Lutherlag 2009
Anderson / Skelly Family to host annual summer vacation and learning program for alumni and friends of Luther College July 19-24, 2009 
Every summer our family packs up the car and makes the pilgrimage from our home in central Pennsylvania to the Midwest. We visit various places Alicia used to live before moving out to the Allegheny mountains. We usually hit the suburbs of Chicago. We stop in southern Wisconsin. We’ve even headed out to Nebraska. And for the past seven years, we’ve made time in our journey to visit Luther College for Lutherlag.
This is a week for our whole family. Our family is together, but each of us is busy with different activities for part of the day. Jessa has a great time in the teen track, making new friends each year as she renews old friendships from previous years. Mara enjoys art and exploring while making new friends, and loves to spend the afternoons at the Decorah swimming pool. It is a safe and welcoming community for them to explore... from Jessa and the teens hanging out at Marty’s in the evening... to Mara’s first proud trip to get her own silverware in the Cafeteria, we’ve marked their growth with milestones at Lutherlag each summer.
Bob and Alicia both enjoy taking classes (without tests!) and getting to know new people while connecting with friends who have become like family over the years. And we find that Caf food takes on new meaning now that it means a break from cooking and cleaning up! It is good to revisit just a bit of those carefree college days.
It is always good to be back at Luther, a place filled with memories both new and old. Campus changes every year, with new construction and new facilities, but the spirit of the place, the commitment to education and vocation remain constant. We have found new connections and friends at Lutherlag while taking classes from Luther’s excellent faculty, sharing Mabe’s pizza in Phelp’s Park, enjoying glorious summer afternoons at the Decorah Pool, gathering for chapel in the CFL Recital Hall or enjoying a lovely afternoon on the shooting range.
We invite you to make the pilgrimage to Luther this summer for Lutherlag. You will find an interesting journey, with many different directions to explore. And you’ll find great companions for the trip - not only the ones who arrive with you, but a whole community on the pilgrimage together.
Alicia Anderson ’86, and Bob Skelly, Jessa Anderson-Reitz and Mara Anderson-Skelly
Alicia, Bob, Jessa and Mara live in Lemont, Pennsylvania. Alicia serves as campus minister for Lutheran Campus Ministry at Penn State. Bob is a clinical psychologist with Lutheran Counseling Services in State College and Chambersburg, Pa. Jessa (17) attends State College High School and Mara (6) attends Our Children’s Center Montessori. They are members of Zion Lutheran Church in Boalsburg, Pa.
Lutherlag Program
Lutherlag is a multi-generational gathering of people interested in lifelong learning. Designed to give alumni and friends of Luther access to the top-notch facilities, faculty, and qualities that make up the college, it's a wonderful way to reconnect with Luther and introduce children to Luther. Most attendees have a Luther connection of some kind, although that is not always the case. Everyone is welcome.
The program gives individuals the freedom to explore their interests and provides opportunities for families to spend time together for a truly meaningful vacation and educational experience. Adults and teens may choose from a variety of course offerings taught by Luther faculty, staff, alumni, and others.
Teen Track: "Taking the Road Less Traveled!"
Teens (ages 12 and up) are eligible to participate fully in the adult
courses and participate in the "Teen Track," which includes a variety of daily recreational options: from taking on the challenge of the high adventure ropes course at Eagle Bluff with skilled leaders and climbing Luther's own 30–foot climbing wall in the Regents Center to excursions on the Mississippi River, banding birds at Cardinal Marsh, and an overnight camping trip near Yellow River Forest. Teens are given a high degree of flexibility in scheduling their days so that they can tailor their Lutherlag experience to meet their interests and needs. The Discovery Camp staff will assist with the teen programming, providing opportunities for interesting outdoor activities and environmental education.
Children's Program
Entertaining and educational activities are planned for children ages 5 to 11. Their days are filled with field trips to local parks and historic sites, campus exploration and recreation, music, art, storytelling, games, swimming at Decorah's marvelous municipal pool, and much more. Assisting with the art programming each day will be Lea Donhowe Lovelace '97, director of the Little Masters Art Studio and Co-Director of Decorah's Arthaus. The art classes are designed for specific ages and abilities of children, empowering them to succeed in their creative process at
all levels. Creative movement will be a part of the curicullum with assistance from Jane Hawley '87, associate professor of dance, and Amanda Couture '12, student assistant. Children are divided into age-appropriate groups and led by certified teachers and college-age assistants. Normally, there are three groups with 10 to12 children in each group. The 10- and 11-year-old group will also be invited to Eagle Bluff's high-ropes course for a day!
On campus pre-school child care will be provided for children ages four and younger during the class periods from 8:15 a.m. until noon and again from 1:15 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. each day. The children will be involved with age-appropriate activities throughout their time in care, focusing on all areas of development. Each day, weather permitting, will also include outside movement time in a space attached to the care center. Snacks will be included throughout the day and a nap/resting period will be necessary for each child. The children will be in the care of Katherine Whitsitt and Chantel Olufsen '07, experienced early childhood educators and mothers with years of experience working with young children.
There really is something for everyone at Lutherlag!
