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- Outdoor ministry programs and their leaders are committed to creating experiences that deepen the faith of campers across the United States and in Puerto Rico – in rustic cabins and in high-comfort retreat centers, on mountaintops and prairies, city streets and ocean shores, in conference rooms and canoes. (Luther Point Bible Camp, Wisconsin.)
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- The unique gifts of an outdoor ministry experience include living with others in an intentional Christian community, the presence of trained and caring staff, and being in a place where you feel free to open up to God’s Spirit, creation and the people around you. (Camp Kinard, South Carolina)
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- ELCA outdoor ministries Summer programs include youth camps, adult and family camps, travel and adventure camps, day camps, leadership training, urban day camps, service learning experiences, and more. (Lutherdale Ministries, Wisconsin)
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- Young people, in particular, can benefit through camp experiences that encourage growth in faith and spirituality, self-confidence, independence, making friends, creativity and learning new skills. (Luther Point Bible Camp, Wisconsin)
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- Through worship, Bible study, games, group building and challenging activities, participants discover how active and vibrant their faith can be by learning to live and work together in an intentional Christian community. (Lutherdale Ministries, Wisconsin)
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- For many youth and young adults, outdoor ministry experiences are a starting point for becoming leaders in the church and their communities. Pastors and other church leaders often connect their first thoughts of serving in fulltime ministry with the experiences they had at camp while growing up. (Camp Kinard, South Carolina)
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- Most camps, retreats and conference centers provide programs throughout the year. Weekend retreats, outdoor schools, conference meetings or older adult programs all strive to minister to the whole person in every season of life. (Lutherdale Ministries, Wisconsin)
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- The stereotype of camp used to be young kids sitting around a campfire with their Bibles roasting marshmallows and singing “Father Abraham.” It’s still that – and much, much more! Outdoor ministries have grown to serve all ages, year-round, in a variety of settings. Learn more about how and where you can get involved or use outdoor ministries as a resource for your congregation. (Lutherdale Ministries, Wisconsin)
ELCA Outdoor ministries offer a wide variety of programs that provide growth and faith formation experiences for people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities – summer and year-round. They represent: 132 outdoor ministry sites, 300 full-time directors, 3,500 summer staff, 30,000 acres of land, 175,000 summer campers, and 275,000 fall/winter/spring campers and retreaters.
Whether you are interested in youth or adult programs, finding a place for a group retreat, or need assistance with a program in your congregation, discover what Lutheran outdoor ministry opportunities and resources are near you.
