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Last week, over 100 spirited individuals from the United Methodist Camp & Retreat Ministries community gathered at the SEJ Gathering, and let me tell you, rain or shine, it was a game-changer. Sure, the weather wasn't exactly on our side, with rain making up a good 70% of the weekend forecast. But did that dampen our spirits? Not a chance! Our theme for the event was "Breaking Forth," and many wonderful things did, in fact, break forth. The SEJ Gathering wasn't just your run-of-the-mill professional meet-up. It was a vibrant hub of ideas, connections, and career growth. From seasoned Directors to fresh-faced staff, everyone brought something valuable to the table. Workshops and sessions were alive with discussions on the latest trends, innovative programming, and navigating the challenges of the camp world. The focus wasn't only on work, either; it was about creating a community where everyone felt heard, supported, and ready to tackle the next big adventure in camp life.

Now, let's talk about the elephant in the room – the rain. Did it try to put a damper on our parade? Absolutely. But did it succeed? Not a chance. Instead, we embraced it. We adapted our outdoor activities, turned those rain boots into a fashion statement, and found creative ways to keep the energy high. After all, isn't that what camp is all about – adapting, overcoming, and making the best of any situation? And speaking of weather challenges, let's not forget the spontaneous polar plunge that some brave souls took during the SEJ Gathering! 

As if the rain wasn't enough, a group of camp enthusiasts decided to embrace the elements even more by taking an impromptu dip in the chilly waters. It was a moment of pure spontaneity and camaraderie that added an extra layer of adventure to the already memorable weekend.

During one of the reflective sessions, amidst the pitter-patter of rain on the roof, a thought-provoking quote from Pete Scazzero was shared, stirring deep contemplation among the participants.

"Is our being with God sufficient enough

to sustain our doing for God?"

This question resonated within the hearts of those gathered, prompting reflections on the importance of spiritual well-being and its impact on our roles in the camp community. The SEJ Gathering not only nurtured professional growth but also sparked introspective conversations that went beyond the surface. It reinforced the idea that the essence of camp goes beyond the external challenges, whether it's the weather or the hurdles in our daily lives. It's about the spirit of togetherness, adaptability, and the shared passion for creating positive experiences for campers. As we carry the memories of the SEJ Gathering forward, let Pete Scazzero's words echo in our hearts, reminding us that our connection with each other and with something greater than ourselves is the foundation upon which we build the vibrant tapestry of the camp community. So, let's continue to break forth, not just in our professional endeavors but in the richness of our relationships and the depth of our spiritual well-being. Until the next adventure unfolds, stay inspired and keep the campfires of enthusiasm burning!

After a beautiful few days spent with camping leaders and friends, I begin this week feeling inspired, renewed, and enmeshed in neglected emails. I watched people pile into cabins, eat beside one another, and gather up (in circles, of course) to talk about the challenges we face in our worlds. These otherwise mundane efforts felt remarkable to me, mainly because I would otherwise only see these faces on Zoom. I sat beside my heroes and heard them speak in chapel. I did not mind the cold, rainy walk along the creek, as I was always met with a good conversation or a seat by a fire. Every night I went to bed tired of talking. I listened to our collective voices rise and fall, choosing to mainly listen for the small harmonies that some make seem so easy to find. Because I have been with you, I am more ready and open to whatever this year will bring up in me and in others. I am left feeling grateful for those who have come before me and for those who stand beside me as we join in the work of moving forward and breaking forth.

Rachel McGuire is Village Program Director at Glisson Camp & Retreat Center in North Georgia. She served on the planning team for the 2024 SEJ Gathering. 

Great-looking crew from the Holston Conference took part in the SEJ Gathering

Participants in the NEJ "Be Inspired" Gathering were indeed inspired by the many new friends, new ideas, and speakers that we encountered at the event. Many of us drove hours to be part of the NEJ experience. We were met with hospitality from our host site, Mount Asbury Retreat Center, and it just got better and better throughout our short-but-inspiring visit. Our lovely chats and get-to-know-you games were just the beginning of our NEJ community experience. We were inspired by Jessica Gamache (UMCRM Association) and Rev. Kevin Witt (Susquehanna Conference) in a beautiful location to think about the outdoors and creation care.

Shea James (West Virginia Conference) noted that “community is central to camping ministry. Being able to gather, share, and support one another was invaluable!”, a consensus shared by all of the attendees of the conference. Participants came from many sites: Spring Heights Camp (WV), Pocono Plateau and Gretna Glen (Eastern PA), Pecometh (Peninsula Delaware), Greene Hills, Wesley Forest, Camp Penn, and host site Mount Asbury (Susquehanna). Cheryl Bostwick (Pecometh) noted that she felt like “all of the participants were on a level playing field” regardless of the ministry or role in which they served. Executive Directors, Directors, Hospitality staff, Kitchen staff, Programming staff, and clergy all had something to share and learn from each other, because all staff are integral in running a Camp and Retreat Center. Support is invaluable!

