Campfires, swimming, hiking, arts and crafts, Bible verses, songs, canoeing, archery.  These are all things that come to mind almost immediately when we think about summer camp at Camp Luther of Nebraska.  Of course, these activities are only a part of what happens when a child comes to summer camp.  In many different ways, each child’s life is impacted with lifelong memories and friendships.

A few years ago, a young 6 year-old who had spent some time at summer camp sent the following note to the camp staff.  “I have made some money doing jobs around the house in the past few months and I would like to give some of it to you.  God bless you and see you in July.”  It seems for sure that this young child enjoyed the time at camp, but more then that felt it important to support the ministry by giving a gift.  That youngster sent $6 to camp, along with the above note.  What an impact this ONE gift had on the staff! 

Some years ago researchers compiled 18 factors that showed up as influencing factors in a students’ call to ministry.  The top four factors were:

1.       Private Bible study and Prayer

2.       Volunteer Lay ministry experiences

3.       The influence of Christian parents in a Christian home

4.       Experiences at a Christian Camp

When you look at these four factors, you can see how Camp Luther plays a role in each of them.  Each day at camp, campers are given the opportunity to write in their prayer journal during Time Alone With God (TWAG).  For some, this is the first time they experience this type of activity.  For some it is also the start of a lifelong activity that they carry with them into adulthood. Also, there are opportunities for campers to work on a service project when they come to camp.  It may be something as simple as moving woodchips, but it is giving back.  Of course, parents who chose to send their child to a Christian Summer camp understand the importance of putting their child into an environment where they are surrounded and impacted by a staff that is Christ-centered.

The question of the impact Camp Luther can have on ONE child is probably best summarized by the story of one of our summer cabin leaders.  “…. all of my campers arrived.  Everything went smoothly until Monday morning when I told my campers to grab their Bibles for bible study.  One camper said she didn’t have one.  She didn’t leave it at home…she honestly never owned a Bible!  I told her to share with another girl until I got her one of her own.   When I gave her the Bible I promised, she was ecstatic.  The rest of the week she was the most attentive during Bible studies…at the end of the week she told me she was going to camp back to Camp Luther again next year.  I was overjoyed!”

ONE life impacted by ONE Bible given by ONE cabin leader.  The number ONE IS a powerful number.

Find out more about Camp Luther’s ministry by writing to Hank Rausch, Executive Director of Camp Luther, 1050 Road 4, Schuyler, NE  68661 or on our website www.campluther.org.  Phone 402-352-5655.  Your church or school office should have brochures as well.