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Two regional Lutheran outdoor ministry centers have received a joint grant to institute a partnership to expand opportunities for urban youth to experience summer camp through a fundraising, marketing and scholarship program.
Widening The Circle is an initiative created by Lutherdale Ministries, Elkhorn, WI, and Lutheran Outdoor Ministries Center(LOMC), Oregon, IL. that is being funded by an initial $35,000 grant from Thrivent Financial for Lutherans.
Lutherdale Executive Director Jeff Bluhm said time spent at camp offers children a whole new perspective on the world, and this project will use scholarships and sponsorships to help get kids to a week of summer camp.
“Widening The Circle is all about the kids and getting them to camp to experience the Church in an outdoor setting, nurturing their Christian faith and experiencing the Word of God in the World of God,” he said. “Youth will discover new talents and skills. Every child deserves a camp experience. Scholarships will be offered to enable more children to participate in summer camp.”
In addition to bringing children to the out-of-doors, LOMC and Lutherdale both indicated the program will help encourage and train urban youth to be future leaders in outdoor ministry and other church-related programs in roles, such as counselors, staff members and volunteers.
LOMC Executive Director Russ Senti said providing youth the opportunity to lead will encourage more participation among younger Christians. “I have seen significant positive changes in the kids that spend a week or more at LOMC. The kids feel better about themselves and are willing to take on more responsibility in their home congregations. For instance, one of our Small Group Assistants this summer is now leading a weekly Bible Study in her church for high school kids.”
Lutherdale and LOMC are year-round facilities that provide a wide range of programming for youth and adults. Sponsored by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, both sites are focused on sharing God’s love, growing in faith and personal development. |
