Headline News

Camp Luther Begins Sunday!

Camp Luther begins this Sunday, 19 June 2022, at Camp Caesar 4-H Camp, Cowen, WV, and will run through 25 June. The theme is "Boundless: God Beyond Measure."

If you use Facebook, you can follow the day to day happenings at https://www.facebook.com/Camp-Luther-WV-102664785809866. N.B., this is a new Facebook page for the camp.

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 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.

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 congregations of the Northern Panhandle. WV-WMD was not included as a constituent synod when de-districting took place at the formation of the ELCA. Nevertheless, 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.

Jamboree Chaplaincy

The Rev. Rick Egtvedt recruits chaplains for the Boy Scout Jamboree held every few years 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.