The Branch Magazine - Winter 2024

WINTER 2024

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing”

- John 15:5

UNIQUE AND WONDERFULLY MADE

By Korey Breutzmann, Director of Programs

“I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; that I know very well.”

- Psalm 139:14

My favorite time of the year is winter. I love the falling of snow and the look of God’s creation when snow sits on all the trees, bushes, and hills. Some winters, I don’t get to appreciate that as much as I want. That hasn’t been the case this winter.

I think of all the snowflakes falling from the sky and how each snowflake has been uniquely created in shape and size. God has created us all like the snowflakes that come from above. We have all been uniquely and wonderfully made, created to be the best versions of ourselves that we can be.

As summer camp approaches, we look at and remember our theme verse from the Psalms that will guide our discussions. Praise be to God for the uniqueness and beauty that each of us bring to this world!

MEET THE 2024 SITE COORDINATORS!

CJ

Site: TrailHead Summers on Staff: 4

CJ is a long-time camper turned staffer. When she isn’t at camp, CJ can be found putting her culinary school skills to use, enjoying time on a longboard, and playing video games!

HANNAH-MARIE

Site: The Grove Summers on Staff: 3

Originally from Aurora, Neb., Hannah-Marie is currently living out a real world Frozen experience working at an ice castle in Colorado! In her free time, Hannah-Marie enjoys staying active, running, and going on road trip adventures with style.

Alex

Site: Whispering Winds

Summers on Staff: 3

Lincoln, Neb. is home for Alex, where she currently studies Elementary Education at Nebraska Wesleyan University. In addition to her school work, you can find Alex involved in just about anything that has to do with the outdoors - hunting, fishing, running, and simply being out in God’s creation.

RASHAWN

Site: Ranch Camp

Summers on Staff: 3

Rashawn hails from St. Louis, Mo. and is currently attending Creighton University where he studies Graphic Design and Film with a minor in Theology. As a creative person, you can be sure to find Rashawn drawing, listening to music, and practicing meditation as just a few of his hobbies.

ZOE

SYD

Site: The Springs

Summers on Staff: 4

Syd comes to us with many years of experience as a camper before she joined summer staff. Syd has served in a variety of roles at camp while working towards her Sports and Recreation Management degree from Iowa State. If you need a good book recommendation, Syd can be your resource. She is an avid reader and dog lover!

Site: Taste of Camp/KINnect Camp/J1:9

Summers on Staff: 2

Zoe calls Lincoln, Neb. home and spent many summers at Carol Joy Holling Camp as a camper. She is currently studying Computer Aided Design Drafting at Southeast Community College. Anything involving animals will bring a smile to Zoe’s face. She loves crafting and is known by our staff as a compassionate person you can always lean on.

DREW

Site: On Site Day Camp

Summers on Staff: 2

After growing up in the David City, Neb. area, Drew currently attends school at Chadron State College studying social work. Drew’s bubbly personality, mixed with her love of camp, makes her the perfect person to build community amongst campers at Day Camp!

The Summer Ministry Team is a powerful group of young leaders who are changing the world by working hard, talking faith, and caring for others. This super team provides leadership and care for campers at Carol Joy Holling Camp and Sullivan Hills Camp.

Benefits:

• A full-time, paid summer job

• All meals and on-site housing included

• Expanded network and community

Making a real difference guiding youth and families at camp and beyond

Skills Obtained:

• Leadership

• Public speaking

• Interpersonal communication

• Facilitation

• Faith Development

• Problem-solving

• Customer service

• Working within a team Initiative

• and more!

Positions available for Summer Ministry Team:

• Group Leader

» Can become certified in:

• Lifeguard

• Equestrian

• Healthcare Intern

• Outdoor Education Challenge Course Facilitation

• Marketing Intern

Summer Ministry Team members must be 18 years or older, or have completed Leadership Camp.

If you know someone who would be a great fit for this opportunity, please nominate them at NLOM.org/nominate

Applications can be found at NLOM.org/smt

Contact Bailey Neitzel, Summer Camp Director at BNeitzel@NLOM.org or 402-944-2544 for more information or with any questions.

