Individual Cabins at LMC

Sleeps 9-15 in Bunks; Shower Houses

Cabin guests walk a short distance to bath/shower houses. Each cabin has a number of twin bunk-beds, bedding is not included. In addition to heat, the cabins have electricity and lighting as well as a front porch.

registrar@lomocamps.org

Lutheran Outdoor Ministries in Ohio (LOMO) is pleased to provide you with a quality program that has been tested and tweaked for over 30 years. In this era where terms and phrases such as “Global Warming”, “international food shortages”, “limited resources”, “alternative energy”, “solar power” and “stewardship of the land” are used frequently in the news, we provide a program that offers fundamentals to understanding those terms.

Stage 1: Schedule with the LOMO registrar. Develop a draft schedule for review at an upcoming meeting at least one month prior to attending camp. A pre-camp meeting will be arranged between a representative of the program and the classroom teachers. This may happen at your school, at the camp, or via phone conversation. It is the time to discuss the group’s goals and coordinate classes and activities to meet those goals. Please use this Planning Guide to help prepare.
 Stage 2: After the pre-camp meeting, the final planning and preparation of your school’s Nature’s Lab experience at LOMO begins. Please use the teacher checklist to aid in this process. This is when things are finalized at school, with parents, and with camp.
 Stage 3: Teachers should have some expectation for how the students will respond to the experience. Journals, writing, creative expression in the arts and reports have been used for this. Comparing their pre-camp and post-camp knowledge is also valuable.

We value:

• Teaching, learning and living the Gospel in a safe environment
• Embracing God’s creation and practicing environmental stewardship
• Fostering Christ-centered relationships
• Welcoming all people
• Empowering young adult leaders in the church and the world
• Partnering with synods to serve congregations
• Implementing best practices in organizational management and responsible financial stewardship
• Sustaining committed board and staff leadership with diverse skills and gifts

The purpose of Discovery Centers is to enrich the students, that they may experience something “different” and maybe discover a talent or interest in themselves that they can explore further in the future. And of course, it’s fun!

• Recycled Art: From painting to sculpture-making with recycled materials, the opportunities for creativity are endless!
• Paper Bead Necklaces: A jewelry project using magazines and beads to create necklaces, bracelets, etc.
• Bird Feeders: There are a variety of bird feeder designs. We use old logs, pine cones, pieces of pre-cut wood, milk jugs, or other recycled materials to fashion unique places to house bird treats. A chance to observe native Ohio birds may be included, depending on time.
• Creative Expression: The emphasis on “authentic writing” is the catalyst for this class. The students will be free to explore their creative writing skills in the unique and inspirational environment.
• Fry Bread: Make a sweet treat! (Uses hot oil over a fire)
• Painting: The students explore their artistic abilities using nature’s colors. There is also an option to use acrylics, tempera, etc.
• Leaf Rubbings/Press/Collage/MobileUse leaves to create beautiful artwork to take home.
• Weaving: Using simple stick looms, students learn simple weaving techniques.
• Discovery Hikes: From forest to pond to field to meadow, we have a hike for you! Explore the various habitats of wildlife, use all your senses to discover the little known or seen, the possibilities are endless!
• Sports: Learn new games or expand your skills in traditional sports. Examples are: ultimate Frisbee, pioneer games, soccer, volleyball, etc.
• Pioneer/Native American Games: These traditional “games” actually had a purpose for training young men and women in life skills. Play bear Rug, Hagoo, Flinch, Protect the Chief, etc
• Predator/Prey Games: Think like the animals! Play games that teach concepts like adaptations, predator/prey relationships, population fluctuation, human impact, etc. using successfully tested (and fun!!) Project WILD activities.
• Candle Dipping: Explore how the pioneers made their light.
• Journal Making: Using common materials such as magazines, brown paper bags, old cereal boxes, and twigs make a creative keepsake. A great recycling project.
• Organic Gardening: (Seasonal) Explore, plant or care for foods that can be raised in the backyard. Turn the compost pile or feed the pigs. (LMC specific)

Preparing your students for their trip is an important part of a quality experience. Below are some activity suggestions to do with your students before their resident experience – or after your visit as a follow up to build upon the experiences that happened during the trip. Expanding the students’ experiences makes the trip more meaningful than an intense, but isolated few days.

