynodYouthBoard/
    Trego,WI OfficialSynodCamp

    GloryBetoGodthe
    SonConfessingChristin
    aHostileWorld(2nd

    articlestudy)

    44 2007

    SynodYouthBoard/
    LutherIslandCamp OfficialSynodCamp

    Come,HolyGhost,God
    andLord(3rdarticle

    study)

    45 2008

    SynodYouthBoard/
    LutherIslandCamp OfficialSynodCamp

    TheBibleItAloneIs
    theWordofGod

    46 2009

    SynodYouthBoard/
    LutherIslandCamp OfficialSynodCamp

    MeetingGodinLiturgy
    (WhyWeDoWhatWe
    DoinWorshipServices)

    47 2010

    SynodYouthBoard/
    LutherIslandCamp OfficialSynodCamp

    AskwithBoldnessand
    Confidence:Learning
    fromourLord'sPrayer

    41 2004

    42 2005

    106

    48 2011

    SynodYouthBoard/
    LutherIslandCamp OfficialSynodCamp

    49 2012

    SynodYouthBoard/
    LutherIslandCamp OfficialSynodCamp

    50 2013

    SynodYouthBoard/
    LutherIslandCamp OfficialSynodCamp

    51 2014

    SynodYouthBoard/
    LutherIslandCamp OfficialSynodCamp

    Rev.DavidThompson

    52 2015

    SynodYouthBoard/
    LutherIslandCamp OfficialSynodCamp

    Rev.ShawnStafford

    SouthernMinnesotaNorthernIowaCircuitCamp
    Location

    Ownership

    Director(s)

    BibleStudyThemeor
    Topic

    Iowa

    Southern
    MinnesotaNorthern
    IowaCircuit

    Iowa

    Southern
    MinnesotaNorthern
    IowaCircuit

    Location

    Ownership

    Director/
    Superintendent

    BibleStudyThemeor
    Topic

    1 1962

    HerrickLake,Lombard,
    IL LakeMichiganCircuit

    Rev.RobertMoldstad

    2 1963

    HerrickLake,Lombard,
    IL LakeMichiganCircuit

    Rev.RobertMoldstad

    3 1964

    HerrickLake,Lombard,
    IL LakeMichiganCircuit

    Rev.RobertMoldstad

    CampLorRay,Twin
    Lake,MI(LorRayCamp
    Associationformedon
    May22,1965Firstyouth
    campheldonproperty
    July1117,eventhough
    thepropertywouldnotbe
    purchaseduntillaterthat SynodYouthBoard/
    4 1965
    fall.) OfficialSynodCamp

