Lutheran Outdoor Ministries

EcoFaith Summit: Earth's Cries, Earth's Call
2025-04-05 09:30 - 16:00 (America/Costa_Rica) | First Lutheran Church in Duluth and Online
Saturday, April 5, 2025
at First Lutheran Church in Duluth and Online
9:30am – 5:00pm (see the plan for the day here)
Free Childcare Provided​​
The ever-increasing cries of creation in crisis could easily overwhelm us.
Instead let them serve as a clarion call to help bring life out of potential death, to help give renewed birth to all creation, to all creatures including ourselves.
More Info & Register

Executive Directors Gathering
2025-03-31 - 2025-04-03 | Camp Wapo, Amery, WI
Storytelling for Impact
“So Faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the word of Christ”
(Romans 10:17)
Register Now
When you are on a fitness journey, you can work out at home, sure. Sometimes it will be a decent workout. Other times it will be packed with distractions, forcing yourself to keep going, and lack of confidence that you are doing the right things. OR, you can go to a gym and workout
where you have time to focus, a coach to help you get the right movements and reps, and the confidence that you are spending your time well.
That’s what this retreat is all about. NOT a physical workout, but a storytelling exercise. With guided facilitation, tons of resources, and support, you will learn, create stories, and practice sharing them. When you leave, you’ll have the confidence you need to share a sermon, present to your stakeholders, write your next fundraising letter, and so much more.
Join fellow executive directors for a retreat focused on the power of storytelling. “Storytelling for Impact” will equip you with the skills and confidence to craft compelling narratives that resonate with your audience, enhance your ministry’s message, and deepen the connection with your community. Through guided workshops, collaborative exercises, and peer support, you’ll learn to embrace the essential components of impactful storytelling. Together, we will explore how to shape stories that reflect the unique context of your camp or ministry, while offering opportunities to practice and refine your storytelling technique in a supportive environment.
Learning Objectives:

Understand the key elements of effective storytelling, including problem development, emotional engagement, and clear solutions and calls to action.
Explore the role of storytelling in advancing your ministry’s mission and vision.
Practice crafting stories that inspire action and build deeper relationships with supporters, campers, and staff.
Learn how to tailor stories to different audiences, from donors and stakeholders to campers and community members.

Actionable Steps You’ll Leave With:

A polished, ready-to-use story that conveys the impact of your ministry in a powerful way.
A step-by-step framework for creating stories that align with your ministry’s goals and audience needs.
Practical tips for incorporating storytelling into your communications strategy, fundraising efforts, and leadership presentations.

And, in addition to all of this… • Deepened relationships with other executive directors throughout the Lutheran outdoor ministry network. • Rest and renewal because of time away from normal routines and because of relaxing time spent with colleagues whose work experience is similar to our own. • Renewed enthusiasm and inspiration for the work that lies ahead. • Fun!
Our Presenter

Casey Fuerst has worked with camp leaders for 25+ years to support them in strong messaging, effective strategic marketing planning, strength-based crisis communication, and consistent marketing execution. Casey is a certified StoryBrand Guide and uses this framework to tell stories that are simple, memorable, and powerful. Casey owns and operates Tic Tac Toe Marketing. Prior to starting this business, she served for 18 years as the Director of Marketing and Leadership Development for Nebraska Lutheran Outdoor Ministries.
Our Devotional Leaders
Ralph Yernberg, former director of Good Earth Village (MN), Imago Dei Village (WI), and Sky Ranch (CO). Recipient of the 2023 Manlove-Howells Leadership Award.
Margie Fiedler, executive director, Flathead Lutheran Bible Camp. Territory coordinator, LOM West Territory
Our Music Leader
Jesse Klosterboer, executive director, Sugar Creek Bible Camp.
Partner Ministry Presenter
Rev. Todd Buegler, executive director, ELCA Youth Ministry Network