Rev. Lisa Jean Hoefner inspired us by introducing a conversation about older adults. We were challenged to think about our programming for this demographic. Many of our camps already do some sort of senior programming, but for others it was a light bulb moment when they realized how much more they could be doing for that group of knowledgeable, skilled, and very interesting adults—the adults who don’t want to be put out to pasture, but want to be challenged, energized, and encouraged. Patty Weidman (Mount Asbury) and Apryl Miller (Gretna Glen) shared about programs their sites offer. Taylor Johnston (Greene Hills Camp) said, “Be Inspired: NEJ allowed me to connect back to why I am committed to camp and retreat ministry. In community we have such a larger opportunity to learn how our ‘whys’ form a much larger picture of just how formative camp and retreat ministry is through all generations.”

Beth Jones of Deep Green Journey led our well-bundled-up group through the forest of Mount Asbury for Forest Therapy. We took a quiet walk through the snow-covered woods and trails, keeping our eyes and ears open for what might happen. We saw green moss poking through a layer of snow, green pine trees, small and large trees which had lost their leaves, but still show the promise of life in the forest. Beth led our journey of “discovering extraordinary possibilities through a restorative connection with the natural world.” An occurrence too rare in our busy lives, we were invited to be quiet and to think, listen, and see the beauty around us. Often, we don’t make the time to do this in our daily lives. We were challenged to make it happen and to restore a little bit of time for ourselves.

More than once throughout our two days of community, the overwhelming feeling was one of positivity. We were inspired by being with other people who understand what we do and why we do it. Camp and Retreat Ministry: you live it, you love it, you have passion for it. Now, leaders from across the NEJ are inspired by it anew.

Richelle Darrell is the Director of Retreat Ministries at Pecometh Camp & Retreat Center (MD), where she has served for over 20 years. 

When Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) work, anti-racism, or white privilege are talked about these days, there are almost instantaneous walls that go up. It is true, these are all difficult conversations that require just that, conversation, they are not a sound bite that can be distilled for a 20 second TikTok or news clip. As a result, it is becoming increasingly difficult to do DEI work across all sectors. We know that the same is true for The United Methodist Church and our Camp and Retreat Ministries as well. There have been actions throughout the long history of The United Methodist Church that failed to lift up people of color in the love that we have been called to. For example, the split into the Methodist Episcopal Church North and South, forming the Central Jurisdiction to segregate black members, and failing to treat our black and brown clergy and laity equitably all have contributed to harm. 

Acknowledging our history and embracing our calling to love our neighbor, we can see how DEI work is crucial to Camp and Retreat Ministries. Every year, we welcome children and adults to our spaces who come from many different backgrounds with differing ideas about everything from meals to religiosity. Our work is to welcome all of these people. Chances are that you have made accommodations and accessibility updates at your ministry site for campers who are wheelchair users. Maybe you have signs in multiple languages to accommodate those whose first language is not English. Maybe you have a specialty week of camp over the summer for a group with special needs whether they’re deaf, in the foster care system, or developmentally delayed. These are all ways we work to be more diverse, equitable, and inclusive of our neighbors. I challenge us to dedicate time this year to bringing focus and attention to making our sites inclusive and safe spaces for people of color who are so vital to the growth, strength, and wholeness of our ministries.

Racism is a polarizing issue in the U.S. This can result in leaders often shying away from difficult DEI conversations for fear of alienating donors or camp families. Through faith, we can strive toward making our camps more equitable for all people, even if it means loving someone in our community through uncomfortable conversations. We are called to live out the words of 1 John 3:18 “let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.” When we say we love our neighbor, let there be action behind our words, even actions that make us less popular or make us uncomfortable. 

In our baptismal vows, we accept the freedom God has given us to “resist evil, injustice, and oppression in whatever forms they present themselves.”¹ Racism is a clear evil that is still pervasive in our country, and our Camp and Retreat Centers are not exempt. Even when we gather as a UMCRM community, we can visually see the growth we still need to do in bringing up diverse leaders.. If you look at the demographics of your campers, guests, and camp staff you may find a similar reality.. Mostly this is unintentional, it's just the way things have always been, however; the way things have always been isn’t how they need to remain. Jesus did not leave us the way we were, our baptism does not leave us the same, the Christian journey changes us into a new creation. Let’s lift up our Camp and Retreat Ministries as we work to fully reflect that change. 

Angela Davis said, “in a racist society it is not enough to be non-racist, we must be anti-racist.” Recently, the UMCRM Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Leadership Team has developed a resource to guide camp and retreat leaders in putting our faith into action.

