Impact Stories: God at work through the ministry of Fortune Lake

Just a Smalltown Girl
/in , /by

 

Like many of our campers, Lillian Bruchman grew up in a small U. P. community.  She worshiped regularly with her family at Faith Lutheran Church of Calumet.  Lillian started attending summer camp at Fortune Lake as a youth and was drawn to the group games, the emphasis on outdoor play, and the deepening relationships – both with God and the camp community.  As a young person, Lillian had no idea just how profoundly God would work in her life through Fortune Lake!

Beginning in Summer 2022, Lillian was called to be a part of the summer staff.  Her first summer was spent as a Cabin Leader, where, like the leaders she remembered, Lillian led games, got kids out in God’s creation, and facilitated growth in campers’ relationships with one another and their Creator.  But Lillian’s impact had only just begun.

In Summer 2023, Lillian served as the Vagland Coordinator, the primary person responsible for all of the programming – including Vagabonds and Night Owls – in our rustic treehouse village.  

Lillian states, “Through Fortune Lake, I have been challenged in many ways.  I have learned what it means to be an example of Christ, to love others and persevere through hard work.  I am currently going to school to be a Social Studies teacher.  Fortune Lake is the perfect way for me to prepare myself in the field.  I learned what it was like to manage a group of people that are all diverse with different needs.  I became comfortable with the role of “wearing many hats” and working with things that were out of my control.  I learned how to work best with the things I could control, and let God take care of the rest.  I learned how to be a better communicator, to look out for others and be there for them.  I can’t think of a similar summer job that prepares me so well for my future career, in an environment where I constantly feel supported and I feel safe to make mistakes to help myself grow.”

Lillian returned in Summer 2024 to serve as our Youth Camp Coordinator, where she continued to shine the light of Christ and be there to meet the needs of our diverse camper population.  She also brought the fun!  Parents and caregivers could rest well knowing that Lillian is at the helm.

Like so many before her, Lillian felt God’s call over her life at an early age, which was deepened through her experiences at Fortune Lake.  Thanks be to God for all of the lives touched through this important ministry!

 

Join the Impact

There are many meaningful ways to engage in supporting Fortune Lake Lutheran Camp!

Resting and Reconnecting
/in , /by

 

Bev and Dan Wilcox are community members in Crystal Falls who were recently presented with a unique problem: Their three sons, three daughters-in-law, and seven children were coming to town for the Christmas holiday and they didn’t have enough space to house them. While exploring their options, Bev decided to check out Fortune Lake based on the suggestion of a friend. Bev and Dan had been connected to Fortune Lake for a long time, bringing their kids to events throughout the years, enjoying Second Sunday Folk Dances, and attending Senior Days in more recent years. After getting connected with the staff, it was a go. The Wilcox family would spend the week of their Christmas holiday at Fortune Lake. 

Bev and Dan noted the comfortable accommodations, access to outdoor spaces, and time together as some of the highlights of their stay at camp. Emanuel Lodge afforded them both private rooms and a large gathering space that hotel lodging would not have provided. Given the time of year, the family had come expecting ice fishing and sledding, but the unseasonably warm winter meant that they enjoyed fishing (free of ice), nature walks, and the fully stocked recreation area. The ability to choose what they wanted to do and when they wanted to do it was not lost on them as they took the time to reconnect. Bev shared that God was present as the family was able to spend time together, pray together, and relax together. They even had their own Christmas service in Emanuel Lodge, complete with a Nativity scene put together by the grandkids. 

The Wilcox family is one of many families who are able to escape their busy schedules and spend quality time with each other at Fortune Lake. Bev and Dan are already excited about the possibility of returning the next time the whole crew comes to town. The facilities and beautiful surrounding nature turned out to be the perfect fit for them. Have you considered having your next family gathering at Fortune Lake? We have lodging options to accommodate groups of various sizes and can even provide meal service for a minimum of 15 people. If you’d like to learn more, visit fortunelake.org or call Charlotte at 906-214-2267 to check for availability.

