Twenty-six PLU students, faculty and staff just returned from a trip to Holden Village for
Campus Ministry’s alternative Spring Break. One of those students was senior Kate Burdekin who commented “Visiting Holden Village was the perfect way to spend my spring break!”
The former mining post about 15 miles from the northern shores of Lake Chelan in the scenic foothills of the Cascades has long been a Lutheran camp. Its remoteness has made it a great example of sustainable living. There are a few year-round residents and the camp has many visitors throughout the year, but the community relies on each other to sustain power, maintain the facilities, dispose of waste responsibly and even provide food.
The PLU group prepared the camp for summer visitors during their stay. “The mornings were spent doing various types of work including painting, demolition, replacing flooring, and carpentry. The residents of Holden had some tedious work done for them,” said Kate Burdekin.
The participants also learned about why Holden Village is a Lutheran camp and the overall history of its inception and how it has sustained. “The best part was that it was beneficial to both those that live in the village and us. We were able to spend the week relaxing, bonding, and doing service work. Overall, it was a fantastic week,” added Burdekin.
“Holden Village gives students a great opportunity to learn and discuss spiritual issues and ecological issues, said Kyle Franklin, Campus Ministry Program Specialist. That’s always our goal; it’s not just a fun trip and service trip. There’s an educational component also.”
Questions?
Campus Ministry 253-535-7464
cmin@plu.edu