SCHEDULE
Monday, March 31, 2025
1:00 pm – First shuttle trip leaves MSP Airport for Camp Wapo.
3:00 pm – Final shuttle trip leaves MSP Airport for Camp Wapo.
2:30-4:45 pm – Registration; Settle in; Mingle; Good chat time.
5:00 pm – Opening Session – Welcome and community building
6:15 pm – Dinner
7:15 pm – Introduction of the theme and the facilitators – a preview of our time together.
8:15 pm – Worship led by Margie Fiedler, followed by –
Around 9:00 pm – Fellowship

Tuesday, April 1, 2025
8:30 am – Breakfast
9:15 am – Morning devotions led by Ralph Yernberg
9:30 am – Morning session facilitated by Casey Fuerst
12:30 pm – Lunch
1:15 pm – Tour of Camp Wapo
2:30 pm – Afternoon session – the stresses and strains that we are wrestling with.
4:00 pm – Free time
6:00 pm – Dinner
7:00 pm – Ideas to Share, facilitated by Don Johnson – “This is something that worked out great for our
camp during the past year!”
9:00 pm – Evening devotions followed by
Around 9:30 pm – Fellowship

Wednesday, April 2, 2025
8:30 am – Breakfast
9:15 am – Morning devotions
9:30 am – Morning session facilitated Casey Fuerst
12:00 pm – Lunch
1:15 pm – Afternoon session facilitated by Todd Buegler, executive director, ELCA Youth Ministry
Network “The Burning Issues for Youth Directors Today and how they Intersect with the
Resources provided by Outdoor Ministry”
2:45 pm – Break
3:00 pm – Burning Issues LOM
The Immediate Future
Beyond the Immediate Future
4:00 pm – Free time
6:30 pm – Dinner
8:00 pm – Evening Closing Session facilitated by Casey Fuerst – “What Are We Taking Home?”
9:15 pm – Closing worship, followed by Evaluation Forms, and then
Around 10:00 pm – Fellowship

Thursday, April 3, 2025
6:00 am – First Departure to MSP
8:00 am – Breakfast at Wapo
8:30 am – Second Departure to MSP
9:00am – Earliest time to schedule a flight departure from MSP
9:30 am –Final Departure to airport

REGISTRATION INFORMATION
Single Occupancy: $550/participant
Double Occupancy: $500/participant
MSP Airport Shuttle Service: $35/participant
Scholarships of up to $250 are available. Download the form.
Registration online: https://www.lomnetwork.org/executive-directors-gathering-registration/
Registration deadline: March 1, 2025

THE PLANNING TEAM
Don Johnson, LOM Executive Director, has been joined by our LOM Territory Coordinators:
West – Margie Fiedler, executive director, Flathead Lutheran Bible Camp (MT)
Western Midwest – Joel Abenth, director of donor engagement, Lake Wapogasset Lutheran
Bible Camp, Inc. (WI)
Eastern Midwest – Eric Knueve, executive director, Bethel Horizons (WI)
East – Deb Roberts, executive director, Lutherlyn (PA)

ACA Online Session: “Cultural Appropriation – What you need to know”
2025-03-25 14:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York) | Virtual
Learn from a panel of Camp Professionals who are Native American and allies will address the issue of cultural appropriation at Camp and what you can do to bring awareness and guidance to prevent cultural appropriation.  Strategies and Tools will be shared to help in the process.
More Info & Register

Compass Points - Program Design and Implementation
2025-03-11 - 2025-03-14 | Columbia Theological Seminary (near Atlanta, Georgia)
About the Course
Program is the most important facet of outdoor ministry. From determining the need for a program to evaluating the final product, today’s camp and retreat leaders need to be knowledgeable in how programs are designed and implemented. This course will focus on an overview of human growth and development in relation to outdoor ministry, and will look at program models and how they serve as an extension of a ministry’s mission statement. Participants will also study how our summer programs can be part of a year-round ministry.This course will be held at Columbia Theological Seminary (near Atlanta, Georgia) and will be taught by Dr. Kathy Dawson and Joel Winchip, faculty members of Columbia Theological Seminary in Decatur, GA.
By the end of the course, participants will:

Identify the characteristics that differentiate program structures
Analyze the progression we find in program offerings
Consider how their program is portrayed through their marketing image.

