About Us

HISTORY:

Lutheran Outdoor Ministries of Florida (LOMF) was organized in 1989 to serve youth and adults across Florida with outdoor ministry experiences. In its early years, the LOMF camping ministries held each were located throughout the state of Florida: Beach Camp at Fort Myers Beach; Servant Week in Key West; and Mini, Junior Adventure, and Day Camps were held at various congregations.

A 350-acre site, named Luther Springs, was purchased in April 1990. A capital campaign, Now is the Time, was launched in October 1990 with program and site development goals. In 1996 the Connections Capital Campaign allowed LOMF to complete the infrastructure, and the mortgage was reduced from $570,000 to $300,000. A five-year budget commitment from the Florida-Bahamas Synod and two Lutheran individuals retired the mortgage on March 1, 2001.

Foundations for Faith, a three-year capital campaign for continuing development at Luther Springs, was launched in 2001. Since that time, site and land development (see below) has enabled ministries and programs to continue growing, on and off site, offering all ages a variety of opportunities to grow personally and spiritually through Jesus Christ in an outdoor setting.

SITE/LAND DEVELOPMENT:

Luther Springs is 350 acres of beautiful property 30 miles east of Gainesville, 30 miles north of Ocala, and is the home of our camp, conference, and retreat center.

The Camp and Retreat Center is set in the midst of three distinct
eco-systems: mature woodlands and "Old Time Florida", the lake/marshland, and the sand hills and prairies. Luther Springs was designated, in 2007, as a gopher turtle habitat and one can frequently find turtles, along with various other wildlife, along the pathways through the camp.

For a more detailed description of each of the following, see Facilities:

• 1997 - RV/Tent Campground
• 1998 - Way of the Cross Devotional Walk
• 2000 - Kinports Retreat Center
• 2000 - Morgan Village
• 2001 - St. Peter House
• 2002 - Morgan/Westfall Outdoor Pavilion
• 2002 - Schmertmann Welcome Center
• 2005 - Summers/McPhail/Stavros Swimming Pool Complex & Bathhouse
  
• 2007 - 'The Residence' Housing

• 2011 - St. Stephen's & Fairhaven Houses, Schermtmann Meeting Room

PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT:

• Since 1991 Full summer youth program schedule (Mini Camp, Junior Adventure Week, Beach Camp, Key West Servant Weeks) plus special retreats for youth (Fall/Winter/Spring), adult trips (Year-Round), and weekends at our Luther Springs site. Travel trips to Europe/Guyana and Fall Foliage trip for older adults.
• 1994 November Adult Retreat in the Gainesville area.
• 1996-1997 Strengthening Your Serve, a one-day retreat seminar for adults working in youth ministry established in four locations throughout the Florida-Bahamas Synod.
• 1997-1999 College Spring Break Bike Trip and Servant Event. Three days of biking on the east coast of Florida and 2 days of servant work (Habitat for Humanity).
• 1998-1999 Outpost Camp at Luther Springs was initiated for junior and senior high youth.
• 2000 Mini Camp moves to Luther Springs. Discoverers Week (upper elementary), Mavericks Week (junior high), Faith Ventures Week (senior high), Family Camp initiated at Luther Springs.
• Since 2001 Eight weeks of summer programming at Luther Springs, in addition to the Day Camp, Beach Camp, and Servant Week programs.
• 2007 A new Surf Camp program and a Day Camp at Our Savior in Freeport, Bahamas, were developed.
• 2010 Along with the traditional Sunday - Friday Discoverers program at Luther Springs, a new Extended Option was made available, allowing campers onsite from Saturday - Saturday for the first time.
• 2011 An Orlando Servant Camp was held at Salem Lutheran Church. Camp Owls, a new nighttime program for junior and senior high campers at Luther Springs, was developed.

Luther Springs TODAY

Luther Springs offers a variety of experiences for youth and adults to live for a day, a weekend or a week, in a Christ-centered community, learning about themselves and others through Bible reflection, discussion groups, and recreational activities.

Today, LOMF is in a unique partnership with Lutheridge+Lutherock Ministries Inc. (LLMI). LLMI is an experienced, ELCA Outdoor Ministry organization, which manages three sites: Lutheridge in Arden, NC; Lutherock in Newland, NC; and Lutheranch in Tallapoosa, GA. Since late 2009, ‘back office’ operations, including program registration and marketing and finances, have been managed in Arden, North Carolina, where LLMI's offices are housed. You can find out more about their ministries by clicking here.

As our ministries continue to grow, more children, teens, adults, and families can experience spiritual growth, recreation, and renewal. An outdoor setting can provide the experiences and opportunities for a person to discover the importance of faith in his or her life. This supports congregational ministry to nurture more involvement and inclusivity in their church as they continue to serve as active members and leaders.