Camp Lutherhaven is excited to announce that it has been awarded a grant of $557,468 from Lilly Endowment Inc. to help complete its three-year goal of raising the number of youth it serves by 15%, half of which to come from its local community.
This program is being funded through Lilly Endowment’s initiative, Strengthening Youth Programs in Indiana. The aim of the competitive initiative is to help youth-serving organizations working throughout Indiana improve their abilities to promote the academic, physical, and social well-being of young people, ages five through 18.
Lutherhaven seeks to do this by training staff for success, attracting more youth and families, and investing and partnering with community teachers and youth leaders. Things in the grant initiative include enhanced marketing, increased staffing, bathroom renovations, parking lot expansion, audio/visual updates, staff development, program assessment/evaluation, and offering professional growth workshops to teachers and other youth leaders in northern Indiana.
“We’re so grateful for the generosity of Lilly Endowment and what this means for Lutherhaven’s ministry,” says Tim Jank, Camp’s Executive Director. “It’s not easy growing up in our culture today and youth need positive influencers from lots of sources. Positive youth development is defined by Youth.gov as ‘Positive Experiences + Positive Relationships + Positive Environments = Positive Youth Development.’ We are honored to be a place that so many youth call their camp home. But many youth in our community either can’t afford a Christian camp experience or don’t know we’re here for them. This grant will help us better invest in youth and the teachers and leaders who work with them every day.”
Camp Lutherhaven is one of 187 organizations receiving grants through Strengthening Youth Programs in Indiana.
“Indiana’s youth-serving organizations are crucial to the healthy development of children and youth across the state,’ said Ted Maple, Lilly Endowment’s vice president for education. “The challenges these organizations have faced in meeting the needs of young people in recent years have made their work increasingly difficult. Lilly Endowment is pleased to support their efforts to strengthen programs and serve more youth more effectively.”
Lilly Endowment launched Strengthening Youth Programs in Indiana Initiative in 2022 with an invitational round of grants to nine national youth-serving organizations to help them expand and enhance the work of their Indiana affiliates or chapters.
About Lilly Endowment Inc. Lilly Endowment Inc. is a private foundation created in 1937 by J.K. Lilly Sr. and his sons Eli and J.K. Jr. through gifts of stock in their pharmaceutical business, Eli Lilly and Company. While those gifts remain the financial bedrock of the Endowment, it is a separate entity from the company, with a distinct governing board, staff and location. Although the Endowment funds programs throughout the United States, especially in the field of religion, it maintains a special commitment to its hometown, Indianapolis, and home state, Indiana.
For those coming from Fort Wayne, there is currently a detour on Highway 33 between Fort Wayne and Lutherhaven, north of Churubusco, due to bridge construction. Please plan accordingly. Posted detours will add time to your drive. We look forward to seeing you at Lutherhaven soon!
For more information, please visit https://www.wane.com/traffic/section-of-us-33-to-close-due-to-bridge-construction/?fbclid=IwAR3fcbrQ-5Z_a74t3Tep-_CeeuLViZ2wpIfhhoN10NALb5XtUuvf9LOuJ_M
Camp Lutherhaven is very grateful this December for a matching grant received from The Lutheran Foundation of $19,606 to go towards our Campership fund!
To date, $14,106 has been raised in 2022 that will be matched. Thank you to all who have already given to this special fund!
This leaves $5500 still able to be matched. This is a great opportunity to help children and youth afford a Christian camp experience who otherwise may not be able to come.
Would you help us reach the rest of this grant and not turn away any campers because of finances? GIVE NOW
Unfortunately, many families have financial situations that make attending Camp an extra expense that they cannot afford. The purpose of the Campership Fund is to provide a discount or “campership” for families in need of financial assistance in order to attend a summer camp program at Camp Lutherhaven. Normally, these are awarded for the amount of 25%, 50%, and 75% off, depending on financial need. These summer programs provide a potentially life-changing experience for children, youth, and families. Economic challenges face many families in the wake of higher prices due to inflation and other financial strains. Additionally, there are unique financial burdens that families regularly face even when the economy is healthy or stable.
To help us utilize the full extent of this matching grant opportunity before the end of 2022, please give online or by mailing a check designated to Lutherhaven’s Campership Fund.
Through stories and pictures, It Only Takes A Spark: Camp Lutherhaven’s First 25 Years by Laura G. Burger tells of God’s blessings for Camp through its first 25 years, and of the faith and dedication of those involved in building and growing Camp Lutherhaven. The book draws on the memoirs of Lutherhaven founders, Gene & Marty Burger, and includes several pages where you can record your own memories of camp.