We’re hiring for our

Summer Ministry Team

A POWERFUL MOTHER & DAUGHTER WEEKEND

By Jessica Weltz, Adult Programs Specialist

In November, we welcomed more than a dozen pairs of mothers and daughters to the Sjogren Retreat Center at Carol Joy Holling Camp, Conference & Retreat Center.

The Mother & Tween Daughter Retreat is one of the annual retreats we offer, and it is always well attended.

Many of the pairs have come several times and look forward to this annual retreat. For others, this was their first time attending.

One parent shared, “This is our second year and it gets better every year!”

Some of the daughters that came remembered each other from summer camp and were swapping stories and laughter about their camp adventures.

Our time started with a photo scavenger hunt outdoors, and despite it being November, God provided some beautiful weather that weekend!

During team building, our amazing staff walked the group through multiple high-ropes challenges. Young girls were cheering on their moms and everyone was cheering on each girl.

It was so amazing to watch these young girls stretch their limits and put their faith into action by trusting God.

A new activity offered this year was a breakout session for moms. It was a time to talk, ask questions, and discuss what it’s like raising a daughter at this age and in today’s society.

One parent shared afterward, “I appreciated the moms having time together to discuss and support one another. It was very powerful.”

A prayer station, worship, and a S’moregasbord campfire ended the evening on Saturday.

If you have never experienced a S’moregasbord campfire while at camp, it’s something you will never forget! (We don’t want to give all the details away since we are gearing up for another Mother & Tween Daughter Retreat in April.)

If you have a “tween” (ages 10-13) daughter and haven’t had a chance to experience the Mother & Tween Daughter Retreat, register now for our next retreat, April 13-14. Don’t miss out on this amazing opportunity to bond with your daughter for a weekend to remember!

MOTHER & TWEEN DAUGHTER RETREAT

APRIL 13 - 14, 2024

CJHCenter.org/mother-daughter

HIGH SCHOOL RETREAT

”Thiswasretreat truly life-changing”

Dancing, Connecting, Growing at the High School Retreat

By Laura Stalder, Youth Programs Specialist

If I could only use one word to describe the High School Retreat, it would be impactful.

All campers and staff felt the impact during this retreat. We laughed, cried, danced, connected, and grew as individuals and a community.

We connected over slime-making, playing games, and encouraging each other on the indoor ropes course.

However, the real impact and connection came during Bible study and a prayer station worship. Everyone was truly able to let their guard down and one hundred percent be themselves and feel the love of God pouring out of each other.

One camper wrote on our praise wall, “Thank you for reminding me what being Christian means. I lost it trying to do everything right. I can’t, that’s why I need You.”

Another camper told me, “This retreat was truly life-changing!”

I can’t wait to see this impact carried out through the High School Lock-in in March, summer camp, and throughout the rest of these campers’ lives.

VOLUNTEER VIBES: Making Summer Camp Magic Happen Behind the Scenes

By Lisa Stirtz, Volunteer Coordinator

Summer camp is an awesome time for many young people. They are excited to swim, hike, study the Bible, receive a new camp t-shirt, make new friends, and do crafts.

With all of these activities there are many things we must do to prepare and get ready, and that is where we count on our volunteers. We have many volunteers that come in to help.

“It’s fun and rewarding, and the atmosphere is positive and happy,” Candy Blecha said. “The summer staff members knew I brought cookies to share every week when I delivered their campers’ t-shirts, so they were always excited to see me.”

Candy came one day every week this past summer to help prepare projects for us for camp. She counted, folded, and delivered camper t-shirts for staff to hand out on Fridays; gathered, measured, and cut supplies for arts & crafts projects; and helped prepare for the Quilt Auction by folding quilts and doing a bit of data entry.

“We love camping at the Family Campground on the weekends,” Candy continued. “When we learned we could help out to improve a place that’s already fantastic, we jumped at the chance to volunteer.”

“Marvin (Candy’s husband) loved the days he got to come with me to help the mowing team, too,” she added.

Candy and Marvin weren’t the only summer camp volunteers; it takes MANY to make camp possible!

We had several volunteers this past summer prepare paint, clean brushes, clean off the cross to be dazzled with jewels, prepare project kits for campers to work on, and then there is always the clean up after service projects are done.

