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Luther Park / Luther Woods

In the heart of Wisconsin's vacationland!

Luther Park Bible Camp, a 100 acre site
with beautiful views of the sun setting
over Prairie Lake, was established in 1932
and continues to be a place where
thousands of people, celebrate their
Christian faith and life. Luther Park is open
year round for Bible Camp, retreats and
conferences. It is located a mile and a
half north of Chetek, Wisconsin.

It is owned and operated by 132
congregations of the Evangelical Lutheran
Church in America. ALL ARE WELCOME to
attend Luther Park.

Luther Woods is a 320 acre wilderness
site located approximately 35 miles
north of Luther Park near Birchwood, WI.
Luther Woods was purchased in the
late 1960's. Luther Woods serves
as an outpost camp site and seasonal
retreat during all seasons of the year.

Since 1932, thousands of men and

women, boys and girls have been
enriched and renewed in their faith
while participating in a Luther Park
or Luther Woods camping experience
or retreat program. Luther Park and
Luther Woods offer a Christ-centered
ministry that celebrates all of the special
people who are partners with us in the gospel.

 

We offer a variety of experiences
from summer camp programs
to family camps and retreating
capabilities. Click to Learn More about
discovering what Luther Park Bible
Camp can offer you.

History of Luther Park Bible Camp

A TIME LINE

1932  The Luther Park Association was formed.
First Board of Directors was elected.

1933 Luther Park's first week of campers
was held. The registration fee was $3 for a week.

Forty tents housed 116 campers. The Dining Hall
was built. The Camp Board consisted
of 9 men. They handled all scheduling.

1934 The "auditorium" - now the Chapel -
was built. A "logging bee" was held. Cabins
were built by Luther Leagues of the Rice Lake Circuit.

1946 The Luther Park Bell was retired by
the Soo Line and given to camp.  The Rice Lake
Circuit, Eau Claire Circuit and the Mondovi
Circuit formed Luther Park Bible Camp, Inc.

1959 Mr. Richard Kahl, a teacher from
Rice Lake was hired as camp manager.

1960 The first retreat house, now called
Covenant Center, was built.

1964 Was the first year for an all summer staff.

1965 Frank Brocker became the first
year-round Director, he also served the Dovre
Lutheran parish in rural Chetek.

1966 Luther Woods, then called Outpost,
was purchased. Covenant Center was
winterized.

1971 Al Dungan, the first
full-time year-round director was hired.

1975 John Walledom became the third
Luther Park Director. The Enrichment
Appeal made possible: A new dining hall;
A remodeled chapel; A swimming pool;
and a second retreat center called Shalom.

1979 Jim Wehn, the first year-round
properties manager was hired.

1983 An A-frame retreat facility was
built at Luther Woods.

1984 11 wooded acres across the road
from the main site were purchased.

1986 A 74-acre farm adjacent to
Luther Park was purchased.
It provided a third retreat center
and growth in summer programs.

1986 Sherm Toufar was called as the
fourth Director. Mary Toufar was hired
as the first year-round director of program ministry.

1990 The Annual Fund was started
and the Way Club was updated in order to
encourage individuals to support the
ongoing ministry annually.

1991 The First Annual Antiques and
Collectibles Auction was held.

1991 A master plan for the future site
and program at Luther Park was developed.
Trailblazers "a day at camp" program was started.

1992 The Sixtieth Anniversary
Appeal was kicked off to begin
fund raising that would provide:
Eight new winterized duplex cabins
and A Welcome Center.

1993 Construction of the new duplex
cabins was begun. Four cabins were
built by volunteers. The other four
were completed by contractor.

1994 Cabin construction was completed.
Fund raising continued. Welcome Center
construction was begun. Traveling Day
Camps to serve congregations became
a regular part of the camp program.

1996 Year round programming was born.
Adult ministries sponsored two adult day
camps and a travel ministry to the
Great Smoky Mountain National Park.
Youth retreats called RECHARGES were started

1997 The Welcome Center construction
began again. Junior High Recharges
grew to include Senior High.

1998 The Welcome Center was opened
for business. David Dobbs became the
second full-time properties manager.

1999 Camper numbers show dramatic growth

2002 The biggest summer ever at
Luther Park! Camper numbers top
1350 in resident programs after a
four year climb.

2004 Annual fund experiences the
biggest year ever for support of camp programs.

2005 Luther Park / Luther Woods
"Land Sale" is kicked off for debt reduction.

2009 Rev. Craig Corbin named
Interim Executive Director

2010 Briana Kunkel named
Interim Program Coordinator

2010 Luther Park Bible Camp Nutures
Faith Through Holy Play!