Camp
reinvented T
Bible camp finds second role in raising environmental stewards By Rachel Pritchett
ucked in the green, leafy mountain forests of the Pacific Northwest is an old-time Bible camp that’s calling on one of its strongest assets— nature—to help see it into the future.
Lutherwood Camp and Retreat Center near Bellingham, Wash. (www.
camplutherwood.org), now offers a host of environmental education experi- ences for fiſth-graders from a half dozen nearby schools. Te 350 annual
Environmental education students at Luth- erwood discover life forms in Mud Creek, with some fun thrown in.
school visitors have provided a big attendance boost, alongside the 500 traditional campers and other groups who visit this lakeside Bible camp. It’s strengthened the future for Luther- wood, which was established at the end of World War II. “We want to grow that number,”
executive director Rob Gillespie said of the schools that send teachers and students to Lutherwood for environ- mental education. Te camp’s environmental educa-
tion programs are a response to a state law that requires such curricula for school-age children—outside of the bits and pieces they receive in regular science courses. Wash- ington is among the 10 percent of states with such a requirement, said Jim Elder, director of the Maine- based Campaign for Environmental Literacy. Maryland has the strongest requirement. At 103-acre Lutherwood, inquisi-
Lutherwood Camp and Retreat Center at Lake Samish in Washington state now hosts public- school students who learn about environmen- tal sustainability.
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www.thelutheran.org
tive environmental learners tend to lettuce, radish and bean plants in the greenhouse and garden, then harvest and eat the produce in the historic dining hall. Tey measure the food that is wasted during meals. Soon they are taking only what they need, a big sustainability lesson.
PHOTO COURTESY LUTHERWOOD CAMP AND RETREAT CENTER
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