Kinder

Who this ministry plan is for:
1) Guide for the staff/board
2) Definition for the community
3) Interpretation for promotion and development

I) Who We Are:

Founded in 1934 as a Methodist ministry affiliated with both the Detroit Annual Conference and the Michigan (now West Michigan) Conference of what is now the United Methodist Church, Lake Louise has from the beginning been an independent religious non-profit organization- a 501(c)(3). For sixty years, the phrase "Dedicated to calling youth to follow Christ" was a guiding principle. In the early years, Lake Louise had a two-fold purpose: to host a series of summer camps organized by Methodist districts and to provide a summer home for Methodist pastors who often lived in parsonages and moved frequently. A summer camp program staffed by a significant number of volunteers continues to be a centerpiece of the ministry, along with a cottage community of families from 140 cottages supporting the camps with volunteer hours and financial generosity. In 1983, a year-round retreat center was added and in the 90's, Camp Sojourner was launched from lands originally occupied by a Presbyterian camp. In 2003, a county park was created at the east end of the lake on lands sold to Charlevoix to ensure that residents of the area always have access to the lake, guaranteeing that it would not become the private domain of The Community. Ted Halsted's book, Spring Fed Waters, tells the remarkable story of this place and ministry from its founding into the twenty-first century.

As the millennium came to a close, however, LLCC arrived at a significant crossroads. Numbers of campers had declined substantially, and financial support from the conferences came to a virtual halt. Our buildings were showing their age. In the spirit and vision of the founders in 1934, the Board of Trustees launched a strategic planning initiative to redevelop Lake Louise's ministry in 2005. A new Mission, Vision and Core Values statement was written, along with a Ministry Plan and a new Master Plan. The mission-"Creating an environment that nurtures Christian growth and Christ-like community"-was undergirded by key concepts outlined in the Vision and Core Values: hospitality; ministry to young people; building relationships; taking care of God's creation; and keeping this place holy. These last few years have shown amazing progress, with refurbishing of the retreat center, removal of some of the old cabins, the building of Halsted and McKay lodges, the beginning of Maryanna's Place - the new playground, and more. Campers continue to come and learn and grow at Lake Louise, and new retreats are being added because of our new Program Development Specialist position.

Our tumultuous world continues to change. In an effort to embrace our future, while retaining our meaningful history, we have set out once again to rethink our vision, our mission and our goals for the near future. It is our intent to be inclusive of our increasingly diverse society, and to be the welcoming arms of Christ in this place.

II) What is Important to Us:

Vision: A sanctuary empowering personal growth, faith, and knowledge within community.

Mission: We offer an environment and provide leadership for opportunities promoting healthy relationships, personal wholeness, and spiritual well-being.

Core Values:
Sacred space and time
Diversity and inclusiveness
Community and hospitality
Spiritual growth and renewal
Knowledge and understanding
Stewardship of our environment and financial resources
Our heritage and our future

III) What We Intend to Do:

A) Place

1) Create Christ-like Community by elevating hospitality through all facets of LLCC.
a) Increase signage to help guide visitors.
i) Label all buildings.
ii) Put up signs showing hiking paths.
b) Develop property in a way that promotes accessibility to a variety of populations.

2) Offer Opportunities for people to grow in faith, knowledge, and leadership skills.
a) Continue to expand and update facilities per master plan.
i) Adequate health facilities are an immediate priority.
ii) Continue to update Horner.
iii) Continue to improve facilities to be more multi-functional spaces.
b) Maintain up to date technology and equipment.
i) Establish reliable WiFi system for campus, if possible.
c) Create a permanent prayer labyrinth within the next two years.
d) Build meditation spaces within ongoing development.

