2481 Como Ave., St. Paul, MN  55108
Ph: (651) 649-0454, et. 228  Fax: (651)649-0468
Email

CAMPING NETWORK
NEWSLINE

Hear the Gospel!           

Celebrate God's Creation!

Find Spiritual Renewal!

A Newsletter for Outdoor Ministry Professionals in Region 3 of the ELCA
Vol. 10, No. 1, Late Summer 2007

Welcomes/Changes
Gretchen Bachman, Associate Director, Good Earth Village
Jenni Herman, Program Assistant, Good Earth Village
Jennifer Ryan, Office Manager, Upper Missouri Ministries
Kristin Ruud, Program Director, Shetek Lutheran Ministries
Susan Olstad, Dir of Admissions & Fin Aid, Luth Summer Music Academy
Leah Benson, Financial Secretary, Metigoshe Ministries
Robyn Engelstad, Registrar, Metigoshe Ministries
Katie Nesdahl, TRAC, Metigoshe Ministries
Dan Antal, Program Director, Park River Bible Camp
Steve Kordahl, Dir of Ministries, Park River Bible Camp
Dawn Reimers, Program Director, Outlaw Ranch
LaRae Tschetter, Faith Life Coordinator, Badlands Ministries
Rick Scheuring, Site Director, Camp Vermilion
Tyler Olson, Site & Program Specialist, Camp of the Cross
Brett Cease, Associate Director, Camp Amnicon

Farewells
Nate Pequette, Program Director, Outlaw Ranch
Cyndy Mittal, Office Manager, Upper Missouri Ministries
Peter “PJ” Warren, Retreat Host, Luther Park Camping & Retreat Center
Abbey Leder, Program Director, Shetek Lutheran Ministries
Chris Barber, Development and Events Coordinator, Good Earth Village
Marv Nysetvold, Program Director, Mount Carmel Ministries
Rod Quanbeck, Executive Director, Park River Bible Camp
Jennifer Seaks, Co-Director, Badlands Ministries
Jared Rendell, Asst Program Director, Park River Bible Camp
Cindy Rae, Cook, Metigoshe Ministries
Linda Knutson, Asst Dir, NeSoDak/Klein Ranch
John Hensel, Boundary Water Program, Voyageurs Lutheran Ministry
Larry Crowder, Site & Program Specialist, Camp of the Cross
 

Important Links...
Region 3 Calendar
Job Openings

The Network Needs You!

Two Camping Network Executive Committee openings require your thoughtful consideration as we seek nominations to be voted on during the regional gathering.  They are: President, MN Representative.

Please consider who you might nominate to serve the network as part of the executive committee.

   The Children, Youth & Family Ministry team at Luther Seminary is now developing a concentration in outdoor ministries through its Master’s Degree program.  This concentration represents a new and exciting partnership between camps and theological education. Working with Dr. Paul Hill, adjunct faculty with the Luther Seminary Children, Youth & Family team and Executive Director of the Youth & Family Institute, are an advisory team of camp leaders including David Jarvis, Dave Eliason, Loren Teig, Joel Legred, Ruth Buuck, Sarah Woodruff Larson and Jon Skogen.
   The newly established distributive learning system makes it possible for outdoor ministry leaders to further their theological education. Students can take half of their classes online and the rest are completed through on-campus one and two week intensives. The degree can be completed in four years. Completion of the concentration will also meet the LOM camp professional standards.
   Lake Wapogasset Lutheran Bible Camp is the partnership outdoor ministry site that will be used for some of the elective courses. The first intensive course, titled “The History & Theology of Outdoor Ministry,” will be offered January 7-18, 2008 and will be team taught by Paul Hill and Ralph Yernberg. The second intensive opportunity will be two half-credit courses titled “Adventure Education & Youth Ministry” and “Adventure Education & Theological Reflection.” These half-credit courses will be offered May 27-31, 2008 and will be taught by Paul Hill. For further information and a full outline of the degree, contact Nancy Lee Gauche at ngauche001@luthersem.edu or 651-641-3457.

Hunger Meal Provides Opportunity for Service      Kyle Debertin

   I’m a recreational pessimist, so it didn’t surprise me that I had reservations about our decision to host a Hunger Meal at Metigoshe Ministries. “Betsy, why do we want to mix 70 hungry confirmation students with 30 senior citizens and convince them that it makes sense to have 80% of them sit on the floor and eat bland rice?” Many camps do Hunger Meals. It’s simple concept—a few get a lot and a lot get little. Five or six people were served a delicious chicken & wine sauce meal, about 15 sat at a table to eat warm rice and beans, and the rest waited in line to get their one cup of cold, boring rice. It was awkward.
   Myrtle, a wonderful octogenarian who can’t see very well, didn’t understand why she couldn’t just sit at the table to eat her rice. A young man that we dubbed “Obnoxious Michael” raised his voice in disgust when he was denied another measly cup of rice. “Man, I’m so hungry. This sucks.” But, you know what—other people had great questions and insights.  Some were surprised at how much they have compared to the rest of the world. One from the elite group wondered why she didn’t get dessert.  A young girl asked if there were people that don’t even get a cup of rice each day.
   In preparation for worship, people were given the opportunity to write a letter to one of North Dakota’s congressional members. “Bread for the World” (www.bread.org) made this an easy project. The website has a handful of example letters and helpful tips to make this an experience anchored in Christ. During the offering, people watched a free PowerPoint presentation on world hunger made possible by the ELCA, and came forward to offer their letters as an offering.
   As a response to God’s love and grace, we are called to serve.  “Listen!  God is Calling,” the 2007 ELCA curriculum, allowed each of our camps to have conversations with our campers about how we respond to God’s unconditional love. Perhaps a hunger meal may serve as a starting point for ongoing conversations.

Camping Network NEWSLINE
is published by the Region 3 Camping Network, a non-profit organization affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, to share the news and ministry of over 30 outdoor ministry sites in the Region 3 area.

The mission of the network is to support the outdoor ministry professionals in Region 3 and its nine synods, and to serve the people and congregations that work with them.

STAFF: Network Coordinator/Editor, Ruth Dalager Buuck

Officers/Executive Committee:
Jon Hoyme, President; Loren Teig, Vice President; Jody Johnson, Secretary; Kyle Debertin, ND Rep; Teri Gayer, SD Rep; Marv Nysetvold, MN Rep.
Photos and information are welcome and encouraged!
Ruth Buuck, ELCA Region 3 Camping Network, 2481 Como Ave, St. Paul, MN  55108
Phone: 651-649-0454 x228   Fax: 651-649-0468   Email: ruthbuuck@r3campingnetwork.org