• Journal Writing: Journals are an effective way for students to process and evaluate their experience before, during, and after the resident camp. The students can make and decorate their journals before the trip and complete a few entries about their expectations, hopes, and fears. You may want to include worksheets or questions that they will work on during their trip in the journal. Include a page or two for each activity they will be doing, plus space for them to react to meals, cabin and free time. A scavenger hunt that goes on throughout the entire trip is also a fun addition (collecting information, not wildlife or endangered plant species).
• Photo board or Collage: Set up a bulletin board or large sheet of paper where the students can display images of their trip. Plan to include drawings or photos of all aspects of the experience. Also include schedules, rules and “what-to-bring” lists for the students to refer to as they help plan the project.
• Scrap Books: One book can be made for the whole group or each student can make their own. Photos or drawings that describe planning and expectations can be the first entries. During the trip students can add more images, plus natural objects such as pressed leaves or flowers, poems from a creative writing exercise, schedules, etc. Students can make captions to explaining the sequence of events, telling the story of their trip.
• News Reporting: Give each student an aspect of the visit to report on for the entire trip. The information collected can be compiled into a school newspaper or video news show. Some examples of topics to report on could be learning blocks, meals, the bus ride, teachers, or the LOMO staff.
• Skits: Divide the students into groups and have them create skits showing what they think the trip will be like. If possible, put them in the groups they will be in for learning blocks during the trip. This will help students work on community building skills.
• Badges/Tags: Have the students design name tags or badges, decorate them and wear them during the visit. Tags or badges should be made of sturdy, water resistant materials and contain the student’s name, learning block group, cabin, and supervising teacher or parent whenever possible.
• Behavior Contracts: Go over rules and policies for camp with your students. As a group you may want to come up with additional rules such as no fighting, no swearing, time limit in the bathroom, respecting each other, etc. Decide as a group what the consequences should be if rules are broken. Write everything on a big sheet of paper and have all the students sign it. Individual behavior contracts that can go home and get signed by the parents, as well as the students, can also be helpful.

 We are excited about your partnership in this adventure! Together we can provide your students with a fun, quality learning experience. To make your stay at Lutheran Memorial Camp run smoothly, we need assistance with the following:

COMMUNICATION: Before your Pre-Camp Visit/Conversation:

• goals
• program requests
• special needs
• highlights
• evaluation of past experiences

PREPARATION:

• Provide enough adults for one adult per cabin group (one adult per every ten students minimum).
• Help with student discipline, inform camp ahead of time for special situations.
• Choose classes and activities to teach if you are using the Cooperative Program feature. (50% of program is shared between school and camp staff)
• Alert staff to serious medical problems of students, including allergies for food, wildlife, or plants.
• Have health forms and permission slips signed by parents prior to camp. Be sure to have a copy of each participant’s health form to leave at camp.

ON SITE: Both 50/50 Teaching and Full Leadership Options

• Make sure health forms and permission slips are on-site. Health forms remain for the camp’s records.
• Take major leadership role during School Time after dinner.
• Participate in Evening Programs.
• Supervision of students during meal times (1 adult per table), free time, and at night (9pm-8am).
• Administer daily medications to students. Schools are responsible for first aid, first aid materials, and transportation of students in non-emergency situations.
• Reconcile bill with office – providing the number of students, adults, teachers, and any additional guests per meal.
• Evaluate our efforts at the end of your stay.
• Have FUN! 

