This summer, 29 youth and adults from First Lutheran Church are preparing for a season of faith, growth, service and fun. With plans to attend Camp Carol Joy Holling near Ashland and take part in accompaniment trips to Nashville and South Dakota, these experiences promise to leave a lasting impact on their lives, faith journeys and relationships.
Excitement is building as our youth look forward to the adventures ahead at Camp Carol Joy Holling, including:
- Paddle boating on sunny afternoons
- Swimming and ziplining through the trees
- Participating in skits and making music together
- Testing their skills at archery and the ropes course
- Reuniting with past counselors and friends, while also making new ones
The Nashville and South Dakota trips are full of opportunities for growth and connection. Our middle and high school youth can’t wait for:
- Building relationships and creating new friendships
- Sightseeing and experiencing new places
- Taking on service projects and walking with others in meaningful ways
- Growing closer to God, feeling Jesus’ presence and strengthening their faith
When asked what they’re most excited about, one high school student said, “I can’t wait to reconnect with friends and meet new ones. These trips always deepen my faith and help me feel Jesus’ presence.”
A camper shared, “I’m going to Ranch Camp this year and can’t wait to see the counselors and friends from past years.”
Opportunities like these are more than just fun (though there’s plenty of that too!). Camps like Carol Joy Holling and trips to Nashville or South Dakota provide experiences that help youth grow in many ways.
- Faith: Through prayer, worship and hands-on service, participants deepen their personal relationship with God while exploring what it means to live out their faith in daily life.
- Relationships: Whether it’s bonding with First Lutheran youth, meeting new friends or connecting with the people they’re serving, these trips create lifelong friendships and community.
- Service: Working alongside others through various work projects gives students a way to live out Jesus’ teachings and make an impact, both large and small.
- Discipleship: By stepping out of their comfort zones, students learn to be disciples of Christ, showing love and empathy in real-world situations.
None of this would be possible without the generous support of our First Lutheran congregation. Over the past year, our church community raised over $5,400 to fund these experiences. Your contributions help our youth grow in faith, serve others and build lasting connections. Thank you for making their faith journeys possible!
This summer, keep our youth and their leaders in your prayers as they set off for these adventures. Whether they’re paddle boating, swinging from a zipline or serving a community in need, they’re not just creating memories. They’re experiencing life-changing moments through faith, love and service.
Stay tuned for updates throughout the summer as we share stories from the campgrounds and accompaniment sites!
