2021 Annual Report

LUTHERANS OUTDOORS IN SOUTH DAKOTA ANNUAL REPORT 2021

KLEIN RANCH

NESODAK

OUTLAW RANCH

MISSION STATEMENT Lutherans Outdoors in South Dakota welcomes all to explore and experience Christ's love in community and creation.

HISTORY Lutherans Outdoors in South Dakota was incorporated in 1968 to become an Outdoor Ministry for the American Lutheran Church, and subsequently for the ELCA. It provided quality coordination of the South Dakota camps based upon sound Lutheran theology on behalf of the congregations in South Dakota.

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NESODAK BIBLE CAMP NeSoDak Bible Camp on Lake Enemy Swim near Waubay, SD, was organized in 1942. NeSoDak offers waterfront youth programs for grades 1-9. NeSoDak is open year-round for group retreats.

KLEIN RANCH Klein Ranch became part of the Lutherans Outdoors experience in 1972. Klein Ranch is found south of McLaughlin, SD, on the northern plains of the state. A summer-only site, Klein Ranch focuses on the small-group experience and is a paradise for the horse lover, as the wide-open prairie is discovered daily on horseback for youth in grades 6-12.

OUTLAW RANCH Outlaw Ranch, found just outside of Custer, SD, near Bismarck Lake, was organized in 1958. A premiere Family Camp program anchors the summer experience along with various service, adventure, and leadership opportunities for youth of all ages. Outlaw Ranch is also open year-round for group retreats.

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FROM THE BOARD PRESIDENT AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR It is wonderful to be back together in person for the Lutherans Outdoors Annual Meeting!

ROB OLIVER

Three years have passed since we were able to be together and quite a bit has happened since then. Thank you for your kindness, willingness, and ability to support Lutherans Outdoors as it continues to be an integral part of the faith lives of the members of the congregations of South Dakota and beyond.

You will read about several events and changes that have occurred in the life of Lutherans Outdoors in this Annual Report. Most importantly, thousands played an important role in participating in the Keep the Campfires Burning Appeal, which surpassed its financial goal in 2021, enabling Lutherans Outdoors to begin 2022 without any debt resulting from the closing of the camps starting in March of 2020. It will be important to continue this monetary support in the current year as well.

As we look forward to 2022 and 2023, an expansive audit of every area of Lutherans Outdoors will be conducted; program, staffing, marketing, facility---everything, resulting in some deep adaptive changes. This will enable Lutherans Outdoors to continue to be the best Outdoor Ministry for you.

Continue to pray for the LO ministry, the LO staff, and the LO Board of Directors, as the pandemic life continues to present hurdles and obstacles in our path. Together we continue to Keep the Campfires Burning!

Thank you!

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ROB OLIVER

PAUL HANSON

Board President

Executive Director

PAUL HANSON

ANNUAL MEETING AGENDA June 4, 2022

Welcome and Opening Prayer | Paul Hanson, Executive Director

Call Meeting to Order | Rob Oliver, Board President

Secretary’s Report | Nancy Hartung, Secretary

Treasurer’s Report | Rev. Jared Rakness, LO Treasurer

Board President Report | Rob Oliver, Board President

Executive Director Report | Paul Hanson, Executive Director

By-Law Updates | Rob Oliver, Board President

Nomination and Election of New Board Members | Mark Schleuter, Board Member

Appreciation of Off-Going Board Members | Annelies Seffrood, Board VP 2020, 2021 2020 | Christina Nath, Mitchell; Rev. David Wildermuth, Yankton; Mary Bjerke, Brookings 2021 | Jan Ambler, Wyoming; Dennis Larson, Groton; Kim Reiger, Huron 2022 | Judi Schwerin, Sioux Falls; Nancy Hartung, Aberdeen; Jared Rakness, Sioux Falls

Appreciation of Long-Term (5-Years) Former Staff Members | Paul Hanson Jake Hanson (2015-2021) NeSoDak/Joy Ranch Director, Development Director Doug Nelson (2007 -2019) NeSoDak Facility Manager Mark Thompson (1986-2021) Outlaw Ranch Facility Manager

Closing Prayer

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KEEP THE CAMPFIRES BURNING APPEAL IS A BIG SUCCESS THANK YOU!!!

