LOSD 2022 Annual Report

LUTHERANS OUTDOORS IN SOUTH DAKOTA

MISSIONSTATEMENT

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.

LAND ACKNOWLEDGMENT

As a partner organization and ministry of the South Dakota Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America we recognize that the Oceti Sakowin, (the Seven Council Fires of the Lakota, Dakota, Nakota) the Arikara, the Ponca, and the Cheyenne, are the original inhabitants of South Dakota; and South Dakota is the current home of the Cheyenne River Tribe, Crow Creek Tribe, Flandreau Santee Tribe, Lower Brule Tribe, Oglala Tribe, Rosebud Tribe, Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate, Standing Rock Tribe, and Yankton Tribe

We recognize that we are called to be in good relationship with our neighbors, that the tribes are sovereign nations, that there is a history of broken treaties and broken trust, and that there is lots of work to be done. And we also recognize that as Christians, we have faith in new life, in hope for mending what is broken, and in our calling through the Holy Spirit to do this work.

BIBLE CAMP

AT THE WATER.

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

ON THE PRAIRIE. IN THE HILLS.

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.

FROM THE BOARD PRESIDENT AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

As you experience the Lutherans Outdoors’ Annual meeting for the year 2022, we will share our REIMAGINING LO endeavor, including four new Core Values as well as the deep dive audits that are currently underway.

We will also give a recap of camper registrations and retreat usage that saw an increase from 2021. We have completed several facility improvements at Outlaw Ranch. We share the pride of the many staff, Board members and volunteers that are involved in outdoor ministry.

One constant throughout the Lutherans Outdoors ministry is our need for people

Lutherans Outdoors in South Dakota needs:

Campers of all ages and all backgrounds participating with curiosity, wonder and seeking a life with Christ.

Retreat Participants receiving extreme hospitality through innovative and personalized experiences at Outlaw Ranch and NeSoDak.

Summer Staff members building relationships with campers when they share their faith life and faith experiences.

Advocates understanding the importance of planting seeds, sharing God’s love, and providing a safe experience exploring faith with campers of all ages.

Donors ensuring the ability to offer the camp experience at a significantly reduced cost to the families sending campers.

Lutherans Outdoors is so thankful for everyone involved in one, or many, of these areas where we need people Together, we can share the love of Christ

Please continue to pray for the people of the LO Ministry: the LO participants, the LO staff, and the LO Board of Directors, as we RE-IMAGINE the bold possibilities for the future of Lutherans Outdoors!

Thank you!

ANNUAL MEETING AGENDA

June 3, 2023

Welcome and Opening Prayer | Paul Hanson, Executive Director

Call Meeting to Order | Annelies Seffrood, President

Secretary’s Report | Nick Moser, Secretary

Treasurer’s Report | Rob Oliver, Treasurer

Board President Report | Annelies Seffrood, President

Executive Director Report | Paul Hanson, Executive Director

Re-imagining LOSD | Deacon Randy Youngquist-Thurow, Associate Director

Election of New Board Members | Annelies Seffrood, President

Appreciation of Board Members | Darcie Bien, Vice President

Melissa Waldner, Webster; Rand Schluesener, Rapid City

Rob Oliver, Sioux Falls; Craig Uthe, Sioux Falls

Appreciation of Long-Term (5-Years) Staff Members | Paul Hanson

Teri Gayer (1992-2023) Klein Ranch and NeSoDak Director

Closing Prayer

RE-IMAGINING LO

Bold, innovative, generative, courageous, responsive, excellent, lead, inclusive, creation-aware, Christcentered – these are actions that guide the work of LO. These actions change lives gathered in a unique Christian community, anchored in faith. Does it sound exciting? Like a movement you would want to be a part of? Join us at Lutherans Outdoors in South Dakota, where together we IMAGINE this as our calling!