Join the Impact

There are many meaningful ways to engage in supporting Fortune Lake Lutheran Camp!

Building Bridges
/in , /by

 

In Summer 2024 Henry Zuehls came to camp as a Sr. High Night Owl camper.  Upon arriving, he noted that he wasn’t feeling great about the week ahead.  Many of the other campers seemed “weird” singing songs and acting silly.  Henry admitted that he was feeling a bit “judgy.”

However, he knew he was here for the week, so Henry committed to making the most of it.  Before long, he found himself right in the mix.  The songs, games, and activities had convinced him that some of the “weird” stuff was actually pretty fun.  By embracing the experience, Henry quickly built abiding friendships and ended up having one of the most memorable weeks of his summer.  He learned that instead of judging others because they appeared to be different from him, it was better to get to know them for who they are.

Henry has taken the important life lesson that he learned at Fortune Lake and applied it to his everyday life.  As a high school student, he now strives to be a bridge builder and a peacemaker.  Instead of making snap judgements, he makes an effort to get to know others who are different from him.  He even has worked to break up arguments and fights amongst his peers, encouraging them to try to communicate and get to know each other instead of jumping to conclusions.

God worked in such a transformative way during Henry’s week at camp that Henry chose to come back and serve as a Leader-in-Training (LIT) the following summer.  After participating in High School Week and some intentional training and preparation, Henry practiced his leadership skills as he works alongside the young adult staff throughout two weeks as a volunteer.  In doing so, Henry continued to encourage others to build relationships and trust, and camp is the perfect place for that.  Henry inspires great hope – both at camp and beyond!

Join the Impact

There are many meaningful ways to engage in supporting Fortune Lake Lutheran Camp!

A Home Away From Home
/in , /by

 

Cheryl Wescher (right) reconnects with a family during a reunion that she hosted in Emanuel Lodge.

Over ten years ago, Cheryl Wescher and her family got a call from the Upper Peninsula Sports Hall of Fame inquiring about the family of her uncle Lewis Reimann, who was being inducted that year. Although not in contact with those relatives at that time, they set the Hall of Fame in the right direction to find a grandson of Lewis. Later that year, a group of relatives all attended the induction ceremony, both to honor Lewis Reimann, but also to see who they were related to. This meeting proved to be fruitful in bringing this family together and they decided to gather more regularly, enacting a biennial reunion. 

Through the years the reunion has shifted locations, ultimately landing at Fortune Lake. The Reimann Family held their reunion at camp once before the pandemic when they had to put a hold on any gatherings. When it was safe to get together again, the group wasn’t sure if they would return to hosting the gatherings. Ultimately, they decided to try it for another year and return to Fortune Lake to host the event. In the end, the reunion was a great success. There were familiar faces amongst the group and relatives who had not yet had the chance to meet, all arriving from various parts of the country.

Cheryl cites that some of the group’s favorite parts about Fortune Lake were things that ring true for so many people: the truly stunning beauty of the landscape, the ability to connect with each other while also stepping away to explore the site, and the feeling of being at home away from home. She and her siblings grew up on the other side of the lake, so there truly is an element of familiarity in the natural surroundings at camp. The opportunity to reconnect with each other, connect with the staff that hosted them, and the ease of being able to celebrate family while not having to worry about regular household chores made for an incredibly life-giving experience. 

Cheryl and her family already plan to return to Fortune Lake next year for a longer stay in order to explore the Upper Peninsula and spend more time together. She includes that seeing the growth of camp throughout the years has been incredible. For year-round staff, it is a blessing to see groups like the Reimann Family Reunion use the facilities to celebrate love and community throughout the year. Fortune Lake Lutheran Camp continues to be a place that fosters connection for all those who come here.

Join the Impact

There are many meaningful ways to engage in supporting Fortune Lake Lutheran Camp!

