Lutheran Lakeside Camp was established in 1959 when two Lutheran bodies, the Augustana Synod and United Lutheran Synod agreed to purchase 133 acres of farm land on East Lake Okoboji just south of Spirit Lake,Iowa. The Camp was incorporated as an association of 140 Lutheran churches in 1960.  The emergence of several separate Lutheran synods in Iowa created the Lutheran Church of America which took responsibility for Lakeside.. The association provided a synod staff person every summer for children and youth camping.

A focus of Lakeside in the past was reaching confirmation age students. Pastors felt that much could be accomplished by bringing confirmation students for a week of camp during which several topics could be individually or team taught.  Today there are four weeks of confirmation camp with hundreds of young people attending along with their pastor(s) and youth directors.

Over the years the look of Lakeside has changed as well. After planting what seemed like one million trees in 1960, Lakeside now has the most diverse variety of deciduous trees in Dickinson County area. The camp now has approximately 28 different types of trees.

In 1980, a new pool was constructed and in 1988 the merger of two church bodies, the Lutheran Church of America and the American Lutheran Church, created the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America.  The Iowa Synod of the Lutheran Church of America re-leased Lakeside. A new association of 124 congregations formed a supportive body with the election of board members from across the state.

Lakeside continued to change and grow and in 2004, the current dining hall was finished. It sits atop one of the highest hills on camp and campers of all ages can enjoy a panoramic view of East Lake Okoboji while enjoying a meal or fellowshipping with friends and family.

Today Lutheran Lakeside Camp is a year round facility offering individuals, children/youth, families and congregations all the amenities of rustic or high comfort facilities.  Family reunions, high school receptions and weddings also take place throughout the year at camp. Congregations enjoy worship, picnics and youth retreats as well as in addition to attending summer camp. Lakeside also offers a high quality sailing camp each year with certified sailing instructors teaching children and adults on five classes of sailboat from Sunfish, to Catamarans, as well as two solid hulled sailing vessels, one named the Glass Elevator. Renting RV sites, the tree houses, and sites for tent camping are also a fun way to spend time at camp. Spring, Fall, Summer, or Winter there are activities of all kinds.

Join us when you can!  Expect the unexpected!  Whatever you are looking for in church camping in the Iowa Great Lakes area. You just found it!