More info: http://www.compasspointsprogram.org/upcoming-courses-fall2024/

ACA Online Session: “Federal Energy Tax Credits and Incentives for Nonprofit Organizations”
2025-03-06 13:00 - 14:00 (America/New_York) | Virtual
This session will provide an overview of certain Federal tax energy credits for businesses and related incentives for nonprofit organizations.  The session will include an update on how the Inflation Reduction Act has modified how these incentives will be paid to tax-exempt organizations and explain how these developments have created opportunity for exempt organizations to receive direct payments for investments that reduce their carbon footprint.
More Info & Register

LOM Leaders Forum
2025-02-02 - 2025-02-06 | Carol Joy Holling Camp, Ashland, NE
A vital gathering designed to bring together Board members, committee leaders, territory coordinators, and contract staff for a time of strategic planning, collaboration, and community building.

LOM East Territory Gathering
2025-01-06 - 2025-01-08 | Sequanota
Registration will open immediately after the November Conference

Experiential Facilitation 101 Workshop
2024-12-02 - 2024-12-04 | Bethel Horizons
Learn Foundational Skills Necessary to Lead Experiential Programs
Have you ever…wanted to learn how to lead experiential activities and programs? This three-day training provides an important first step in building the foundational skills necessary to lead experiential programs.
Learn More

LOM Annual Conference
2024-11-11 - 2024-11-15 | The Maritime Conference Center, Linthicum Heights, MD
All LOM Outdoor Ministry Professionals and Board Members are invited! Registration for the 2024 LOM Conference will be available in mid-2024.
It will be great to get together November 11-15, 2024, at The Maritime Conference Center, Baltimore, MD. The theme of Be More will play out over three days as the gathered outdoor ministry professionals will focus on ways to be BOLD leaders, LOVING leaders, and SENSIBLE leaders in their contexts. Workshops for each day will focus on these themes, and large group engagements will carry the thread through the event so participants will leave with a toolbox that empowers them to BE BOLD, BE LOVING, BE SENSIBLE, and BE MORE. We believe that the current context of outdoor ministry leadership calls for leaders to step out in new and adaptive ways. Tangible practices are needed to meet the changing needs of campers, year-round and seasonal staff, families, and congregations, and this conference will offer those to all participants. “God does not want us to be shy with God’s Gifts, but to be bold, loving, and sensible.” —2 Timothy 1:7
The conference schedule allows for plenty of time for discussion with peers in ministry, as well as dynamic worship and fellowship. The annual conference is the perfect time to connect with old friends, meet new partners in ministry, share ideas and get excited about all the opportunities that our work in Lutheran Outdoor Ministries has to offer. Learn more about all the amazing projects taking place around LOM, spend time getting to know exhibitors and partners in ministry, bid on amazing items at the annual LOM auction.
More info: https://www.lomnetwork.org/conference/

Character at Camp Grant Opportunity – What You Need to Know
2024-10-24 | Webinar
Thursday, October 24 , 1 Eastern, 12 Central, 11 Mountain, 10 Pacific – with ACA
A description of what the webinar will cover
Join us to learn more about this grant opportunity. This webinar will talk about next steps in this initiative and grant process and how it might apply to you. ACA received from Lilly Endowment Inc. a significant grant, over $20 million of which will be regranted to camps. This initiative will be conducted over the next six years and will include peer learning opportunities, networking, training, and tools. Beginning in 2025, eligible nonprofit camps will have the opportunity to apply for grants to support their own character development programs. This is an informational event.
Presenters
Laurie Browne, Senior Director of Research and Education, American Camp Association
Grechen Throop, Director of Membership, American Camp Association
Your registration will be confirmed with a zoom link.
Register here: https://www.lomnetwork.org/registration/character-at-camp-grant-opportunity-what-you-need-to-know/

Connecting Your Outdoor Ministry to the ELCA Foundation
2024-10-02 | Webinar
The Next LOM Live Podcast: CONNECTING YOUR OUTDOOR MINISTRY TO THE ELCA FOUNDATION
Wednesday, October 2
2 Eastern, 1 Central, 12 Mountain, 11 Pacific
Join LOM and the ELCA Foundation for a webinar focused on the importance of building an intentional planned giving program for your camp and how to go about getting started. Learn about all the services provided by the ELCA Foundation and the benefits of building a strong partnership with the regional gift planner for your region. Representing the ELCA Foundation will be Josh Kerney and Sister Marianne Brock, former camp director at Camp Nawakwa (PA).
Register here: https://www.lomnetwork.org/podcasts/elca-foundation/

