Decision of the Church Award Committee
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America has been awarded the prize!
At its meeting on 24 March 2026, the Princess Anna Vasa Award Committee approved the Bishop’s proposal and awarded the Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession in Poland
to the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) for its International Camp Counsellor Programme.
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America has been running the International Camp Counsellor Programme since 1992. For over 30 years, this programme has enabled young people from partner churches around the world to serve as camp counsellors at ELCA summer camps. Participants gain leadership experience and share their faith and culture, whilst camp participants and ELCA staff have the opportunity to meet and get to know Lutherans from different countries and churches.
The Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession in Poland has been involved in this programme since its inception. To date, around 100 people, including many current clergy and those active in the Church, have taken part in camps in America as camp leaders.
ELCA staff support participants during the recruitment process, with all the formalities involved in obtaining a visa, in preparing for the camp and throughout its duration. They are also available to answer any questions or address any concerns, working in partnership with our Church throughout the recruitment process.
In awarding the prize to the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) for its International Camp Counsellor Programme, the Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession wishes to recognise the organisers of this programme and thank them for running it and enabling young people to experience the Church in a different cultural context, learn new methods of working with children, improve their language skills and boost their self-esteem.
The award ceremony will take place in Warsaw in November.
photo: ELCA Young Adults Facebook profile (ICC 2025)