    Rev.RobertMoldstad

    Year

    1 1974

    2 1975

    CampLorRay
    Year

    107

    5 1966

    CampLorRay,Twin SynodYouthBoard/
    Lake,MI OfficialSynodCamp

    Rev.RobertMoldstad

    6 1967

    CampLorRay,Twin SynodYouthBoard/
    Lake,MI OfficialSynodCamp

    Rev.RobertMoldstad

    7 1968

    CampLorRay,Twin SynodYouthBoard/
    Lake,MI OfficialSynodCamp

    Rev.RobertMoldstad

    8 1969

    CampLorRay,Twin SynodYouthBoard/
    Lake,MI OfficialSynodCamp

    Rev.RobertMoldstad

    9 1970

    CampLorRay,Twin
    Lake,MI

    LorRayCamp
    Association

    Rev.RobertMoldstad

    10 1971

    CampLorRay,Twin
    Lake,MI

    LorRayCamp
    Association

    Rev.RobertMoldstad

    11 1972

    CampLorRay,Twin
    Lake,MI

    LorRayCamp
    Association

    Rev.RobertMoldstad

    12 1973

    CampLorRay,Twin
    Lake,MI

    LorRayCamp
    Association

    13 1974

    CampLorRay,Twin
    Lake,MI

    LorRayCamp
    Association

    14 1975

    CampLorRay,Twin
    Lake,MI

    LorRayCamp
    Association

    15 1976

    CampLorRay,Twin
    Lake,MI

    LorRayCamp
    Association

    16 1977

    CampLorRay,Twin
    Lake,MI

    LorRayCamp
    Association

    17 1978

    CampLorRay,Twin
    Lake,MI

    LorRayCamp
    Association

    18 1979

    CampLorRay,Twin
    Lake,MI

    LorRayCamp
    Association

    19 1980

    CampLorRay,Twin
    Lake,MI

    LorRayCamp
    Association

    20 1981

    CampLorRay,Twin
    Lake,MI

    LorRayCamp
    Association

    21 1982

    CampLorRay,Twin
    Lake,MI

    LorRayCamp
    Association

    22 1983

    CampLorRay,Twin
    Lake,MI

    LorRayCamp
    Association

    23 1984

    CampLorRay,Twin
    Lake,MI

    LorRayCamp
    Association

    Rev.FredAdrian
    (WELS)

    24 1985

    CampLorRay,Twin
    Lake,MI

    LorRayCamp
    Association

    Rev.FredAdrian
    (WELS)

    108

    25 1986

    CampLorRay,Twin
    Lake,MI

    LorRayCamp
    Association

    Rev.FredAdrian
    (WELS)

    26 1987

    CampLorRay,Twin
    Lake,MI

    LorRayCamp
    Association

    Rev.FredAdrian
    (WELS)

    27 1988

    CampLorRay,Twin
    Lake,MI

    LorRayCamp
    Association

    Rev.FredAdrian
    (WELS)

    28 1989

    CampLorRay,Twin
    Lake,MI

    LorRayCamp
    Association

    Rev.FredAdrian
    (WELS)

    29 1990

    CampLorRay,Twin
    Lake,MI

    LorRayCamp
    Association

    Rev.MichaelKrenz

    30 1991

    CampLorRay,Twin
    Lake,MI

    LorRayCamp
    Association

    Rev.MichaelKrenz

    31 1992

    CampLorRay,Twin
    Lake,MI

    LorRayCamp
    Association

    Rev.MichaelKrenz

    32 1993

    CampLorRay,Twin
    Lake,MI

    LorRayCamp
    Association

    Rev.MichaelKrenz

    33 1994

    CampLorRay,Twin
    Lake,MI

    LorRayCamp
    Association

    Rev.MichaelKrenz

    34 1995

    CampLorRay,Twin
    Lake,MI

    LorRayCamp
    Association

    Rev.MichaelKrenz

    35 1996

    CampLorRay,Twin
    Lake,MI

    LorRayCamp
    Association

    Rev.MichaelKrenz

    36 1997

    CampLorRay,Twin
    Lake,MI

    LorRayCamp
    Association

    Rev.FredAdrian
    (WELS)

    CosmicCreatorWeek

    37 1998

    CampLorRay,Twin
    Lake,MI

    LorRayCamp
    Association

    Rev.FredAdrian
    (WELS)

    38 1999

    CampLorRay,Twin
    Lake,MI

    LorRayCamp
    Association

    Rev.FredAdrian
    (WELS)

    39 2000

    CampLorRay,Twin
    Lake,MI

    LorRayCamp
    Association

    Rev.FredAdrian
    (WELS)

    40 2001

    CampLorRay,Twin
    Lake,MI

    LorRayCamp
    Association

    Rev.FredAdrian
    (WELS)

    41 2002

    CampLorRay,Twin
    Lake,MI

    LorRayCamp
    Association

    42 2003

    CampLorRay,Twin
    Lake,MI

    LorRayCamp
    Association

    NPHVBSmaterials

    2004

    (NoCampHeld)

    43 2005

    CampLorRay,Twin
    Lake,MI

    LorRayCamp
    Association Mr.KenNolte(WELS)

    "HeartsonFire"

    109

    44 2006

    CampLorRay,Twin
    Lake,MI

    LorRayCamp
    Association Mr.KenNolte(WELS)

    "HeartsonFire"

    45 2007

    CampLorRay,Twin
    Lake,MI

    LorRayCamp
    Association Mr.KenNolte(WELS)

