Stories

i felt this belonging feeling and understanding here at lutheran lakeside. the support and kindness of everyone there... its real and it changed my life and the way i want to live it. i learned so much there about God and true meanings and all i want to say is thank you guys SO much. i would never trade it back for anything.

Anomonous

I went to camp this year because my mom made me I was pretty mad bout it i thouht it was just another thing to occupie me or to gt me out of their hair i got on the bus to go and i was thinkin oh yeah im going to some camp in spirt lake IA their just gunna push jesus on us so we made 3 stops i got up their and im like not that bad so i got checked in everything was cool i found out my cabin counciler and mates what i was thinking from eairlier was TOTALY WRONG I LOVED CAMP!! i didnt do much hung out with new friends but our camp cook out was the best though stanic was really funny i cant wait intill next year all the councilers where awesome and not to peppy but just the rght ammount I hope you had or wll have the best time

Bailey P. 2010

I have been two Lakeside twice now. I was forced to go the first year, but because of the great experience, I chose to go back again. The reasons are endless on why I went back. My friendships I have made have stayed strong and those people are the ones always there for me. I can count on them because of how close we got at camp. I don't think I have ever felt closer to God. Everything you do is related to Him somehow. Your relationship feels stronger every time you pray. I miss camp so much. Everything that goes on at that camp is the best experience ever. I have been brought to tears both times I left. It's so hard to part from all the great counselors and friends you got to know. I love camp! :)

Madde 2009 & 2010

The very first time i went to camp i remember sorta spaceing out during bible study and thinking i can be inside with T.V that was when i was little, and now i am so excited for camp we have so much fun you would not believe it!!!!!! And now i am zoned in to what ever we are doing in bible study, in song worship, you name it, i wish i could stay longer at camp every year!

P.S. The best camp!
I<3 my GOD!
I hope you all get to go someday!

You have helped my relationship with GOD!
this is my 6th year going to camp.....

Before lakeside, church was just something that my parents made me go to every Sunday. When I went to lakeside for the first time i learned so much about why it is important for me to go to church. Now four years later, I am in confirmation, and I am excited to go to church!! Thank you Lutheran Lakeside!!

A.S.
I have gone to Lakeside for 4 years.

i went to camp and didnt really believe in god then i went and he changed my life forever now every year i go to camp and have the best time of my life meeting new friends,tasting new food and learning about god everyday
he lead me toward him
Unknown
2008 and .......ect

I came to Lakeside for family weekend July 20-22, 2007. It was great to see my son, Kyle and his friends at Lakeside. I was able to go on the zip line and I realized after I got home how this experience was such a metaphor for my life as a believer in Christ. I didn’t make it up the tower (tried twice, but only made it half-way) This represented my feeble attempts to be in control of my life before I trusted Jesus. I eventually made it to the top by climbing the ladder inside the tower. When I got to the top of the tower, I was really uncomfortable. I realized later this represented the sin in my life and life in this world without Christ as my foundation. It represented how life feels without Him in my life. The harness securing me to the zip line represented Jesus, Himself. He has me secure in the palm of His hand, always there, no matter what. Next came the leap. For me that was the easy part. I was so uncomfortable on the platform that leaning in and letting go was easy. That represented trusting Christ as my Savior and living for Him everyday. The joy of both rides is like nothing else in this world!
Thanks to everyone for the great family weekend!
Tammy B.
Summer 2007

 I went to camp for a week in the year 2007. I found God here. I got closer to God here. It was nearing the end of the week, and we saw a program called “Christ Walk.” It was about the life of Christ, and what he went through to save us all from the wrath of Satan. It really got through to me. I was crying for the reat of the night. Little did I know that this was because God had got into my heart. I talked to someone about it, and slowly the tears stopped coming. When the person I talked to explained this, I felt not only closer to God, but also closer to the people I love.
Alli
2007

Lakeside describes me. You know how when people always ask you where your special place is and most people respond with a beach or their bedroom? Well, my special place is Lakeside. I had always gone to Lakeside when I was younger, but I had never really gotten the full meaning of it. This last summer (2006) I went to the senior high camp and had the BEST week of my life. There were only like 5 of us campers in the group (but 2 campers to 2 counselors in a cabin!!!) but it was amazing! We all got along so well and the counselors were amazing. I’m going back this summer, the last time i can go as a camper :(. Hopefully this time we can actually go on mission trip…:). I just wanted to let you all know how much Lakeside means to me and how much I love you all!!!!
Haley
2006 and Many Years Before...