“Rarely do you get to peer into the heart, mind, and perseverance of a true ‘founder’ like these pages of history do of Gene Burger. Not only do they capture his passion and personal trail of faith, they also document the shared vision and dedication of so many others that surrounded him and Lutherhaven with faith in action, including his wife Marty Burger, their children, and hundreds of other volunteers, board members, and staff. Laura Burger skillfully weaves facts and figures along with stories, anecdotes, and humor to reveal the story of God’s grace through Camp Lutherhaven.” – Tim Jank, Camp Lutherhaven Executive Director since 1993
The cost is $20. Proceeds from book sales are generously being donated to support the ministry of Camp Lutherhaven. The book is available online at https://ebenezer-press.square.site/ or in the Camp Store.
After six years at Lutherhaven, Bob will be retiring from his position here as Site Director. Bob joined the full-time staff in April of 2016 and brought with him a great deal of experience working at other camps as well as the construction business. He also brought with him plenty of mischief which he enjoyed unleashing on each summer’s young adult staff.
It’s with a grateful heart that we will say goodbye to Bob as he and wife, Lynn, embark on their retirement adventure in northern Michigan. Bob has been at the center of many repairs and improvements at Camp Lutherhaven over the past 6 years and has been a dependable partner in this special ministry. We thank him for his dedication and service, not only here at Lutherhaven, but many other places that also benefited from his helpful spirit. We will miss him and Lynn greatly!
Bob will be stepping down after the summer, so make sure to thank him in person at Chicken Dinner or over the next month. You can also send a card or note to him at 1596 S 150 W, Albion, IN 46701 to let him know how much you have appreciated his service at Lutherhaven.
We are grateful for Bob’s ministry and pray God’s blessings over him and Lynn as they continue to serve the Lord with what’s next.
Camp Lutherhaven is excited to introduce Keith Peters as our next Director of Summer & Youth Ministry! We welcome Keith, his wife Jana, and their three daughters to the Lutherhaven family.
Keith was born and raised in Oklahoma. He spent six memorable summers on staff at Camp Lutherhoma during high school and college. Continuing his passion for Outdoors Ministry he was part of Walcamp Outdoor Ministries, IL as the Program Director from 2003-2008.
Keith met his wife Jana at Walcamp, where they partnered to run Walcamp’s Special Needs Camps. Though passionate about camp ministry, God arranged for him to join the staff at Fellowship of Faith Church (LCMS) as a Spiritual Formation Guide and contributed to the areas of adult studies, new members, leadership of small group ministries and music/curriculum for Sunday School. During this time at FOF Keith and Jana started their family expansion and have three lovely daughters – each unique and amazing in their own ways. Keith also received his Masters in Religion through Concordia Chicago while at FOF. Feeling the pull back to camp ministry, Keith took a position at Lake Geneva Camps and Conferences as the Assistant Program Director in 2016.
Family Facts:
Jana is a Deaconess with the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod and has worked in disability ministry most of her career. She is a loving mother and a very patient wife.
Rose just started high school and is a reader and a runner.
Emily is in 5thgrade and loves art, creativity and being the center of attention!
Autumn is in Kindergarten, loves silly songs with Larry, really loves her family and has a sweet tooth.
Keith loves the Bible – everything about it. He devours commentaries and loves teaching and learning scripture. He also runs every day, loves blue grass music and good coffee. A combination that his family finds both a little weird and a lot of crazy, but he is okay with that.
Grateful for this wealth of experience in both camp and parish ministry, Keith and his family are ecstatic to be joining the Lutherhaven community the beginning of March.
Camp Lutherhaven is on a journey, just like you, as we continue to face significant challenges and make far-reaching decisions as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Through it all, God daily provides for us and calls each of us to love, support, and encourage one another. At the heart of Camp Lutherhaven is not only spiritual health and growth, but also a commitment to the physical well-being and safety of our guests, campers, and staff. That commitment continues through these unique times. Please review the information below on how Camp Lutherhaven is responding.
Blessings,
The Lutherhaven Team
(December 22, 2020) True North Relief Fund Update
It is with a humble and joyful heart, Lutherhaven shares that the $25,000 matching gift has been met through the generosity of so many individuals and families in less than a month’s time! Wow! What a tremendous blessing to the ministry of Lutherhaven. Though we are uncertain of what the future holds, we know that God who holds it is bigger. Please continue to keep Camp Lutherhaven in your prayers, and stay tuned for updates as we head into 2021.
(November 5, 2020) True North Relief Fund Update
Lutherhaven is celebrating the generosity and partnership of so many individuals, families, and organizations that helped support Lutherhaven during this challenging time of Covid-19. We’ve reached the $50,000 match amount as set forth by The Lutheran Foundation. Another donor has boldly stepped forward with an additional matching gift of $25,000. Every gift to Camp Lutherhaven’s True North Relief Fund is a treasure and can still be matched! Thank YOU for continuing to support Lutherhaven through your financial gifts and prayers!
