Region’s summer camps designed in many models

Lutherhaven: Despite options, record numbers coming

Youth campers join building project.      Photo courtesy of Lutherhaven

Bob Baker, director of Lutherhaven and Shoshone Base Camp for 25 years, said registrations are up 30 percent this year.  The high school program will have nearly 900, compared with 600 last year.

“High schoolers can choose other options, so it’s heartening to see close to record numbers coming,” he said.

About 140 come each week from around the country for community service camps, which will serve 100 North Idaho service sites this summer. Projects include working with children with disabilities, putting a new roof on a house, building a handicap ramp, cleaning basements and more.

Eight to 10 groups, some from different denominations, come with adult leaders who plan worship and campfires. Most stay at the Shoshone Mountain Retreat. Some are at Lutherhaven on Lake Coeur d’Alene. After breakfast at 6:45 a.m., campers go to service projects and return at 2 p.m. for leadership training and recreation on the lake or on the river. 

Since 1946, Lutherhaven has offered campers traditional weekly Bible camp experiences for youth from elementary through high school. There are 400 a week in all the programs.

There are also adventure programs with water skiing, wake boarding, sailing, kayaking, rock climbing and paddle boards. 

“The big draw of summer camps is the opportunity to be outdoors in a beautiful setting,” Bob said.  “There’s nothing like sitting around a campfire by the lake when the stars are out and telling campers the old, old stories from the Bible.”

The camp is open all year for retreats. Seven weeks in the spring and eight weeks in the fall more than 2,000 children come with the North Idaho and Spokane school outdoor education programs for public, Christian and home schools.  These children participate in community building and teamwork, and learn about the natural environment, Bob said.

For information, call 208-667-3459 x 110, or email info@lutherhaven.com.

Copyright © June 2017 - The Fig Tree