annual report 08.indd - Lutherans Outdoors

More documents

Recommendations

Info

4 Lo o Served Mo More than 10,800 People in 2008 Lo Served In 2008, the camps and retreat centers of Lutherans Outdoors in South Dakota served 10,804 people through summer programs as well as year- round retreats. The camps of Lutherans Outdoors strive to provide places and programs that enrich the lives of all campers, staff, and guests. We strive to be a place of peace, of learning, of extended family and friends, and a place where God is present in holy moments. It is our hope that somewhere in your heart and mind you fi nd that Lutherans Outdoors has JUST the place for you! Retreaters 65% Summer Campers 23% Day Campers 12%
From the President h es dent From tte he President Lutherans Outdoors is alive, well, and growing! And because it is, so do the faith-lives of the hundreds of persons (including campers and staff) touched and influenced by their experience at one of the Lutherans Outdoors sites continue to grow. While this past year has presented challenges, including an operating-budget deficit, good things, vital ministry, and major developments have occurred. Over the past year, more than a million dollars has been added to the “All Are Welcome” capital campaign; we are within thousands of dollars of reaching the goal of $5,000,000. But there is a challenge goal and the needs are great, so the campaign will continue. Joy Ranch is rising from the hills and prairie west of Watertown. Hopefully, it will open late in 2009. Joy Nelson continues to play a vital role in making this new ministry site possible. A new strategic plan and mission statement to provide direction for the next several years was adopted. The new mission statement is “Lutherans Outdoors in South Dakota welcomes all to explore and experience Christ’s love in community and creation.” The Board was expanded to include a representative from the Wyoming Conference. Several new staff persons were added – a part-time financial person (who also works for the South Dakota Synod), a marketing director (salary provided by a gift), and a director for Joy Ranch. Lutherans Outdoors experienced a loss of $88,000 in 2008 due to lower-than-expected donations and fewer campers than anticipated. Board and staff are working to replace this operating loss with increased efforts for camper recruitment and financial development. The Board is grateful for the vision and leadership of Neil Sorensen and the rest of the staff. They are committed to LOSD and its ministry and go to extraordinary lengths to carry it out. Neil currently is on disability. We pray that his health will recover so that he is able to continue serving LOSD. In the meantime, we are pleased that Bishop Emeritus Norm Eitrheim (no stranger to LOSD or South Dakota) has agreed to serve as Acting Executive Director. The unique and extraordinary ministry of LOSD happens because of the generosity and efforts of countless individuals and congregations of the South Dakota Synod. Thank you! And, remember, the best support you can give is to send campers to our great camps and uphold LOSD and its staff in your prayers. Les Svendsen, President, Board of Directors Lutherans Outdoors Board of Directors (listed left to right) Back: Howard Swenson, Kurt Osborne, Rev. Dwight Stensgaard, Rev. Jared Rakness, Rev. Debora Grismer, Brent Steffens, Jon Proehl, Rev. Les Svendsen Front: Rev. Constanze Hagmaier, Susan Leddy, Darcie Bien, Patti Gromer, Gene Johnson, Rev. Tom Christenson, and Larry Olson. Not Pictured: Rev. Herb Wounded Head, Jan Ambler, Susan Marone and Scott Parsley. Board d of of Directors Directors Board of Directors President Rev. Les Svendsen Sioux Falls Secretary Patti Gromer Rapid City Darcie Bien Brookings Gene Johnson Brandon Larry Olson Beresford Howard Swenson Bath Jon Proehl Parkston Rev. Dwight Stensgaard Rapid City Jan Ambler Sheridan, WY SD Synod Representative Susan Marone Sioux Falls President Elect Rev. Constanze Hagmaier Madison Treasurer Kurt Osborne Brookings Rev. Jared Rakness Elk Point Susan Leddy Milbank Scott Parsley Madison Rev. Tom Christenson Watertown Rev. Debora Grismer Aberdeen Brent Steffens Sioux Falls Rev. Herb Wounded Head Brookings 5
Page 1 and 2: 2 0 0 8 A n n u a l R e p o r t Lut
Page 3: Dear Dear r Friends Friends What a
Page 7 and 8: Back:Teri Gayer, Doug Nelson, AJ Fr
Page 10 and 11: 10 Joy Ranch Construction is underw
Page 12 and 13: Pathfinders hfinders Gifts to o the
Page 14 and 15: Friends ends nds Gifts to the 2008
Page 16: Lutherans Outdoors in South Dakota

annual report 08.indd - Lutherans Outdoors

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?