About Us

Welcome

Luther Heights Bible Camp is a gateway into a camp experience unlike any other! We explore the Bible and the message of the Good News in fun and exciting ways. Our summer staff is animated and full of life! They show genuine care and concern for each camper, helping everyone feel welcome and accepted. We hope you’ll consider a week or weekend at Luther Heights this summer!  We are eagerly awaiting your arrival!

Our Mission

Through safe and amazing experiences Luther Heights Bible Camp proclaims the Gospel, builds faith, and strengthens the body of Christ.

Our History

In the early1950’s a visionary group of Lutheran clergy and laity envisioned building a camp where youth and adults could hear the glory of God’s promises and be nurtured into the abundant life promised to us by our Lord. In 1951 Pastor Elmore Carlson from Trinity Lutheran in Nampa, Idaho signed the initial Forest Service Permit, which was very instrumental in procuring further camp development. In its primitive state Luther Heights began holding onsite camps in 1955. For the next 20 years the Camp would operate with a camp manager and local Pastors serving as ‘Deans’ for each camp session. In 1977 Mike Dismer became the first executive director, followed by interim directors John Bent and Larry Stapler, and Director Diane Mundhenke. Presently, Pastor Eric Olsen is serving as Camp Director.

As it stands today, Luther Heights continues to grow. With two new buildings, functioning as four cabins with bathrooms, and many upcoming additions the camp is now serving over 1,000 campers each season and hopes to accommodate more in the future. As it was envisioned in the 1950’s, Luther Heights Bible Camp nurtures growing faith in both youth and adults and cultivates a fun loving Christian community.

Location

Luther Heights is located in central Idaho. As a permitee of the Sawtooth National Recreation Area (SNRA) LHBC is blessed with a beautiful location, affording access to the pristine White Cloud Mountains and the Sawtooth Wilderness Area. Nestled in the grandeur valley between these two mountain ranges, the Camp is only 20 miles south of Stanley, Idaho and 40 miles north of Ketchum, Idaho. Home to an extensive population of wildlife and the joys small mountain town living the valley offers great hiking, rafting, fly fishing, lake sports, and more.

Leadership

Luther Heights supports and is supported by Lutheran affiliated congregations throughout southern Idaho, northern Utah and Nevada, and eastern Oregon. Luther Heights Bible Camp is proud to be accredited by the American Camping Association. Developed exclusively for the camp industry, this nationally–recognized program focuses on program quality and health and safety issues, and requires us to review every facet of our operation annually. Luther Heights Bible Camp has voluntarily submitted to this independent appraisal done by camp experts, and has repeatedly earned marks of distinction.

Luther Heights is a ministry within the Eastern WA–ID Synod of the ELCA and a permittee of the Sawtooth National Recreational Area.