An area Christian camp facing one of its biggest challenges ever amid the COVID-19 pandemic soon could be celebrating one of its biggest victories — and a huge affirmation of its mission and impact.
The novel coronavirus canceled summer camps, retreats and more of Lakeview Ministries’ events in 2020, resulting in a loss of about $800,000 in operating income. That’s three-fourths of its annual budget, according to its leaders.
But the Lutheran-operated camp in Waymansville in southwestern Bartholomew County has fought back with a financial initiative called “Weathering the Storm.” And now, Lakeview is within less than $50,000 of wiping out that huge loss.
The picture looked much different in the spring.
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“We were concerned about our future as a ministry,” said David Vandercar, Lakeview’s executive director. “It was a tough road, but a path forward started to emerge.”
It helped that Lakeview leadership took action by finding alternative ways to serve the public. That included brief day camps, and also making many of its bunk beds available to Columbus Regional Health personnel who were exposed to COVID-19 patients and not wishing to in turn expose their families to the risk if the virus.
“We looked for simple ways to serve,” Vandercar said.
What has materialized has been not only a path forward, but a way to bright, future growth. By the time 2020 ended, Lakeview had more than doubled its number of usual donors of 300 to 500 to more than 1,000.
About $350,000 of money raised in the fundraising campaign has come from supporters spread all over the country.
That gives Vandercar a feeling warmer than any campfire — and remains him that his faith remains rock solid.
“God doesn’t change even during a pandemic,” Vandercar said. “We can take heart and have hope in the fact that, no matter what we’re struggling with right here, our salvation and our eternity has been secured.
“It’s hard to put my reaction into words. It’s amazing just to see the number of people who have stepped forward — and to consequently know that, for some of these people, this place has changed their life, and their kids’ lives.”
Columbus resident Ed Tower can relate to that idea. His now-grown daughter, Jeanette Dunlap, loved Lakeview as a youth.
“It really affected her life, and in turn, ours,” Tower said.
Dunlap became so passionate about the camp and its impact that she became a camp counselor. In fact, she felt so strongly about that part of her connection with camp that, when she landed a job right after a May college graduation, she asked her employer if she could begin her work after the summer so she could serve as a Lakeview counselor one last time.
Her company agreed.
So it’s little surprise, then, that Tower, a former Lakeview board member, “gave a little extra (financially)” toward the “Weathering the Storm” campaign. He sees the camp as a different way to reach especially young people who don’t always grasp a sense of God’s love from a church pew.
“It’s the outdoors,” said Tower who understands that connection perhaps partly because he operates a tree farm. “Many of them are with other kids sharing similar beliefs. And lasting friendships are formed.”
Two of his daughter’s wedding bridesmaids became her friends at Lakeview, for instance. And she remains in touch with many people from her summers there.
Lakeview was launched in 1965, and aims “to provide a Christian experience of growth, inspiration, and recreation, for people of all ages through a year-round outdoor ministry,” according to its mission statement. Its sprawling grounds normally see 2,100 campers each summer and nearly 10,000 retreat and conference guests, according to Vandercar.
In addition, Lakeview Ministries includes other outreaches such as Lakeview Springs, an outdoor recreation and events property near Louisville, Kentucky. December’s activities featured a “Drive Through Bethlehem” Christmas presentation.
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As Lakeview Ministries supporters tackle the final, approximate $50,000 of their 2020 financial goal, people can make donations at lakeview.camp and click the "give now" button.
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