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As children count down the last remaining days of school and look ahead to what summer will bring, many are thinking about when they will get to come back to camp. Campers quickly feel at home during their time on site, like they have “found their place.” The sense of belonging and feeling free to be who they are is powerful. Revisiting memories of their favorite counselor from last summer, warm sunshine, the sandy beach, and the fun campfire worships can make it feel like a long wait until they can come back. They can’t wait to be back, and we can’t wait until they are back either! We rejoice every time a registration comes in, for new or returning campers alike. We also know that this can be a financially hard decision for some parents. Sending a child to camp can be expensive. At Green Lake Lutheran Ministries, we strive to make summer camp as affordable as possible, and we firmly believe that everyone who wants to experience a week at camp should be able to. To help make sure that financial barriers do not keep campers from participating, Green Lake Lutheran Ministries has an established scholarship fund and we receive scholarship applications for assistance. We joyfully accept donations to this fund - and we need your help. Your gift to the scholarship fund is so much more than a charitable donation. It’s a promise to a young person that they will be welcome back at camp, and invited back into a space where they can learn and grow in their faith. It’s a promise to them that if they want to come and spend a week in “their place”, they can. Because don’t we all deserve to have that place we can land when we need it most? You always have a place here at camp. To help a young camper find their place at camp, please make a donation to our scholarship fund! Make your gift online today at www.gllm.org/give-today or send your donation to our office!
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May 15, 2025 6:01 AM So much to share—and so much to be grateful for. A few of us were able to briefly access the Camp House site, and we’re relieved to confirm what we had hoped: all buildings are intact and undamaged. The fire did burn along the western and northern shores of Lake George, and signs of fire are visible across parts of the property. But among the ash, there is life—green buds, alive and well, trees still standing, and the familiar shape of that white pine watching over it all. We don’t yet know all that went into protecting this place, but it’s clear that a major firefighting effort—backburns, fire lines, and tree clearing—helped defend Camp House and our neighbors’ properties. We are wildly grateful. But this is not the end of the story. These fires are still 0% contained, and the work continues. At least 144 structures have been lost across the region, and our prayers are with those whose lives and homes have been forever changed. This is not yet a celebration—it’s a moment of progress. A glimmer of hope. A step toward returning to this place we love and welcoming others for the 100th summer of Camp House. We hold tight to hope. And we keep praying. May 14, 2025 4:01 PM The wildfire situation near Camp House continues to evolve. While the fire has reached areas of our property to the west and east, **no buildings have been affected at this time.** Fire activity remains present in the area, but current wind conditions and the efforts of fire crews are helping to keep structures safe. Overnight, ground crews continued to patrol key roads to prevent the fire from spreading further. Calmer winds and slightly higher humidity were helpful, but today’s conditions remain challenging. The two fires near Brimson are being managed together under a unified incident command— referred to as the Brimson Complex. Additional firefighting support has arrived from outside the state, and the National Guard is assisting. Note: Fire perimeters shown on public maps are approximate and do not reflect structure protection work. A building within a perimeter may not be damaged or destroyed. We expect to know more in the next day and will share updates as we learn them. Please continue to pray for all those responding to and impacted by these fires. May 13, 2025 12:54 PM At this time, no buildings at Camp House have been lost. However, the fire remains active in the area, with several hot spots still burning. It’s now estimated to have grown to over 12,000 acres. Portions of the land on both the west and east sides of our property are believed to have been affected. Today’s forecast—strong winds and low humidity—will continue to make containment difficult. Please keep firefighters, first responders, and our neighbors in your prayers. We also want to clarify that the name Camp House Fire can be confusing. It may sound like the fire began at our Camp House site, but that’s not the case. Wildfires are typically named after nearby landmarks or roads—not their point of origin. This fire shares our name due to proximity, not because it started on our property. In the provided map, it shows the Camp House building site inside of the firezone. Reminder, we don't believe any buildings have been affected as of now. For more in depth information, you can watch the briefing by the state and Governor Walz https://www.youtube.com/live/J3dwdPcXj3U  May 12, 2025 7:02 PM We are closely monitoring the situation near Camp House as crews work to contain both the Camp House Fire and the newly reported Jenkins Creek Fire. We have staff in the area gathering as much information as possible, and we remain in close communication with local authorities. At this time, no buildings have been impacted, but a portion of the western property, west of Lake George, has been affected. For the latest updates, we encourage you to follow along at: https://app.watchduty.org/i/48307 https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incid.../mnmns-camp-house-fire/ Please join us in continued prayers for the first responders, firefighters, and neighbors impacted by these fires.
