Spring 2023 Vol 36, Issue 1
News for the Friends of Lutherans Outdoors in SD LO’s Obscure Trivia Facts from 2022
“Volunteering is our opportunity to give back to a ministry that has enriched our lives” Greg and Sue Olsen There are many ways that people become connected to camp, whether it be as campers, retreat guests, through their church, as staff, or somehow stumbling in out of the blue. Greg and Sue Olsen began their relationship with Outlaw Ranch over four decades ago when a group of families from their church came as family campers. In 1979, they made their first trip with their two daughters, ages three and six. In 1983, their son was five months old when they attended that summer. For fourteen years, they continued with their children, saying, “Family camp for us is a time to pause and reflect upon the Creator’s gift of the Black Hills. Outlaw Ranch is a place of peace. It is also a place to build community with new friends, as well as with the Staff and Volunteers. We have met many counselors each summer who have joined this community for a summer of service. Friendships have been formed with the many adult study leaders we have met and the wonderful musicians and artists that join family camp weeks.” In recent years, they’ve transitioned to attending family camp with grandchildren and volunteering. As volunteers, they’ve contributed their time and talents to recent projects, including the new pavilion, camp store building, and removing the old corral. Whatever the task may be, hauling hay, cleaning cabins, clearing trees, or driving for Road Scholar programs, they’ve jumped in. Greg says, “Volunteering is our opportunity to give back to a ministry that has enriched our lives…. We have been blessed in many ways by making that first trip to family camp in 1979.” Volunteering is a hands-on way to dive deeper into your relationship with a camp. Some volunteers are at camp daily, and some answer the call when help for bigger projects is needed. It can be on or off-site, for example, building end tables in your wood shop or sewing new curtains for cabins in the comfort of your home. If you’d like to get connected to camp through volunteering, we encourage you to reach out to their staff to see how your time and talents might be put to use in support of the Lutherans Outdoors in South Dakota camps! Lutherans Outdoors in South Dakota welcomes all to andD experience W W W . explore L O S . O RChrist’s G love in community and creation. ~ Mission Statement of Lutherans Outdoors in South Dakota