The response from individuals and congregations was tremendous! Our goal was reached, and even surpassed, with generous gifts from thousands. This is truly humbling, and truly promising, for the future of Lutherans Outdoors.

The Keep the Campfires Burning Appeal began at the end of 2020, and continued throughout the 2021 year. A goal of $1.2 million was created to help recover losses due to closure of our camps during 2020/2021 and to stabilize the ministry for future service. Meeting this goal would allow Lutherans Outdoors to begin 2022 debt-free from any financial losses due to the pandemic.

Campfires have been the galvanizing highlight for most everyone’s camp memories at Lutherans Outdoors. The campfire provides a time of inspiration, a time of joyous celebration, and a time of spiritual contemplation. These campfires needed to, and will continue to keep burning at NeSoDak, Outlaw Ranch, and Klein Ranch.

THANK YOU to the many individuals and volunteers who helped in surpassing our goal.

Keep the Campfires Burning Appeal Co-Chairs, Susan Leddy and Darcie Bien, along with Chair for Congregation Gifts, Rev. Dwight Stensgaard, need to be congratulated for moving the Appeal along for success.

The biggest THANK YOU goes to YOU, all of the individuals and congregations that participated in a special event or responded to an ask. YOUR support makes it possible to continue burning these important, life-giving campfires.

Lutherans Outdoors is excited to be a part of your life in 2022!

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JOY RANCH PROPERTY TRANSFER In early January 2022, Lutherans Outdoors completed the transfer of ownership and operation of Joy Ranch to a new entity named Joy Ranch of South Dakota.

This process started in November of 2019 with the creation of a Joy Ranch Task Force.

The Lutherans Outdoors Board, after much consideration and deliberation, determined that Joy Ranch, although a beautiful site with many amenities, did not fit our operational model of seasonal outdoor camping ministries.

Lutherans Outdoors is proud to have been an instrumental part of the birthing process of this beautiful facility that increases the quality of life for all who gather. Lutherans Outdoors thanks the thousands of supporters who have participated in the development of Joy Ranch.

With these changes, Lutherans Outdoors is confident that Joy Ranch of South Dakota will be successful into the future and will faithfully honor its many supporters.

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2021 SUMMER CAMPERS

TOTAL: 1,072

KLEIN RANCH 108

OUTLAW RANCH 478

NESODAK 486

CAMPERSHIP IMPACT Lutherans Outdoors has always made sure that anyone who wants to attend a camp program will indeed be able to attend. Campership funds make sure that this happens.

Lutherans Outdoors has given camperships to campers and families amounting to nearly $430,000 during the summers of 2021, 2019, and 2018. (See chart below)

Many individuals who support the ministry of Lutherans Outdoors make important contributions to the campership fund. Thank you to all of these donors for understanding the importance of the Lutherans Outdoor's camp experience.

Would you like to join the already amazing list of individuals who provide these important gifts? Please contact the Lutherans Outdoors office, or visit losd.org/donate, to make a donation.

