Laurel Lake Summer Camp and Retreat Center

Wedding Day

Wedding

Reception

Laurel Lake Room Reservation

Our Wedding

Our story started long before we began dating. Back in 2010 we became friends during Luke’s first summer working at Laurel Lake camp. That summer we spent hours talking and getting to know each other as well as becoming inseparable in adventures during our free time. Our friends began to notice our similarities and strong relationship and thought that we should be a couple and they weren’t shy about telling us, but neither one of us were interested in anything past our friendship. For the next four years we continued to be good friends both at camp and throughout the rest of the year. We spent all that time learning about our common interests like camping, fishing, target shooting and anything outdoors, but we also learned that our difference made us a good team. In the fall of 2014 we both found ourselves single.

In September of 2014, we both ended up at Laurel Lake to help with an event. During the course of that weekend, we watched Star Wars together, fished, and started to realized that there might be something deeper between us than we had seen before. For the next couple months as we studied at different schools in different states, we continued to talk and grow our relationship until we finally made it official on the day before thanksgiving. We spent the rest of the school year visiting each other at least once a month.

Our relationship continued to grow. We went on many adventures from exploring camp and Pennsylvania to traveling to see new places like Michigan, Colorado, Tennessee and Maine. We got to know each other's friends and celebrate their relationships with them. We learned a lot about supporting each other through hard times during school, work, and broken down cars. And we found that we were stronger and better the more we were challenged to grow by one another.

Proposal

Luke:&nbsp;Throughout the next year and a half, we realized that this relationship we had was one that we wanted to last. I finally got up the nerve to ask Sabrina’s dad for his blessing and permission and that started to get things in motion. As I started my hunt for a ring that she would like, I found a jeweler in New York that would make a custom ring for me based on one of their designs. Once the ring finally arrived, I knew that I would have to act quickly or Sabrina would begin to be suspicious.

Sabrina:&nbsp;Luke surprised me one weekend with a impromptu trip along the coast of Lake Michigan to see some lighthouses. He made it very clear that he wanted to start the day early but of course I took my time getting ready. When we finally got on the road, we started out at the White River lighthouse and Luke so graciously let me pay to enter the museum. Then when we were on our way to the next lighthouse we detoured to Holland Michigan. I was enjoying my time looking at everything and Luke seemed to want to rush out of there. He was unusually impatient and stressed while driving. During the long drive to the next lighthouse I happily talked to Luke about if we had our wedding in the fall and wondering if the leaves would have changed colors or if it would be to cold. He seemed amused by the conversation although I didn’t know why. At the second lighthouse, Ludington North Pierhead, we had to walk about half a mile out to it and along the way I asked Luke if he thought Adam would get engaged before him, he just simply smiled and said I don’t know. Then I asked if he would get married before him, and he said probably but that didn’t bother him.

Luke:&nbsp;I had planned to propose on the top of the last lighthouse of the day, Big Sable Point Lighthouse. I knew that the lighthouse would close at 5 and I was thankful that we were arriving just before 4:15 which would give us plenty of time to climb the 130 steps to the top. What I didn’t know was that there was a 1.8 mile walk to the base of the lighthouse. We both needed to use the bathroom which was being used by a large family. After finally being ready to walk, we had just under 25 minutes to make it to the lighthouse before it closed for the day. As we walked between the dunes to the lighthouse, I tried to gently urge Sabrina on. Sabrina was super kind and told me it would still be a good day even if we didn’t make it up to the top, but I really wanted to make it in time. As the time ticked down, we still couldn’t see the lighthouse until we had 5 minutes. We finally made it to the base of the lighthouse and entered the shop with 2 minutes to spare.

Sabrina:&nbsp;Luke again so sweetly let me pay the entrance fee. The lady asked us if we were sure because they were about to close but Luke insisted. Luke bolted up the stairs and I struggled to keep up. At the top I realized that it was truly worth the rush. The view was amazing. As I looked around and began taking pictures Luke said “Hey Sabrina turn around.” I replied “hold on I am taking a picture.” He a little more impatiently said, “No seriously turn around.” I finally listened and turned around to him on one knee. He look at me with the ring in his hand and simply said “I got tired of calling you my girlfriend.” I laugh and told him “Today was the perfect day to propose!” After 1 year 10 months and 26 days of dating we began a new chapter of our lives. We sat at the bottom of the lighthouse and talked for awhile the first thing I asked him was when he asked my dad, because I knew Luke would ask. He told me that he asked 4 months earlier when my parents and him were visiting me at Laurel Lake camp. Since we couldn’t get cell signal at the lighthouse and we were eager to call family and friends we took off our shoes to rest our blistered feet from power walking almost 2 miles in boots and walked back along the beach. Then it was an evening of celebratory wings and pulling a friends car out of the mud.

The Adventure Continues

Our Story

Laurel Lake Camp

Accommodations 

For our adventurous guests, staying at Laurel Lake camp is a cost effective option. You will pay $25 per night for adults.&nbsp;Children (15 and younger) are $5.&nbsp;&nbsp;The only meal provided will be a Sunday Brunch, so food will take some planning on your part because there are no indoor&nbsp;food preparation facilities available. Campfires must be in designated areas. The nearest food to purchase is a 20 minute drive.