Volunteers for all of these projects are crucial in order for our summer camp to run smoothly. We are incredibly thankful for each and every gift of time.

BY KOREY Breutzmann, Director of Programs

We are loved and accepted by God without question. The fact that God knows our innermost selves is mind-boggling at the very least.

Even when we feel alone and unseen, God sees us and knows us, never leaving our side.

Maybe even more brain-bending is that we need not do anything or prove one single thing to receive God’s free gift of grace.

“I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; that I know very well.” -Psalm 139:14

Our summer camp theme for 2024 is titled “Created To Be.”

Each day during the week, we will be taking a look at scripture to dive deeper into what God has created each beloved person on this earth to be.

A particularly exciting aspect of our 2024 theme is that it matches the theme and theme days of the 2024 ELCA Youth Gathering. Many youth from across the nation and some abroad will be heading to New Orleans for a fantastic, faith-building event

along with tens of thousands of their peers. Our summer theme matches, so that every youth that heads to the gathering, or to camp, will come home with the same renewed sense and understanding of what God has intended for us to be and how to live.

Let’s take a look at the five days and brief description of what we will be talking about.

FREE: Our freedom is a beautiful gift from God through Jesus. The best thing of all is that everyone receives this gift. We all enter and continue to exist in this world equally loved and treasured by God.

Authentic: God recognizes and cherishes our true selves. We don’t need to change who we are to fit some person’s or group’s ideal. Our unique talents and gifts join together seamlessly to make up one body of faith.

Brave: In a changing world, the Spirit is a constant and encouraging presence. Through the Spirit, we are given bravery and courage to navigate our lives, no matter how small we feel or how seemingly insurmountable the circumstances.

Disciples: When we lean on each other and encourage one another, everyone feels lighter. What would discipleship look like if we were to truly share God’s love. As Jesus tells us, “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you”?

Disruptive: Love for our neighbors can be exhibited in a myriad of ways—some so easy to carry out, we might even do so automatically without giving it much thought. But sometimes showing that love and discipleship can be a bit more challenging. Speaking up in support of another person or group being hurt by unfair rules or situations can be a very powerful way to walk beside our siblings in Christ.

Each of our five days will give us an opportunity to explore more deeply our authentic selves that God has made.

We will learn what it means to be siblings in Christ— humans who are brave enough to encourage and stand up for each other, sharing burdens as well as joys. We will grow and learn more about ourselves while listening to and sharing with each other.

Through our time together this summer, let us celebrate and explore who we are truly Created To Be!

As you are getting excited to come to camp this summer, discuss these questions, based on the five themes of the week:

God’s gift of grace is free for us and nothing we have to earn. What kinds of things can we do to show God our gratitude for that beautiful gift?

What talents or skills do you have that might make you unique? How can you use these gifts to glorify God?

When is a time you felt really brave? How did you feel God’s presence in that moment?

Loving our neighbors that don’t agree with us can be a difficult task, yet it is what we are called by God to do. How can we love all of our neighbors and not just our friends?

Who are some groups of people or individuals that need our help? What can we do to help them and make sure the love of Christ is known to them?

Embrace Silence and Stillness at Our New Summer Retreat

By Jessica Weltz, Adult Programs Specialist

It’s 5:30 a.m. The alarm goes off. Ready, set, go!

Somedays, it feels more like ‘Ready or not, the day is coming, so get up!’

Your mind has already started running through your mental to-do list, whether or not your body and mind are ready to face the day.

In today’s society, we are running from one thing to the next barely catching a breath. Your soul craves for a break, for stillness, for peace.

Silence allows a connection to God beyond what words can express.

While you become aware of all the distractions and noises in your life, you will be able to see how silence can transform you, your perspective, and your faith.

Proverbs 17: 28 says “Be still and know that I am God.” Be still? Is that even possible?

It is and it can be. When we force ourselves to stop and slow down, we can make room to hear God.

Imagine having absolute peace and quiet. It sounds delightful and wonderful, right?

The time is now. Silence. Stillness. Peace. It is all within reach.

We invite you to join us June 14-16 for our first Silent Retreat at Carol Joy Holling Camp, Conference & Retreat Center.

