2023 Annual Report

LUTHERANS OUTDOORS IN SOUTH DAKOTA ANNUAL REPORT 2023

OUTLAW RANCH

KLEIN RANCH

NESODAK

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 provides 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 much 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.

CORE VALUES

KLEIN RANCH (ISABEL, SD)

NESODAK (WAUBAY, SD)

OUTLAW RANCH (CUSTER, SD)

ADMIN OFFICE

(SIOUX FALLS, SD)

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WE PROMISE TO: EXPLORE FAITH WELCOME ALL BUILD LEADERS CARE FOR ALL CREATION

OUTLAW RANCH IN THE HILLS. 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.

KLEIN RANCH ON THE PRAIRIE. 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.

NESODAK 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.

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FROM THE BOARD PRESIDENT AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR During 2023, Lutherans Outdoors in South Dakota continued its long history of providing ministry for all ages. Year-round adventures at Outlaw Ranch, NeSoDak, summer at Klein Ranch, along with Adult Travel Experiences and Gathering Travel Experiences, provides time away for God’s people, where they encounter hospitality and love. We hope that you were able to experience this in 2023 and beyond.

ANNELIES SEFFROOD

Our commitment to Re-imagining LO remained steadfast in 2023, as we conducted eight comprehensive deep dive audits. These audits provided an in-depth examination of Governance, Marketing, Staffing, Program, Finances, Financial Development, Facilities, and Philosophy. From these audits, 96 recommendations were accepted by the LO Board of Directors, demonstrating our dedication to continuous improvement. These recommendations are set to be implemented by early 2025, as we chart the strategic course for LO's next 20 years of Outdoor Ministry.

While we continue to face financial challenges, we remain optimistic about the future. The Operating Budget relies on the generous support of the ministry through prayers and gifts. To ensure that the camping experience remains accessible to all and to maintain LO's financial stability, we are hopeful for an increase in the number and amount of donor gifts in 2024. Your continued support is crucial in this endeavor.

Lutherans Outdoors will see multiple staff changes in 2024. Teri Gayer resigned last fall from her position at Klein Ranch. Kaycee Cronin has been hired to be Klein Ranch’s Director. Matt Rusch has recently resigned as Outlaw Ranch’s Director and a search is underway. NeSoDak is seeking a Program Director. A Development Director serving all of LO will also be hired to begin in the fall.

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 REIMAGINE the bold possibilities for Lutherans Outdoors' future!

ANNELIES SEFFROOD 3

Board President

PAUL J. HANSON Executive Director

PAUL HANSON

ANNUAL MEETING AGENDA June 1, 2024 Welcome and Opening Prayer | Paul J. Hanson, Executive Director Call Meeting to Order | Annelies Seffrood, Board President Secretary’s Report 2022 - LOSD Annual Meeting Minutes | Mark Schlueter, Secretary Treasurer’s Report | Mark Massa, Treasurer Board President Report | Annelies Seffrood, President Executive Director Report | Paul J. Hanson, Executive Director Re-imagining LOSD Report | Deacon Randy Youngquist-Thurow, Associate Director Appreciation of Board Members | Nick Moser, Vice President Pastor Craig Wexler, Pierre

Appreciation of Staff Members | Paul Hanson Matt Rusch (2014-2024) Outlaw Ranch Director Lois Borchardt (2008-2024) Lutherans Outdoors Account Specialist Closing Prayer

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RE-IMAGINING LO

By Randy Youngquist-Thurow

Passion - so many of you have that strong driven passion for the ministry of LO. Praise God! You have soul-filling experiences at Outlaw Ranch, Klein Ranch and NeSoDak that sustain you in faith. On the road to Emmaus (Luke 24:13-35) those walking with Jesus later reflected on their journey saying; “were our hearts not burning” from hearing the message of God’s Love and Grace. That passion to tell the story and share our camp experiences is what ignites a desire to “RE-IMAGINE LO.” Your Board and Staff have been busy this past year working through the “RE-IMAGINING LO” process.

They have been bold, creative, energized, and responsive in the midst of a changing church and world. The board has embodied a clear focus on our new Core Values: Explore Faith Welcome All Build Leaders Care for ALL Creation Along with the specific values of each site.

Nurture Community in the Hills - Outlaw Ranch Build Self-Confidence on the Prairie - Klein Ranch Connect at the Water - NeSoDak These values help us to clearly articulate for others who we are and what we will do for our guests.

During this past year, eight audit teams took on an exciting and productive task of asking some hard questions about how LO functions. These audit teams met multiple times and produced a whopping 96 recommendations for action. These recommendations included: developing new Core Values, revising the Vision Statement, developing an elevator speech, re-shaping the organizational by-laws, adopting a new board function structure, authoring a Financial Policy and Procedure Manual, adding task forces to support staff work in the areas of facility management and marketing, revising job descriptions, and more.

Of the 96 recommendations approved by the board.

58 - Are complete or in process 12 - Will be completed by September 1 16 - Are to be completed by the end of 2024 10 - Will be put in place in 2025 Many of these recommendations are to be a part of the ongoing LO culture moving forward.

These recommendations provide systems and processes that will strengthen LO and free staff and board to be innovative leaders in addressing the needs of those we serve.

Early in this process this statement became a rallying point, “we can’t become who we need to be by remaining who we are”. Working through 96 actionable recommendations shows we are moving and not remaining the same.

Now LO is poised to move forward, to dream, to be innovators, to lead the church, as together we develop a new, or more clearly articulated, Strategic Direction for each site and for LO as an organization. Watch for ways you can play an active role in this innovation as we Explore Faith, Welcome All, Build Leaders and Care for All Creation!

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Join us as together we share our passion and RE-IMAGINE LO, to meet the challenges of a changing world.

