Summer Program Director:

Beth Pflueger

Returning for her fourth year as part of CILCA's summer  staff is Beth Pflueger. Beth is originally from Brookings, South Dakota where she attends Peace Lutheran Church. She is currently a junior elementary education major at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Counting down the remaining semesters, she plans to graduate in May 2011 and manage her own classroom in the fall of 2011. Her interests include long-distance running, soccer, and traveling. Beth's favorite Bible story is the parable of the wise and foolish builders (Matthew 7: 24-27), and one of her favorite Bible verses is John 14:27. She is looking forward to another summer in God's creation with brothers and sisters in Christ.

Adventure & Day Camp Coordinator

Aaron Bueltmann

Aaron Bueltmann will be our Director of Daycamp and Special Activities Coordinator this summer. This will be his fourth summer on staff at Camp CILCA. Aaron is finishing his sophomore year at Valparaiso University, and is a member of Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Springfield. After completing his undergraduate studies, Aaron plans on studying at Concordia Seminary St. Louis. His favorite camp memories include night owl camp, camp talent shows, and outdoor evening worship. His favorite Bible verse is Ephesians 2:8 "For it is by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God."

Medic Day Camp/Normal Summer Camp

Lauren Pinneke

Lauren Pinneke is from Bloomington, Illinois where she attends Trinity Lutheran Church. She is currently a junior at Concordia University Wisconsin where she is earning a dual degree. She is working towards her Bachelors in Rehabilitative Science as well as her Masters in Occupational Therapy. She is graduating this December with her Bachelors. Lauren has attended Camp CILCA since she was in third grade and has had many wonderful memories at camp over the years; however, her favorite memory has always been underground church. This past summer she had the opportunity to lead the underground church devotion with Luann at Golgotha. Seeing the story of Christ's sacrifice as well as the message of Christian martydom and bearing our own crosses touch the campers as the Holy Spirit worked in them was awesome and inspiring.

Veteran Counselor

Cody Collier

Cody Collier attends Concordia Lutheran Church in Springfield, IL. Cody is 19 years of age and in the fall will be a Sophomore at Concordia University Nebraska majoring in Elementary Education. Codys favorite camp memory was his Senior year in high school Underground Church, because he feels that is what brought him to the relationship he is had his Lord and Savior now. After Cody graduates, he hopes to teach at the elementary grade school level and help kids not only learn the curriculum they need to learn but also about how awesome God is.

Veteran Counselor

Margaret Riley

Maggie Riley is going to be a third year at St. Louis College of Pharmacy, working towards her Doctorate in Pharmacy. She is a twenty year old who attends St. John’s Lutheran Church in Decatur, Illinois. Her favorite camp activities include creek walking, campfire devotions, swimming in the lake, and looking at the stars from the lookout tower. Her favorite memories of camp would be a tie between her stays in Cabin Rebekah and long hikes all over camp. This will be her eleventh year at camp and her second year as a senior counselor. Her favorite Bible verses are 1 Peter 3:3-4 and Mathew 11:28-30, respectively, “3Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. 4Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight.” and “28Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

Veteran Counselor

Lauren Rodgers

Lauren Rodgers attends Trinity Lutheran Church in Springfield, Illinois. She is nineteen years old. She is a freshman at Lincoln Land Community College. Her major major is currently undecided. One of her best camp memories would be when Aaron taught martial arts.

Maintenance

Levi Shinn

Levi is a member of St. Johns Lutheran Church in Hannibal, MO. Levi is 22 and currently a sophmore at Concordia University Nebraska majoring in Secondary Education.  His favorite memory of camp would have to be both morning and evening chapel. They are fun and a great way to praise God. When Levi graduates he plans on teaching History or Geography at a Lutheran High School.

Maintenance

Ben Eckhoff

Ben is a member of Christ Lutheran Church Peoria, Illinois.  Currenlty Ben is 20 years old and is a sophmore at Concordia University Nebraska.  Ben's best memory of Camp would have to be Underground Church because it is a great way to get the campers to proclaim their faith. It also was a way that Ben got to see his campers grow from the beginning of the week to the end of the week by asking them questions about their faith.

After college Ben is planning on becoming a LCMS Pastor.

Charles is a member of Our Saviors Lutheran Church Springfield, Illinois. Currenlty he is 20 years old and is a junior at Blackburn College. He plans on being an olympic marathoner when his collegiate days are over.

Rookie Counselor

Chelsea Werries

School: Illinois Wesleyan University

Year: Freshman

Major: Psychology

Favorite Camp Memory: The week that I came to camp the summer after my 7th grade year. It was an all-around amazing experience. I had struggled with being the new kid in a public school. The friends I made and what I learned that week totally changed my outlook on life (as cheesy as it sounds). I felt God's love like never before.

Favorite Bible Verse: "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord. "Plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you hope and a future." -Jeremiah 29:11

Rookie Counselor

Justine Seidel

Immanuel Lutheran Chuch- Altamont

17 years old

Current senior at Altamont High School

Plan on going to Maryville University in St. Louis for Physical Therapy

Rookie Counselor

Olivia Knuth

My name is Olivia Knuth. I attend Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Jacksonville IL, I am 18 years old, and I am a senior at Jacksonville High School. I will be attending Concordia Mequon next year and hope to be studing some field of nursing or Lutheran elementary education. I have so many wonderful memories of camp, but my favorite is just singing and worshiping at outdoor chapel :).

Rookie Counselor

Kirk Baly

Kirk is twenty years old and will complete his sophomore year at Valparaiso University in May. He is a member of Church of the Good Shepherd in Crest Hill, IL. After obtaining his Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and Mathematics, Kirk hopes to find a job in computer programming. He fondly remembers launching model rockets and playing games of capture the flag at camp during middle school. His favorite Bible verse is Micah 6:8, "He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God."

Rookie Counselor

Michael Dobler

Michael Dobler will be joining the camp as a camp counselor this summer. He will be a junior at Valparaiso University in the fall, and his home church is Mount Olive Lutheran in Rockford, Illinois. Michael is studying Political Science and German but is unsure of his plans upon graduation. His favorite bible verse is Jeremiah 33:3- "Call to me and I will answer you and I will tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know."

Rookie Counselor

Caleb Grim

Caleb Grim is finishing his sophomore year at Valparaiso University in Valparaiso, IN. After a year and a half studying civil engineering, he has decided that teaching is more up his alley, and also a lot more fun, and is pursuing a degree in Mathematics/Secondary Education. Caleb hails from Fort Wayne, IN and is a member at Concordia Lutheran Church in Fort Wayne. His favorite Bible verse is Joshua 1:9 "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go." Caleb really enjoys the outdoors and is excited to spend his summer with great people and serve God at the same time.

Rookie Counselor

Chris Biernacki

Christopher Biernacki lives in Cookeville, Tennessee. He has been a member of Heavenly Host Lutheran Church for twelve years. He is 22 years old and a senior at Concordia University Wisconsin studying Theology and Theological languages. He loves apologetics, defending Christian faith, and Biblical archeology. He is the CUW philosophy club president. He plans in the fall to attend St. Louis Theological Seminary. This will be his first summer as a counselor at Camp CILCA. Favorite Bible verses are Psalms 145: 8-9 “The Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love. The Lord is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made.” and 1 Peter 3:15 “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.”