    "HeartsonFire"

    46 2008

    CampLorRay,Twin
    Lake,MI

    LorRayCamp
    Association Mr.KenNolte(WELS)

    FriendsForeverin
    Christ

    47 2009

    CampLorRay,Twin
    Lake,MI

    LorRayCamp
    Association Mr.KenNolte(WELS)

    FunintheSon

    48 2010

    CampLorRay,Twin
    Lake,MI

    LorRayCamp
    Rooted(God'sWordis
    Association Mr.KenNolte(WELS)
    Truth)

    49 2011

    CampLorRay,Twin
    Lake,MI

    LorRayCamp
    Radiant(Justification&
    Association Mr.KenNolte(WELS)
    Vocation)

    50 2012

    CampLorRay,Twin
    Lake,MI

    LorRayCamp
    Association Mr.KenNolte(WELS)

    IHaveSeenThy
    Salvation(Meansof
    Grace)

    51 2013

    CampLorRay,Twin
    Lake,MI

    LorRayCamp
    Association Mr.KenNolte(WELS)

    CreatorofHeavenand
    Earth(1stArticleofthe
    Creed)

    52 2014

    CampLorRay,Twin
    Lake,MI

    JesusOnly(2ndArticle
    LorRayCamp
    oftheCreed&Theology
    Association Mr.KenNolte(WELS)
    oftheCross)

    CampLorRay,Twin
    Lake,MI

    LorRayCamp
    Association

    SeminarianJeffrey
    Hendrix

    WeNowImploreGod
    theHolyGhost(3rd
    ArticleoftheCreed)

    Director(s)

