Trying It Out

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Nathan Bruchman (left) and a team of Summer 2021 Staff gather for a campfire

Nathan Bruchman wasn’t sure what he was going to do for the summer. All of his siblings had attended summer camp at Fortune Lake, so working at camp seemed like something to try.

Nathan described himself as pretty quiet and not very outgoing. He didn’t venture to try new things very often. However, when he arrived at camp, he found a community waiting with open arms to help him break out of his shell.  Everyone on staff was kind and supportive, and he never felt part of an “out group”.

Nearly halfway into the summer, Nathan was feeling like he didn’t really know what he was doing. His confidence needed a boost.  At an end-of-week staff meeting,  a fellow counselor  shared a story about Nathan’s campers that opened his eyes. The staffer had overheard a cabin conversation about how cool Nathan’s campers thought he was, and how impressed they were with his wheelie abilities in his wheelchair. This reminded Nathan that campers look up to staffers and may be affected by “stuff,”  even when one isn’t aware of it.

Reflecting on his summer as a FLLC counselor,  Nathan thinks the lesson that has stuck with him most is trying new things is worth the experience. Though it may not work out exactly the way you’re hoping, there is value in it nonetheless. He is grateful for both the experience of being a leader and having the opportunity to impact those who were campers.  He is thankful for all of the new friendships and connections he established while at camp.

Fortune Lake provides a space where the Holy Spirit can act through community. People are encouraged to get out of their comfort zones, create new relationships, and be appreciated for who they are.   We meet God in a multitude of ways through this ministry, where we all get to try something new. Thinking about trying a summer on Fortune Lake’s Staff like Nathan did? Email campdirector@fortunelake.org to inquire, or visit the Employment section of our webpage for more information.

 

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Making Space for Gratitude

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Liz Grenke-Leach in one of her favorite outdoor settings

Liz Grenke-Leach breathes gratitude and shares it freely. But in her role as a public middle school teacher, she was tired. Recently she had the unique opportunity to share Fortune Lake–this place she has long loved–with the students she serves, and it proved to be exactly what she–and they–needed. 

7th grade is a tumultuous time. There is a lot of developmental change that is hard to understand, and young people and their peers can be hard on themselves and one another. Couple all that with a pandemic, the question of what “normal” school even looks like anymore, and it’s a real challenge. The recent commitment of Liz’s teaching team at Calumet’s Washington Middle School to prioritize school camp helped a group of 7th grade students to get out from the school walls and find their gratitude again.

On the first evening at Fortune Lake, one student was anxious about being away from home. She reached out to Liz,, and Liz invited her to go on a walk through the grounds. Daylight was waning, and they didn’t have a flashlight. Liz reassured her by saying, “Are you okay? I know every foot of these grounds.” The student replied, “I can tell you do.” Together they walked through the dark, together they breathed deeply, together they found calm. Eventually, the student was ready to re-enter the group. Although she and Liz had developed a bedtime plan, she didn’t end up needing it. At the end of the third day, she was so proud to have made it!

The pandemic has shown us that we all sometimes need an opportunity to re-center before we can sincerely re-enter the spaces to which we’ve been called. We all need someone to walk with us, someone who has tread this path before, to tell us it’s going to be okay. Through her experience at camp, Liz was reminded that we need to build time and space for gratitude, for ourselves and for our young people. Fortune Lake provided that opportunity, both for her and for the students she accompanied. Their teachers and our Fortune Lake staff could sense the students’ gratitude as they played field games, cleaned up after meals in the dining hall, learned how to jump off the dock for the first time (yes, even in October!), or learned three-part harmonies around the campfire. Their smiles–and Liz’s–said it all.

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Generations of Grace

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Melissa and her daughter Caroline in front of Emanuel Lodge with the tree they planted in Vicki’s memory.

Melissa Salminen has experienced Fortune Lake as a place of grace, meeting her spirit needs, across the span of her entire life. A former camper, camp counselor, teacher, and now seminary student and mom,  she reflects on her relationship with Fortune Lake with gratitude.                

Melissa remembers, “ I always seemed to get injured in some way during my camp week!”   Attending camp every year since third grade, she thinks these little injuries may have enabled her to take risks she had not been brave enough to take before.   She is grateful for that.

It was her mother, Vicki Baldini, who encouraged Melissa and her brother to attend camp as kids, as Vicki was a camper herself back in the 60s. When Melissa became a counselor during college, her parents began to support the camp even more fervently– her dad helping with upgrades on facilities and her mom quilting with Sisters of the Cloth.   After being away from camp for nearly a decade, Melissa became involved again through that unique community of women who support FLLC by making quilts for the annual quilt auction.

