Caroline Furnace Lutheran Camp and Retreat Center
Caroline Furnace Lutheran Camp and Retreat Center, 2239 Camp Roosevelt Rd, Fort Valley, VA 22652
About
Caroline Furnace Lutheran Camp and Retreat Center includes Bible study, worship, outdoor adventure, retreats, and outdoor activities for day use. The program also includes waste reduction efforts, property and facility improvements, “unlittering,” group recycling and education, and composting as part of its activities.
• Ages: 5–18 years old
Caroline Furnace Lutheran Camp and Retreat Center has been serving communities since 1957 as a year-round retreat center with weeks of summer camp, with its first year of summer camping in 1959 and camping and retreats that began by Lutheran families in 1949. Its mission states that it encourages spiritual renewal for the whole person through encounter with Scripture, experience of the environment, witness of staff, and opportunities for worship, recreation, and development of relationships, in support of and in partnership with parish ministries. The organization describes itself as a Christ-centered community where all are welcome and offers outdoor ministry based on Lutheran theology, with programs for young and old that enhance the development of faith in God through Jesus Christ and promote development of the whole person (body, mind, and spirit).
Caroline Furnace Lutheran Camp and Retreat Center states a focus on diversity, inclusion, accessibility, anti-racism, social and economic justice, and environmental care, and acknowledges that its land is that of Eastern Siouan-speaking ancestors of the Monacan and Manahoac, Iroquoian-speaking ancestors of the Page Culture and the Tuscarora, and Algonquian-speaking ancestors of the Keyser Culture. It emphasizes environmental stewardship and sustainability, including goals for composting, limiting single use plastics, group recycling and education, local sourcing of foods and camp store items, improved energy efficiency, pollinator gardens, foodscaping, and adding a large garden. The center notes that more than 55 Caroline Furnace summer staff alumni are rostered leaders or currently in seminary, and cites that nearly 70% of Evangelical Lutheran Church in America seminarians, especially those going directly from college to seminary, list church camp as a major influence on their decision to go to seminary.
The leadership team includes Tom Powell, Executive Director; Monica Springman, Director of Programs; Melody Stachour, Director of Communications, Outreach, and Guest Services; Lee Ann Powell, Director of Food Service Operations; and Bryan Hepner, Director of Facilities & Maintenance. Caroline Furnace Lutheran Camp and Retreat Center serves communities as a year-round retreat center with weeks of summer camp, works in support of and in partnership with parish ministries, stands with local ecumenical partners, community organizations, and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America to reclaim its history and recognize its past, and offers its facilities, programs, and staff to any group seeking to build community with one another. It also serves other units of the church and works cooperatively with them in providing services.
The program notes that it is in a simple environment disconnected from the distractions of technology and the world, with limited cell phone service for the last few miles of the trip, and advises visitors to print or download driving directions in advance. Guests are asked to call or email before coming for outdoor activities (day use) and to book activity time in advance by calling the provided phone number.
Last updated July 18, 2026.
• Ages: 5–18 years old
Caroline Furnace Lutheran Camp and Retreat Center has been serving communities since 1957 as a year-round retreat center with weeks of summer camp, with its first year of summer camping in 1959 and camping and retreats that began by Lutheran families in 1949. Its mission states that it encourages spiritual renewal for the whole person through encounter with Scripture, experience of the environment, witness of staff, and opportunities for worship, recreation, and development of relationships, in support of and in partnership with parish ministries. The organization describes itself as a Christ-centered community where all are welcome and offers outdoor ministry based on Lutheran theology, with programs for young and old that enhance the development of faith in God through Jesus Christ and promote development of the whole person (body, mind, and spirit).
Caroline Furnace Lutheran Camp and Retreat Center states a focus on diversity, inclusion, accessibility, anti-racism, social and economic justice, and environmental care, and acknowledges that its land is that of Eastern Siouan-speaking ancestors of the Monacan and Manahoac, Iroquoian-speaking ancestors of the Page Culture and the Tuscarora, and Algonquian-speaking ancestors of the Keyser Culture. It emphasizes environmental stewardship and sustainability, including goals for composting, limiting single use plastics, group recycling and education, local sourcing of foods and camp store items, improved energy efficiency, pollinator gardens, foodscaping, and adding a large garden. The center notes that more than 55 Caroline Furnace summer staff alumni are rostered leaders or currently in seminary, and cites that nearly 70% of Evangelical Lutheran Church in America seminarians, especially those going directly from college to seminary, list church camp as a major influence on their decision to go to seminary.
The leadership team includes Tom Powell, Executive Director; Monica Springman, Director of Programs; Melody Stachour, Director of Communications, Outreach, and Guest Services; Lee Ann Powell, Director of Food Service Operations; and Bryan Hepner, Director of Facilities & Maintenance. Caroline Furnace Lutheran Camp and Retreat Center serves communities as a year-round retreat center with weeks of summer camp, works in support of and in partnership with parish ministries, stands with local ecumenical partners, community organizations, and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America to reclaim its history and recognize its past, and offers its facilities, programs, and staff to any group seeking to build community with one another. It also serves other units of the church and works cooperatively with them in providing services.
The program notes that it is in a simple environment disconnected from the distractions of technology and the world, with limited cell phone service for the last few miles of the trip, and advises visitors to print or download driving directions in advance. Guests are asked to call or email before coming for outdoor activities (day use) and to book activity time in advance by calling the provided phone number.
Last updated July 18, 2026.
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