    BibleStudyThemeor
    Topic

    ParklandLutheran Mr.WillisLloyd"Tex"
    Church
    Morrow

    Camp4Star
    Associationof Mr.WillisLloyd"Tex"
    Churches
    Morrow

    Camp4Star
    Associationof Mr.WillisLloyd"Tex"
    Churches
    Morrow

    Camp4Star
    Associationof Mr.WillisLloyd"Tex"
    Churches
    Morrow

    53 2015

    Camp4Star
    Year
    1 1959

    2 1960

    3 1961

    4 1962

    Location

    Ownership

    110

    Camp4Star
    Associationof Mr.WillisLloyd"Tex"
    Churches
    Morrow

    Camp4Star
    Associationof Mr.WillisLloyd"Tex"
    Churches
    Morrow

    7 1965 MillersylvaniaStatePark

    Camp4Star
    Associationof Mr.WillisLloyd"Tex"
    Churches
    Morrow

    8 1966 MillersylvaniaStatePark

    Camp4Star
    Associationof Mr.WillisLloyd"Tex"
    Churches
    Morrow

    9 1967 MillersylvaniaStatePark

    Camp4Star
    Associationof Mr.WillisLloyd"Tex"
    Churches
    Morrow

    10 1968 MillersylvaniaStatePark

    Camp4Star
    Associationof Mr.WillisLloyd"Tex"
    Churches
    Morrow

    11 1969 MillersylvaniaStatePark

    Camp4Star
    Associationof Mr.WillisLloyd"Tex"
    Churches
    Morrow

    12 1970 MillersylvaniaStatePark

    Camp4Star
    Associationof Mr.WillisLloyd"Tex"
    Churches
    Morrow

    13 1971 MillersylvaniaStatePark

    Camp4Star
    Associationof Mr.WillisLloyd"Tex"
    Churches
    Morrow

    14 1972 MillersylvaniaStatePark

    Camp4Star
    Associationof Mr.WillisLloyd"Tex"
    Churches
    Morrow

    15 1973 MillersylvaniaStatePark

    Camp4Star
    Associationof Mr.WillisLloyd"Tex"
    Churches
    Morrow

    16 1974 MillersylvaniaStatePark

    Camp4Star
    Associationof Mr.WillisLloyd"Tex"
    Churches
    Morrow

    17 1975 MillersylvaniaStatePark

    Camp4Star
    Associationof Mr.WillisLloyd"Tex"
    Churches
    Morrow

    18 1976 MillersylvaniaStatePark

    Camp4Star
    Associationof Mr.WillisLloyd"Tex"
    Churches
    Morrow

    5 1963

    6 1964

    111

    19 1977 MillersylvaniaStatePark

    Camp4Star
    Associationof Mr.WillisLloyd"Tex"
    Churches
    Morrow

    20 1978 MillersylvaniaStatePark

    Camp4Star
    Associationof Mr.WillisLloyd"Tex"
    Churches
    Morrow

    21 1979 MillersylvaniaStatePark

    Camp4Star
    Associationof Mr.WillisLloyd"Tex"
    Churches
    Morrow

    22 1980 MillersylvaniaStatePark

    Camp4Star
    Associationof Mr.WillisLloyd"Tex"
    Churches
    Morrow

    23 1981 MillersylvaniaStatePark

    Camp4Star
    Associationof Mr.WillisLloyd"Tex"
    Churches
    Morrow

    24 1982 MillersylvaniaStatePark

    Camp4Star
    Associationof
    Churches

    RobertMerriman
    (years?)

    25 1983 MillersylvaniaStatePark

    Camp4Star
    Associationof
    Churches RonaldStennes(years?)

    26 1984 MillersylvaniaStatePark

    Camp4Star
    Associationof
    Churches

    Rev.SteveSoukup
    (years?)

    27 1985 MillersylvaniaStatePark

    Camp4Star
    Associationof
    Churches RonaldO'Neill(years?)

    28 1986 MillersylvaniaStatePark

    Camp4Star
    Associationof
    Churches

    Mr.WulfWerner

    29 1987 MillersylvaniaStatePark

    Camp4Star
    Associationof BoardofDirectors(start
    Churches
    dateunknown)

