Good Earth Village is an Outdoor Ministry of the church. It is owned by over 140 congregations in Southeastern Minnesota. Good Earth has facilities and 500 acres to offer renewal and recreational opportunities. It is a resource for the Congregational Life of the Church.

Our Mission

Good Earth Village is a place where the body of Christ is strengthened as people bear witness to Christ, care for creation, and live and learn in an environment of God's grace.

History

The Founder's Association was incorporated in December 1969, as an ecumenical organization of congregations for the purpose of developing an outdoor ministry. Shortly thereafter, the property that is now Good Earth Village was purchased by combining a number of available parcels. Commitments were made to assure a de-centralized, small group approach to outdoor ministries, and the initial five years were spent in planning stages, parish membership recruitment and developing the beginnings of a camp program.

The Founder's Association called the first full-time, year-round director in April 1975. The corporate membership has expanded from the original 26 churches to currently over 140. The summer program expanded through the development of "villages" designed for small numbers of campers in various locations on the large site.

Early on, the Delegates to the Annual Meeting changed the corporate name to Good Earth Village to better represent the Ministry of the camp. The 1989 Annual Meeting put into place a Master Plan to meet increasing space and facility needs. A commitment to land and simplicity concepts remain integral to the sprit of Good Earth Village. In 1998-1999 a second Master Plan was adopted which addressed the need for a higher comfort retreat space as well as expanded dining space and office space.

A year round retreat center was built in 1977; it was designed to be flexible, energy efficient, and to provide year round food service and program support for all camp programs. It is called "Barr Lodge" in honor of a family instrumental in the overall development of the land and concepts of Good Earth Village. Barr Lodge has been remodeled and taken on a new function since 1995. Barr Lodge is no longer a retreat center, but is home to the camp office, meeting lounges, and larger food service area because of a new kitchen addition completed in 1996.

1998 brought much construction to the Good Earth Village site. Thanks to the help of Mission Builders, the camp was able to construct additional cabin space in Old Town, on-site housing for seasonal and full-time staff, a maintenance building and new covered wagons in our Jr. High village. The Log Lodge Retreat Center was completed in 2003, providing much needed program space and adult/family friends lodging.

Good Earth Village has grown into a diversified program for southeastern Minnesota, offering numerous day experiences and training events, summer youth camping, family programs and campground, and year round retreating.

Theology

Good Earth Village is a center for camping, retreating and outdoor ministry. The purpose of this organization is to enrich the life and mission of congregations through outdoor programs of education, inspiration, fellowship and personal growth. Programs are meant to assist congregations to gather around the Word of God, and to recognize the importance of Biblical images in our world. The judicious use of the outdoors is also an important part of our purpose. All participants are called to recognize the creative and renewing power of God in the world and to become responsible citizens of the earth.

While the camp was founded and designed to be an ecumenical organization, it is recognized as a Camp of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. A few of the member congregations are United Methodist, Presbyterian and Catholic.

Philosophy

Good Earth Village encourages strong inter-personal experiences, a simplistic lifestyle, an attention to the outdoors, and small groups that foster personal growth. The site is simple, the facilities fit the environment, and activities are basic; hiking, discussion, creative arts, reflection, singing, and in winter, snow shoeing, skiing and sledding.

During our summer programs, campers are expected to contribute to the process of living and learning by helping with all chores, sharing in the work and program of the "village unit," and otherwise sharing of themselves in community living.