Faith-based Camps Connect Faith and Fun

Ten children from China will interact with campers for two weeks

Youth live generously in Lutherhaven’s Idaho Summer Adventures.

Among the campers at Lutherhaven on the west side of Lake Coeur d’Alene this summer will be 10 children from China ages 10 to 12.  They will stay one or two weeks to interact with the campers.

After taking five years off to be with her children, Rebecca Smith is back at Lutherhaven as associate director.  Previously she was there for 19 years.

“I love the camping ministry,” she said.  “The world is different now, and what camping offers the world is needed now more than ever—an opportunity to step away from busy, connected lives.”

While some weeks focus on teens, most of the summer youth of all ages come. Families can send all their children the same week, and campers can come any week.

Once there, campers divide by age, but interact some so young children look up to teens, and teens help take care of younger campers, said Rebecca.

Lutherhaven Ministries also has the Idaho Servant Adventure at its Shoshone Ranch on the North Fork of the Coeur d’Alene River.  It draws 500 in youth groups from around the U.S. to serve in the Silver Valley—Pinehurst, Mullan and Kellogg—helping elderly people with painting, roofing, chopping fire wood and clearing yards, and offering day camps for children in local churches.  Rebecca expects some teams will help with cleanup after spring floods.

They return at 3 p.m. for recreation with horses, tubing the river, rock climbing, biking and ropes challenge courses. Evenings, they debrief, do Bible study and have a campfire.

“They consider what it means to be the hands and feet of Jesus, to put their faith into action,” she said. “The 2018 theme, ‘Speak Life,’ invites campers to talk about their faith and put it into practice.”

Lutherhaven also has a two-week Idaho Service Adventure with teens coming as buddies of special-needs children, sharing the camp with a regular camp session.

About 80 leadership staff are hired for the summer as program leaders, cabin counselors, lifeguards and kitchen staff. Volunteers help with registration, office work and other tasks.

For information, call 208-667-3459 or email Rebecca@lutherhaven.com.

Copyright © June 2018 - The Fig Tree