Tornado hits Lutheran camp in Oklahoma

Young volunteers assist with debris removal at Camp Lutherhoma in Tahlequah, Okla., following a June 18 tornado. (Camp Lutherhoma)

By Brianna Dehn

On June 18, at around 1 a.m., an EF-1 tornado hit Camp Lutherhoma in Tahlequah, Okla. The camp is owned and operated by the Oklahoma District of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS). This time of year is peak camping season, and the camp was currently in session, with approximately 100 campers and staff boarding on the grounds. There was limited time to take shelter, so the campers and staff went to the camp’s designated storm shelters. There were no deaths or injuries from the tornado, but the 120-acre property sustained significant damage.

The morning after the tornado, the campers were sent home for the rest of the week, and Lutherhoma canceled its camp program for the following week to allow time to clean up fallen trees and debris. Approximately 100 trees and large limbs fell during the storm, and 30–40 large, broken branches still hanging in trees were in need of removal. Other significant damage includes much of the 25-acre challenge or “ropes” course, much of which is beyond repair; superficial damage to the roofs of the cabins; and a destroyed storage building.

On June 19, Camp Lutherhoma posted on its Facebook page that the storm “won’t steal our joy in Christ! Campers wrapped up their camp experience early yesterday doing the best thing we could do — singing and dancing with all our might! We praised God for his faithful protection and heard an encouraging message from the Bible.”

By late afternoon on the day of the tornado, volunteers with Lutheran Early Response Team (LERT) were onsite to begin the cleanup process. Some of the LERT members came straight from Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, where they were still assisting with the aftermath of the tornado that occurred there on May 16.

Insurance typically covers tree removal only if the trees have fallen on top of a building, and the majority of the trees downed from this storm were not on top of buildings, creating a huge cost for the camp. The approximately 20 LERT members and 85 additional volunteers who stepped in to help likely saved Camp Lutherhoma around $200,000 in cleanup cost.

“When you look at the campground and the damage caused by the storm, you can see how the holy hand of God was protecting these campers and staff,” said the Rev. Dr. Ross Johnson, director of LCMS Disaster Response. “It was as if God had sent His holy angel to be with them, just as we pray in Luther’s Morning and Evening prayers.”

Many members of the community have stepped up to help not just with the cleanup but by giving financial donations as well. Beck’s Farm Equipment donated chainsaws and other equipment for LERT and other trained volunteers to use for cleanup. Donations of bug spray, Gatorade and sunscreen were also made to provide for LERT and other volunteers. Electricity to the camp was fully restored the evening of June 21, but generators were donated to Lutherhoma during the time the camp was without power.

“The support in prayers, financially and [from] volunteers was immediate in response,” said John Busch, director of Camp Lutherhoma. “The outpouring of support was incredible and [demonstrates] just how quick the response was.”

Because the cabins were relatively undamaged and camp was canceled the week after the tornado, LERT members and volunteers were able to stay onsite while working to clear the downed trees and debris. All of the high school and college-aged counselors who were hired to work this summer also stayed to assist with the cleanup.

“The Oklahoma District wants to thank volunteers, LERT and camp staff for responding so smoothly to the tornado,” said the Rev. David Nehrenz, Oklahoma District president. “The youth counselors responded calmly to the storm to keep everyone safe, and now camp can resume next week.”

The main camp area has been cleared, and the focus has been moved to reclaiming the extended camp area where there are trails through the forest. Camp activities were expected to resume Sunday, June 29.

Visit lcms.org/givenow/disaster to support LCMS Disaster Response—Strategic Use Efforts.

Brianna Dehn (brianna.dehn@lcms.org) is a staff writer for LCMS Communications.

Posted June 30, 2025