Caroline Furnace Lutheran Camp & Retreat Center

Caroline Furnace Camp and Retreat Center — Annual Report to the Synod (April 2023)

Impact Across the Ages

As we look back on the upheaval our world has experienced through the past several years, we are blessed by the opportunity to minister to and care for so many of God’s people, with your partnership and prayers. The impact Caroline Furnace has on people of all ages continues through summer camp, retreat groups, special programs, and school group educational opportunities.

• You helped us meet and exceed the original fundraising goal to begin the Solar Sun Pavilion
• Enlarged full-time year-round staff, hired Monica Springman as Director of Programs Summer 2022
• Perfect score on ACA Accreditation visit, renewing our accreditation until 2025
• Summer Camp welcomed 264 campers, 13 summer staff, and 20 volunteers
• Welcomed two new board members Bert Roepe and Lorrie Runion
• Hosted first Racial Healing Initiative Retreat, a key component of our Total Inclusion Initiative
• Renovation of the Farmhouse, converting group bathroom wing into bedroom and bathroom suites
• Throughout the year we welcomed over 2,000 guests for retreats, programs, and educational events
• Thank you to retiring board members Allison Ryals and Lynn Roepe

Did you know 55 former summer camp staff from Caroline Furnace are serving as clergy in congregations or synod offices and five more are currently in seminary? Let us not forget the thousands of other adults who have hiked our trails over the last 67 years that are now involved in mission work and leading congregational teams.

Board of Directors Vacancies — We are seeking nominations to fill vacancies on our Boar of Directors; sign up on our website, call, or contact us at office@carolinefurnace.org.

Donors — over 350 individual donors, 40 congregations, and 6 business sponsors in 2022
Volunteers — over 190 individual volunteers providing 2,654 volunteer hours.

Financial Operations — Through careful multi-year planning, we were blessed to be able to take some big steps forward that resulted in a one-year income deficit without harming operations as we added staff and undertook major property projects to improve infrastructure and facilities.

Expenses: $509,731 (42% staffing, 28% Operations, 20% programs, 10% Maintenance)
Revenue: $411,777 (42% donations, 30% programs, 20% rental, 8% Synod Support)

Total Inclusion: We believe in recognizing the people that have been treated less than God expects of us! In 2022 our Board of Directors and staff embraced and advanced our Total Inclusion Initiative through new programmed retreats, training, continued relationship building, and activating a Diversity, Equity,
and Inclusion (DEI) team.

These are just a few examples that provide a clear vision of the impact outdoor ministry has across the ages and well beyond our three synods. What a blessing it is to share this journey with you again this year. Wherever you are in your spiritual and earthly life, there is a place for you here at Caroline Furnace.