It's the season 4 finale! So, we decided it's a good episode to play a classic camp game, with a sacred playgrounds twist.

On this episode we're playing 2 Truths and An Untruth, often used as a get-to-know-you game at camp, in four rounds from the perspective of key camp audiences: campers, parents, directors, and summer staff. In each round, we'll share 3 statements, and your job as a listener is to identify which one is not true, and which two are true.

Keep score! If you listen as a group, compete and compare with your staff or group members. See if you're an official camp data nerd ("official" badge available here).

We've had a great season of exploring through sacred playgrounds with you, uncovering fresh insights, learning from each other, and applying all we're discovering to our own settings, all for the sake of the hearts and souls of those we serve. Thanks, listeners, for an incredible season!

Quick Links
#StatOfTheWeek Research Hub
Rhythms of Faith
Effective Camp
ECLP & CCLP
5 Fundamentals of Effective Camps for Summer Staff Training

Come help camp thrive with us on Facebook, Instagram, or at sacredplaygrounds.com.

Some things are up, some things are down, some are holding steady, and it all has meaning and impact for how we can make informed decisions and tell impactful stories for this summer and in the months ahead.

We've pulled out seven key insights from the 2024-2025 OMC Director Survey findings, and sharing the up, down, and steady movement we've seen when comparing to the last decade of findings from this survey. It's an exercise in identifying trends and discerning how to apply in your own ministry.

The full OMC Director Survey Report is nearing completion, but we wanted to take this opportunity to share some of the initial learnings during this season of the podcast.

Quick Links
2022 OMC Director Survey Findings
3 Things to Offer Church Partners Article
Frontier Cove @ New Life Ranch
Jake's Camp Hair Don't Care Hat
Download the #StatOfTheWeek + 6 Findings Bonus Graphics

Come help camp thrive with us on Facebook, Instagram, or at sacredplaygrounds.com.

The more things change, the more they stay the same? The only constant is change? If you’re not riding the wave of change, you’ll find yourself underneath it? Whatever your cliché du jour, the truth is, things aren't the same as they were a quarter century ago, and outdoor ministry is not immune to the shifts.

On this episode, Jake and Jared welcome Chad Hershberger from Camp Mount Luther on to talk about trends in camp over the past quarter-century, and if those trends will continue (trending), change directions (bending), or stop in their tracks (ending). We're covering shifts in staffing, parenting, technology, facilities and expectations, and church engagement.

We need your thoughts too! Comment trending, bending, or ending on Facebook, Instagram, or our website.

Quick Links
Meet Chad @ Camp Mount Luther
The Anxious Generation, Jonathan Haidt
Download the #StatOfTheWeek

Come help camp thrive with us on Facebook, Instagram, or at sacredplaygrounds.com.

Where will they find spiritual grounding, these summer staff members of ours? These emerging adults that truly make ministry happen at our camps; what does it take to equip and encourage practicing faithfulness in their lives while they are at camp, and foundational habits that last beyond our time with them?

On this episode we'll talk about the key to fostering the kind of faithfulness in summer staff that not only affects their lives in lasting ways, but also brings the deepest impact to your summer mission and ministry.

One of the options for this kind of equipping that we'll talk some about in our conversation is Holy Ground, a guide and devotional designed specifically for summer camp staff, by summer camp staff. Holy Ground 2025 is live right now for ordering in our Sacred Playgrounds store.

Links & Resources:
Holy Ground 2025
About Holy Ground
2024 "How We Holy Ground" Guest Podcast Episode
Holy Ground 2025 Sampler
Works of Bonhoeffer

Come help camp thrive with us on Facebook, Instagram, or at sacredplaygrounds.com.

Good news! Camps are, in general, keeping parents satisfied with the level of communication and preparation prior to camp.  We learn that much in this week's #StatOfTheWeek. And, there's an opportunity to go beyond satisfactory amounts of information, to a noticeable shift into mission and faith formation, even during this often-underutilized phase of pre-camp prep, when families have signed up, but camp isn't here yet.

On this episode, we're sharing 10 quick tips we can apply now during this pre-camp phase that will positively impact camper experience, camper and family outcomes, and key partnerships. Grab a checklist and follow along, then be sure to add yours in the comments wherever you're listening!