When Vicki passed away, Melissa continued to help with the quilt auction for one more year, wanting to make sure that the tradition of support continued. She had brought her own daughter, Caroline, to Women and Kids week in 2019 and the two were heartbroken in 2020 when camp was shut down. In 2021, Melissa and Caroline returned for an Intergenerational week, and Melissa found what she had always experienced — grace, made especially meaningful in her mom’s absence, to be able to continue this tradition of camp and faith with her own daughter.

Melissa has experienced God’s presence again and again at Fortune Lake, as the Spirit met her where she was:  a curious and exploring camper, a staff person sharing a summer of work, a daughter in grief, or a mother passing on faith.

Just as no one hears a single sermon the same way, no two people experience camp the same way. “And yet, God is there,” Melissa reflects. Melissa is proud that her mom was one of the first Tenacious 200 givers to this ministry, a tradition she and her husband carry on today.                      

“When life gets uncertain and seems to swirl around,”  she says, “there is camp. A community of peace, of grace, a place to just be–a glimpse of the Kingdom to come, here on earth.”

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God’s Faithfulness to All Generations

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Arlo, Christina, and Violet Maki at Intergenerational Camp, Summer 2021

Fortune Lake is a Place of Grace where God’s goodness and faithfulness are felt and passed from generation to generation. Christina (Kenney) Maki has recently returned to have this truth affirmed for her and her family.

Christina first experienced Fortune Lake as a young camper and then went on to work on the summer staff as a high school student. Like many young adults, Christina then drifted away from church and camp. As a mother of young children, she found herself longing for something that was missing, so she started worshiping at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in Iron Mountain, MI where her children attended preschool. Later she began working in their church office. As the administrator, she often saw the Fortune Lake flyers and brochures come across her desk. She remembered “the connection that you never lose” to the people at Fortune Lake, and she longed for that experience again, both for herself and her growing children. She wondered if an intergenerational camp might be perfect for them; Arlo was too young to attend on his own, and Violet was nervous about coming to camp for the first time.

For Christina, her family’s time at Fortune Lake turned out to be “the one true vacation I get as a mom.” She is grateful that she doesn’t have to prep or clean up from meals, prepare a packing list (it’s provided!), or think of structured activities for her family to do. She especially appreciates the adult Bible study time, as she finds the material to be accessible, regardless of a person’s experience, and it fills a deeply felt need in her life. Her children love the time they get to spend with the camp staff, playing games, being silly, and experiencing God’s word at their own levels.

Christina knows that the time her family spends with the staff is more than just fun and games. She remembers how much she looked up to the staff when she was a child–people like Ruth Almen, the Rundman family, and Ruth Warmanen–and how their examples guided her own decision making later in life. She trusts that the staff her children are meeting now will continue to be their Christian role models into the future. She especially values the passing on of the teachings of Jesus and the inclusivity of all God’s people, which are manifest daily at Fortune Lake. Christina hopes that one day her children’s aspirations of working at camp will be realized so they might perpetuate the cycle of passing on faith through trusted relationships.

As the Maki family joined their voices in chanting our summer theme verse–“Spell it out loud: L-O-R-D! For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations. Psalm 100, verse 5!”– it was glorious to see the truth of these words reflected on their sun-kissed, happy faces.

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A Place of Grace… and so Much More

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Pr. Ron during his Supported Rental, Summer 2021

Written by Pr. Ron McCallum

They call it a place of grace, this camp on the shores of Fortune Lake near Crystal Falls, Michigan. It is that, for sure: a place where everyone is welcome, a place where everyone can be themselves, a place where the Word is spoken in the actions of staff, in the songs that are sung, and in the things that kids and adults learn here. 

The first thing I noticed when I arrived here was the pristine beauty of this place. The lake is as clear as ice used for sculpture. The grass is beautiful and if you are here on a day when they mow, the smell reminds one of days gone by when people in the neighborhood all mowed at the same time. The surrounding forests are amazing and in them, on one of many trails, I saw deer, a small snake, chipmunks, many butterflies, and trees of many species. Just the pine smell alone as I walked was intoxicating.