3) Greater utilization of our natural environment.
a) Continue to develop and maintain our trails for hiking and X-country skiing. When possible, make available to cottagers.
b) Continue to develop waterfront and lake opportunities: boating, swimming and other water sports.
c) Re-evaluate our land resources as a resource for ministry, and develop a wise-use strategy for our land-holdings and leases (cottager and Kinawind).
i) Develop an enforceable, equitable management agreement with Camp Kinawind by the end of 2012.
d) Manage our forest for healthy growth and according to our 10-year forestry management plan.
e) Continue to develop strategies to monitor and control invasive species.
i) Establish committee to address environmental concerns.
f) Explore utilization of the Sojourner site.

4) Expand our financial base.
a) A balanced budget consistent with the current needs and growth of the ministry.
b) A long-range plan for capital improvement projects that is consistent with the ministry plan.
c) Continue our capital fund-raising campaign to enlarge our board-designated reserves.
i) Establish investment policy guideline statement.

5) Increase our visibility throughout Michigan.
a) Maintain new signage along Thumb Lake Road.
i) Install improved lighting at main entrance to light sign and banners.
b) Hold an annual open house for all the local community to see what LLCC has to offer.
c) Investigate State of Michigan directional signage on Old 27, I-75, and 131.

6) Take the best of our past to inspire our future.
a) Continue to develop and expand the Memorial Garden.
b) Use one of the old cabins to start a museum of Lake Louise history as outlined in our Master Plan.

B) People

1) Cottagers:
a) Annual planning with Cottagers Council Executive Committee and appropriate staff. Starting summer 2012 and annually.
b) Encourage the entire LLCC community to live green. By summer 2013

2) Campers/Retreaters:
a) Explore options for medical staffing. By summer 2012.
b) Develop the position of Naturalist. By summer 2014.

3) Staff/Volunteers:
a) Make Program Specialist Position permanent by spring 2012.
b) Contract with marketing specialist to increase visibility and present a professional image. January 2013.
c) Provide continuing education funds for full time staff to attend a minimum of one training every 12 months. Put in 2012 budget.
d) Train permanent and volunteer staff in hospitality, inclusiveness, and methods for creating Christ-like community. Spring of 2012 and annually.
e) Maintain a LLCC guidebook to help people know where to go on the grounds and in the area.

4) Board:
a) Create an investment/finance committee to seek best financial advice and clarify our tax liabilities. By April 2012.
b) Create a LLCC History Committee from Cottager community and other interested parties to build and maintain the museum. Start summer 2012.

C) Program

1) Create Christ-like Community by elevating hospitality through all facets of LLCC.
a) Develop ways to enhance communication to campers and retreaters.
i) Enhance website and social media for each camp and retreat to ease acquisition of information.
b) Openness to specific populations, making the LLCC experience broadly available.

2) Offer opportunities for people to grow in faith, knowledge, and leadership skills.
a) Continue to expand small group retreat ministry with the goal of becoming a premier location for small group retreats in northern Michigan.
b) Continue to expand summer camping programs and retreats.
c) Continue to create opportunities for cottagers to become involved with camps and retreats.

3) Greater utilization of our natural environment.
a) Explore other camping models and activities.
b) Develop an educational focus and program balancing conservation, responsible development and protection of the environment.

4) Expand our financial base.
a) Continue developing educational opportunities for ongoing investment in LLCC through planned giving and estate planning for individuals and groups.

5) Increase our visibility throughout Michigan.
a) Develop an advertising and marketing plan that may include: social media, local chambers of commerce, non-profit networks, and traditional and non-traditional marketing methods and outreach to United Methodist Churches and other denominations.

6) Take the best of our past to inspire our future.
a) Expand the StoryCorp project and gather stories from current and former LLCC campers, cottagers, participants and members of the community.
b) Gather and collect pictures from archives, current and former campers, cottagers, and community members.
c) Explore technology for telling and storing the story in a variety of ways.
d) Archive historical LLCC documents.

IV) Shoot for the Stars-Future Dreams.

Winter tubing. Fitness Center. Recreational Mecca. Interlochen of Christian Music. Find our niche, like Bay View. Every camp has too many kids. Development of indoor gym and pool. Technology, unlimited internet access. Encourage innovation. Keep the good and think outside the box.