Links Referenced:
Tips for Staffing in 2025 Podcast Episode
Rhythms of Faith Project
Camper Recruitment & Retention Playbook
Why Camp?

Come help camp thrive with us on Facebook, Instagram, or at sacredplaygrounds.com.

2025 summer camp staffing is top of mind, heart, and task list for many camp leaders right now. We're in the heart of recruiting season, pre-camp prep time is on the horizon, our staff training schedules are maybe beginning to materialize, and our plans for the summer staff experiences have their foundation laid.

The data tells us emerging adult staff are after 3 things when they are considering choosing camp for their summer. We'll unpack what these motivators are, where they come from, and how we use them right now and throughout the summer in recruiting, preparing, training, and retaining the summer staff that bring your mission to life.

Links & References:
#StatOfTheWeek Graphic - 54%
Camp & Church Leadership Project
Episcopal Church Leadership Project
Community of Common Purpose Graphic

Come help camp thrive with us on Facebook, Instagram, or at sacredplaygrounds.com.

The most impactful ministry just might happen in the under-programmed times, the times sitting by the well (or the campfire) hearing someone's story. When we give our staff members, and even campers themselves, the "how" - meaning the skills and the practice in listening, welcoming, and connecting-building - we give them a gift they can and will take into the rest of life.

On this episode, we chat with Lyle Griner, from Peer Ministry Leadership, who has been equipping people, especially youth and young adults, with vital relational  skills as a key, maybe THE key, ministry practice in our world today. Lyle shares where Peer Ministry Leadership came from, and how the skills he and others have spent decades using to empower ministry in churches and communities, comes to camp through staff and camper training and programming (or sometime de-programming) opportunities.

Learn more about Peer Ministry Leadership and find your way to a staff training experience at peerministry.org. You can also read Lyle's book, Youth Are Either Leading or Leaving, to explore how we can ensure youth know they are deeply needed in the church and the world today.

Download the #StatOfTheWeek

Come help camp thrive with us on Facebook, Instagram, or at sacredplaygrounds.com.

Self-confidence. Leadership. Resilience. Faith in daily life.

These are all character traits we measure. There is real data that says camp in exceptional at building character through the highly experiential, highly relational programs you offer. And that's a good thing, because the research says parents and caregivers care as much about the character being built in their kids as anything else.

On this episode we'll break down what character is from a lens of faith and why it matters at camp. Plus , we'll talk bit about what the American Camp Association and camps like yours are doing to bring another level of intentionality and energy to building character at camp (and  even how you could receive grant funding for your best character-building idea or program).

Stay connected with the Character at Camp Initiative at watch out for the opening of subgrant applications at aca.org.

Download the #StatOfTheWeek

Come help camp thrive with us on Facebook, Instagram, or at sacredplaygrounds.com.

Answer: because kids need a safe place to __________________.
Question: Why Camp?

This question matters to you, camp or church leaders, because it's a question the parents in your world are asking. They have to, for one reason or another. It's because they have a lot of options, and they are assessing the quality of any experience they sign their kids up for. It's because they are committed to making sure the time and dollar investments they make are worth it, and lead to things they want the most for their kids. It's because they want to trust you with their very hearts, and they need to know they can.

On this episode, we'll chat with Anna and Anna, two women who wear m - as moms, church leaders, and camp enthusiasts. We asked them to "put on" each of those hats for a few minutes, sharing experiences and perspectives that resonate with families like the ones you serve.

DOWNLOAD THE #STATOFTHEWEEK

Come help camp thrive with us on Facebook, Instagram, or at sacredplaygrounds.com.

Campy New Year! Our 4th annual New Year's resolutions for camp episode is here! We have a blast with this each year, and we've got 5 fresh data-backed resolutions for camps and their leaders in the year ahead. Here is your keyword teaser:

1. Scripture
2. Enthusiasts
3. Cabin Conversations
4. Noticeably
5. Society

Our #QuickQampQuestion is a fun, personal one, and our #StatOfTheWeek shares the #1 factor for faith retention. Join us for a fun kickoff to the new year and the rest of season 4 of podcast!

Links Referenced:
Merlin Bird ID
2024 Resolutions
Chat with Travis Alison

> Download the #StatOfTheWeek

Come help camp thrive with us on Facebook, Instagram, or at sacredplaygrounds.com.