Total Inclusion! Symposium – West Midwest Territory
2024-09-23 - 2024-09-26 | Metigoshe, Bottineau, ND
There will be four Symposium events – one in each of the four LOM territories. Each of them will have almost identical program features that will focus on widening the welcome and inclusion for persons who are often marginalized, particularly persons of color, persons who are LGBTQ, and persons who live with disabilities. Each LOM organization will be invited to have their executive director and two program staff members participate. Additional participants will be welcomed as space at the host site allows.
For the executive director and two program staff members, all expenses for the program and room & board at the host site will be covered by the Total Inclusion! grant. The grant will also cover airfare reimbursements for those who fly.
Airport: Minot International Airport (MOT). Latest flight arrival on September 23, 1:00pm. Earliest flight departure on September 26, 11:00am.
Registration deadline: September 9
Register for the Total Inclusion! Symposium
Click here for information about Total Inclusion

Compass Points Continuing Education Certificate Program for Outdoor Ministry Professionals
2024-09-22 - 2024-09-28 | Rolling Ridge (MA)
More Information & to Register: http://www.compasspointsprogram.org/upcoming-courses-fall2024/

Upcoming Courses in 2024

Below is the schedule for upcoming courses and the directed study in Site Administration. The two face-to-face classes will be held back-to-back during the week of September 22-28 at Rolling Ridge Conference Center in North Andover, Massachusetts (participants have the option of taking one class or both).
September 22-25 Development

September 25-28 Personnel and Leadership

MYLE, the tAble, ELCA Youth Gathering and Young Adult Gathering
2024-07-13 - 2024-07-20 | New Orleans, LA
The ELCA Youth Gathering is a faith formation event for young people including MYLE, the tAble, the Gathering, and the Young Adult Gathering.
Find more information at https://www.elca.church/gathering

Total Inclusion! Symposium – East Midwest Territory
2024-04-08 - 2024-04-11 | Bethel Horizons, Dodgeville, WI
There will be four Symposium events – one in each of the four LOM territories. Each of them will have almost identical program features that will focus on widening the welcome and inclusion for persons who are often marginalized, particularly persons of color, persons who are LGBTQ, and persons who live with disabilities. Each LOM organization will be invited to have their executive director and two program staff members participate. Additional participants will be welcomed as space at the host site allows.
For the executive director and two program staff members, all expenses for the program and room & board at the host site will be covered by the Total Inclusion! grant. The grant will also cover airfare reimbursements for those who fly.
Airport: Dane County Regional (MSN). Latest flight arrival on April 8, 1:00pm. Earliest flight departure on April 11, 11:00am.
Registration deadline: March 25
Register for the Total Inclusion! Symposium
Click here for information about Total Inclusion

Total Inclusion! Symposium - West Territory
2024-03-18 - 2024-03-21 | Spirit in the Desert, Carefree, AZ
There will be four Symposium events – one in each of the four LOM territories. Each of them will have almost identical program features that will focus on widening the welcome and inclusion for persons who are often marginalized, particularly persons of color, persons who are LGBTQ, and persons who live with disabilities. Each LOM organization will be invited to have their executive director and two program staff members participate. Additional participants will be welcomed as space at the host site allows.
For the executive director and two program staff members, all expenses for the program and room & board at the host site will be covered by the Total Inclusion! grant. The grant will also cover airfare reimbursements for those who fly.
Airport: Phoenix Sky Haven (PHX). Latest flight arrival on March 18, 1:00pm. Earliest flight departure on March 21, 11:00am.
Registration deadline: March 1
Register for the Total Inclusion! Symposium
Click here for information about Total Inclusion