I came to Fortune Lake telling people I wanted the time to write some things I had been planning to write. But, as I moved from day to day, something else happened. Call it renewal or rejuvenation or cleansing or catharsis or whatever. Those descriptions just don’t seem to be complete enough, strong enough, just right. What I felt was spiritual in the best sense of that word. It was a reconnection with self, a reclamation of my own waning faith, a new direction with God, and a personal calm that I have not felt in a long time.

2020 was a difficult year for me. At times I felt lost and alone. Other times I was beat down and felt great grief and loss. Where was God leading me? Was God leading me? Where was God’s sustaining love? Why didn’t I feel it?

At this place of grace, I discovered that what I was missing, what I was lacking in 2020 was the cleansing breath of the Spirit as only God can give. It was here waiting for me all along. From the cool morning breezes to the bright red sunsets, from the deer jumping out on the trail to the beautiful monarch butterflies flying almost everywhere at the camp, from the friendly waves of staff and visitors to the deeper conversations, God’s spirit reached in and lifted my spirit.

I thank this place of grace for working its magic. I will return and will continue to tell others that there is indeed grace here and so much more.

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One Connection at a Time

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Fortune Lake provides opportunities for God to make an impact through others. One camper, Paavo Rundman, saw that first hand during his time at camp this summer. Coming out of a year of lockdowns and restrictions, Paavo missed both the physical space at Fortune Lake as well as being a part of the community. With that in mind, he decided to take the leap and become a Leader in Training, or an LIT. The LIT Program combines the traditional youth camp experience with both ministry education and leadership training and is open to youth who have completed grades 10-12.

During the first week of youth camp, Paavo had been placed in a Villager cabin, home to 3rd and 4th grade boys. The week was filled with games, waterfront time, arts and crafts, and learning about the Word of God. On Friday, the last day of the week, Paavo had just finished up his Bible Study with his campers when one came forward with a special request. The camper was fascinated by the stories that the group had studied throughout the week and wanted to learn more about God, but he didn’t have a Bible. Paavo knew that there would be a Bible somewhere that he could give to the camper, and so he found him one. Once the Bible was in the child’s hands, he asked what parts he could read. The child determined that he would begin with Genesis, the home of many of our lessons from this summer and to plenty more fantastic stories of God at work in the world. The excitement spread, and Paavo ended up procuring a Bible for another camper in his cabin.

Paavo knew that this exchange was God working through him. It became evident to him as time passed that it was important that he not only make connections with his campers, but that he did the best he could to love every person that came to camp. Through his time at Fortune Lake this summer, he grew in the knowledge that he was playing a pivotal role in the lives of the campers he interacted with, no matter how brief their time together. This growth brought up two truths for Paavo: (1) you are always impacting others, whether you realize it or not, and (2) you will not always have the opportunity to see the effects of your impacts, you can only hope that they pay it forward one connection at a time.

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An Invitation to Community

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Josh (far right) with a group of campers in 2019

Fortune Lake changes the lives of people like Josh Stachnik.  When Josh first came to camp it was High School Week 2015, and he did not want to be here.  His pastor had arranged for him to come, but Josh had his heart set on attending a different camp.  Camp was overflowing with young people who all seemed to be having fun, but Josh wasn’t convinced.

It was Wednesday, midway through the week.  The high schoolers were participating in an all-camp activity. As was the pattern, everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves; everyone except Josh, who was letting his personal issues get him down.  Two campers, Charlotte and Lillian, approached Josh and invited him to join in with the group.  Josh recalls thinking, “Well, I might as well try to have at least one good memory from camp,” so he began to let his guard down.  In that moment, things shifted for Josh.  He saw how openly the Fortune Lake community embraced him exactly as he was, personal issues and all.  He felt loved and accepted and was able to experience the true joy that he had witnessed in the other campers.

Today, Josh acknowledges that the invitation from his fellow high school campers changed his life.  God worked through that moment to allow him to begin to let his walls down.  Thanks to that interaction and many that followed, Josh is striving to mature into the person God wants him to be.  This summer, Josh will be serving on our staff for the second time as a Cabin Leader.  He is committed to inviting all of his campers to be open to the experiences of Fortune Lake so that they too may grow in faith.

Support from generous donors allows us to invite people to experience true joy in this place of grace.  This summer, due to Covid mitigation efforts and half-capacity lodging, it is more costly to run camp than it has ever been.  However, we know that we all need camp more than ever before.  We need to be together.  We need to be affirmed in who we are as children of God.  We need to experience the authentic Christian community.

