Lutherhaven Ministries will hold a carnival-style birthday party Sunday to celebrate 70 years of Christian camp and retreat ministry on Lake Coeur d’Alene.

Activities will include a worship celebration, an outdoor concert featuring local musicians The Powers, a history display and various camp activities for all ages. Tickets are sold out and attendance is expected to top 750.

In 1946 the Lutheran churches of the Inland Northwest bought 16 acres overlooking the lake for a summer camp for servicemen returning from World War II and for Lutheran families from the Spokane area.

Lutherhaven was dedicated May 26, 1946, and 650 campers enjoyed time at the came that first summer. Today the 60-acre site serves as a year-round Christian retreat center and summer youth and family camp, with more than 12,000 campers a year.

Lutherhaven Ministries added a second site, the former Shoshone Work Center up the North Fork of the Coeur d’Alene River, in 2009. The 35-acre Shoshone camp is home to the ministry’s Idaho Servant Adventures and Shoshone Creek Ranch.

“It’s been a seven decade roller coaster ride,” Executive Director Bob Baker said. “As has every Christian camp, we’ve seen our share of hardships and growth, blessings and trials.”

Learn more about Lutherhaven Ministries at www.lutherhaven.com.