Rod Pearce
LOMO Director of  Lutheran Memorial Camp
rod@lomocamps.org

Hannah Demaree 

Program Director, Lutheran Memorial Camp

hannah@lomocamps.org

CLASS DESCRIPTIONS

• Archaeology: What is archaeology and what exactly does an archaeologist do? We’re not talking Indiana Jones here! Learn basic techniques archaeologists use to uncover information about past cultures. Students will get their hands dirty in this one!
• Astronomy: This class explores our solar system and the awesome night sky. Students will take a planet hike, make their own constellation, identify major constellations, and much more! (Consider following up with a night hike on your last evening.)
• Cemetery Study: Hike to the local cemetery in Fulton to discuss the lessons in history. Discover symbols, epidemics and empty graves. Use math, writing and artistic skills to look at life and mortality. 
• Community Dynamics: A school favorite! Build group skills and cooperation on our low ropes challenge course led by trained LOMO Staff. Move your team across the Amazon or through a spider’s web! For third grade and up.
• Seasonal: Climb LMC’s 40-foot Alpine Wall! (Must be 12 years old or 6th grade) additional cost
• Eco-Bible Study: Learn about God’s Creation and how we can be the stewards of it. Use the psalms, Genesis, and/or other readings to connect Creation with Creator. Activities such as writing, games, art, or story telling may be used to round out the study.
• Environmental “Footprint” – Yours, Mine and Ours: Students will learn and discuss human impact and choices, pollution, recycling and the balance of sustainability. Take a hike to really notice the land and the impact we have at camp.
• Forest Studies: Study the form and function of trees, different types of forests, and forest ecology. The studies are conducted in our coniferous and deciduous forests, with some fascinating opportunities for exploration.
• Geology: Take a look at Ohio’s various geological formations, hiking along the creek, discovering the history rocks reveal to us. Also explore erosion and the resulting soils.
• Habitat Study: Explore a variety of habitats including pond, forest, field, and stream. What defines a habitat? Why are animals specific to certain habitats? What happens when a habitat is altered? These questions and more will be explored in this hands-on class.
• Maple Syrup: (late Feb/early Mar) Learn how maple syrup/sugar was made by the Native Americans & explore the various techniques through America’s history to create this sweet treat! The students will learn tree identification techniques, tap their own maple tree, visit our Maple Sugar Shack, & challenge their taste buds – can you tell which one is the “real thing”? 
• Ohio History and Pioneer Activities: Use the “Trek West” material and hike to explore Ohio’s history. Follow up with games and “chores” of the time period. Small group.
• Ohio Living History and Trek West: Travel back in time and experience frontier life in Ohio in 1810. Meet live characters from the time period, and see if you can successfully travel West!  whole group
• Orienteering: Learn to use map and compass, map out your own trail, and take the challenge of our orienteering course at camp! This can be designed for beginner or advanced skills. Perhaps even try some “geocaching.”
• Ornithology: The glorified term for “Bird Study”! In this class, students will explore the adaptations birds have that make them unique. Bird identification techniques will be practiced during our discovery hike and visit to our bird blind. Birds specific to Ohio will be the focus of our exploration! This will include neo-tropical migration and our connection to the rain forest.
• Outdoor Living Skills: This class focuses on survival techniques. The students will learn hands-on how to build a fire, construct a shelter, signal for help, find direction, etc.
• Pond Studies: Students will explore the ecology of the pond through a variety of activities. Discover the importance of wildlife and plants specific to the pond ecosystem. Fish and macro invertebrates will be collected and observed. (Old shoes or boots will be needed)
• Predator / Prey: Through a variety of active games students will explore the adaptations both predator & prey must have in order to meet their survival needs. Students will also discover how populations are affected by both animal and human activity. You won’t be sitting down for this class!
• Soil vs. Dirt: Explore the teaching garden, forest floor, fields and compacted areas looking for soils and dirt. Lean the difference. Do experiments with life under our feet.
• Stream Studies: Learn about water sheds, the water cycle and water quality. The students will take measurements & make observations about the stream and then catch some macro invertebrates and other aquatic life. (Stream shoes or boots will be needed)
• Weather Studies: Wherever you go, weather is bound to happen! Learn about various weather instruments & how they are used, study weather patterns and phenomena, and make your own weather predictions during your stay.
• Wild Edibles: (Late spring/early fall) This class takes the students into the forest to discover & learn about the wild edibles. They will also learn about the wildflowers of the season.
• Wildlife Studies: Explore habitats, adaptations, predator/prey relationships, human impact, etc. through observation and hands-on activities. The possibilities are endless! A specific focus may be chosen: insects/spiders; mammals; reptiles and amphibians.

We at LOMO understand that school budgets are tight, therefore fundraising is an essential part of the camp experience. It is also a great way to get your students involved in the preparation for a trip. Many of the schools that visit camp run fund raising programs throughout the school year. The following are a few examples we’ve heard about.

• Spaghetti Dinners,

• Pancake Breakfasts: Encourage your local grocery stores to donate the ingredients, and hold an event in your community for a small fee. (Or solicit the talents of some cuisine-gifted parents!)

• Bagel/Doughnut Sales: Have a committee sell bagels or doughnuts for a $.50-1.00 profit every morning before school -- you’d be surprised how quickly the money will add up.

• T-shirt sales: Everyone likes T-shirts! Again, look for a vendor who works either with not-for-profit groups or advocacy groups; they usually offer the best deals.

• Hold a Carnival: Let your students be creative! Have them come up with some fun games and activities, and hold a day for all families. Charge a small entrance fee for each activity.

• Car Wash: All you need for this is an available parking lot and a water source. Look into using environmentally friendly soaps, and other supplies. A local store may be able to donate the supplies.Bake or Craft Sale: Here’s a typical fundraiser. It’s always a good way to bring in extra money.

• Yard Sale: For those looking to do some spring or fall cleaning! Have people around the area donate items, and then have a big yard sale or auction.

• Can Collection: Recycling centers pay the going market rate for recyclable aluminum beverage cans. Have your students start collecting at home once a month, or have them bring what they’ve got to school. Then take the cans to your local center for redemption.

• Educational Grants: Many schools subsidize or entirely pay for their visit through educational grants available from local, state, and/or federal government agencies, or local philanthropists.

• Letter Campaign: Many businesses and organizations seek to support worthy causes within their immediate areas. Consider the impact of twenty or thirty letters to a local company written in the hands of your students. Even national organization like Wal-Mart and United Airlines give preference to smaller, community based causes and greater attention to educational requests.

• The possibilities are endless! Let your students be creative!