Camp Lutherwood Ministries
50th Anniversary Celebration & All Staff Reunion
Saturday - August 1, 2009 - 1-8pm 
Come back to Lutherwood and help us kick off another 50 years of outdoor ministry.
The Husband and Wife Muscial Duo entiteld titled Tangled Blue
will be our entertainment on Saturday August 1st. They are amazing and you will
not want to miss them.
Cost is Free for the 50th Anniversary Celebration and Dinner will be served
to all those in attendance.
The Power of One
“So it is with Christ’s body. We are many members, but one body…and
we all belong to one purpose.” –Romans 12:5
In 50 years of ministry, it’s easy to recognize the thousands of lives
and hearts that have touched and been touched by Lutherwood’s ministry.
It’s easy to reflect on the hundreds of people it takes to run each year
of summer camp… or the thousands of campers we have served over the years.
Lutherwood is supported and blessed by so many…it’s easy to miss
out on honoring the power of one person’s service. There have been many
moments in Lutherwood’s history where change has been found in the dedication,
heart and service of one individual; Lutherwood’s beginning is no exception.
In the mid 1950s, a member of United Lutheran Church in Eugene, OR who had recently
aided the beginnings of a church men’s group began to urge his fellow
members to follow through on an idea that had been brought forth in discussion.
Members had commented for several meetings about the idea of forming a Lutheran
Laymen’s group by contacting other Lutheran church’s in the area
and joining the popular movement of the time. Of course, it took several monthly
meetings of mentioning this idea before action was taken. The consistent minute-taking
of Floyd F. Blaser eventually helped the plan come to fruition.
Shortly after the formation of the Lutheran Laymen of Lane County, the members
decided that they wanted to take on the project of building a Bible Camp. A
committee including members from several Lutheran churches was formed and they
began surveying potential land options. They eventually settled on the purchase
of a 26 acre farm on Highway 36, just west of Junction City, Oregon.
Floyd Blaser was chosen as the coordinator for the project. According to his
written account of the event, he had presented himself to be a passionately
involved member of the original men’s group at United, as well as a charged
promoter of the Lutheran Laymen’s movement. Pastor Charles Epple of United
even joked that Blaser was like the FBI: he always got his man. It was with
this intense dedication that Floyd carried the project of building Lutherwood.
The first task at hand was the construction of the lodge. The large trusses
for the frame of the building were likely donated from the original owner of
the Valley River Mall. 35 tons of rock was trucked in from the Springfield rock
quarry for the stone fireplace. Blaser and two other men hauled the rock themselves
in a borrowed dump truck. The first roof that was put up was made from cedar
shakes that Blaser and Gary Stuhr, the neighbor boy, hauled in themselves. 
The first year that kids were onsite at camp, they dammed up the intersection
of the Long Tom River with what was then known as Martin Creek to create a swimming
hole. There were no dorm facilities at the time, so they fixed up the original
barn and turned it into a bunk house of sorts. Much of the construction projects
were headed up by Floyd Blaser himself, including the lifeguarding chair that
he fashioned from junkyard metal for the new pool that was added in the early
60s. Lutherwood’s long history of making camp happen when the supplies,
materials and energy seems little are exemplified beautifully in Floyd’s
stories of the A-frame and Dorm cabins being built. Floyd was able to garner
donations in building supplies and labor from multiple churches in the area.
Countless hours were spent in construction, phone calls, planning and coordinating.
Small details like the lifeguard chair or even a particularly large stone being
added to the base of the fireplace add character, heart and spirit to the story
of Lutherwood’s beginnings.
Reading through Floyd’s account of the planning and building, it’s
obvious that the Spirit was at work in the heart of this man. 50 years ago,
God inspired, equipped and gave strength to this man as well as the countless
others involved in Lutherwood’s construction. 50 years ago, Lutherwood
was built on the inspiration and dedication of one person’s passion. It
took one person to get everyone excited. It took one person to inspire the idea,
conceive of a plan and help see that plan through into action. This Place Set
Apart depends on many, touches many and serves many, but sometimes only takes
the love and passion of One to grow in ministry and service. We have been many
parts and many members over the last 50 years, but we exist to serve One Lord.
Thank you to Floyd Blaser for following God’s call and working for God’s
glory in the founding and forming of Camp Lutherwood.
“I really did not build the camp. The Lord just used
me to do the pushing. I recently visited the site. What a pleasure to see such
a dream come true. This place is probably unmatched anywhere. What a beautiful
place for young Christians to spend a week at camp.”
– Floyd F. Blaser 2001
The Story of How
Lutherwood Began in the Words of Floyd Blaser
Schedule for Sat. Aug. 1
Arrive any time after 1pm.
From 1-4pm, the pool will be open and activity signups (creek walks, hikes,
frisbee, archery, etc.)
4pm - a concert by Tangled Blue
5pm - Dinner to be served
6pm - A Toast to 50 Years
7pm - Tangled Blue Encore
8 pm - Family Camp Nightime Worship - all are welcome to stay.
We are working to make this a place for all past staff to connect.
Click here for A collection of past summer staff photos.
2008 Summer Staff Facebook Group
2009 Summer Staff Facebook Group