During our camp season on Good SOIL, to highlight our seasonal staff, we’re taking a trip around camp to all the favorite places they hold dear. For many, Camp Mount Luther is a haven, a place of peace, good memories, and fun times. Usually there’s one (or maybe a few!) place where a person feels particularly drawn: their favorite place to go. In those special spots, camp becomes embodied, and we grow deep roots into the very landscape of Camp Mount Luther. It’s not just a building. Or a campsite. Or a worship space. It’s a memory, a feeling, a place of community.

Let’s continue our tour of staff members’ favorite places…

When you’ve been around as long as Executive Director Chad Hershberger (25 years!), every single place at Camp Mount Luther holds a special place. You have countless memories. So, what made Chad choose the pond (specifically the far campfire ring) as his favorite? Let’s dive into some of his stories!

As a camper, Chad remembers the torch tradition when staff members would canoe across the pond to the campfire site with a torch (think Olympic kick off). As a young camper, he thought that was really cool. As a first-year cabin leader, Chad recalls seeing a big black bear on the trail to Turkey Feeder during a campfire. Instead of shying away, he took it as an opportunity to show campers one of camp’s many critters.

As an adult, he still loves when we have campfires at the pond and he can look out at the view: the cross and fire in the foreground, a peaceful water backdrop, the dock off in the distance. In fact, he took the picture for this blog post!

Dug in 1963, the pond has been around since the beginning of camp. Because there wasn’t a pool at that point, campers swam in the pond, accessing it from one end that they would beach. In 2009, members of Trinity Lutheran in McAlisterville built the dock in celebration of Pastor Jim Bricker’s retirement. It’s been a welcome addition. Now the pond is a popular place for canoeing and fishing. In fact, this summer, we’ve had two campers catch their first ever fish in the pond!

We’ve also heard rumor of a Loch Ness Camel in the pond, which Chad remembers a mystery-themed camp trying to solve. So, keep your eyes peeled next time you’re there!

Finally, the pond’s campfire ring has also been one of Chad’s pivotal thinking spots over the years, including when he was discerning whether to apply to be the Executive Director position back in 2000. He came out to camp on a Sunday when no one was around. He walked to the pond, prayed, and asked God for guidance. Don’t worry; we won’t leave you in suspense… he went for it!

Chad visits the pond often during non-summer months, too, enjoying the geese on the pond in spring and the changing colors in fall. It serves as a reminder of God’s faithfulness through all seasons, those of bountiful harvest and those of lean rations. Clothe yourself in these words from Lamentations:

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases,
    his mercies never come to an end;
they are new every morning;
    great is your faithfulness.

Since the beginning of Camp Mount Luther, the pond has been there, reminding us of God’s steadfast love and mercies. We encourage you to take a walk to the pond some early morning, when everything is dewy and new, and be reminded of God’s faithfulness: to you, to all of God’s people, to this place. You might find Chad in his thinking spot. If you do, send a wave over the waters. He’s been a steadfast servant of camp for a long time.