Matthew 11:26 instructs us to “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”

Rest. Pause. Breathe. Take the time to hear God and relish in what He has given you and all of us, His undivided attention and never-ending love.

During this spiritual weekend, you can expect to have scheduled times for silence, worship, walking a labyrinth, prayer, and self-reflection.

This time is an opportunity to reflect inwardly and process your thoughts in a calm way that will draw you closer to God and refocus your mind and soul.

Let God restore you during this time. Prayerfully consider attending this retreat.

Whether it is your first silent retreat or your 20th, we look forward to seeing you there!

In John 14:27, Jesus reminds us “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”

EVERYONE bELONGS at JAY NOVICKI DAY CAMPS

The wait between summer camp seasons can feel so long this time of year. It’s a good thing weekend retreats and day camps can help tide us all over!

For our friends with special needs, Jay Novicki Day Camps are offered six times throughout the year. Each day camp is an opportunity to make new friends, enjoy the outdoors, and grow in faith.

Come to camp to enjoy fun activities and new experiences, like a hayrack ride, inflatable archery, fishing, a cookout, creative arts projects, and sharing in prayer and worship. Each day camp will bring new activities and a new theme.

2024 Jay Novicki Spring Schedule

Tuesday, March 19

Wednesday, April 17

Tuesday, May 7

All Day Camp sessions run from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Monke Lodge at The Springs site.

A Jay Novicki Camp T-shirt is included in the $20 registration fee. Register for all three day camps this spring for only $50 total!

A Day Retreat at Carol Joy Holling Camp for Elementary Kids

Saturday, April 20, 2024

9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Cost per camper: $25

Our Explore! Day Retreats for elementary students, Grades 1-6, are a chance for young campers to get out and enjoy camp in one compact and fun day. If your child is missing camp or has never been to camp, Explore! gives them the perfect opportunity to experience a day of adventure and faith-building out at CJH Camp. In addition to Bible study and worship, we will be experiencing many favorite camp activities together as we share in fun and fellowship.

Every Explore! Day Retreat is different, so first-time and long-time participants can both join in the fun as we focus on environmental education, fellowship, and faith!

For more details and to reserve your spot visit CJHCenter.org/explore

MOM’S DAY

Saturday, April 20, 2024 | 9 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. | $25

Lunch Provided

This day is set aside for any mom with camper aged kids who would like to spend a day learning about camp, being in community with other moms, and time for faith through devotion.

The retreat will be held inside Monke Lodge at The Springs Site. Nursing children or those that are under 1 years of age are welcome. A lactation space will be available on-site.

For more details and to reserve your spot visit CJHCenter.org/moms-day

Let’s get ready for summer camp

Saturday, May 18, 2024

8 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. | Carol Joy Holling Camp

Breakfast and lunch are included!

Sign up to volunteer at CarolJoyHolling.org/work-day by May 10th. Questions? Contact LStirtz@NLOM.org or 402-944-2544.

DISCOVER THE TRANQUIL BEAUTY OFSullivan Hills

By Tara Knudson Carl, Director of Operations

Nebraska Lutheran Outdoor Ministries encompasses two properties in the state Carol Joy Holling Camp, Conference & Retreat Center on the eastern side, and Sullivan Hills Camp on the western side. Of the two, Sullivan Hills Camp is the one less familiar to many. If that’s you, it might be time for a visit . . .

In 1995, Lillian and Lester Sullivan gifted a section of land near Lodgepole, Nebraska to NLOM to be known as Sullivan Hills Camp.

It opened in the summer of 1997 with 80 campers, but it is also a place for gatherings and retreats the rest of the year.

Sullivan Hills Camp has a special kind of beauty— surrounded by fields, grasses, and the plains.

Peter Hansen, NLOM Senior Hospitality Specialist, has spent the last few summers at Sullivan Hills Camp as the Site Coordinator for summer camp. He’s grown to love it there.

“I find a lot of beauty in the dichotomy of Sullivan Hills Camp,” Peter shared. “There are days so hot and bright you think the sun might never set; nights so dark that you think you can count every star in the galaxy. Comfortable modern buildings, while just outside awaits untouched prairie teeming with life. And summers where you can hear joyous laughter from all the campers experiencing God’s creation; yet winters so still and quiet, a peaceful silence that is rare anywhere else.”

