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Cornerstone lodge

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Camp Trinity celebrated its 40th anniversary May 21, 2023, in conjunction with the dedication of the newly completed retreat lodge at camp. The celebration brought many former campers, staff and board members who had served in the early years of the camp.

For more than years Camp Trinity has served campers, especially children and youth, at summer camp and retreats. But the camp has relied primarily on four bunkhouse cabins, each with 20 beds in one large sleeping room, to provide lodging for campers and guests. The cabins worked well for youth retreats, but they are less than ideal for family camp and adult retreats. Churches looking for a place to hold adult or family retreats have had to look elsewhere because of the lack of private rooms. And the camp has had to turn away families who want to attend Family Camp because of limited lodging options.

A retreat lodge with private rooms was part of the original vision for the camp when it was created in the 1980s. But the lodge never came into being.

Until now.

The Camp Trinity Board of Directors voted in 2021 to build a retreat lodge with private sleeping rooms, along with a large meeting room and kitchen. The board set aside almost one-thirds of the projected cost to build the lodge. The remainder was raised through donations over a three-year period from 2021 to 2024. The final payment on the building loan was paid in January 2025.

 

Construction began in October 2021, and the project was completed in December 2022. The lodge has been named Cornerstone Lodge, a reminder that Jesus Christ is the Chief Cornerstone of the household of God, made up of all believers in Christ (Ephesians 2:19-22).

 

Frequently Asked Questions

 

What is the project? A rustic retreat lodge for family camp, women's and men's retreats, and reunions.

Where was it built? At Camp Trinity, the Lutheran Camp on Petit Jean Mountain.

What is the capacity? The 3,200-square-foot building can accommodate up to 30 people in six private sleeping rooms, large gathering room with a stone fireplace, galley kitchen, laundry room, and 500-square-foot walk-out basement/storm shelter.

Who was the architect? HTW Architects and Engineers, Russellville.

Who was the builder? Williamson Construction, Russellville.

When was groundbreaking? The Groundbreaking/Site Dedication/First Fruits Offering was Aug. 15, 2021.

When was the project completed? December 2022.

What was the cost? $725,000, including architect's fees, survey, soil tests, loan fees, closing costs, parking lot and furnishings. The cost did not include the value of donated building materials (stone for exterior and fireplace, framing lumber, windows, shingles, sod, porch and deck furniture, porch support beams, TV stand, padded chairs), estimated at more than $50,000.

How much was set aside prior to the capital campaign? $225,000 in the camp endowment and investment accounts designated for capital improvements. 

How much was raised for the lodge through donations? $490,000 through December 2024.

How much was raised for the new director's home, which had to be replaced in 2023? $161,000

What about in-kind donations? The camp received several generous in-kind donations for the lodge: stone for the front of the building and the fireplace in the central meeting room; roof shingles; framing lumber; windows; 60 stacking chairs for the meeting room and sleeping rooms, sofa, large-screen smart TV and stand, rocking chairs and tables for the porch and deck. Some cash gifts designated were designated for a refrigerator, dishwasher, range, 2 washers, 2 dryers.

Book the Retreat Lodge

The lodge is available for retreats and reunions. Individual rooms are not available to rent, but the entire lodge can be booked for any size event, with beds for up to 30 people. Email the camp office to check availability: director@lutherancamp.org. The rate is $400/night Friday and Saturday or $300/night Sunday-Thursday for the common areas (820-square-foot gathering room, kitchen, bathrooms, porch and deck) plus $50/night for each sleeping room. To rent the entire lodge with all six sleeping rooms is $700/night Friday and Saturday, $600/night Sunday-Thursday. There is a $100 cleaning fee added, regardless of length of stay.

Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Psalm 127:1

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