Dear friends of Amnicon, 

In 1966, a young seminary student named Ron Lundeen drove up a dirt road along the Amnicon River to look at a piece of land that Martin and Theresa Burtness wanted to donate to Central Lutheran Church. They weren’t sure how it would be used, but trusted that it was a valuable opportunity to explore. 

Ron was serving as the youth pastor at Central, where the church ran a small youth center out of their basement for teenagers in the neighborhood. He had spent previous summers as a wilderness guide, and he knew how God’s creation could shape young people who didn’t regularly have access to it. A summer camp on the Amnicon River seemed like a natural next step.

“We operated truly by faith,” Ron says now, “because we had no knowledge or experience to draw from [in starting a camp].” They took a leap of faith and Ron became the first Amnicon Camp Director. 

Sixty years later, what began as a hopeful experiment has become a steady, thriving place of formation that continues to shape resilient, grounded young people year after year. 

For six decades, campers continue to share what your support makes possible: 

“During hard times in the future, I can look back at this trip. I know that if I was able to do this, I can face whatever else comes.” — Evan

“Before coming to Amnicon, I kept to myself and hid how I felt. I never felt safe to talk about deep, real things. But Amnicon offered a safe place for me to have deep conversations, and that really saved me.” — Kolby

“I felt God’s presence the second I handed my phone away.” — River

“I was able to find family here.” — Whyatt

As we celebrate 60 years of growth and grace in the wild places of God’s creation, we are stepping forward in the same faith and trust that started it all. 

This spring, we have an ambitious goal: to raise $60,000 before our 60th summer begins. Will you join us? 

At Packs & Paddles on April 19, we will share stories, make progress toward our goal, and remind each other that it is only through community we are able to carry out the crucial and formative work that supports young people today and for the next 60 years. 

Every gift made this spring, whatever the size, goes directly toward making sure everything is in place when campers arrive and that every young person, regardless of circumstance, has a place on an Amnicon trip. 

In a world that feels increasingly noisy and disconnected, the kind of formation that happens at Amnicon is not a luxury. It is necessary work, and it is only made possible by you: our generous community that continues to show up in faith, generosity, and commitment.  

Ron Lundeen went on to plant three new churches and lead a nonprofit consulting organization. He says everything he became was set in motion by those early years at Amnicon. 

What began as an act of faith in 1966 continues today. We are still trusting that if we create space for challenge and community in the wild places of God’s creation, young people will be met in ways that shape them for the rest of their lives. 

And every summer, we see it happen. Because of you.

Will you make your gift today and help us launch our 60th summer prepared for the life-changing work ahead?