When you drive through the gates, you see ahead of you the Buckley Retreat Center which was added in 2006. Many friends of Sullivan Hills Camp joined together to make the retreat center possible, and we invite groups to come and convene in this facility.

Church, community, school, and business groups will find this space marked with special hospitality and support services, and families have found this a wonderful place to gather for family reunions.

Brandy Isenbart is a regular retreat coordinator for a scrapbooking group that meets at Sullivan Hills Camp. Brandy said, “Our group LOVES the environment of Sullivan Hills Camp as it allows us to pull our group of scrapbookers together for a close weekend of friends, laughter, and relaxation all in one place. With it being in one main building with a kitchenette, dorm rooms, and table set ups, the simple convenience allows for our group to gather for fun, all while we have a great time! We appreciate all that Sullivan Hills Camp has to offer our group and we have already reserved our retreat for our eighth annual gathering in 2024!”

Another regular attender and Sullivan Hills Camp supporter, Gary Oltmann stated, “We have been having a men’s retreat at Sullivan Hills Camp for several years, and the men attending always say that it is a great place!”

Try something a bit more isolated and peaceful, and come to Sullivan Hills Camp for your next group or family gathering. Call Dana Jahn, Manager of Event Planning, at 402-944-2544 for more information.

The Legacy of Roger Sasse

By Jason Gerdes, Executive Director

NLOM lost a legend this winter. Pastor Roger Sasse passed away on January 5. If you served on summer camp staff in the 1990s or early 2000s or have been a friend of camp since that time, chances are you remember his big ideas and even bigger smile.

Roger arrived at Nebraska Lutheran Outdoor Ministries in 1988 after serving as a campus pastor in Kearney, Indiana, and Lincoln. He interviewed for the position of Executive Director for NLOM at the request of Bishop Dennis Anderson of the Nebraska Synod, ELCA. As the story goes, Roger was very happy at the Lutheran Center at UNL and wasn’t interested in giving up his beloved role in working with students or his Husker football tickets.

Out of respect for Bishop Anderson, Roger interviewed for the position, but he did everything he could to not get the job. He told the Board of Directors all of the things that he thought needed to be improved with the camp and the Board agreed. God intervened and Roger was offered and accepted the position of Executive Director, a role he held for the next 20 years. Roger was accompanied in ministry at NLOM with his wife, Jan the “laundry queen”, and many of their children and relatives.

April 23, 1942 - January 5, 2024

Roger had the God-given gift to get people excited. He cast a vision for what NLOM could become and, along with the seven other staff members, he started with and many others to follow, NLOM grew in incredible ways. New buildings were built, programs created, staff members added, and leaders and friends raised. The biggest legacy that Roger leaves in connection to NLOM are the ways he impacted the lives of the people he connected with. Roger welcomed people in such a special way, and he shared his excitement for faith in God in ways that left others eager to join his passion.

We are thankful that God brought Roger to NLOM and for a life well lived. Well done, good and faithful servant!

Did you know that if you’re a Thrivent member (or associate member) you may have at least one $250 grant to help support an organization you care about?

It’s true! Here’s how:

• Visit Thrivent.com/actionteam Log in or create an account

• Submit your application

• Receive your grant gift card & goodie box (with t-shirts, stickers, and more fun!)

THRIVENT ACTION TEAM

If you need some ideas, here are a few ways Thrivent Action Team grants have helped Sullivan Hills Camp and Carol Joy Holling Camp over the past few years:

• Put together a large auction basket or a few small baskets for fundraising events like our Heart of Camp Gala and Heart of the Hills Benefit Dinner

• Gather summer care kit items like sunscreen, bug spray, and toiletries campers may have forgotten to pack (shampoo, toothbrush, etc.)

Host a bake sale or lemonade stand to raise funds to donate to our Campership program

• Purchase fabric to make a quilt for the Quilt Auction

• Collect craft supplies like markers, crayons, colored pencils, construction paper for campers to use during creative arts time

Provide a free will offering dinner before an Advent or Lent mid-week worship to raise funds for our Campership program

We can’t wait to see what ideas your family comes up with!

