Youth ministry is of central importance to God’s work at Camp Mount Luther; and our annual summer camp is the jewel in Camp Mount Luther’s crown. In 2024, Camp Mount Luther was named one of America’s top 500 summer camps by Newsweek for the second year in a row. We used a new scheduling model this summer, pairing down the weeks and adding back in themes for each week. This helped manage our enrollment better with the size staff we employed. We will continue to offer exceptional summer camp ministry in 2025. To keep fees down for our participants, we utilize gifts given to the Annual Fund to supplement camper expenses.
In preparation for summer, we also offer an open house event called Taste of Camp. This is a chance for veteran campers to spend a day at camp during the off season and for prospective campers to get a feel for what summer camp is like. We sing songs, play games, eat s’mores, have a campfire, and give kids a little taste of camp.
We also offer GROW in the Snow, a winter retreat for youth to gather and grow in their faith. Typically GROW in the Snow focuses on confirmation-related themes. This year, as part of the new youth ministry initiative with the synod, our youth-led planning team took charge of this event and plan to continue that in 2025. In addition, they have planned events for this school year. The Upper Susquehanna Synod is purchasing our services, and we will continue to provide guidance and support to a motivated and visionary group of youth who are spearheading this initiative. We hope to also get a group of youth and adult to attend Winterfest, a Lutheran youth event in Lancaster. Pastor Jim Vitale served as chaplain at that event this year and Chad participated to better be able to promote it in our synod.
Income: $126,300
Expense: $135,628.15
