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About us

Welcome statement

As a part of our joy in serving the Church and to the community, as well as in justice to our guests, campers, volunteers and staff, Nebraska Lutheran Outdoor Ministries, including its Carol Joy Holling and Sullivan Hills camps, is committed to principles that enable opportunities for full participation in its programs and activities. These programs and activities include Christian education, spiritual, psychological, social, personal and professional development. We welcome all people and we do not tolerate behavior that discriminates based upon race, religion, color, creed, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, national origin, age or ancestry. Such discrimination is demeaning, destructive and directly at odds with the Gospel of Christ and our goals of fostering equity, mutual understanding and cooperation.

mission statement

Faith: Alive!

VISION STATEMENT

At Nebraska Lutheran Outdoor Ministries, in places set apart, we live out faith in ways that show everyone they belong and are unconditionally loved by God.

IMPACT STATEMENT

We offer significant experiences that:
• provide a safe, welcoming introduction to the Christian faith
• increase the relevance of faith in one’s daily life
• promote community-building

Carol Joy Holling Camp is operated by Nebraska Lutheran Outdoor Ministries (NLOM), a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

history

Through the Early 1960s: Nebraska Lutherans borrow camping sites to operate junior high camps. 

 

1964: Circle R Camp is established.  

1974: George and Irene Holling gift a half section of land near Ashland to Nebraska Synod/LCA in memory of their daughter, Carol Joy Holling.  

1975: Nebraska Lutheran Outdoor Ministries is formed. 

1979: Carol Joy Holling Camp opens with 356 campers.  

1986: Carol Joy Holling Camp serves 1000 campers for the first time. 

1994: Day Camp is established in six Nebraska Synod Congregations. 

1995: Lester & Lillian Sullivan gift a section of land near Lodgepole, Nebraska...to be known as Sullivan Hills Camp.  

1997: Sullivan Hills Camp opens with 80 campers. 

2002: The Resource Center at Carol Joy Holling Camp is finished. 

2005: The Swanson Retreat Center is completed.

2010: Campers produced 32,000 Health Kits for victims of Haiti.

2014: The New Western Town facilities are complete and replace the old Ranch bunkhouses for summer camp.

2017: Living Water Retreat House completed

 

2018: Monke Lodge completed

2021: Hazel Dillon Lodge completed

history

NLOM
Administration:
Executive Director, Jason Gerdes, JGerdes@NLOM.org
Manager of Financial Records, Laura Thalken 
Receptionist and Office Support Specialist, Chantelle Jackson

 

Program Team:
Director of Programs, Korey Breutzmann, KBreutzmann@NLOM.org
Summer Camp Director, Bailey Neitzel, BNeitzel@NLOM.org
Manager of Adventure Programs, Dennis Pope, DPope@NLOM.org
Youth Programs Specialist, Laura Stalder

Adult Programs Specialist, Jessica Weltz

Registrar, Sarah Duncan, SDuncan@NLOM.org

Guest Services:
Director of Operations, Tara Knudson Carl, TKnudsonCarl@NLOM.org
Manager of Event Planning, Dana Jahn, DJahn@NLOM.org
Manager of Hospitality, Josh Ingersoll
Senior Hospitality Specialist, Peter Hansen

Host, Cami Schramm

Host, Justin Hoffman

Chef + Food Services Manager, Max Harris

Cook, Amy Landstrom

Cook, Zeke Jackson
Cook, Owen Wiese

Dishwasher, Glen Laughlin

Housekeeping Supervisor, Erin Thompson

Housekeeper, Cheri Truax

Housekeeper, Now Hiring

Housekeeper, Steve Steil

Guest Services Specialist, Sandra Kimball

Development:

Director of Development, Jacob Spilker, JSpilker@NLOM.org

Development Officer, Trish Haniszewski
Development Associate, Dennis Remington 
Special Gifts Officer, Dave Coker 

Development Support Specialist, Katie Holewinski


Marketing & Communications:

Director of Marketing, Dani Hatfield, DHatfield@NLOM.org

Associate Director of Marketing, Gera Schultz
Graphic Designer + Marketing Coordinator, Michaela Miller
Volunteer Coordinator & Marketing Support Specialist, Lisa Stirtz

 

Buildings & Grounds:
Director of Buildings & Grounds, Mike Hurst
Buildings & Grounds Specialist, Ivan Marsh

Buildings & Grounds Specialist, Jeff Beckman

Buildings & Grounds Specialist, Now Hiring

Manager of Sullivan Hills, Zac Christensen

 

Board of Directors

Rev. Kris Bohac (President), Waverly, NE

Tami Lewis-Ahrendt (Vice President), Lincoln, NE

L. James Wright (Secretary), Omaha, NE

Scott McCollister (Treasurer), Valley, NE

Carolyn Blobaum, Ashland, NE 

Dale Fornander, Chappell, NE

Rev. Jerry Gilbreath, Pickrell, NE

Bishop Scott Johnson, Fremont, NE

Rev. Michael Peck, Overland Park, KS

Sarah Willson, Council Bluffs, IA

Wendy DeBoer, Bennington, NE

Dea. Coco Lyons, Lincoln, NE

Emily Meehan, Omaha, NE

Ted Swanson, Wellington, CO

Foundation 
BoaRd of Trustees

Linda Miller (President), Omaha, NE

Jason Gerdes (Treasurer), Ashland, NE

Dr. Rod Basler, Lincoln, NE

Robert Bell, Omaha, NE

Roger Lewis, Omaha, NE

Chuck Niemeyer, Ashland, NE

Bob Sall, Omaha, NE
Roger Lewis, Omaha, NE
Joe Harnisch, Elkhorn, NE
Chuck Niemeyer, Ashland, NE

staff and board
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