A Legacy of Faith at Fortune Lake and Beyond
/in , /by

 

The late Rev. Bob and Deloris Langseth

As a young girl, Deloris Langseth recalls that she was privileged to attend a Bible camp in Minnesota, which had great Bible studies, singing, athletic events, crafts, swimming, real faith stories from the counselors, and time for the Holy Spirit to touch her heart. Pr. Bob Langseth had no such background, not until his ordination in 1958 when he brought three confirmands to Fortune Lake for a week. He came face to face with the impact camp had on himself and the confirmands. It hooked him!

Fortune Lake Camp influenced the Langseths’ lives for 65 years, in ways small and profound.. They recalled how Family Camp weeks had their seven children singing camp songs in the station wagon all the way home. Over the years they enjoyed working with others on numerous restoration projects and retreats which have nourished others’ faith and strengthened our witness. And, the Spirit at work through Fortune Lake impacted their family at key points of loss and grief. In their own words:

“A weekend retreat [at Fortune Lake] prepared our daughter for death. Ronda was a senior in high school. She attended a weekend event where Rev. John Linna was Bible leader. She came home with a glow in her body that we had never seen before. But a month later, while playing basketball, she developed a blister on her toe and died of a staph infection. How thankful we are to God for the Holy Spirit wrapping her arms around Ronda and preparing her for her thirteen days of suffering and death. Our son Kirk, at age 46, contracted cancer and we were his hospice team for five months. The song “Jesus Loves Me,”– which he had learned at home and which camp had reinforced — were the words which carried him to the face of God.”

The Langseths have been faithful supporters of Fortune Lake Camp, encouraging others in their generosity as well, because of “an awesome God who accomplishes awesome things at camp.”

Pr. Bob Langseth passed away on Tuesday October 17, 2023. His faith in a good God, in the salvation of Jesus, and resurrection to new life have him encouraging us still. We give thanks to God for the life and legacy of Pr. Bob and offer our prayers and care to Deloris and their family.

An invitation from the Langseths, given before Bob’s passing is for all who love Fortune Lake: “We invite you share in this awesome ministry of the Holy Spirit – coaxing us to believe in Jesus Christ and share God’s love with each generation. – Grace and peace, Deloris and Bob Langseth”

 

Join the Impact

There are many meaningful ways to engage in supporting Fortune Lake Lutheran Camp!

A Case for Camp Pastors
/in , /by

 

Pr. Jack shares a message to a group of campers during chapel, Summer 2023.

Like many clergy, Pr. Jack Busche identifies his experiences in outdoor ministry as pivotal in his faith journey and call into ordained ministry. Pr. Jack grew up attending Camp Luther and various camps in the Crossways network as a child before serving on summer staff at Waypost in Hatley, WI. He knew that God had worked through camp in his own life and in the life of his wife Sydney, but what he didn’t realize was how that would continue when he moved to the U. P. to accept his first call.

Pr. Jack was called to Grace Lutheran Church in Gwinn in 2021. He found that the congregation’s identity was rooted in their connection to Fortune Lake through their financial support, their personal connections, and their intentionality in sending campers. Jack was drawn by the expectation that as their pastor, he would be engaging with camp.

This past summer, Jack served as Camp Pastor for a full week. He brought two campers from Grace with him and settled in for the fullest week of the summer. Between running in field games, preaching in chapel, and unsticking the bell from the tower structure (a story in and of itself), he found time to connect with each cabin group and staff member. 

Jack was particularly drawn to a group of Venturer boys, middle schoolers with a reputation for being rowdy and pushing buttons. Their Cabin Leaders, seemingly nervous about being in charge of the group in the woods on their own, invited Pr. Jack on their tenting overnight. Through the challenges of preparing dinner over a fire and integrating many strong personalities into a cohesive group, Jack saw new leaders emerge. He watched as the Cabin Leaders found their groove, and campers extended kindness to their peers. After campfire worship, Jack felt it was time to take his leave, to allow the cabin groups to solidify their bonds, trusting that the group could manage on their own. They did just fine.