Evenings offer a host of family and group activities and a variety of off-campus excursions—including and a family Bar-B-Que picnic at Phelps Park with Scandinavian and Scandinavian-American old time dance music by the Foot-Notes, an evening concert of Norwegian songs performed by guest artist Marit Birch Eide, an on-campus pizza party featuring Mabe's and Happy Joe's pizza, and an optional theatre production in Lanesboro.
“Sense of Vocation” Church Leader Retreat
For the eighth year running, Lutherlag will also include the Sense of Vocation Church Leader Retreat curriculum as an integral part of the classroom program. Pastors, youth leaders, church musicians or other church professionals apply for one of the 10 supporting grants of $250 each to attend Lutherlag and the Church Leader Retreat. Participants in the Sense of Vocation retreat are invited to enroll other family members (including children and teens) and friends in the Lutherlag program if they choose to pay the fees for Lutherlag for those additional persons. Any and all classes listed are open for all participants. Download a pdf format Church Leader Retreat Application
Wellness at Lutherlag 2009
Wellness is a relatively recent concept in our culture. Many people think of health as the absence of disease, but wellness transcends this concept of health to encompass several dimensions. The basic five areas of wellness are: emotional, intellectual, physical, social, and spiritual. Lutherlag is an environment that promotes all of the dimensions of wellness.
This year we would like to infuse the wellness concept into the Lutherlag curriculum by offering programs such as yoga, creative movement, dance, birdwatching, and biking, in addition to opening the Legends Fitness for Life Center and the Decorah Municipal Pool to Lutherlagers each day. We encourage you to try something new that may incorporate one of the other wellness dimensions. Participants are encouraged to make a personal commitment to wellness at Lutherlag this year. 
Greg Lonning '83, director of the Nena Amundson Lifetime Wellness Program at Luther will be available throughout the week as a resource for all participants.
Meals
The meal plan (14 meals and daily snacks) includes meals from supper Sunday, July 19, through Supper on Thursday, July 23, and the Lutherlag closing breakfast on Friday, July 24. All meals, except the Lutherlag picnic Bar-B-Que on Monday evening, Wednesday night's pizza party, and Friday's closing breakfast will be served cafeteria-style in college dining facilities.
Off-campus participants may purchase individual meals in the Dahl Centennial Union dining facilities; they may also pay an additional fee to attend Tuesday's picnic and Friday's closing breakfast.
Housing
Lutherlag guests may stay in campus housing or make off-campus arrangements. Guests staying on campus will be in two-bed (or single rooms if requested) air-conditioned rooms with shared bath facilities in Farwell Hall. Requests to share living units with other families can be made on the registration form. We will do our very best to see that families with children are located near other families with children, and vice versa. Pillows, linens, and blankets are provided, but it is a good idea to bring a blanket or two of your own in case of cool weather. Guests not staying for Nordic Fest must check out of rooms by 10:00 a.m., Friday, July 24. Nordic Fest housing is separate from Lutherlag fees and is an additional charge. Nordic Fest housing fees are paid on a per room basis.
Free-Time Activities
Thursday afternoon is set aside for recreational opportunities; here are just a few of the possibilities for free-time activities during Lutherlag: tubing or canoeing on the Upper Iowa River; swimming, fishing, biking, hiking, or shopping; playing tennis and golf; or visiting local parks, Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum, Decorah's historic district, Effigy Mounds, Burr Oak, Bluffton, Spillville, or Fort Atkinson.
Commonweal Theatre Performance
On Thursday evening we will offer an optional trip to the Commonweal Theatre performance of The Odd Couple. Felix Ungar (played by founding artistic director Eric Bunge '84), neurotic fusspot news writer, and Oscar Madison, slovenly sports journalist, attempt to adapt to each other’s idiosyncrasies while trying to rekindle their social lives. In this classic comedy, Neil Simon gives us the story of a friendship that defies all odds. Tickets for the performance, including motorcoach transportation to Lanesboro, are included in the package price. (More information about the evening can be found in the course descriptions). Additional costs are $25 for children and teens and $35 for adults. (Commonweal season ticket holders and Million Dollar Club members subtract $10 for children and $20 for adults.) Check the appropriate box on this registration form and include payment with Lutherlag fees.
2009 Fees
The program registration fee is $290 for adults and $200 for children 12 and up,
$165 for children ages 5 (by 1/08) to 11, and $140 for children 4 and
younger. Program fees should be mailed with the registration form.
Room and board fees are $270 for adults and children 11 and up, $140 for children ages 5-10; and no charge for children 4 and younger.
Nordic Fest housing fees for Friday, July 24, and Saturday, July 25 (if you wish to stay on for the weekend) are $36.00 per night for a single room and $62.00 per night for a double room. (Includes breakfast; children may sleep on the floor for free).
Pottery, Grown-ups with Crayons, and Clay Target Shooting and Whole Brain Golf courses require additional fees for materials or transportation. Transportation costs, and tickets for the Commonweal Theatre production on Thursday night are not included in the registration fee.
Registration
Registration deadline for Lutherlag 2009 is June 15. Complete and return the registration form with a check payable to Luther College for the total registration fees. Room and board fees and Nordic Fest housing fees are due July 15, 2009.