(September 2, 2020) True North Relief Fund
Camp Lutherhaven launched it’s True North Relief Fund. This past summer, Lutherhaven had 1,000 less campers compared to Summer 2019 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This loss combined with the loss of about 2/3rds of outside groups since March 2020 has lead to a very real need to raise funds and support.
Currently, Camp Lutherhaven has received a matching grant from the Lutheran Foundation that will match up to $50,000 of gifts received from July 1, 2020-December 31, 2020. This means with your help $100,000 could be received by Lutherhaven!
We invite you to partner with Lutherhaven through this relief fund, as you are able to give. Thank you for your continued prayers, financial contributions, and support!
(July 24, 2020) Summer Camp 2020 Update
It’s with a heavy heart that the Lutherhaven staff and board of directors have decided to cancel the remaining Summer 2020 programs. With the new statewide mask mandate that goes into effect Monday July 27th, campers would be required to wear masks significantly more than they already do with the current guidelines – even when outside. We believe with our current program, this would be detrimental to the camp community, comradery, and care that is such a signature part of a summer camp experience, especially in each cabin group.
It breaks our heart to have to cancel any camp session. However, the health and safety of our campers and staff are a top priority as well as following the guidelines and mandates put forth by our local and state authorities to slow the spread of Covid-19.
We know this is so disappointing to the many campers and families that were still planning to attend yet this summer. We are devastated alongside you with the missed memories and ministry moments we would have shared.
We’re so thankful for you and your continued partnership and support of Camp Lutherhaven! We are praying for you and your family during this crazy time. However, we have faith that our Father in Heaven still works good through it all – even through the crazy.
If you were registered for a camp program during the next 2 weeks, check your email for more information on what happens next. We will also be sharing more information in the days to come.
(July 1, 2020) Summer Camp 2020 Update
Today, the Indiana state governor made an announcement stating Indiana will move to Stage 4.5 in its plan to reopen Indiana. This is a change from the previous plan to move to Stage 5 on July 4. However, Overnight Youth Camps are allowed to open under Stage 4.5. Camp Lutherhaven still plans to open as scheduled on Sunday, July 5th! Bring on the campers!!
(June 27, 2020) NEW Parent Handbooks for Summer 2020
If your child or family is planning to come to Camp this summer, make sure to check out the newly updated Parent Handbooks for their camp. These include the NEW Pre-Screening Health Questionnaire. If you have any questions, contact the Camp Office at 260-636-7101.
(June 16, 2020) Summer Camp 2020 Update
We are excited to share with you that Summer Camp Programming is still set to start on July 5th, as long as Indiana moves to Stage 5 on schedule. If you’ve been waiting, now is the time to sign up for Summer Camp at www.lutherhaven.org! We are looking forward to seeing you at Lutherhaven this summer!
On May 22nd, Indiana entered into Stage 3 of the Governor’s “Back on Track” plan for reopening Indiana. With this announcement, there was also updated information released for Stage 3, 4, and 5, including new guidelines for overnight youth camps. According to these regulations, overnight youth camps are to remain closed until Stage 5, currently set to begin July 4. Because of this new information, Lutherhaven plans to begin summer programming on July 5…
Learn about how Lutherhaven is approaching camp this summer, including timeline of decisions, health & safety plan, cancellation information, and the financial impact.
Our highest priority continues to be keeping our guests, staff, volunteers and families safe and healthy as we navigate through the impact of the coronavirus and the repercussions to our health, communities, families, and economy…
(April 16, 2020) Camp Lutherhaven Outdoor Ministry Center COVID-19 Response
A message from Camp Lutherhaven’s Executive Director, Tim Jank, on how the COVID-19 pandemic is currently effecting Lutherhaven and how you can help.
As Camp Lutherhaven navigates with you and our entire world through this coronavirus pandemic, we want to not only create a spirit of encouragement and sensibility among our staff team and our guests, but we also want to be a part of the public health solution, working together with all those around us to reduce transmission.
In order to be part of that solution, we have cancelled all Camp and retreat guest groups and programs through April 12th (Easter). Our highest priority is keeping our guests, staff, volunteers and families safe and healthy…
Lutherhaven is partnering with Run Hard. Rest Well. to help people rewrite their personal stories of overload by re-introducing people to Biblical, transformative rhythms of work and rest.
Vantage Point 1/2-day retreats spotlight hope, help and four biblical rhythms of rest – Sabbath, Sleep, Stillness (personal prayer) and Solitude (personal retreat) set in the context of life in the 21st century. Why? So that people of all ages and walks of life are equipped to know the race we are to run and the rest that refuels.
Through stories and pictures, 
