Headline News

New Camping Ministry Page

Well, this might seem somewhat obvious because you are here, but let's say it for the record: We're launching a page dedicated to camping (or, as it is more frequently called today, outdoor) ministry, and you've found it! The WV-WMD Synod is a constituent synod to two camps and maintains a relationship with a third and the National Lutheran Association of Scouting. To learn more about Camp Agapé, Caroline Furnace Lutheran Camp & Retreat Center, and Camp Luther scroll down through this page. Further down the page, you will find information on Lutheran Scouting.

Camp Luther 2021

Camp Luther opened on 1 June 2021 its online registration for Camp Luther 2021.

Camp Luther 2021 will be very different from previous years, operating in two different day camps:

• Senior Camp - June 24
• Juniors & Intermediates - June 25

Click here for more details.

Space is limited, so register today!

• SENIOR Registration form: https://forms.gle/d4rD9u43xDLRje3JA
• JUNIOR & INTERMEDIATE form: https://forms.gle/S9HHosiWvm56Xenf9

Camps

Caroline Furnace Lutheran Camp & Retreat Center

Caroline Furnace's summer camp registration is open. Click here for information on summer camp and for on-line registration.

Established in 1957, Caroline Furnace provides year-round retreat center services and eight weeks of summer camp. Caroline Furnace's primary facility is located in the heart of the Shenandoah Valley in Fort Valley, VA. Enumerating everything Caroline Furnace offers on this page would be difficult. Explore the surprising options at CarolineFurnace.org.

Caroline Furnace is a constituent camp of the WV-WMD Synod, i.e., there is a formal relationship, and the WV-WMD Synod has seats on the Caroline Furnace Board of Directors. This relationship has its roots in pre-ELCA days. The Eastern Pandhandle of the WV-WMD Synod was part of the Virginia Synod of the LCA. When the CNLC proposed that those congregations be part of the newly forming WV-WMD Synod (called "West Virginia Synod" at the time), the Eastern Panhandle congregations asked that their historic support of Caroline Furnace (their church camp) be continue in the new synod. Part of that support is maintaining financial support for Caroline Furnace in the synod budget.

Camp Luther

Camp Luther has met for seventy-five years at Camp Caesar, the Webster County 4H camp. For many decades, the Camp Luther has operated for one week in June with an all volunteer counselor, teaching, and program staff, at its high point serving over 400 campers grades 3-12, divided into junior, intermediate, and senior camps. Learn more by visiting CampLutherWV.com.

Camp Luther is a constituent camp of the WV-WMD Synod. The relationship has its roots in the West Virginia Synod of the ULCA.

Camp Luther 2021

Camp Luther 2021 will follow a very different format than in previous years. At the point in the summer when Camp Luther normally meets, overnight camping will still not be available at Camp Caesar. For on-line registration forms, click here. Here's an announcement from Camp Luther Director Jason Felici:

Camp Agapé

Camp Agapé, a Lutheran camp located in Pennsylvania just over the line from West Virginia's Northern Panhandle, is announcing its upcoming camping opportunities as well as recruitment for staff positions. Executive Director, Deacon Rick Frederick, writes,

Our largest need is for summer staff. We still need 3 male cabin leaders and 2 female cabin leaders. They must be at least 18 years old and preferably one year out of high school. Recent High School graduates will be considered after an interview with our Program Director Karen Reardon. The position includes a salary, room and board. Staff training begins May 31st and the summer season ends July 29th with an optional week of August 1st – 5th.

For more information, download the camp's spring flier. You can also check our Camp Agapé's website: https://www.campagape.org/

Canp Agapé has historic ties to the some of the congregtions of the Northern Pandhandle. WV-WMD was not included as a constituent synod when dedistricting took place at the formation of the ELCA. Nevertheless, the WV-WMD is happy to share information about Agapé's offerings.

Camp Melanchthon

Camp Melanchthon operated from the late '90s into the late '00s. It provided a camping ministry to collegiate-age young adults during the Christmas recess. Throughout its history, it met in Garrett County, MD, moving between Herrington Manor and New Germany State Parks. At its largest, nearly twenty collegians attended the largest year. It's educational ministry, the hallmark of the camp, centered on a different book each year, including Bonhoeffer's Life Together, Ralph C. Wood's The Gospel According to Tolkien: Visions of the Kingdom in Middle-Earth, and Karen Armstrong's A History of God: The 4,000-Year Quest of Judaism, Christianity and Islam. Worship, common meals, recreation (including rather cut-throat games of Scrabble) and continually burning fire were all part of the camp. Camp Melanchthon ceased operations when shifts in the economy, society in general, and WVU's football fortunes, changed the collegiate culture surrounding Christmas recess. Camp Melanchthon was a constituent camp of the WV-WMD Synod. For more information, contact +Riegel.

Scouting

National Lutheran Association on Scouting

The National Lutheran Association on Scouting. describes itself as "a resource for youth and adults who wish to know more about the religious emblems program, endorsed by the Lutheran Churches for members of Boy Scouts of America, Girl Scouts USA, American Heritage Girls, 4H and Camp Fire USA." It also coordinates Lutheran chaplaincy services during jamborees.

The NLAS Facebook page featuring news of particular interest to Lutheran scouts and leaders.

The Rev. Rick Egtvedt, pastor of Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, McHenry, MD, serves as the Standing Chair of Chaplaincy. He is also the NLAS Lead Chaplain.

Conference: Scouting in the Lutheran Church

The National Lutheran Association on Scouting is holding a conference at Philmont for those who want to learn about using Scouting as an outreach ministry to boys and girls in your community. See how Scouting becomes part of a congregation’s youth ministry and contributes to reaching young families and building and sustaining membership. Our course will include:

• Duty to God (National, Council and congregation levels);
• P.R.A.Y. and Religious Emblems Programs;
• Unit and Adult Recognitions;
• Sharing our Faith with Scouts;
• Organizing Scouting Units;
• Selecting Quality Leaders;
• Duty to God in Advancement; and more.

There are fun programs for attendee family members from infants through teens as well as spouses. Bring your family and make this a vacation to remember! This will be of special interest to

• Lutheran chartered organization representatives,
• clergy,
• youth ministers,
• congregational leaders, and
• Lutheran Scouters

For more information visit https://www.philmontscoutranch.org/ptc/ptc-conferences/. The conference will be held 11-17 July 2021.

Jamboree Chaplaincy

The Rev. Rick Egtvedt was recruiting chaplains for the Boy Scout Jamboree to be held the summer of 2021 at the Bechtel Summit Reserve. COVID-19 has forced the cancellation of that Jamboree, but there is already talk of future Jamborees. So, drop Egtvedt a line regardless if you want to learn more. The ad (at right) is for the now cancelled Jamboree, but we'll leave it up for now as it provides some useful information.