A Year Around Ministry Emerges 1970's

Rev Paul Pfankuch first year around Camp Director in 1973
Rev Paul Pfankuch first year around Camp Director in 1973

To accommodate...

the growing camp ministry, the Board of Directors hired a full-time Director.  On Nov. 1, 1973, Rev. Paul Pfankuch arrived.  He and his wife, Bonita, brought previous outdoor ministry experience from Circle R Ranch in Nebraska to FLBC. Bonita became the first year around cook and food service manager.

Rev. Paul Pfankuch visited and preached in Lutheran congregations in Montana, raising awareness of the Camp’s ministry. As a year around Director, he provided continuity in programming, hiring and training summer staff, and overseeing maintenance.

Hagen Hall
Hagen Hall

In the early ‘70s, Mr. Ingolf Hagen of Wagner, MT gave a significant gift to the camp in memory of his parents. His gift enabled the camp to remodel the chapel into a worship and retreat center and to install a winterized water system so the camp could be used year round.

Backpacking in June
Backpacking in June

The ‘70s saw increased growth. Summer camps were expanded to include fourth, fifth and sixth graders.  New activities included high school ten-speed bike trips, and several backpacking trips. Weekends for Family reunions were offered.

1979 Homestead camper
1979 Homestead camper

A unique Homestead Camp near Dutton, MT was offered with the help of the Cristman family and their original homestead buildings. The camp was complete with a farmhouse, bunk house, chicken coops, barn and animals. Campers experienced prairie life of the early 1900s, living without running water or electricity.  They cooked on a wood stove, learned to churn butter, make soap, spin wool, weave, care for farm animals and buck bales.


The new Genesis Camp for adults taught by Pastor Ken Olson and Pastor Lowell Anderson explored God’s work of creation through Bible study, biology, botany, and geology.

  • Homer Wheeler, Camp Board president, was responsible for the road leading to the Camp officially being renamed by the county to Lutheran Camp Road.
    Homer Wheeler, Camp Board president, was responsible for the road leading to the Camp officially being renamed by the county to Lutheran Camp Road.

    In the Mid-70s Lutheran Camp Road came into existence.  Originally it was called Hughes Bay Road. A mile down the road at the Y it branched and became South Hughes Bay Road to the right and North Hughes Bay Road to the left. During the 1970s, Camp Board member Homer Wheeler worked with Flathead County and the Montana Department of Transportation to officially change the name to Lutheran Camp Road. One requirement was that Camp pay for the two new official ‘Lutheran Camp Road’ highway signs on Highway 93.  At the Y, South Hughes Bay Road became simply Hughes Bay Road.

  • Flathead Lake Gymnastic Camp promotional photo
    Flathead Lake Gymnastic Camp promotional photo

    In 1971, FLBC began to host the Flathead Lake Gymnastic Camp led by coach Hal Halvorson. Coaches and campers came from all over the world. Several Olympic coaches and Olympic medalists were instructors. It ran for 21 years and was one of the premier gymnastics summer camps in the United States.
  • 1970s Waterfront
    1970s Waterfront
  • Gathering for morning chapel
    Gathering for morning chapel
  • Campers ready for a canoe trip
    Campers ready for a canoe trip
  • Backpacking in June
    Backpacking in June

In January of 1979 Rev. Pfankuch accepted a call to a congregation in New Mexico and the Camp board of directors began a search for a new Executive Director.

Urban Legend has it:

that in the the mid 70s an adult adventure trip was offered with one caveat - BYOB - bring your own bike - bring your own Bible. It is not known if the 'AMA' or Adult Motorcycle Adventure ever happened. But it was advertised.