KOINONIA
CLUB
DIAMOND
“Koinonia is where God transforms and prepares people in an outdoor environment to love and serve one another.” Koinonia Mission Statement
Located in the Catskill mountains of New York, Koinonia is situated on 1,200 acres of forest, with numerous facilities that offer opportunities for guests of all ages, to be surrounded by God’s creation. Koinonia is a New Testament Greek word meaning community. At Koinonia one can experience genuine community grounded in the Gospel of Jesus.
Koinonia is owned by the Martin Luther Camp Corporation and incorporated as a not-for-profit organization through the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). The corporation is made up of more than 50 member congregations. Each congregation provides delegates who select the Board of Directors and attend the Annual Meeting, provide financial support and host Koinonia staff in their congregations. If your congregation is interested in becoming a member, please contact the Koinonia office.
A Legacy of Ministry and Service For More Than Sixty Years
Following the establishment of the Martin Luther Camp Corporation, the search for property to host Koinonia’s ministry was completed. In 1962, more than 1,063 acres of land was purchased as a home for the ministry. Soon after, additional land was purchased from local farms and businesses.
Throughout the following decades the youth camp continued to grow in acreage and in programming, and the people of Koinonia worked to develop the facilities and offerings for year-round multigenerational activity. The Creation Learning Center (CLC) which provided an outdoor educational experience for Lutheran school students was first established in 1975.
In 1977, ground was broken for the Kairos Conference Center. In 1982, the Wilderness School began, giving young men who would benefit from a different life experience the chance to live and work at Koinonia throughout the year while attending to their academics at school in Eldred. In 1985, Koinonia’s Elderhostel program started, providing both indoor and outdoor learning experiences to seasoned adults.
New programs and new opportunities continue to be developed and offered to ensure that Koinonia is, in the words of past director Bob Nervig, “… more than a camp. It’s a community of people reaching out, sharing, caring, touching the earth and touched by Christ - for all ages, for all seasons.” Today, Koinonia continues to live into its mission.
Serving All Ages Throughout the Year
Koinonia is open and offers ministry throughout the year:
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Summer programs for children and youth, biblically based and led by Christian young adult staff. These programs include day camp programs, youth and family camps and retreats
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Koinonia programmed retreat opportunities for people of all ages.
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“Hosted” ministry welcoming church groups, schools, organizations, family gatherings and other groups seeking a setting and facilities in a Christian environment for all ages and faiths.
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Provides home-like after school care for school-aged children in the local community.