Compass Points - Program Design and Implementation
2024-03-13 - 2024-03-16 | Columbia Theological Seminary, Decatur, GA
Program is the most important facet of outdoor ministry. From determining the need for a program to evaluating the final product, today’s camp and retreat leaders need to be knowledgeable in how programs are designed and implemented. This course will focus on an overview of human growth and development in relation to outdoor ministry, and will look at program models and how they serve as an extension of a ministry’s mission statement. Participants will also study how our summer programs can be part of a year-round ministry.
This course will be held at Columbia Theological Seminary (near Atlanta, Georgia) and will be taught by Dr. Kathy Dawson and Joel Winchip, faculty members of Columbia Theological Seminary in Decatur, GA.
By the end of the course, participants will:
• Identify the characteristics that differentiate program structures
• Analyze the progression we find in program offerings
• Consider how their program is portrayed through their marketing image.
http://www.compasspointsprogram.org/

Compass Points - Biblical and Theological Foundations
2024-03-10 - 2024-03-13 | Columbia Theological Seminary, Decatur, GA
What makes our church camps so uniquely wonderful and sets us apart from other camping organizations is our firm foundation in our beliefs as Christians. This course will enable participants to deepen their knowledge and strengthen their understanding of our biblical and theological roots as the core value for all that we do in our outdoor ministry settings.
At the end of this course, participants will:
• Articulate Biblical themes that form the foundations of outdoor ministry
• Have tools for training staff to lead effective Bible Studies
• Learn how theology should shape the practice of ministry in each outdoor ministry site
• Engage in guided theological discussions
• Understand how campers/participants may encounter Christ through the mundane and extraordinary events of living in community
This course will be held at Columbia Theological Seminary (near Atlanta, Georgia) and will be taught by Dr. Martha Moore-Keish and Dr. Brennan Breed, faculty members of Columbia Theological Seminary in Decatur, GA.
http://www.compasspointsprogram.org/

Total Inclusion! Symposium - East Territory
2024-03-04 - 2024-03-07 | Camp Agape, Fuquay-Varina, NC
There will be four Symposium events – one in each of the four LOM territories. Each of them will have almost identical program features that will focus on widening the welcome and inclusion for persons who are often marginalized, particularly persons of color, persons who are LGBTQ, and persons who live with disabilities. Each LOM organization will be invited to have their executive director and two program staff members participate. Additional participants will be welcomed as space at the host site allows.
For the executive director and two program staff members, all expenses for the program and room & board at the host site will be covered by the Total Inclusion! grant. The grant will also cover airfare reimbursements for those who fly.
Airport: Raleigh-Durham (RDU). Latest flight arrival on March 4, 1:00pm. Earliest flight departure on March 7, 11:00am.
Registration deadline: February 26
Register for the Total Inclusion! Symposium
Click here for information about Total Inclusion

Western Midwest Territory Program Share-A-Thon
2024-01-29 - 2024-02-01 | Camp Shetek, Slayton, MN
You are invited to the West Midwest Program Share-A-Thon at Shetek Lutheran Ministries Monday January 29th-Thursday February 1st. (open to all territories)
The cost is $125 per person. You can call and pay ahead of time 507-763-3567 or you can pay with a card, check, or cash when you arrive.
On Monday you can arrive anytime between 4:30-5:45, we will have supper at 6:00pm! On Thursday morning we will serve you breakfast and wrap up in the morning.
We are looking forward to hosting you at Shetek Lutheran Ministries for the Program Share-A-Thon! If you are planning on attending, please fill out the form below so I can start planning for the event! -Lexie
We will be staying in our new Youth and Adult Lodge for the Program Share-A-Thon! Our lodge has 4 bunk style rooms with both double and twin sized beds. Bedding and towels will be provided! One room has 6 beds and the rest all have 10. Each room has two private shower rooms, one private bathroom, and a sink inside the room. Two of our rooms are handicap accessible. In the common area of the lodge there are couches, tables and chairs, a bathroom, and a kitchenette.
Registration: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScQkLQYrDktvuY1yGNXV3VJaKlOZH45MgDFsDuUjHeMuNgekA/viewform

Western Midwest Territory Gathering
2023-12-05 - 2023-12-07
Camp Onomia (MN)