If you have any questions about the application or would like to run your idea to support camp by us, contact Trish Haniszewski, Development Officer, at THaniszewski@NLOM.org or 402-944-2544.

October 12 - 20, 2024

Deadline: May 31, 2024

Scan the QR Code to learn more and register or visit NLOM.org/trip

Join us on our next True North Leisure Trip! Enjoy history, culture, and relaxation alongside friends old and new as we explore Charleston, South Carolina.

We’ll visit Middleton Place to explore 65 acres of America’s oldest landscaping, see first-hand how tea is made at the Charleston Tea Gardens, enjoy a relaxing harbor cruise, participate in a guided tour of a historic Charleston plantation, and receive a full guided tour of the city.

Stops on the way to and from Charleston include the National Quilt Museum in Paducah, Ky., South Carolina State Museum in Columbia, S.C., and Madame Tussauds Wax Museum in Nashville, Tenn.

The cost of this trip from Carol Joy Holling Camp includes round-trip transportation on a 54-passenger motor coach with restrooms, eight nights lodging, including four consecutive nights in the Charleston area, 14 meals, as well as bottled water and snacks on the bus.

• Double occupancy: $1,649 per person

• Single occupancy: $2,039 per person

At Nebraska Lutheran Outdoor Ministries, in places set apart, we live out faith in ways that show everyone they belong and are unconditionally loved by God.

Therefore, when we receive feedback like the following from a recent retreat group called Boondoggle, we celebrate with thanksgiving the gifts we’ve been given to share with others.

“From the moment we arrived until our departure, your team made us feel truly welcomed. The warmth and genuine care extended to our group created an environment conducive to our gathering purpose. Our group, which came together from different parts of the country, had the collective goal of exploring the future of work.

“The combination of indoor and outdoor spaces provided by the retreat center played a pivotal role in the success of our discussions. The well-appointed indoor spaces served as ideal settings for our meetings, fostering an atmosphere of collaboration and productivity. Additionally, the open fire became a focal point for our debriefing sessions, offering a comforting ambiance that facilitated meaningful reflections and discussions.

“The outdoor trails, surrounded by the natural beauty of the area, became a sanctuary for us to clear our minds and engage in more informal conversations. This balance between purposeful indoor discussions and rejuvenating outdoor activities greatly contributed to the overall success of our retreat.

“Your commitment to hospitality and creating a welcoming atmosphere truly served as a scaffolding for our group to reach our goals. It was evident that the intention behind your hospitality aligns seamlessly with your goal of showing everyone that they belong and are unconditionally loved.”

Join us at our eleventh annual Heart of Camp Gala as we bring Faith: Alive! by celebrating the work done through Nebraska Lutheran Outdoor Ministries. Your participation and generosity at this year’s Gala enables NLOM to provide opportunities to campers no matter where they are in life.

All are welcome here, in these places where we live out faith in ways that show everyone they belong and are unconditionally loved by God.

Saturday, April 6, 2024

A View West Shores

110 South 243rd Street | Waterloo, NE 68069

RSVPs are d ue by Marc h 15.

Scan the QR Code for more details or to RSVP or you can visit CarolJoyHolling.org/gala

MARCH 8 - 9, 2024

SUMMER CAMP 2024

JUNE 2 - JULY 25, 2024

CarolJoyHolling.org SullivanHills.org

THE

lock in high high School School

MARCH 22 - 23, 2024

CJHCenter.org/hs-lock-in

JUNE 14 - 16, 2024

SEPTEMBER 20 - 22, 2024

CJHCenter.org/campout

APRIL 6, 2024

CJHCenter.org/gala

THE HEART OF THE

a benefit for SULLIVAN HILLS CAMP

CJHCenter.org/heart-of-the-hills

SPRING

MAR. 17 - 19, 2024*

APR. 21 - 23, 2024*

JULY 7 - 9, 2024*

FALL

SEPT. 22 -24, 2024*

OCT. 20 - 22, 2024*

DEC. 6 - 8, 2024

CJHCenter.org/ufo | *Have an extra day(s)

APRIL

CJHCenter.org/mother-daughter

APRIL

CJHCenter.org/quilt-auction

CJHCenter.org/kearneygolf