    30 1988 MillersylvaniaStatePark

    Camp4Star
    Associationof
    Churches

    BoardofDirectors

    31 1989 MillersylvaniaStatePark

    Camp4Star
    Associationof
    Churches

    BoardofDirectors

    32 1990 MillersylvaniaStatePark

    Camp4Star
    Associationof
    Churches

    BoardofDirectors

    112

    33 1991 MillersylvaniaStatePark

    Camp4Star
    Associationof
    Churches

    BoardofDirectors

    34 1992 MillersylvaniaStatePark

    Camp4Star
    Associationof
    Churches

    BoardofDirectors

    35 1993 MillersylvaniaStatePark

    Camp4Star
    Associationof
    Churches

    BoardofDirectors

    36 1994 MillersylvaniaStatePark

    Camp4Star
    Associationof
    Churches

    BoardofDirectors

    37 1995 MillersylvaniaStatePark

    Camp4Star
    Associationof
    Churches

    BoardofDirectors

    38 1996 MillersylvaniaStatePark

    Camp4Star
    Associationof
    Churches

    BoardofDirectors

    39 1997 MillersylvaniaStatePark

    Camp4Star
    Associationof
    Churches

    BoardofDirectors

    40 1998 MillersylvaniaStatePark

    Camp4Star
    Associationof
    Churches

    BoardofDirectors

    41 1999 MillersylvaniaStatePark

    Camp4Star
    Associationof
    Churches

    BoardofDirectors

    42 2000 MillersylvaniaStatePark

    Camp4Star
    Associationof
    Churches

    BoardofDirectors

    43 2001 MillersylvaniaStatePark

    Camp4Star
    Associationof
    Churches

    BoardofDirectors

    44 2002 MillersylvaniaStatePark

    Camp4Star
    Associationof
    Churches

    BoardofDirectors

    45 2003 MillersylvaniaStatePark

    Camp4Star
    Associationof
    Churches

    BoardofDirectors

    46 2004 MillersylvaniaStatePark

    Camp4Star
    Associationof
    Churches

    BoardofDirectors

    113

    47 2005 MillersylvaniaStatePark

    Camp4Star
    Associationof
    Churches

    BoardofDirectors

    48 2006 MillersylvaniaStatePark

    Camp4Star
    Associationof
    Churches

    BoardofDirectors

    49 2007 MillersylvaniaStatePark

    Camp4Star
    Associationof
    Churches

    BoardofDirectors

    50 2008 MillersylvaniaStatePark

    Camp4Star
    Associationof
    Churches

    BoardofDirectors

    51 2009 MillersylvaniaStatePark

    Camp4Star
    Associationof
    Churches

    BoardofDirectors

    52 2010 MillersylvaniaStatePark

    Camp4Star
    Associationof
    Churches

    BoardofDirectors

    53 2011 MillersylvaniaStatePark

    Camp4Star
    Associationof
    Churches

    BoardofDirectors

    54 2012 MillersylvaniaStatePark

    Camp4Star
    Associationof
    Churches

    BoardofDirectors

    55 2013 MillersylvaniaStatePark

    Camp4Star
    Associationof
    Churches

    BoardofDirectors

    JesusIsOurTreasure/
    TeDeum

    56 2014 MillersylvaniaStatePark

    Camp4Star
    Associationof
    Churches

    BoardofDirectors

    57 2015 MillersylvaniaStatePark

    Camp4Star
    Associationof
    Churches

    BoardofDirectors

    Location

    Ownership

    Director(s)