Pr. Jack believes that most of the young adults who are in our churches have stuck around due to their experiences in the non-judgemental, supportive communities of outdoor ministry. He felt the call of God through his time at camp as a young person, and he is working to help others do the same through his presence at Fortune Lake. Despite the active, full days, Jack feels personally recharged at camp, and he is grateful to serve a call where his congregation understands that this, too, is a vital part of his ministry.

 

Join the Impact

There are many meaningful ways to engage in supporting Fortune Lake Lutheran Camp!

Just Jump!
/in , /by

 

Alexa works in Arts-n-Crafts (ANC) in Summer 2023.

A reflection on Matthew 6:34 written by Alexa Georgina Pérez Soto, 2023 Cabin Leader and International staff member from Mexico

“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” – Matthew 6:34

Time perception is quite different at camp. Sometimes you just don’t know what time or day it is, as long as you’re doing what you need to do, right? But occasionally you find yourself with some extra time, maybe as little as 10 minutes. In my life as a student that amount of time wasn’t really used productively, I used to scroll on my phone or even get anxious because I thought I did not have enough time to work on what I had to do! Here at camp those 10 minutes turned out to be amazing opportunities to try new things, whether if you are having a break or hanging out with your campers, you can find God.

Towards the end of summer, a coworker and I were participating in a Dunk Tank game in the lake. We had time before the hour and activity changed, 10 minutes left. We were already in the water just relaxing after being “dunked” multiple times. The busiest person at camp, who not only found time to serve as a lifeguard, jumped and joined us, our Camp Director, Amanda. She could have left to continue her work, but instead she used that short time to jump.

You can do many things in 10 minutes: Play a new board game with your campers, play Gaga Ball in Vagland, pick wild raspberries or have a drawing contest.

We can find God in different moments of our day. If you have 10 minutes, jump.

 

Join the Impact

There are many meaningful ways to engage in supporting Fortune Lake Lutheran Camp!

Camp Service — It Runs in the Family
/in , /by

 

Natalie (top row center) and her Venturer cabin group.

Natalie Wagner’s first recollection of being at Fortune Lake was as an onsite day camper. Her grandparents, Bob and the late Judy Wagner, stayed at Bewabic State Park overnight and canoed their grandchildren across the lake for the day. Their family has a lengthy history of service at camp, stretching back to when her grandparents helped build the camp house and the Village Center. Later, Natalie’s aunt Mandy became one of the hardest working summer maintenance workers we’ve had. Now, it’s Natalie’s turn to see just how deeply that tradition of service runs in her blood.

Since her first visit, Natalie has come to camp many times with her siblings and cousins.   This summer she was a Leader in Training (LIT). She was part of a cohort of eight high schoolers who participated in special training sessions during High School Week and then returned for two weeks of volunteering alongside our summer staff. Natalie’s first assignment was with the Venturers. She wondered if the training she received had adequately prepared her to work with middle schoolers, a group with whom she had little experience. Natalie quickly realized that what works to motivate some people doesn’t work for others. Throughout the week there were challenges. Difficult behaviors needed to be confronted, and patience was tried. The highlight came on the final night of camp during the Faith Experience, the culmination of a week of community building.  Natalie individually affirmed each of the campers in the cabin group, telling them how she’d seen God at work in and through them.  Despite her initial hesitation, Natalie found that she had precisely the right words at the right time for each camper.  She states that she “felt so connected to them through Christ.”

Through her experience in the LIT program, Natalie found a patience, adaptability, and enthusiasm she didn’t know she had. As she returns to her family and home church of Christus Lutheran in Greenville, WI, she will continue to put these skills to use. She is committed to working with the Synod Youth Board in her region and hopes to return for a second LIT year at camp next year. She has big dreams of one day being a travel nurse. No doubt God will use the gifts she has honed at Fortune Lake for the service of others, wherever the Spirit leads. Thanks be to God for the legacy of faith and service that her family inspired, and thanks be to Natalie for responding to the call!

 

Join the Impact

There are many meaningful ways to engage in supporting Fortune Lake Lutheran Camp!

