Camp Onomia
Camp Onomia is a Lutheran summer camp on Shakopee Lake near Onamia, Minnesota, about 50 miles (80 km) north of Minneapolis-Saint Paul. It is adjoined to Mille Lacs Kathio State Park.
History
In 1948 Reverends Arthur Braun, William Tinge, Otto Herder Paul Bredow convinced the Minnesota District of the American Lutheran Church to authorize the purchase of 144 acres (0.58 km2) on Shakopee Lake and Warren Lake. The original property was mostly wetlands and swamps and had only a primitive log barn and a farmhouse. Plans for the development of the camp were made by Site Planners and Architects. Clearing of the grounds was started in 1948 and the first camp program was held in the summer of 1948 under the leadership of Bill and Iona Knoll. The first family camp was held in 1952 and the Lutheran World Federation gathering took place there in 1957. Lakeview and Pine Needle dormitories were added in the early 1950s, Woodland was completed in 1954, and the motel was completed in 1959. Mille Lacs Kathio State Park (which the camp adjoins) was established in 1957. The Fireside Circle was completed in 1959, the Braun Chapel was completed in 1961, the camp manager's home was completed in 1963, and the all-season retreat center was completed in 1972. The Southeastern Minnesota District of The American Lutheran Church gained control of the camp in 1975, 80 acres were added to the camp in 1980, and the camp paid off its mortgage in 1987. An association of congregations from five of Minnesota's six synods of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) took over ownership of the camp in 1988.
Background
Camp Onomia hosts a variety of summer camp sessions for children and youth who are completing grades 1 through 12 and families. They also host year round seasonal retreats and events for all ages.
The grounds consists of three dormitories (Lakeview, Pine Needle, Woodland), a cafeteria/meeting hall (Friendship Hall), a family motel, a chapel (Braun Chapel), an all-seasons retreat center and various outbuildings. Sport and activities areas include a large play field, sand volleyball courts, frisbee golf, basketball court, kids playground, shuffleboard, low ropes initiatives challenge course, and a waterfront area. There is also a campground for tents and small RV accommodations that is available on most weekends.
The churches which have partial ownership are in the following cities: Belle Plaine, Blaine, Byron, Cannon Falls, Cottage Grove, Eagan, Eden Prairie, Elk River, Hanover, Hayfield, Henderson, Hillman, Isle, Lakeville, Malmo, Maplewood, Milaca, Minneapolis, Minneota, Minnetonka, New Hope, New Richland, Onamia, Otisco, Owatonna, Pine Island, Princeton, Rochester, Rockford, St. Paul, South St. Paul, and Stillwater.[1]
References
- ↑ "The Camping Movement of the American Lutheran Church, Volume 2" by Ralph Yernberg
External links
46°06′03″N 93°42′34″W / 46.100778°N 93.709474°WCoordinates: 46°06′03″N 93°42′34″W / 46.100778°N 93.709474°W