Camp Lutherwood is an association of Lutheran congregations in Oregon and Southwest Washington. We are a not-for-profit organization committed to serving people of all ages through our staff, our programs, and our facilities. All are welcome to participate in our ministry. Camp Lutherwood is located on 71 forested acres in the foothills of the Coast Range in Oregon. We have a variety of facilities available year-round for day and overnight use.
Our Mission:
“Camp Lutherwood Oregon offers an outdoor experience that empowers staff and guests of all ages to discover caring and affirming relationships with God, others, self, and the natural world.”
Our Vision:
Camp Lutherwood Oregon aims to be a vibrant center of spirituality, service, and hospitality open to people of all ages and all faiths. Lutherwood provides experiences that bring people into a deeper awareness and connection with God, self, neighbor, the community and the earth. Laughter and shared experiences result in a richer understanding of the connectedness of life to one another and to the life giving grace from Creator God. We are a sustainable organization cultivating lives of faith and service.
Core Values:
- Community: Intentional, life-giving relationships with Christ at the core.
- Faith: Nurturing faith through sacred texts, sharing and experiential learning
- Leadership: Trained and dedicated professional staff and volunteers.
- Stewardship: Responsible use of our resources and facilities
- Worship: Inspired worship through creativity and music.
- Creation: Caring for and interacting with God’s Creation.
- Play: Non-competitive play and outdoor recreation
- Our Lutheran Heritage: Lutheran theology, congregations, laity, and clergy.
- Discovery: Providing a safe place for personal discovery and the cultivation of servant leaders
- Partnerships: Collaborative relationships with congregations, Lutheran judicatories, local, regional and national organizations along with schools and universities.
What we do:
- Provide an exposure to and experience in the great outdoors
- Teach about our connections to the natural world and how to be good stewards of the earth
- Ground participants in the community with others
- Cultivate lives of faith and service
- Play, laugh, be still, listen and try new things
- Share delicious meals
- Offer hospitality to everyone
- Recognize all things as a gift from God
- Encourage a life of gratitude in response to all God has done for us
Our History:
In 1959 a group of pastors in Eugene had a vision for a Bible camp for their kids. Lutheran Layman’s League of Lane County purchased 28 acres west of Junction City (off Hwy 36) to create the camp for Eugene area children and teens. Campers, along with their Pastor and other adult leaders, came to camp for a week and stayed in the only facility at the time–the barn. They wanted their youth to have an experience that deepened their faith in Jesus Christ, strengthened relationships with the other friends in the church, connected them to nature, and helped them discover their gifts to offer to the world–all while having fun and adventure.
Every summer since, campers have been discovering faith, friendship and fun at camp.