As we RE-IMAGINE LO, we acknowledge that our communities, churches, families, and the world are changing at a faster pace today than at any time in history. Our camps---Outlaw Ranch, Klein Ranch, and NeSoDak must be responsive to a changing world. “We cannot become what we need to be by remaining what we are ”

RE-IMAGINE LO seeks to strengthen our calling by diving deep (audits) into key areas of our ministry The LO Board and staff set out on a bold journey to analyze and strengthen the following areas within the current LO structure:

Organizational

These eight areas of self-reflection will spark innovation that strengthens LO. The drive for excellence in serving God’s people will be the groundwork for a new and courageous strategic direction for LO in 2024-2025.

As of this writing the process is well underway. In January of 2023 the LO Board unanimously adopted four dynamic CORE VALUES as a part of the Organizational Philosophy Audit Each site has additionally adopted one CORE VALUE specific to their site

From January to April, three Board task teams began to dive into three additional audits: Budget and Finance, Fund Development, and Marketing. These three audits have produced over 30 new recommendations to REIMAGINE how LO can best serve you.

Currently, two audit teams are working: Governance; Sites and Facilities. Sites and Facilities seek to help us understand the gifts and assets we have, envision how they may evolve to serve others, and set a positive course of caring for these gifts to ensure a bright future. Governance is all about the culture and structure that supports the ministry and sets a faith-filled course for years to come

The final two audits are logically at the end of the process Program and Staffing Now, we can RE-IMAGINE LO meeting needs; welcoming others, developing leaders, teaching about and caring for all creation, while grounding ourselves in God’s unconditional love and grace embedded in the program we offer. We will look to sharpen programs, broaden our reach, and be creative in meeting needs.

Finally, we will take a deep look at our staff and match their talents with the program needs identified. This audit will seek to enhance and develop skills to RE-IMAGINE how staff can guide innovation, respond to needs, and be bold in creating new programming.

Join us as together we RE-IMAGINE LO, to meet the challenges of a changing world

NEW CORE VALUES

One of the exciting outcomes of the RE-IMAGINE LO audits has been the development of CORE VALUES. The Organization Philosophy audit, which started last October, produced some new core values adopted unanimously by the Board in January of 2023. Core Values are a great tool to answer the question: What is this ministry all about? They are not meant to cover everything LO does, but they do provide a quick easy look at what are the key things we promise to do if you participate in our programs These are the bottom line most important elements of the rich culture our three sites have developed over the years

We Promise To: Explore Faith | Welcome All | Build Leaders | Care for ALL Creation

Outlaw Ranch Promises To: Nurture Community in the Hills

Klein Ranch Promises To: Empower Self-Confidence on the Prairie

NeSoDak Promises To: Connect at the Water

Notice that all of what we do is grounded first and foremost in Explore Faith. Our Christian beliefs and desire to share the Good News of God’s unconditional love and grace for everyone come first We live this Faith value out through the daily witness of staff, a sacred place set apart, devotions, prayer, worship, community living, and Bible Study.

Welcome All is truly a challenge to be people of God who accept, invite, and welcome all people into community, with no exceptions. It is about radical hospitality and living out the unconditional love of all people at our sites

Outdoor Ministries is well known across the church for having the gift to Build Leaders Many rostered leaders point to their camp experiences as formative in their call process. Additionally, camp is that place where new gifts are discovered, or uncovered for the first time. Leaders in families, communities, the congregation, and all walks of vocation are lifted up in our camp environments.

In Genesis, we are called by God to “till and care for this earth” Camps often lead the way in teaching about the wonders of creation, and miracles that happen all around us Camps also teach us about good stewardship of resources and care for ourselves and others. We are called as children of God to Care for ALL Creation.

Each site team worked on developing one core value that was truly unique to their site.

Outlaw Ranch – Nurture Community in the Hills

This value is focused on the emphasis placed on building a strong connected Christian Community on the site through resident camp and especially through the powerful programs of Family Camp. This is lived through shared tasks and intentional small group times. And where does this happen – In the Hills.

