Robbie Sims

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Fortune Lake has been a part of my life for almost 40 years (YIKES!) and I look forward to 40 more! I started at Fortune Lake as a Villager, was a Venturer, High School Helper (now known as LIT), worked on staff, led and attended Synod Youth Council retreats…the list goes on and on.

I believe whole heartedly in the Fortune Lake experience and attribute much of who I am today to the experiences I had at camp. Is there one staff member who really touched your life at Fortune Lake? When you are facing a tough decision, do you stop and think “What would <insert superstar staffer name here> do?” I still do that today.

The reason I became part of the Tenacious 200 is to help a place that has helped me so much continue to help others. There aren’t many people that can say one place has been a constant in their life, helps guide their decisions today, gave them some of the best friends you could have asked for and a support system that is never ending…and is kind of everywhere you look!

I am so grateful for Fortune Lake, the opportunities it has offered me, the relationships I have created there and it gives me great joy to see OUR camp providing those opportunities for another 90 years due to my contributions to the Tenacious 200!

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

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Brittney Kemppainen

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My Name is Brittney, and I am camp lifer (A camp word for people who were a camper and former camp staff).

Fortune Lake has a special place in my heart; it is one of my favorite place to be since I was a little kid. I have been coming to camp since 2002. I started my camp journey as a mini camper and grew and went through all the camp programs. I met wonderful people at camp, campers I have know since I was little, continuing to come back each summer, excited to see each other. I even worked with some of them on staff. I spent 5 wonderful summers working at camp, it was my first and favorite job. Being a counselor and giving my cabins the best experience is my favorite memory. Seeing campers come back each summer fills my heart with joy.

Camp has always been a big highlight for the summer. Every time I head to camp and drive past the canoe sign, I literally shake because I am so excited to be back at camp to be home. I have made so many great memories at camp, playing my favorite game Inherent the Kingdom, playing big games in the field, and just sitting around a campfire worshiping together. What I love about camp is you are away from the world and you get to enjoy being outside connecting with God.

I am a Tenacious 200 donor because camp has done so much for me in my life. My first summer as a mini camper I knew camp was special. After that half week, I knew I was going to work at camp. I had the best time as a camp for 11 years. When I worked at camp it was the best 5 years of my life. I grew in my faith, made a bunch of friends, and grew in my confidence. Without camp I would not have came out of my shell.

I will always remember One Blue Sky Above Us.

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

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Stefanie Ehle

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T200 Member, FLLC Summer Staff Alumni 2002 & 2003, FLLC Board of Directors, Vice President

Fortune Lake Lutheran Camp holds a special place in the heart of my husband, Scott and I. We both started out as Venturer campers, then worked on summer staff during our college years. Now as adults, we eagerly return to FLLC with our children to participate in Family Camp.

After we got married, it was an easy decision to give back to the place of grace where our paths crossed and where much of our faith formation took place. We were annual givers, and when the Tenacious 200 program began, I didn’t think it mattered if FLLC continued to receive our donation once per year or if it was spread out monthly.

After being elected to the FLLC Board of Directors, I learned more about finances of camp and changed my mind. While the summer months bring busyness and excitement with energized campers and fun programming, they also bring large food bills and paychecks for summer staff. I learned that what campers pay to attend Fortune Lake covers only a portion of the expenses required to run a year-round camp. FLLC regularly relies on a line of credit to help get through the summer months, and then pays back that line of credit, with interest, during the winter months when end of the year donations come in from individuals and congregations.

The goal of the Tenacious 200 program is to provide FLLC with regular, monthly income from sustainable donors. Ministry at Fortune Lake does not happen by accident. Intentional giving is essential to keep FLLC active and relevant for future generations.

Please consider joining this program today. You don’t have to. You get to!

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

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Dirk Manson

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T200 member, and former Board Member

I am a “johnny come lately” to the Fortune Lake Camp experience … It has been a wonderful experience to witness the dedication of other board members, staff and volunteers committed to sharing the Good News of Christ in this VERY special place…. Please consider joining the Tenacious 200 or increasing your support.  Fortune Lake is a unique, one-of-a-kind oasis of grace and joy.  Thank you for your heart and hands!!

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

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