CAMPERSHIPS DISTRIBUTED

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2021

2019

2018

TOTAL

KLEIN RANCH

$19,000.00

$9,500.00

$10,100.00

$38,600.00

OUTLAW RANCH

41,591.00

66,989.00

65,946.00

174,526.00

NESODAK

67,792.00

39,908.00

55,886.00

163,586.00

JOY RANCH

0

24,462.00

26,460.00

50,922.00

TOTALS

$128,383.00

$140,859.00

$158,392.00

$427,634.00

2021-2022 FINANCIALS INCOME

EXPENSE

$1,352,744

$614,282

NESODAK BIBLE CAMP

$405,156

$572,963

KLEIN RANCH

$113,409

$113,139

OUTLAW RANCH

$418,486

$584,167

$75,168

$463,592

$2,364,963

$2,348,143

INCOME

EXPENSE

$780,000

$721,600

NESODAK BIBLE CAMP

$618,100

$633,900

KLEIN RANCH

$115,700

$122,800

$642,200

$718,100

$2,156,000

$2,196,400

ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE

JOY RANCH TOTALS

2022-2023 BUDGET ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE

OUTLAW RANCH TOTALS

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BUILDING PROJECTS

OUTLAW RANCH PAVILION & PROGRAM CENTER

NESODAK PAVILION

VOLUNTEERS AT OUTLAW RANCH, KLEIN RANCH, AND NESODAK You are the lifeblood of Lutherans Outdoors and we could not do all that needs to be done without YOU!

Here are just a small portion of the work that you impact: Dishwashers, Carpenters, Painters, Camp cleaner uppers, Letter stuffers, Camp nurses, Groundskeepers, Cabin cleaners, Kitchen helpers/bakers, Maintenance, Horse-keepers, the list goes on and on…

Your tireless actions and pleasant demeanor – all with a smile – let our campers know the

Boundless love

of God at each of our camps.

Thank you

just doesn’t seem to be enough:

please know how much you are loved, admired and appreciated.

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THANK YOU, VOLUNTEERS!

YEAR-ROUND STAFF

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Admin Office

Prairie Coteau Conference

Executive Director, Paul Hanson

Melissa Waldner, Webster

Associate Director, Deacon Randy

Annelies Seffrood, Summit-Vice-President

Youngquist-Thurow

Medary Conference

Executive Assistant/Registrar, Erica Julius

Rev. Cassandra Lamb, Brookings

Marketing Director, Mara Stillson

Darcie Bien, Brookings

Development Associate, Gayle Wisnewski

Crossroads Conference

Bookkeeper, Linda Weidner

Judi Schwerin, Sioux Falls

Account Specialist, Lois Borchardt

Rob Oliver, Sioux Falls-President

Southeastern Conference Outlaw Ranch

Nick Moser, Yankton

Camp Director, Matt Rusch

A.J. Franken, Vermillion

Program Director, Klaire Hudson

Northern Plains Conference

Food Service, Jean Pulscher

Rev. Craig Wexler, Pierre

Office Manager, Chris Baker

Nancy Hartung, Aberdeen-Secretary

Facilities Manager, Shannon Pulscher

Prairie Rivers Conference Diane Brandsrud, Huron

Klein Ranch Camp Director, Teri Gayer

Kim Rieger, Huron

Bear Butte Conference Dr. Rand Schleusener, Rapid City

NeSoDak

Mark Massa, Rapid City

Program Director, Thomas Wishard

At-Large

Office Manager, Kim Heimerl

Mark Schlueter, Sioux Falls

Hospitality Director, Kris Mueller

Dr. Craig Uthe, Sioux Falls

Facilities Manager, Dustin Holt

Rev. Jared Rakness, Sioux Falls-Treasurer

Appointed Rev. Jonathan Steiner, Synod Office

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S'MORE CAMP Lutherans Outdoors has received an incredible outpouring of prayers and love and support during 2020 and 2021. You have made an incredible difference to what was a pivotal period of time for the Lutherans Outdoors ministry. The

gifts you shared, the support you gave, and the good deeds you

have done are to be commended. Thank you!

Lutherans Outdoors looks forward to a vibrant 2022. We will be looking closely at all facets of our ministry --- program, facilities, staffing, governance, promotion, fundraising --- everything! Our goal is to provide the best camp ministry that will meet the needs of our participants and congregations. A camp ministry that gives life and shares love, God’s love.

Lutherans Outdoors asks you today

to consider doing s’more.

S’more praying for our summer campers, summer staff, and our wonderful facilities.

S’more participation in the many program opportunities Lutherans Outdoors offers.

S’more sharing with your friends and neighbors about the Christ-centered opportunities with Lutherans Outdoors.

And

S’more responding to Lutherans Outdoors’ financial needs to continue being those special

places where thousands can feel God’s love.

Thank you for all the good you have done, and will continue to do, with your willingness to share

S’more with Lutherans Outdoors.