1930's - 1940's
1932
The Luther Park Association was formed. The First Board of Directors was elected.
1933
Luther Park’s first week of camp was held. The registration fee was $3 for a week.
1934
The “auditorium” – now the Chapel – was built. A “logging bee” was held. Cabins were built by Luther Leagues of the Rice Lake Circuit.
1946
The Luther Park Bell was retired by the Soo Line and given to camp. The Rice Lake Circuit, Eau Claire Circuit, and the Mondovi Circuit formed Luther Park Bible Camp, Inc.
1950's - 1960's
1959
Mr. Richard Kahl, a teacher from Rice Lake, was hired as Camp Manager.
1960
The first retreat house, now called the Covenant Center, was built.
1964
The first year Luther Park hired a full-summer staff.
1965
Frank Brocker became the first year-round Director; he also served the Dovre Lutheran parish in rural Chetek.
1966
Luther Woods, then called Outpost, a 320-acre property in Birchwood, WI, was purchased. Covenant Center was winterized.
1970's - 1980's
1971
Al Dungan, the first full-time year-round Director, was hired.
1975
John Walledom became the third Luther Park Director. The Enrichment Appeal made possible: A new dining hall; A remodeled chapel; A swimming pool, and a second retreat center called Shalom.
1979
Jim Wehn, the first year-round Property Manager, was hired.
1983
An A-frame cabin used as a retreat facility was built at Luther Woods
1984
11 wooded acres across the road from the main site were purchased.
1986
A 74-acre farm adjacent to the main site was purchased. It provided a third retreat center and a growth in summer programs. Sherm Toufar was called as the fourth Director. Mary Toufar was hired as the first year-round Director of Program Ministry.
1990's
1990
The Annual Fund was started, and the Way Club was updated in order to encourage individuals to support the ongoing ministry annually.
1991
The first Annual Antiques & Collectibles Auction was held. A master plan for the future site and program at Luther Park was developed. Trailblazers “a day at camp” program was started.
1992
The Sixtieth Anniversary Appeal was kicked off: Eight new winterized duplex cabins sleeping 160 people, and the Welcome Center to house the Luther Park offices and a few sleeping rooms.
1993
Construction of the new duplex cabins begins. Four cabins were built by volunteers. The other four were completed by a contractor.
1994
Cabin construction is completed. Traveling Day Camps to serve congregations become a part of the regular summer camp program.
1996
Year-round programming is born. Adult ministries sponsored two adult day camps and a travel ministry to the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. Youth retreats called Recharge have started.
1997
The Welcome Center construction begins to build upon the foundation that was laid.
1998
The Welcome Center opens for business, with the Luther Park offices.
2000's - Present
2002
The largest summer ever at Luther Park! Camper numbers top 1350 in residential programs.
2004
The annual fund experienced the biggest year ever for support of camp programs.
2009
Rev. Craig Corbin named Interim Executive Director.
2013
Keith Newman was called to serve as Executive Director.
2020
Ground is broken for the new Ministry Center, with the purpose of having a large indoor space along with sleeping rooms and meeting rooms.
2021
The upstairs of the Ministry Center is completed, with just bedrooms and lower meeting rooms in need of finishing. The space is used year-round for youth retreats & summer program, quilt retreats, and many synod events.
