Widening Horizons 2010 - 2019
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Sylvia Murphy donor of the Murphy Brassett lakeshore property -
The Murphy Brassett property given by Sylvia Murphy for Camp ministry.
After 18 years of ministry at Flathead Lutheran Camp, first as summer Program Director and later year around camp director, Brad Abbott and his wife, Rev. Debra Abbott, relocated to Fort Collins, CO, where Brad assumed the role of Executive Director at Sky Ranch Lutheran Camp.
Pastor Gary Cockrell, Executive Director, retired in 2011. At the June Partners gathering, the Camp board of Directors announced that the Dining Hall would be named the Cockrell Center in recognition of his 31 years of ministry at FLBC.
After a nationwide search, Margie Fiedler was called as the Executive Director and began her ministry in September of 2011. Her professional work included: Executive Director for Inland Northwest Outdoor Ministries, at Lutherhaven, Coeur d'Alene, ID, Executive Director of five Lutheran camps in the Ohio Outdoor Ministries Corporation, Associate Vice President of Marketing for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America’s Mission Investment Fund, Associate to the Bishop of the Eastern Washington - Idaho Synod, and Associate with GSB Fundraising and Nonprofit Consultants.
Shortly after Margie Fiedler arrived at FLBC, and with her visualization, significant transformations unfolded. The center of the camp was landscaped, and grass was planted. A welcoming courtyard was created complete with benches and a fire cauldron. The "Adopt a Cabin" program she created prompted enthusiastic responses from churches, individuals, and foundations, leading to the enhancement of camper cabins with interior upgrades, bathrooms and new roofs.
With Margie's vision, a new master plan was put in place encompassing a pavilion, an accessible ADA cabin, and a new Shalom Home for program and retreat housing.
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Margerette Dahlgren Office manager in the summer office at camp before her retirement in 2012Margerette Dahlgren retired in 2012. In her work as Office Manager, among many things, she registered thousands of campers and worked with hundreds of summer staff. At the fall Annual meeting Margerette was honored for her 24 years of dedicated work and ministry with the Camp.
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Rev. Amon Johnson Kalispell original donorThe Amon Johnson family started the Pavilion fund to honor their parents, Rev. Amon and Blanch Johnson. Pastor Johnson served at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Kalispell during the early 1940s and played a pivotal role in organizing the Camp. He was also one of the original donors toward purchasing land for the camp.
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Dedication of the Gathering Pavilion in 2014The Pavilion was designed by Gretchen Krumm of Mosaic Architecture and constructed by the ELCA Mission Builders.
Financial support for the project came from both the ELCA Mission Investment Fund and a grant from the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust, with FLBC donors matching the Murdock Trust's funds.
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Students in the Environmental Educational program learn orienteering. -
Students in the Environmental Educational program make new discoveries in the science center.
2019
In 2019, the Lakeview Cabin Complex, containing two cabins, bathrooms and a meeting room was dedicated. Miles and LouAnn Burd named one of the cabins Galata, Doug and Grace Schroeder Scott named the other cabin Blessing Cabin, and Brad and Marj Nelson named the George and Doris Carlson/McMurray Meeting Room.
Gretchen Krumm of Mosaic Architecture in Helena designed the building and J. Martin Builders of Kalispell built the complex.
The M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust awarded a grant to support Flathead Lutheran Bible Camp’s work to enhance their inclusivity for youth and adults with mobility challenges. This M.J. Murdock grant was matched by contributions from FLBC donors.
Jason Armstrong from Missoula, who is in a wheelchair, was a camper from the fourth grade through high school. He remembers the first summer he came to camp and the challenges that he faced with the rocky terrain in a non-motorized wheelchair. “I returned the next year and the next because people were loving and supportive and I made wonderful friends each week,” he shared. During one of his last summers as a camper, Jason asked Margie Fiedler, the Executive Director the question: “What would it look like if more folks like me, who can’t walk, could come to camp? What cabin would we be able to stay in that would be accommodating to our disabilities?” His question created the vision for the Lakeview ADA Cabin Complex.
At a Partners gathering, Pastor Mike Borge, Chair of the Camp Endowment Board, emphasized the importance of supporting the Camp’s ministry through endowment gifts. He highlighted how these gifts will provide financial stability and ensure the continuity of the Camp's Christian ministry to youth and adults for generations to come.
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Campers enjoy the summit of Sunset Mountain after an afternoon hike with their counselor. -
The courtyard in front of the Cockrell Center is used year around for gatherings, meetings and Bible studies. -
Trail signs thoughtfully placed throughout the camp property guide guests as they explore its valleys and scenic vista points. These signs serve not only as navigational aids but also enhance the outdoor experience, helping visitors connect with the natural beauty and serenity of the area. -
Men from Northridge Lutheran Church in Kalispell take a break during their 23 Annual Work Retreat Weekend at the Camp. -
The Mission Builders of the ELCA gave of their time, expertise and smiles to build the Gathering Pavilion. -
Cecil Noble of Artemis Acres in Lakeside, checking a sturrup.
New Camp Programs and Events 2010-2019