Deep Connection, Deep Faith

/in , /by

 

Morgan, Jesse, Reed, & Jacqueline Haid during their private rental

Even as a pastor’s kid, Jacqueline Haid felt awkward talking about her relationship with God.  There was one space that was an exception.  Her parents, Pr. Keith and Karen Kolstad, tell of the first time that Jacqueline experienced the waters of Fortune Lake.  The young family had just relocated to the U. P. for Pr. Keith’s first call, and four month old Jacqueline was stuffed into a lifejacket and taken on a canoe ride. Prior to forming her own memories, the waters of this place of grace seemed to have worked their way into Jacqueline’s soul, and this Holy Spirit work continues to this day.

As a child Jacqueline recalls being Fortune Lake with her dad while he served as camp pastor.  The lodges were not yet built, so they tent camped in the field.  A severe thunderstorm rolled in, eliciting strong fears for both father and daughter.  Keith assessed the situation and determined that they were better off to ride out the storm in their tiny canvas tent than to run for cover to an already full building.  Despite their fears, they made it through the night by fervently praying. They awoke a sense of gratitude to deep puddles and a great story to tell.

Fast forward to 2020.  As a mother parenting two young children through the storm of the pandemic, Jacqueline longed to get her family outside in a safe place where they could build new memories and experience many of the things that they’d missed due to safety precautions.  She jumped at the chance to do a private family rental.  It was in those same waters of Fortune Lake where their son Reid swam for the first time and their daughter Morgan had her first pontoon ride.  There was such joy in those initial encounters with God’s good creation.

Thanks to early exposure encouraged by her parents and congregations, Jacqueline’s connection to camp runs deep.  Now she seeks to provide similar experiences for her own family in a place where it’s easy to explore one’s faith, try new things, and feel wrapped up in the immense love of God.  The Haid family looks forward to an entire week of intergenerational camp – a step-up that was much advocated for after the half-week last summer – where the tradition continues, new stories are being built, faith conversations are the norm, and the deeply rooted  connection comes full circle.

Join the Impact

There are many meaningful ways to engage in supporting Fortune Lake Lutheran Camp!

New Strengths & Skills

/in , /by

 

Mark Ehle behind the stage of “One Wonderful Day”

When I was younger, my parents always took me and my family to Fortune Lake. I just thought we went because it was a fun place, which it was, but when I got older, I learned how far back its importance really goes.

My parents first met there about 20 years ago when they started working as counselors. Fortune Lake holds a big spot in our family’s hearts because it has so many memories and experiences and helps us grow in our faith. Ever since Mom and Dad became parents, they brought us to Fortune Lake to make memories of our own and help us grow. 

My skills have grown so much over the years, like being on stage without being afraid, eating new things, and meeting people from multiple different places like England, Singapore, and Central America. I made history by acting in their first ever musical open to the public! I was “Cedar Camper #3/Boy in Canoe.” The musical was to commemorate over 90 years of Fortune Lake fun. It was about an ordinary day at camp, and a girl who overcomes her fears by trying  new things. Just like the girl in the musical, I was afraid at camp when I was younger, but in the end we both overcame our fears and wanted to go back the next summer. I’ve learned to do things I thought I probably never would have done, like meeting new friends from across the globe, swimming in a lake with a water trampoline, and leading campfire songs while playing my guitar. This showed me that new opportunities can expose me to many amazing new things.

Fortune Lake has created many different kinds of camp weeks for different people. Some of the camps are Family Camp, Women and Kids Week, Fishing Camp, Lego and Art Camps, and Vagabond Week, which is in eastern Fortune Lake with tree houses, many trails with berries to pick and eat, and fire pits where you have to cook your own food. Fortune Lake is a big place, so there is always room for everyone.

I plan to have a future with Fortune Lake Lutheran Camp. I plan on becoming a counselor there, play guitar at campfires because I’m already learning how to play, and maybe even work there as a full time job. Fortune Lake has given me so many memories and experiences, and I want to help create new ones for more people. 

 

Join the Impact

There are many meaningful ways to engage in supporting Fortune Lake Lutheran Camp!