Accommodations will include groups in camper cabins and&nbsp;small families in the simple motel rooms. All accommodations have full showers, sinks and flush toilets. Motel placements are mainly full size&nbsp;beds and provide bedding and towels.&nbsp;&nbsp;If&nbsp; you are placed in a camper cabin &nbsp;you should&nbsp;expect to be in a bunk style bed, rooming with friends&nbsp;and providing your own bedding and towels.







Accommodations will be assigned on a first come first served basis according to RSVPs.&nbsp;&nbsp;We will group friends and families in cabins and motels to best accommodate the numbers we expect. You are welcome to make special requests and we will do our best to help you. Please expect a return message confirming your reservation and placement by August 27th.







Please remember, this is a summer camp with beds designed for intrepid young campers. The beds are predominantly twin bunk beds though each cabin does have one full size.&nbsp; Parking at cabins is limited but you will be able to drive to the cabins to unload. Be sure to have your pedometer devices up and running because you will meet and exceed your goals easily.&nbsp;

Details

Photos

I have never been without Bridget. She is my twin and we are as close as can be, even when we hate each other half the time. From the beginning she was my secret keeper, always there for me whenever I needed her. I can always count on her being right next to me when I need her, whether it was a new adventure, some trouble, or just hard times. Even though she lives far away now I call her and know that she would do anything that she can for me. I am so glad that she will be by my side on my wedding day!

Bridget Marschner

Adam is my younger brother who beat me to getting married. We ended up at different colleges, but the separation brought us closer and I’m happy that I am able to get him back east for my wedding.

Adam Lebo

Everyone has an oldest friend that they always at the heart of the best stories of your childhood. Nick is mine. Whenever I need someone to do something foolish outside, I can always count on Nick joining me. Just like today.

Nick McTish

I met Halie in my Animal Science classes at Andrews University. We started to become close at the World Dairy Expo while we went around collecting free samples. She quickly became my best friend in my classes. Without her my grades and classes wouldn't have been the same. She shared all of my frustrations and stresses and the happy times too.

Halie Fisher

I first met Mark working maintenance in highschool, and we ended up having a lot in common. We were good friends through Blue Mountain and became room-mates and Andrews.

Mark Ringer

Rebekka and I are typical sisters, who fight but we also care a lot about each other. I can remember growing up she would always find ways to get under my skin. But I also knew she was there for me. She was always a role model which I know drove her crazy. And while she is normally far away she is always going to be a big part of my life.



Rebekka Marschner

Josh has been my friend for many years, partly because our parents were both teachers at the same school. He was my suitemate and roommate at andrews and has coerced me into playing my guitar in front of people more than anyone else on earth.

Josh Stahl

Courtney has been like a cheerleader for Luke and my relationship from before it even officially started. I have known her since Blue Mountain Academy, but I got to know her better as time went on and we went to Andrews University. I got to watch her relationship grow with Josh who at the time was rooming with Luke. &nbsp;When we went on our Outdoor Adventure class in college I got to spend a lot of time with her and realized she will always be there to go through adventures with me.

Courtney Stahl

I also met Charles while attending Blue mountain and was also one of my suitemates at Andrews. Charles has put up with my stupidity with more patience than I could ever have hoped for. Charles and Mark are the reason I passed physics at Andrews.

Charles Abreu

Emily is probably one of my oldest friends. We met each other in fourth grade at a music fest, I believe. We have been at Laurel Lake Camp together and Blue Mountain Academy and Andrews University. She was always someone who I could talk to when I was going through hard times. She always understands and helps me to smile again. And now I get to have her with me for my wedding.



Emily McAuliffe

Audrey Marschner

Clint Marschner

Wedding Party

Q + A

Registry

The nearest major airport to camp is the Pittsburgh International Airport. Expect a 2.5 hour drive from the airport to camp.

Pittsburgh International Airport

Located in Punxsutawney, Cobblestone Hotel & Suites -- Punxsutawney, PA is convenient to Punxsutawney Area Historical and Genealogical Society and Punxsutawney Weather Discovery Center.  This hotel is within close proximity of Gobbler's Knob and Barclay Square.Rooms Make yourself at home in one of the guestrooms featuring refrigerators and microwaves. Flat-screen televisions along with DVD players are provided for your entertainment.Amenities Be sure to enjoy recreational amenities, including an indoor pool, a spa tub, and a fitness center.Dining Grab a bite from a grocery/convenience store serving guests of Cobblestone Hotel & Suites -- Punxsutawney, PA. Quench your thirst with your favorite drink at a bar/lounge.Business, Other Amenities Featured amenities include a 24-hour business center and laundry facilities.

Cobblestone Hotel & Suites -- Punxsutawney, PA

With a stay at Barclay Bed and Breakfast in Punxsutawney, you'll be minutes from Barclay Square and Punxsutawney Weather Discovery Center.  This bed & breakfast is within close proximity of Punxsutawney Area Historical and Genealogical Society and Gobbler's Knob.Rooms Stay in one of 6 guestrooms featuring flat-screen televisions. Complimentary wired and wireless Internet access keeps you connected, and cable programming provides entertainment.Amenities Take in the views from a garden and make use of amenities such as complimentary wireless Internet access and a fireplace in the lobby.Dining A complimentary full breakfast is served daily.Business, Other Amenities Free self parking is available onsite.

Sabrina and Luke

Sabrina and Luke

S&L

Wedding Day

Wedding

Reception

Laurel Lake Room Reservation