Camp Luther

Camp Luther – Synod Assembly 2021 Report

Camp Luther 2019 was held on June 16-22 at Camp Caesar in Cowen, WV. This was our 74th year and we met under the theme “Transformed Community: God’s Agent of C.H.A.N.G.E.” We were blessed to welcome 247 campers and 90 staff members for our week of camp.

During our class sessions and throughout each day at camp, we talked about how God’s beloved community is transformed by generosity, inclusivity, compassion, justice, and forgiveness. Campers faith lives were strengthened and they were able to see friends from previous years as well as make new friends with first-time campers. Some fresh ideas and new activities were incorporated into our afternoons and were well received by many of our long-time campers.

In the months following our camp week in 2019, it was announced that Pastor Karen Erskine Valentine would be the next director of Camp Luther. Preparations began for her training the following year at camp. In addition to this exciting news, planning was underway for a grand 75th Anniversary celebration to take place at Camp Luther 2020.

As the COVID situation became clear in April of 2020, the difficult decision was made to cancel in-person camp for the first time in our history. This also postponed all of the 75th anniversary celebrations.

Thanks to the hard working staff members and friends of Camp Luther, many events were moved online in 2020. Many thanks to our amazing staff members who gave of their time to put together Camp Luther favorites for our Facebook Page, and for the work to honor the class of 2020 over Zoom.

One of the ways we marked our 75th Anniversary virtually was through an online fundraiser to support Camp Caesar during their lost season in 2020. A sincere THANK YOU to everyone who donated to this effort. Camp Luther was thrilled to donate over $27,700 to Camp Caesar to support them as they seek to come out of the pandemic strong and ready to host us once again.

A full report of our 2021 in-person day camps will be reported to Synod Assembly 2022.

We are tremendously blessed to have support from all across our synod: individuals, congregations, and friends throughout our territory. We thank you for your prayers and monetary support throughout the pandemic. And we look forward to welcoming campers back for a FULL week on the mountain next June!

Respectfully submitted,
The Rev. Jason Felici
Director