Camp Founders	The First Campers

Founded On A Vision Of Building Lives In Christ

The Swedish Lutheran Church operated a great summer camp. It was so good, Norwegian Lutherans rented the camp on the shores of Lake Geneva for two weeks each summer. In the early 1940's, frugal Norwegians began considering the benefits of owning their own camp.

Searchers located a possible site on the shores of Lauderdale Lakes. Seventeen heavily wooded acres opened directly onto the lake. It offered promise of a place where people could quickly get away and be surrounded by the natural glories of God.

Was this the place? Committee church members were soon gathering on a log overlooking the lake for fervent prayer. One of the original founders reflected, "We weren't praying for finances. Our people would not consider committing to obligations we could not fulfill. Instead, we were praying whether this was the SITE. Was this the place where God wanted us to gather, be renewed and go out to serve?"

The answer came as a quiet yet firm YES. The land was purchased. Church members showed up on Saturdays to fell trees, dig up massive roots and clear the land for use. Army surplus tents and barracks offered shelter and the warmth of community during bad weather.

The years immediately following WWII saw hundreds of cars bumping down newly formed roads almost every day of the summer. As one of those people remembered, "It was wonderful. Days and evenings of enjoying God's world together. And God was there. Camp meetings saw people come to faith in Jesus as their Savior. Parents cried as their children made professions of faith in Jesus." Lutherdale was built to serve 1,800 youth each summer. Today it is serving over 12,000 youth and adults through its year-round ministry.

Lutherdale. A ministry founded over 60 years ago on a vision of building lives of faith.

Now, "A camp close to you".

Now, a camp ready to introduce people to Jesus in a whole new millennium.