May 12, 2025 7:44 AM As crews continue to respond to the wildfire near our Camp House site in Brimson, Minnesota, our prayers are with the firefighters, first responders, and neighbors affected by the fire. While no one is currently on site, we remain mindful of the impact on the surrounding community. For the latest updates, follow the official incident information https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident.../mnmns-camp-house.
May 11, 2025 2:47 PM An update from Camp House: A brush fire is currently burning in St. Louis County, near our Camp House site in Brimson, MN. We are closely monitoring the situation and coordinating with local authorities. Our thoughts are with all those impacted by the fire, and we pray for the safety of the firefighters and first responders on the front lines. We will share updates as they become available. Thank you for keeping Camp House in your prayers.
 For decades, Green Lake Lutheran Ministries (GLLM) has been more than a summer camp—it has been a home, a sanctuary, and a launchpad for faith-filled lives. On a cold Saturday in February, Executive Director Travis Aufderheide sat down with longtime alumni and dedicated supporters, Red and Karen Mastin, to reflect on how camp has shaped their lives and continues to inspire future generations.
Red and Karen’s connection to camp started in the 1980s. Karen, who grew up in northern Minnesota, first attended White Earth Lutheran Camp, following in the footsteps of her brother, who worked at Green Lake Bible Camp. Red discovered camp through his church’s pastor, Howie Skulstad, and with encouragement from his parents. Neither of them could have predicted the lasting impact camp would have on their faith, friendships, and even their future together. Like many who step onto the sacred grounds of GLLM, Red and Karen found more than just fun in the sun. They found community, deep relationships, and ultimately, each other. They met in 1984, and in 1985, as Red puts it, “Karen decided she could tolerate me,” and they began dating. Even during years apart in graduate school, camp remained a touchstone for their relationship, offering a place to reconnect and reaffirm their shared values. From Thursday night banquets and the staff musical to chapel singing and talent shows, camp traditions remain woven into the fabric of Red and Karen’s story. Red recalls Camp Joy week with a chuckle, remembering the joy and camaraderie that made that time special. Separately, he fondly remembers helping set up musicals, running lights, and working microphones because, as he admits, “I couldn’t sing.” For Karen, the emotional goodbyes at week’s end highlighted the depth of connections built at camp. Red and Karen’s love for GLLM extends far beyond their time as campers. They have remained deeply connected as dedicated volunteers, generous donors, and proud camper parents. Red served on the GLLM board, helping shape its future, while both have continued to give their time and resources in countless ways to ensure camp’s impact reaches new generations. They understand firsthand the profound effect the summer camp experience has—not just on campers, but on the young staff members who dedicate their summers to guiding, mentoring, and leading others. Camp has evolved over the years, adapting to shifts in society, camper demographics, and staffing challenges - its essence remains the same: a place of joy, belonging, and growth. Red and Karen have proudly watched their children, Kris, Ana, and Eli, follow in their footsteps, experiencing camp’s power to nurture leadership and faith. For Red and Karen, GLLM is more than just a place—it’s a mission. They stress the importance of holding true to GLLM’s vision and resisting external pressures that could shift its focus. At the same time, they acknowledge the need for camp to evolve while remaining rooted in its core values and steadfast in their purpose, to embrace the joy of ministry, and to be present in every moment. We are so grateful for Red and Karen Mastin. Their reflections underscore an undeniable truth--Green Lake Lutheran Ministries is not just a camp. It is a community, a family, and a place where faith and friendships flourish for generations to come. To join Red and Karen in preparing for generations to come, consider making a gift at www.gllm.org/give-today! |
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