    BibleStudyThemeor
    Topic

    CampLutherhaven,Camp
    foundedbyLCMS&
    1955
    ALCchurches

    CampOlympicLutherhaven
    Year

    114

    1 1971

    CampLutherhaven

    BethanyLutheran
    Church

    2 1972

    CampLutherhaven

    BethanyLutheran
    Church

    3 1973

    CampLutherhaven

    BethanyLutheran
    Church

    4 1974

    CampLutherhaven

    BethanyLutheran
    Church

    5 1975

    CampLutherhaven

    BethanyLutheran
    Church

    6 1976

    CampLutherhaven

    BethanyLutheran
    Church

    7 1977

    CampLutherhaven

    BethanyLutheran
    Church

    CampLutherhaven

    BethanyLutheran
    Church

    CampLutherhaven

    BethanyLutheran
    Church

    CampLutherhaven

    BethanyLutheran
    Church

    CampLutherhaven

    BethanyLutheran
    Church

    CampLutherhaven

    BethanyLutheran
    Church

    13 1983

    CampLutherhaven

    BethanyLutheran
    Church

    14 1984

    CampLutherhaven

    BethanyLutheran
    Church

    15 1985

    CampLutherhaven

    BethanyLutheran
    Church

    16 1986

    CampLutherhaven

    BethanyLutheran
    Church

    17 1987

    CampLutherhaven

    BethanyLutheran
    Church

    18 1988

    CampLutherhaven

    BethanyLutheran
    Church

    19 1989

    CampLutherhaven

    BethanyLutheran
    Church

    20 1990

    CampLutherhaven

    BethanyLutheran
    Church

    8 1978
    9 1979
    10 1980
    11 1981
    12 1982

    115

    21 1991

    CampLutherhaven

    BethanyLutheran
    Church

    22 1992

    CampLutherhaven

    BethanyLutheran
    Church

    23 1993

    CampLutherhaven

    BethanyLutheran
    Church

    BillFulton

    24 1994

    CampLutherhaven

    BethanyLutheran
    Church

    BillFulton

    25 1995

    CampLutherhaven

    BethanyLutheran
    Church

    BillFulton

    NPHVBSmaterials

    26 1996

    CampLutherhaven

    BethanyLutheran
    Church

    PastorTonyPittenger

    NPHVBSmaterials

    27 1997

    CampLutherhaven

    BethanyLutheran
    Church

    PastorTonyPittenger

    NPHVBSmaterials

    CampLutherhaven

    BethanyLutheran
    Church

    PastorTonyPittenger

    NPHVBSmaterials

    CampLutherhaven

    PastorTony
    BethanyLutheran Pittenger/TeacherRyan
    Church
    Rathje

    NPHVBSmaterials

    30 2000

    CampLutherhaven

    PastorTony
    BethanyLutheran Pittenger/TeacherRyan
    Church
    Rathje

    NPHVBSmaterials

    31 2001

    CampLutherhaven

    BethanyLutheran
    Church

    BobRinehart

    NPHVBSmaterials

    CampLutherhaven

    BethanyLutheran
    Church

    BobRinehart

    NPHVBSmaterials

    CampLutherhaven

    BethanyLutheran
    Church

    AlanNesseth/Connie
    Lovelace

    NPHVBSmaterials

    CampLutherhaven

    BethanyLutheran
    Church

    AlanNesseth/Connie
    Lovelace

    NPHVBSmaterials

    CampLutherhaven

    BethanyLutheran
    Church

    AlanNesseth/Connie
    Lovelace

    NPHVBSmaterials

    CampLutherhaven

    BethanyLutheran
    Church

    AlanNesseth/Connie
    Lovelace

    NPHVBSmaterials

    37 2007

    CampLutherhaven

    BethanyLutheran
    Church

    AlanNesseth/Connie
    Lovelace

    NPHVBSmaterials

    38 2008

    CampLutherhaven

    BethanyLutheran
    Church

    AlanNesseth/Connie
    Lovelace

    NPHVBSmaterials

    39 2009

    CampLutherhaven

    BethanyLutheran
    Church

    AlanNesseth/Connie
    Lovelace

    NPHVBSmaterials

    28 1998

    29 1999

    32 2002
    33 2003
    34 2004
    35 2005
    36 2006

    116

    40 2010

    CampLutherhaven

    BethanyLutheran
    Church

    AlanNesseth/Connie
    Lovelace

    NPHVBSmaterials

    41 2011

    CampLutherhaven

    BethanyLutheran
    Church

    AlanNesseth/Connie
    Lovelace

    NPHVBSmaterials

    42 2012

    CampLutherhaven

    BethanyLutheran
    Church

    AlanNesseth/Connie
    Lovelace

    NPHVBSmaterials

    43 2013

    CampLutherhaven

    BethanyLutheran
    Church

    AlanNesseth/Connie
    Lovelace

    NPHVBSmaterials

    44 2014

    CampLutherhaven

    BethanyLutheran
    Church

    AlanNesseth/Connie
    Lovelace

    NPHVBSmaterials

    45 2015

    CampLutherhaven

    BethanyLutheran
    Church

    AlanNesseth/Kristin
    Neiland

    NPHVBSmaterials

    Director(s)

    BibleStudyThemeor
    Topic

    LakePlacidCamp/ELSFloridaCircuitCamp
    Year

    Location

    Ownership

    1 1991

    LakePlacid

    PastorsCharlesKeeler,
    JonathanMadson,Ken
    Mellon,andJoelWillitz
    FloridaCircuit
    (years?)

    2 1992

    LakePlacid

    FloridaCircuit

    3 1993

    LakePlacid

    FloridaCircuit

    4 1994

    LakePlacid

    FloridaCircuit

    5 1995

    LakePlacid

    FloridaCircuit

    6 1996

    LakePlacid

    FloridaCircuit

    7 1997

    LakePlacid

    FloridaCircuit

    8 1998

    LakePlacid

    FloridaCircuit

    9 1999

    LakePlacid

    FloridaCircuit

    10 2000

    LakePlacid

    FloridaCircuit

    11 2001

    LakePlacid

    FloridaCircuit

    12 2002

    LakePlacid

    FloridaCircuit

    13 2003

    LakePlacid

    FloridaCircuit

    14 2004

    LakePlacid

    FloridaCircuit

    15 2005

    LakePlacid

    FloridaCircuit

    16 2006

    ???

    FloridaCircuit

    17 2014

    OrlandoCityPark

    FloridaCircuit

    18 2015

    FloridaCircuit

    117

    TexasCircuitCamp

    Year

    Location

    Ownership

    Director(s)

    BibleStudyThemeor
    Topic

    1 2002

    TexasCircuit

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