Our Story

In a world that often feels divided, hurried, and uncertain, meaningful connection can be hard to find. We are surrounded by constant noise, yet many people feel increasingly isolated. We long for places where we can slow down, be fully present, experience the wonder of creation, and know that we belong. We need communities where questions are welcomed, differences are honored, joy is shared, and faith can take root and grow.

Rooted and grounded in the boundless love of Christ, the three sites of Lake Wapogasset Lutheran Bible Camp, Inc. offer space to step away from the noise and discover something deeper. Through shared adventure, genuine community, and time in God’s creation, people of all ages are invited to grow in faith, build lasting relationships, and recognize that they are deeply loved. These experiences do more than create memories – they shape how we see ourselves, one another, and our place in God’s world.

“And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.”

Ephesians 3:17-19

About LWLBC

With roots dating back to 1948, Lake Wapogasset Lutheran Bible Camp, Inc. is a camp and retreat organization affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) offering faith exploration, community formation, unique camp experiences and leadership development for the Twin Cities metro area and Northwest Wisconsin.

Our Mission

We inspire faith through the wonder of creation and community.

Our Vision

Places of grace forming people of faith!

Our Values

  • We are a Lutheran Community.

    We align ourselves with the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America (ELCA) and its guiding values.  Our programs and curriculum are rooted in grace, forgiveness, love & reconciliation.  We treat all people with dignity, compassion, and justice.

  • We believe in the power of outdoor ministry.

    Attuned to our beautiful, natural settings we create experiences that offer respite and rejuvenation with little distraction.  We celebrate opportunities to untangle from technology and encourage play.  We nurture faith and build community centered in the faith practices of the church: worship, prayer, devotions, bible study, service, caring conversations, and hospitality. These daily rituals can help make a lasting imprint on lives. The impact of outdoor ministry also plays a role in developing and equipping leaders for the world.

  • We value relationships.

    Reflecting God’s enormous love and grace for us individually, we welcome, value, respect, and strive to engage with youth, families, congregations, and organizations.  We revel in the rich tapestry of God’s creation and value every person, including people of color, the LGBTQIA+ community, women, minorities and those of differing abilities and socio-economic status.

  • We are good stewards of our resources: humans, facilities & finances.

    Our primary responsibility is to maintain and promote the well-being of all who gather at our sites.  Our practices and protocols create a safe space that nurtures spiritual, mental, physical, and emotional health.  Committed to organizational health, we thoughtfully care for all that has been entrusted to us. 

Connect Wider

LWLBC connects you with a wider community of friendship that will expand your understanding of yourself and others. Life together with us includes new friends, counselor mentors, and church fellowship that widens your connection to others as a community of faith. From early morning activities like vespers and field games to late night storytelling and campfires, you will experience the width and depth of the community of faith explorers through games, adventure, and fellowship.

Go Higher

LWLBC transports you into a world where you will experience highlight activities, outdoor living and fun games you won’t find anywhere else. From week-long canoe trips to low ropes to large-group field games, camp is full of opportunities to live outdoors and test your skill at new activities. Whatever your interest or ability level, LWLBC offers you the opportunity to grow and challenge yourself to reach new heights and find new strength. You will emerge confident and strong with a deeper understanding of your strength and identity in Christ, and you will carry this new confidence with you long after your LWLBC experience.

See Longer

In all of these things, LWLBC fosters a lifelong connection to camp, God, and each other. Friendships and faith that are nurtured at camp extend far beyond one week or one summer. These shared experiences shape a lifetime of faith and connect us, generation to generation, with memories of life together at camp. The highlights of camp, the wide community, and the deep faith you will explore at camp together will continue to shape a lifetime of memories centered on the love and grace of God.

Grow Deeper

LWLBC invites you to explore your faith deeply in a safe environment where you can ask questions, learn about yourself, and emerge with an understanding of the love Christ has for you and the world. LWLBC nurtures a deep faith rooted in community, including daily Bible Study, worship, prayer, and life together anchored in the love of Jesus Christ. From one-on-one faith talks to group conversations to full camp worship, time at LWLBC is an invitation to experience how wide, how long, and how deep is the love of Christ.

About Camp Wapo

Situated on a 22 acre peninsula between Lake Wapogasset and Bear Trap Lake near Amery, WI, is Camp Wapo. For over 70 years, Camp Wapo has been a place of grace for youth and adults to be challenged and inspired to grow in their relationship with God. During the summer, this site hosts over 300 campers each week, and it is full of activity year-round with retreats, events, and family activities. The facilities include two large retreat centers, a dining facility and several cabins to house campers and retreaters while they are guests of the camp. The most common things you will hear at Camp Wapo are laughter, singing, and kids running and shouting while playing field games.

Learn More About Camp Wapo

About Ox Lake

This is small group camping at its best, with 270 acres of forest, unique camp facilities, the Balsam Branch River, Ox Lake, and miles of horseback trails waiting for campers to enjoy. Campers learn to appreciate living simply while turning their focus to relationships with God and each other. Ox Lake is the perfect environment for small groups looking for a faith experience that will last a lifetime. The Ox Lake Challenge Ropes Course is another great feature of this site that emphasizes team and faith building activities using a variety of low ropes course elements.

Learn More About Ox Lake

About Wilderness Canoe Base

At the end of the Gunflint Trail, 54 miles northwest of Grand Marais, MN, is where you will find Wilderness Canoe Base. Wilderness Canoe Base is focused on nurturing Christ-centered identity through a wilderness experience. In the heart of the forest, and on the lakes and streams of the Boundary Water Canoe Area Wilderness, you will find stillness and serenity. You will also find friendship, worship, prayer, grace and many other marks of Christian community on our two islands located on Sea Gull Lake. At Wilderness Canoe Base, we want every person to realize that they are strong, loved and welcome. We believe that a retreat to wild places can help open our hearts to these things.

Learn More About Wilderness Canoe Base