Community Corner

Community Corner

WalkingIntoSun

Camp Shalom has added the Community Corner page to our website to help our faith community grow.  We believe that as a community we need to support one another in spreading the Christian faith.  Too often amazing opportunities go unnoticed due to lack of exposure.   If you have an event that you would like to promote on our community corner e-mail our office at campshalom@gmail.com.  By supporting these causes and events we are strengthening the Christian mission.  Together, with the grace and guidance of God, we can grow the Christian faith to great heights.

40+ YEARS OF MINISTRY

The history of Camp Shalom – located near Maquoketa, Iowa – begins with St. Paul, which purchased the land for a camp 40 years ago, in 1976. Originally called “St. Paul Outdoor Ministry Center,” it primarily served youth of the congregation. A master plan was formed to provide a vision of the future. Volunteers labored to turn the rough farmland into a campsite. They constructed cabins, cleared trails, cooked meals, and created a summer program.

In 1982, St. Paul Lutheran raised money to build the program center. This building continues to be the hub of camp life.

Around this time, St. Paul Lutheran held a contest to rename the camp. A young camper won the contest with the name Shalom, a Hebrew word meaning peace. Commonly used as a greeting, it can also mean the kind of peace only God can give.

By 1995, many of the buildings from the master plan were in place, but summer camp was very small. The people of St. Paul felt that the sole ownership of Camp Shalom was limiting the camp’s potential. Therefore, in 1996, Camp Shalom incorporated as an independent ecumenical ministry.

This initiative proved to be instrumental in the maturing of Camp Shalom. While initial growth came from Roman Catholic congregations, later increases have come from other denominations and the larger community. Today, more than 1,100 youth and adults from over 110 different congregations in the Quad-City area support Camp Shalom. St. Paul has given $30,000 to support Camp Shalom, as well as $2,000 for scholarships.

Every child is welcome at Camp Shalom without regards to race, gender, creed, or national origin.

In HIS grace, by HIS glory!