8.1. Camp Luther

Camp Luther report to the Assembly 2026

Greetings from Camp Luther!

Camp Luther 2026 is staffed and preparing for what promises to be an amazing week of camp! Our LOM curriculum theme this year is “Wear Love” and the theme text is Colossians 3:12-14, ¹² Therefore, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. ¹³ Bear with one another and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. ¹⁴ Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.

The daily themes are:
We wear love with kindness through acts of love, big and small.
We wear love through humbleness by putting others before ourselves.
We wear love through calmness by practicing self-care to build resilience and trust.
We wear love with steadfastness by not giving up in the face of challenges.
We wear love through forgiveness by embracing the freedom to share God’s love in the world.

Registration is online again this year thanks to a cooperative relationship with Camp Caroline Furnace. Our Registrar is being kept busy with all the forms being submitted. We are excited to share the love of God through worship and study, adventures and nature, crafts and creativity, and a whole lot of play and silliness. The staff is busy planning activities and experiences that will grow faith and build community.

We are continuing our efforts to increase our camper numbers through an increased social media presence. We are grateful to a few of our staffers for their enthusiasm and diligence in this area. No matter the number of campers, the Spirit will be present, and campers will be loved and encouraged, the way of Jesus will taught and lived out, and God will be praised.

The Board of Directors has been meeting throughout the year under the leadership of Bishop Riegel. We are addressing financial concerns, bylaws have been written and approved, and we are looking to the future of camp. The board has taken some of the challenging decisions off the shoulders of the director and the business and administration of Camp Luther has become more of a community effort. This year the board made the difficult decision to cut staff numbers back and CL2026 staff reflects that decision. The registration fee for 2026 was set at $500 with a $50 scholarship offered to all campers. Our registration fee is still significantly lower than other comparable camps and we remain committed to keeping Camp Luther as affordable as possible. The board also approved and announced the next CL director, Pastor Timothy Crummitt!

We appreciate the support of the synod and of the congregations that send campers and staff. Camp Luther is truly a ministry of love that has nurtured the faith of many. I invite you to join us in the ministry through your prayers and with your influence. Spread the word and send a young person that you know and love to camp! The link to registration can be found on the website at camplutherwv,com.

It has been an honor and a privilege to serve God and the church as director of Camp Luther, and I appreciate the affirmation and encouragement I have received from the Camp Luther community and the synod at large during my years in this position. With great joy and complete confidence, I will hand over the reins to Pastor Tim for Camp Luther 2027.

Respectfully submitted,
Karen Erskine-Valentine
Serving Director, Camp Luther

Camp Luther
Registrar & Director’s Office
c/o Shepherdstown Lutheran Parish
P.O. Box 2008
Shepherdstown, WV 25443