Summer Camps

by David Haberstock

Back in the 1920s, church leaders in the Manitoba-Saskatchewan District formed a Board for Youth Work. One of their concerns was the transition of younger generations to English rather than the German of their parents and churches. A significant focus of their work then focused on teaching and proclaiming faith in Jesus Christ in English so that these young souls might not be lost to God’s Kingdom. And one of the early initiatives of this board was finding a camp site for youth.

In 1932, in the midst of the Depression, a mile of lakefront property an hour northeast of Regina became available for basically for the price of back taxes. Thus was born Camp Lutherland in the Qu’appelle River valley. Until 1959 (when circuits were organized and began having their own activities), an annual rally day at Lutherland was a focus of District activity and social life. 

The Central Region today is vast and our camps have long been a focus of life together beyond our parishes. We are blessed with three camps: Lutherland in southern Saskatchewan; Jackfish in the Assiniboine Circuit outside of Roblin, Manitoba; and Aurora outside of Thunder Bay, Ontario. Jackfish started in 1961, Aurora in 1955 (so this year marks its 70^th anniversary), and Lutherland in 1932.

I have had involvement with all three camps, and so they hold a special place in my heart. I attended Jackfish as a camper, Aurora as pastor of the week, and have led retreats at Lutherland as a vicar and pastor. Camps have been a positive experience for me, encouraging and reinforcing my faith, and providing an opportunity to serve the Lord. 

Without camps, of course, I would still have been a Christian and stayed in the faith. After all, true, lasting faith formation happens week in and week out in the home and in the Church through constant contact with Christ’s Word and Sacraments. But camp is an additional opportunity to learn God’s Word while making friendships and enjoying the beauties of God’s creation. For many people, camps plant seeds of faith—especially when home life doesn’t provide consistent nurture and formation in the faith. One year at Camp Aurora, for instance, after several years of concerted teaching on Holy Baptism we had a record number of baptisms from kids whose families sent them to camp but had not brought them to the font. 

Without camps, of course, I would still have been a Christian and stayed in the faith. After all, true, lasting faith formation happens week in and week out in the home and in the Church through constant contact with Christ’s Word and Sacraments. But camp is an additional opportunity to learn God’s Word while making friendships and enjoying the beauties of God’s creation.

Camps also play a wonderful role in the life of parishes and parishioners. I know of many a marriage, and thus generations of faithful, which started at our camps. I’ve heard stories of District youth gatherings at Jackfish where President Roy Holm was the pitcher (and umpire?) for softball. For years, Lutherland was the site of South Saskatchewan confirmation and youth retreats. And Aurora was once the heart of relationships between the LCC congregations of Thunder Bay. Family camps and work bees forged lasting friendships as congregations worked and prayed and played together. 

Over the years, needs have shifted. In early years, camp programs were run by adult volunteers from various congregations, usually connected to programs like the Walther League or Sunday School. The focus was mostly on youth and young adults. Then there was the Baby Boom programmatic shift to several weeks of camps run by youth and young adults for children. With the Boomers now in their elderhood, needs have changed again. Since the pandemic, families and children are more reticent to participate in overnight camps staffed by teenagers. And mature, devoted teenagers are harder to find and recruit. 

Given these trends, it might serve us well to shift back towards a youth and young adult focus. After all, society is shifting and is increasingly hostile to the faith. Finding spouses has never been harder, let alone Christian spouses. In order to stay in the faith, young adults need places to grow in the knowledge of their faith and to meet Christians friends and spouses. Providentially, in the last two years all three Regions have had young adult retreats, and at least one marriage has already resulted, as well as multiple friendships and connections! Imagine how our camps can partner to serve these needs.

I encourage you to get involved with our camps! If there is no camp near you, follow the example of the Northlands Circuit over the last two years and plan a group family camping weekend. Back in February, I attended and presented at a wonderful time of fellowship with 50 folks from the congregations of the Northlands Circuit. Getting together for a time of retreat with your Christian family beyond your own congregation is always a blessing, and the relationships with other Christians you build there are a reward in themselves.

—————

Rev. David Haberstock is Lutheran Church–Canada (LCC)’s Central Regional Pastor.

Print this article