2023 Annual Report by lutheransoutdoors

LUTHERANS OUTDOORS IN SOUTH DAKOTA

A N N U A L R E P O R T

2 0 2 3 KLEIN RANCH

NESODAK

OUTLAW RANCH

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 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.

NESODAK

KLEIN RANCH (ISABELSD) OUTLAW RANCH (CUSTERSD) ADMIN OFFICE (SIOUXFALLS,SD) WE PROMISE TO: EXPLORE FAITH WELCOME ALL BUILD LEADERS CARE FOR ALL CREATION CORE VALUES

(WAUBAY,SD)

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 d il h b k f th i d 6

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.

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.

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!

Board President

A N N E L I E S S

E F F R O O D

P A U L J

H A N

P A U L H A N S O N A N N E L I E S S E F F R O O D 3

N Executive Director

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

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!

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

2023 SUMMER CAMPERS

TOTAL: 1,346

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. OUTLAW

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 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 16 6

RANCH 693

RANCH 162 NESODAK 491

KLEIN

CAMPERSHIPSDISTRIBUTED WHERELOCAMPERSAREFROM.

2023-2024 FINANCIALS

ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE

NESODAK

KLEIN RANCH

OUTLAW RANCH

TOTALS

$595,900

$499,800

$151,800

$667,700

$1,915,200

$692,200

$565,100

$134,000

$799,800

$2,191,100

2023-2024 MINISTRY PLAN

ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE

NESODAK

KLEIN RANCH

OUTLAW RANCH

TOTALS

$1,154,500

$595,600

$138,800

$714,200

$2,603,100

$804,200

$704,100

$146,300

$944,300

$2,598,900

EXPENSE INCOME

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

Other

TOTAL $1,915,200 Staff $1,253,700 0 0 8

- Outlaw Ranch $531,800 Program - Klein Ranch $115,500 Program - NeSoDak $411,500

$72,800

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.