Klein Ranch – Empower Self-Confidence on the Prairie

At Klein Ranch, guests face an unfamiliar environment and the challenges and joys of working directly with horses and animals. Often it is new ground. Klein's programs seek to use this unique setting to build self-confidence as guests learn skills and develop new courage. And where does this happen – On the Prairie.

NeSoDak – Connect at the Water

On the peninsula at NeSoDak, you are surrounded by water Guests connect with one another around the joy of water as they play, fish, and swim Water is a sustainer of life, and life is sustained and enriched as we live and play at the water, reminding us daily of our connection to God. And where does this happen – At the Water

You will hear and see much more of the CORE VALUES in and around the glorious work of LO at Outlaw Ranch, Klein Ranch, NeSoDak, and in your community When someone asks what LO is all about – you can answer using these simple Core Values

2022 SUMMER CAMPERS

TOTAL: 1,175

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 $425,743 00 during the summers of 2022, 2021, and 2019 (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.

CAMPERSHIPSDISTRIBUTED

2022-2023 FINANCIALS 2023-2024 BUDGET

WHERE DO THE GIFTS COME FROM?

HORSE BARN/CORRAL LODGE DECK

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 WONDER of God's love and creation at each of our camps Thank you just doesn’t seem to be enough: please know how much you are loved, admired and appreciated.

THANK YOU, VOLUNTEERS!

YEAR-ROUND STAFF

Admin Office

Executive Director, Paul Hanson

Associate Director, Deacon Randy

Youngquist-Thurow

Executive Assistant/Registrar, Erica Julius

Marketing Director, Mara Stillson

Development Associate, Gayle Wisnewski

Bookkeeper, Linda Weidner

Account Specialist, Lois Borchardt

Outlaw Ranch Director, Matt Rusch

Program Director, Skylar Schwab

Food Service, Jean Pulscher

Office Manager, Chris Baker

Facilities Manager, Shannon Pulscher

Klein Ranch Director, Teri Gayer

NeSoDak Director, Marti Knudsen

Program Director, Thomas Wishard

Hospitality Manager, Kris Mueller

Facilities Manager, Dustin Holt

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Prairie Coteau Conference

Melissa Waldner, Webster

Annelies Seffrood, Summit-President

Medary Conference

Rev. Cassandra Lamb, Brookings

Darcie Bien, Brookings

Crossroads Conference

Jess Jasso, Sioux Falls

Rob Oliver, Sioux Falls-Treasurer

Southeastern Conference

Nick Moser, Yankton-Secretary

A.J. Franken, Vermillion

Northern Plains Conference

Rev Craig Wexler, Pierre

Rev. Dave Lund, Aberdeen

Prairie Rivers Conference

Diane Brandsrud, Huron

Kim Rieger, Huron

Bear Butte Conference

Dr. Rand Schleusener, Rapid City

Mark Massa, Rapid City

At-Large

Mark Schlueter, Sioux Falls

Dr. Craig Uthe, Sioux Falls

Jeff Pederson, Sioux Falls

Appointed

Rev. Jonathan Steiner, Synod Office

WONDER

And amazement seized them all, and they glorified God and were filled with awe, saying, “We have seen extraordinary things today.”

Luke 5:26

WONDER is the theme of our 2023 summer camping program where guests and campers will experience the wonder of God’s love, the wonder of God’s creation, and the wonder of God’s grace

Our mighty God has provided each day for us to see extraordinary things.

Our mighty God has provided amazing places for us to experience extraordinary things.

Our mighty God has provided unique individuals in our lives to experience extraordinary things together.

It is a privilege to be in WONDER of the incredible outcomes that are provided by the Lutherans Outdoors ministry!

Join us this summer as we look down, look up, look around, look in, and look out to examine the precious gifts of community and creation and be in a state of WONDER of our God!