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Johnston Family

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Why, you ask, does our family support Fortune Lake as a Tenacious 200 member? After all, we live in Florida and there are 121 ELCA affiliated camps and retreat centers to support.

Well, first off, you have to experience camp. Experience joy and laughter together. A safe place of grace. Conversations over meals and in the shade of the afternoon or even in the sauna. Sharing and learning that happens. Intentional community that happens as we gather at camp–holy set apart places, as the community embodies the love of Jesus–in fun and play, as well as in bible study, skits, and silly & serious songs.

Why do we support Fortune Lake? I will admit that it took us a long time to get around to it. We support Fortune Lake because for 8 years it was the camp that the church I pastored sent kids to. For those 8 years it was a place where I went and was able to find a place of peace and time to re-set and renew. We support Fortune Lake because it is important to our family that camping remain strong in the Upper Peninsula and Northern Wisconsin. We know that Fortune Lake is small but mighty and our support is needed and necessary.

Maybe it is time for you too to consider joining the tenacious 200? Your support helps bring to life a vital ministry of the work we do together as God’s hands and feet in the world. A place of grace in which the love of Jesus is embodied, rest in God’s love is had, and joy in God’s love is sent out to spread to the world far and wide.

Thank you, Johnston family, for your generous monthly support of Fortune Lake through the T200!

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Heather Robitaille

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FLLC is forever part of my heart. Joining the Tenacious 200 was not something I thought I could afford on a single teacher salary, but when I viewed the many options, I realized I could! Now, giving back to the place that gave me so much makes my heart happy.

FLLC strengthened my faith, helped me build a closer relationship with God, and gave me a diverse extended family from across the country and around the world. One of my favorite camp songs has the lyrics, “Life should be people, all the people holding hands—forming a circle across the border of all the lands.” That is what FLLC means to me—love of others no matter our distance, likeness/differences, we are loved by God and each other.

Time and distance took me away from camp, but I was excited to visit it this past summer when camp hosted a prayer vigil for black lives. I loved that in this very rural area, there were people who understood the need for this and that touched my heart that FLLC was the venue. Due to COVID restrictions it was social distanced, but even getting to smile through a mask at FLLC family and others in attendance from a distance does a heart good. I hope to volunteer and/or make some things for this summer and summers to come.

FLLC became part of my life in 1993 when I was a camper before my freshman year of high school. God knew I needed that place of grace and the amazing accepting people there in my life after junior high and during those year to come. From 1995-2000 I was kitchen/maintenance, lifeguard, camp counselor, Arts-N-Crafts Director (ANC), and then the head cook. All of those jobs helped me along my career path, and would recommend a summer camp job to anyone! The place of grace and so many people are part of the FLLC extended family.

One day I hope for reunion time to have a beach party, campfire, chapel and/or outdoor worship time, and catching up time with the FLLC family and meeting those who work at and love FLLC whom I have not met yet.

Thank you, Heather, for your generous monthly support of Fortune Lake through the T200!

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Surrounded by the Spirit

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Written by Charlotte Strom, Camp Intern

Fortune Lake inspires faith for people like Nora Kirkpatrick. When Nora was a young teenager, she felt the urge to go to Fortune Lake because her friends had been going and she had heard about how fun it could be. When she finally made the decision to come for the week, it ended up impacting her faith journey in an inspiring way.

That particular summer, the last night of camp included a Prayer Walk complete with stations for all types of prayer. At one of the stops, the music station, Nora and her cabin mates sat down and listened intently to what the staff member had to say. As he continued to talk about the Word, Nora and her friends could sense the power of God through him and were brought to tears. They cried together in awe of a moment so filled with the presence of the Spirit. Unbeknownst to her, the sky had slowly transformed into one of the most beautiful sunsets Nora had ever seen. She was experiencing God not only through the staff member, but also through the creation around her.

After discussing later with her friends, Nora realized how important it is for young adults to have formative faith experiences like this one. She and her friends were in confirmation classes, and they agreed that that moment had affirmed their decision to get confirmed. This is a moment that she goes back to often in her faith journey and a time when she truly felt the presence of God.

Nora (4th from the right in a yellow tie dye shirt) at FLLC

Since this moment at camp, Nora has decided to come back as one of our Leaders in Training for Summer 2021 in order to help provide these experiences for other campers. Fortune Lake is a place of grace that fosters faith connections for all those who come here. There are endless opportunities amidst the beautiful surroundings and welcoming community to experience God in a unique and impactful way. Like Nora, we have the opportunity to meet God here at Fortune Lake.

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