What was something fun you did today?

One of our wonderful staff members, Kaylin, who was counselor for two weeks this summer, asked some campers a few questions.  Every night after the evening campfire and devotion, Kaylin asked her campers questions relating to camp.  For the next few posts, we'll highlight some of their responses.

Q: What was something fun you did today?

• meeting new people
• catching little frogs
• meeting all of my friends
• swimming in the lake
• learning new games
• playing Nukem with my friends
• Pizza!
• Playing taffy pull and pulling apart the counselors
• already asleep

A few of these responses included friends or meeting new people.  New friends and old friends are a wonderful blessing from God at camp.  I still have many close friends that I met at camp years ago!

What about YOU?  What was something fun you did at camp?

Keep Tabs on your Kid...

Kids' Camp begins this week! Every year seems to go by so slow waiting for the next year of camp to roll around. But then, June hits. And it's a mad scramble for the entire Camp Lor-Ray board, superintendent Ken Nolte, and myself.


Summer should be the time when I am able to post more here on the blog, but it never seems to work that way. 


But this year, soon after the weeks end, my goal is to post unique blog posts on each week, maybe even have some posts by campers. (I would love to post during camp, but unfortunately we don't have Internet on campus) 


What would you like to hear about the weeks at camp? 
What would you like us to write about

In memory of Wayne Surch...

Wayne Surch, 78, of St. Joseph, passed away Sunday, May 27, 2012 at his home. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 10:30 A.M. Thursday, May 31, 2012 at St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church, 2673 W. John Beers, in Stevensville. Burial will follow at Spring Run Cemetery in St. Joseph. Friends may visit from 5:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. Wednesday, May 30, 2012 at Starks & Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph. Memorials may be made to Hospice at Home or St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church. Those wishing to share a memory of Wayne may do so on-line at www.starks-menchinger.com.

Wayne was a longtime supporter of Camp Lor-Ray and served as a member of the Board of Directors of the Lor-Ray Camp Association until his passing. He and his wife Elaine served a number of years as the Family Camp Manager.

Wayne was born August 30, 1933 in St. Joseph, MI to George & Gertrude (Reber) Surch. He graduated from St. Joseph High School. He served his Country in the United States Army. On July 12, 1955 he married Elaine Foondle in Stevensville. Wayne worked for George Miller & Sons as a heavy equipment operator for many years. In his spare time he loved fishing, farming, tractors and being outdoors. Most of all he loved spending time with his family.

Wayne is survived by his wife Elaine Surch of St. Joseph; daughter Denise (Jeff) Wynegar of Osceola, IN; sons Geoffrey (Jeanne) Surch of St. Joseph; Brian (Linda) Surch of Muskegon, MI, Joel (Leslie) Surch of Coloma, MI, and Jon (Pamela) Surch of Crystal Lake, IL; 11 grandchildren Brandy, Danielle, Josh, Jayme, Sarah, Mike, Jason, Mandy, Sarah, Emily, and Jacob; 7 great grandchildren Hannah, Gracie, Preston, Chris, Brennon, Riley, and Taj; nephew Craig; and niece Renee. Wayne was preceded in death by his parents, sister Priscilla Hartman and brother George Surch.

We thank and praise God for bringing Wayne to a saving faith in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and look forward to a blessed reunion with him when our Creator calls each of us home. We remember Elaine and the Surch family in our thoughts and prayers, asking God to grant them comfort and healing in the days ahead.

Mike Brenner, Secretary
Lor-Ray Camp Association

Anyone interested in FREE CAMPING?

Hey You Guys!

I know I'm late in getting the word out on this, but I've had my hands full with other projects (just like most of you!). I received the following notice from Tim Hansen, Chairman of the Board of Directors at Camp Lor-Ray last week and haven't taken the time to post it until now.

FREE CAMPING is available during the weekends of May 18-20 and May 25-28 to anyone who comes to Camp Lor-Ray to help tackle some of the projects on our to-do list.

When you arrive at Camp ask for the Camp Manager; tell him you're there to help then pick out your camp site and get set up. There will be numerous opportunities throughout the weekend for you and your family to help out while enjoying God's Great Outdoors at Camp Lor-Ray!

Thanks in advance for your help!!!

Check these projects off the list!!!

Hey You Guys!

It was another great weekend to be out in the woods and, thanks to our volunteers, we were able to knock out a few more of the projects at Camp Lor-Ray.

The biggest project was forming and pouring concrete sidewalks around the existing Family Camp bath house. Recent requests from campers who were having trouble accessing the bath house due to the uneven and hilly terrain moved this project's priority up several places and we are thankful for those who helped make it happen; Ross Rogien, Tim and Lori Hansen, Bobbie Fisher, Frank Anderson and Robbie Schmidt.

We also received a number of requests to pour a small concrete pad at the west end of the dining hall at the intersection of the existing sidewalks. Due to safety implications (and the fact that the concrete truck was going to be there anyway) this project was given a top priority too.

Last month we poured one of the approaches to the new Family Camp bath house. Yesterday the forms for that were stripped off and moved to the south side of the building so we could finish the concrete work there. Ross Rogien remarked at the end of the day "Michael, I am DONE pouring concrete at Camp for this year!!!" Today my back is echoing those sentiments.

Tim and Robbie managed to get the decking installed on one of the porches at Karnitz Hall and they started installing it on the second porch before giving up for the day.

I insisted on mounting a couple of boxes for switches and recepts in the new cabin before leaving just so I can say that the electrical work has at least been started there.

There are so many projects always requiring our attention at Camp Lor-Ray and without the help of volunteers many of them would never get done. We are so grateful for everyone that shows up on work days and throughout the year, giving generously of their time and talents. This is the biggest reason we are able to keep our camping fees (for both Kids' Camp and Family Camp) so low.

If your congregation or organization would like to help out in the future, please let us know. We'll make sure you have the materials, tools and directions needed to knock another project off our to-do list!

A few extra hands would be appreciated...

Hey You Guys!

Looks like Ross, Keith and I will be headed back to Camp this weekend (May 11&12) to get some more concrete poured. We hope to arrive early enough Friday evening to set some forms and then finish the form work early Saturday so we can pour concrete around 10 or 10:30. Once that's done we hope to keep working on the decks in front of the Girl's Cabin.

If ANY of you can be there to lend a hand, we would certainly appreciate it!!!

Work Day 2012

Last weekend, a tremendous effort went into making the facilities at Camp the best ever.  The board has been talking about doing some of these things for years.  Thanks to everyone for your help!

Ross Rogien installs a section of railing on Gorske Hall (the Boy's Cabin). 

Joachim Trelenberg and Tim W. Hansen install decking for the new porch on Gorske Hall (the Boy's Cabin). 

Keith Rogien and cousin Mike Brenner screed concrete on the back side of the new cabin. Duane Brown and Robert Rogien stand ready to pitch in when needed.

Duane Brown makes short work of cleaning the gutters on the dining hall on our work day. 

Ross Rogien works on the new steps on Karnitz Hall (the Girl's Cabin). 

Everything has to be 'just right'. Ross Rogien and Joachim Trelenberg straighten a corner post on Gorske Hall (the Boy's Cabin) before calling it a day.

Framing for the new decks on Karnitz Hall (the Girl's Cabin) is complete; waiting for decking and railings to be installed.

From Mike Brenner: "The facilities at Camp Lor-Ray are there and available to all members of the ELS and WELS because of YOUR efforts!"

Jeff Hendrix

Youth Committee Chair,

Lor-Ray Camp Association