irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2023
What they reported doing
- #1 primary $175KRETREAT CENTER - LCLC OFFERS YEAR-ROUND FACILITIES INCLUDING ITS RETREAT CENTER AND REDEEMER LODGE WHICH CONGREGATIONS AND GROUPS CAN ENJOY DAY OR OVERNIGHT RETREATS.
- #2 $78KALL OTHER EVENTS - LCLC HOLDS VARIOUS DIFFERENT EVENTS FOR PEOPLE OF ALL AGES INCLUDING AN UNFINISHED OBJECTS RETREAT, SENIOR HIGH WINTER RETREAT, 4TH-8TH GRADE WINTER RETREAT, ADULT FALL RETREAT, AUTUMNFEST, MEN'S RETREAT AND YOUTH LEADER'S TRAINING EVENT.
named programs · 4 · from sources
What they call their work
Family Camp
Yearly camp experience for families with children of all ages, including lodging, meals, and programming
Retreat Center Rentals
Year-round rental of facilities for church groups, conferences, reunions, and weddings
Summer Camp
Residential summer program for youth in grades 1-12 featuring outdoor recreation, faith-based activities, and community building
Winter Retreats
Seasonal retreats for youth (4th–12th grade) and adults, including faith discussions, games, and outdoor activities
activities · 4 groups
What they do
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Youth and Young Adult Spiritual Engagement 2 activities
- Facilitating faith-based programming during retreats and campsConducts daily Bible study and nightly all-camp worship services centered on themes of community, nature, love, and individual worth, incorporating songs, messages, skits, and discussions. Offers faith exploration components during both summer camps and winter retreats, integrating spiritual guidance with outdoor and recreational activities.
- Organizing seasonal retreats for youth and adultsHosts programmed retreats throughout fall, winter, and spring for people of all ages, including middle school (grades 4–8) and high school (grades 9–12) students. Winter retreats run from Friday evening to Sunday morning and include lodging, meals from Saturday breakfast through Sunday breakfast, games, activities, and faith exploration at a cost of $130 per participant. Also hosts thematic events such as Autumnfest and leadership training.
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Camp Volunteer Engagement & Facility Stewardship 1 activity
- Hosting annual volunteer work day for facility maintenanceOrganizes an annual Work Day event to prepare the camp for summer operations, engaging community volunteers in hands-on projects such as repairs, cleaning, and groundskeeping to support facility readiness.
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Summer Day Camp Programs 1 activity
- Hosting seasonal youth and family summer camp programsProvides structured summer camping programs for youth in grades 1–12 and families, featuring age-specific activities such as boating, swimming, hiking, crafts, skit creation, daily games, group-building exercises, and community discussions. Offers Family Camp with all meals and programming included, and tailors experiences for first-time campers, older youth, and families seeking vacation-style stays.
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Managed Campground and Retreat Operations 1 activity
- Operating a year-round retreat center for groups and congregationsManages a retreat center on 140 acres of land on Lake Chautauqua, offering facilities including the Retreat Center (24 rooms), Redeemer Lodge (dorm-style lodging for 22), 9 full-facility cabins, 2 rustic cabins, a winterized dining hall (capacity 150), a picnic pavilion (seating for 150+), and rental units such as the Boathouse and Health Cottage. Hosts day and overnight retreats for approximately 15 groups annually, serving congregations and organizations with accommodations, meals, and programming.
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financials · form 990 · fy2023
revenue
Total revenue$658K
Contributions & grants$402K61%
Program service revenue$230K35%
Investment income$24K4%
Other revenue$3K
expenses
Total expenses$542K
Program expenses79%
Admin / overhead21%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$201K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$2.69M
Cash$554K
Investments$0
Liabilities$26K
Net assets$2.66M
Liquid reserves12.3 mo
2 years on record · 2020–2023 · YoY revenue +76.4%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2023
Who runs it
paid leadership · 2
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| GAIL SWANSON | INTERIM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 40 | $32K |
| LEE LINDEMAN | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR (THRU MARCH 23) | 40 | $22K |
board members · 11
- BISHOP LEE MILLER III — DIRECTOR
- CHRIS GEORGE — PRESIDENT
- DEBORAH JOHNSON — SECRETARY
- HOLLY FREED — TREASURER
- JEFF HEDIN — DIRECTOR
- KELSEY BUNCIE — DIRECTOR
- PATRICIA CHAFFEE — DIRECTOR
- PAUL MERZTLUFFT — DIRECTOR
- RICHARD HAMILTON — DIRECTOR
- RICK EDDY — DIRECTOR
- STEVE DIVER — DIRECTOR
relationships · 3
Who they work with
- American Camp Association Network — Member of the American Camp Association, indicating accreditation and adherence to national camp standards.
- Lutheran Outdoor Ministries Network — Part of the Lutheran Outdoor Ministries network, reflecting affiliation with a broader faith-based outdoor ministry consortium.
- Thrivent Partner — Partners with Thrivent to access Action Team grants of up to $250 for volunteer projects.
strategies · 3
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Balanced Autonomy and Community Designmethodology: choice_and_community_modelBy combining structured cabin-group activities with daily elective choices and flexible family lodging arrangements, the organization strengthens group cohesion while supporting individual agency because predictable community rhythms paired with personal choice enhance belonging and ownership of the experience.
- Faith-Integrated Experiential Ministrymethodology: faith-integrated_outdoor_ministryBy combining outdoor recreation and seasonal camp experiences with faith-based programming, the organization fosters spiritual growth and personal development because immersive, nature-based activities grounded in ELCA Lutheran theology create meaningful contexts for self-discovery and communal faith formation.
- Inclusive Faith-Based Participation Modelmethodology: inclusive_faith-based_programmingBy welcoming individuals of all religious backgrounds or no affiliation and designing accessible volunteer roles, the organization promotes sustained community engagement because inclusivity rooted in Lutheran theology lowers barriers to participation while affirming individual dignity and capacity.