2023 SUMMER CAMPERS

WHERE LO CAMPERS ARE FROM.

OUTLAW RANCH 693

KLEIN RANCH 162

NESODAK 491

TOTAL: 1,346

SD SYNOD CONFERENCES

OUTLAW RANCH

KLEIN RANCH

NESODAK

SOUTHEASTERN

14

1

38

CROSSROADS

247

63

145

MEDARY

30

16

77

PRAIRIE COTEAU

0

1

124

PRAIRIE RIVERS

41

4

14

NORTHERN PLAINS

36

23

72

BEAR BUTTE

106

5

11

MINNESOTA

166

67

12

OTHER STATES

92

2

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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 this happens.

Lutherans Outdoors has given camperships to campers and families amounting to nearly $500,000 during the summers of 2023, 2022, and 2021. (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 2023

2022

2021

TOTAL

KLEIN RANCH

$36,450

$19,000

$9,500

$82,275

OUTLAW RANCH

$84,390

$41,591

$66,989

$206,069

NESODAK

$68,615

$67,792

$39,908

$210,457

TOTALS

$189,455

$128,383

$116,397

$498,801

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2023-2024 FINANCIALS INCOME

EXPENSE

ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE

$595,900

$692,200

NESODAK

$499,800

$565,100

KLEIN RANCH

$151,800

$134,000

OUTLAW RANCH

$667,700

$799,800

TOTALS

$1,915,200

$2,191,100

2023-2024 MINISTRY PLAN INCOME

EXPENSE

ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE

$1,154,500

$804,200

NESODAK

$595,600

$704,100

KLEIN RANCH

$138,800

$146,300

OUTLAW RANCH

$714,200

$944,300

TOTALS

$2,603,100

$2,598,900

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2023-2024 INCOME AND EXPENSES Individual Gifts

$449,800

Special Events

$38,400

Thrivent Choice

$22,300

Memorials

$6,500

Congregational Benevolence

$91,900

WELCA

$8,700

SD Synod

$34,000

Campership Gifts

$91,600

Endowment

$40,400

Program - Outlaw Ranch

$531,800

Program - Klein Ranch

$115,500

Program - NeSoDak

$411,500

Other

$72,800

TOTAL

$1,915,200

Staff

$1,253,700

Program Supplies

$51,300

Insurance

$106,200

Food

$163,900

Faciltiies / Utilities

$187,500

Scholarships

$189,500

Development

$44,300

Publicity

$17,700

Other

$177,000

TOTAL

$2,191,100

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VOLUNTEERS AT OUTLAW RANCH, KLEIN RANCH, AND NESODAK Volunteers, you are the heart and soul of Lutherans Outdoors, and we could not do all that needs to be done without YOU! Your tireless actions and passion—all with a smile—let our campers feel and experience God’s love at each of your camps. Thank you for your time, effort, and impact. Please know how much you are loved, admired, and appreciated.

Thank you for washing dishes, carpentering, painting, cleaning, stuffing letters, nursing, cleaning, helping in the kitchen, serving on boards, maintaining, cleaning, keeping horses healthy, and the millions of other things you do at Outlaw Ranch, Klein Ranch, and NeSoDak.

THANK YOU, VOLUNTEERS!

CREATED TO BE “I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.

Wonderful are your works; that I know very well.” Psalm 139:14 This summer at Outlaw Ranch, Klein Ranch, and NeSoDak, campers of all ages will explore their faith based on the theme "Created to Be" from Psalm 139:14.

Campers will dig into how they are created to be Gracefilled, Authentic, Brave, Connected, and Disruptive, through faith conversation, First Word, Worship, Bible Study, Campfire, Devotions, and Random Moments and the many other times the Spirit is felt.

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YEAR-ROUND STAFF

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Admin Office

Prairie Coteau Conference

Executive Director, Paul Hanson

Annelies Seffrood, Summit-President

Associate Director, Deacon Randy

Medary Conference

Youngquist-Thurow

Rev. Cassandra Lamb, Brookings

Executive Assistant/Registrar, Erica Julius

Darcie Bien, Brookings

Marketing Director, Mara Stillson

Crossroads Conference

Development Associate, Gayle Wisnewski

Jess Jasso, Sioux Falls

Bookkeeper, Linda Weidner

Southeastern Conference Nick Moser, Yankton-Vice President

Outlaw Ranch

A.J. Franken, Vermillion

Director, Matt Rusch

Northern Plains Conference

Program Director, Skylar Schwab

Rev. Craig Wexler, Pierre

Food Service, Jean Pulscher

Rev. Dave Lund, Aberdeen

Office Manager, Chris Baker

Prairie Rivers Conference

Facilities Manager, Shannon Pulscher

Diane Brandsrud, Huron Kim Rieger, Huron

Klein Ranch

Bear Butte Conference

Director, Kaycee Cronin

Mark Massa, Rapid City-Treasury At-Large

NeSoDak

Mark Schlueter, Sioux Falls-Secretary

Director, Marti Knudsen

Carla Borchardt, Sioux Falls

Hospitality Manager, Kris Mueller

Jeff Pederson, Sioux Falls

Facilities Manager, Dustin Holt

Appointed Rev. Jonathan Vehar, Synod Office

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SEE YOU THIS YEAR! SAVE THE DATES SUMMER WORSHIP AT NESODAK June 9-August 11 ADULT TRAVEL EXPERIENCES Upper Peninsula of Michigan - Sept. 9-14th Christmas in Branson - Nov. 18-22nd PASSIONATE QUILTERS & CREATIVE SOULS AT OUTLAW RANCH - NOVEMBER WEEKENDS SCANDINAVIAN DINNERS AT NESODAK November 1-3rd, 2024 TIE-DYE and Tuxedo Gala November 8th, 2024