This guidebook walks you through thoughtful questions that will move your ministry toward more diversity, equity, and inclusive environments. I encourage you to explore this resource and make the time to work against racism that we can see in our communities and even at our sites. It is time to make the bold declaration that “I have decided to follow Jesus, no turning back, no turning back.”² Our campers, our staff, and our retreat guests deserve spaces of radical welcome where all people not only have a space at the table, but they have a voice to be heard. 

I do not make any claim that it is easy or fun work, but it is necessary work. It is work for the kingdom, work that brings us closer to the kingdom, work that follows Christ. We know that God is already at work in the world. It’s time to look around us to see where God is working with the marginalized, working to “bring glad tidings to the poor, liberty to the captives, recovery of sight to the blind, set the oppressed free, and proclaim a year of jubilee.”³ Join me in choosing to take a stand against racism and to work in our spaces to make the world look more like the kingdom of God. It’s time to work towards Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for all people.

1. The baptismal covenant, UMC Book of Worship

2. “I Have Decided to Follow Jesus” The Faith We Sing #2129

3. Luke 4:18-19

Jenna Johnson serves as Assistant Director at the West River Center in the Baltimore-Washington Conference. Jenna grew up in the Mississippi Conference where she received her call to ministry while working at summer camp. She holds a Master of Divinity from Union Theological Seminary and is an ordained Deacon in the UMC. Jenna is passionate about empowering young people, traveling, and desserts. She enjoys rock climbing and hiking in her free time and has a growing collection of plants. Jenna has blessed the UMCRM community through her active role on the DEI Leadership Team.

At UMC Support, we understand the unique needs and challenges faced by camps and retreats, offering specialized administrative support services and collaborative partnerships designed to enhance your ministry's success. With a focus on the unique needs of camps and retreat centers, our array of over 45 services aims to streamline operations and boost efficiency across various crucial areas, such as website building, recruiting, and compliance, ensuring a seamless experience for camp directors and retreat coordinators alike.

[Watch the Getting to Know UMC Support video on our YouTube Channel]

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Enhancing the sustainability and maintenance of your camp or retreat, our partnership with leading entities such as Home Depot, Ace Hardware, Staples, UMC Market, and more brings exclusive discounts and specialized benefits through our Ministry Partner Program. Ensuring that your camp or retreat receives cost-effective solutions and essential support for ongoing operations is our priority.

Insights from Collaborator Features on Ministry Partners

The Collaborator, our invaluable newsletter, often showcases stories and experiences from our Ministry Partners, highlighting their importance and benefits to camps and retreats. The articles featured in past editions shed light on the unique advantages these partnerships offer, focusing on how other ministries have harnessed these benefits to drive success. Explore our latest partner spotlights:

Check out Ministry Partner Home Depot's DIY Line for Your Ministry - full of tips, how-to resources, and inspiration for that perfect upgrade you've been thinking about. Be sure to sign up for the Home Depot Pro Xtra account for your ministry - access to discounts and much more, exclusively for United Methodist ministries!

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More Savings For Your Ministry

Did you know that you can save 10%* on purchases for your ministry, school, and camp at www.acehardware.com and in participating** stores?  For details on how to enroll in the program so you can receive your exclusive discount, click here.  

Ace offers everything you need to maintain your facilities, including paint and painting supplies. As you plan for your next ministry painting project, come to Ace for top brands you can count on. We offer Benjamin Moore, Wooster, Purdy, ArroWorthy, Linzer, Whizz, and more. Click here to learn more about painting applicators you can save on with your discount. 

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AmazonSmile is No Longer an Option - UMC Market is Here to Stay

You may have seen the news in January that Amazon is no longer providing donations to charities via its AmazonSmile program. Now is the time to update your supporters and encourage them to adjust their shopping habits to ensure your ministry still benefits from their online shopping activity.

• UMCmarket is powered by iGive, which launched in 1997 and is still going strong. 
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• Check your website & marketing materials now to make sure you’ve updated all references to AmazonSmile with links to your UMCmarket listing.
• Here’s a list of tips & tricks to help you get the word out about your ministry & UMCmarket powered by iGive.

Need more personal help? Email Us at Support@iGive.com

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The UMC Support website hosts a library of recent webinars focused on key topics relevant to camps and retreats. These webinars cover areas like leveraging technology for a better retreat experience, protecting your tax-exempt status on unrelated business income tax, employment law, and ensuring compliance with regulations unique to the camp and retreat environment.

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Most camp and retreat centers serve individuals, families, educational institutions, religiously affiliated groups, social service agencies, community service organizations, and other nonprofit organizations that enrich life in the world. Sometimes you’ve called them “rental groups.” Stop! Let me share why, when someone calls to ask about our site, I say:

“We don’t rent our sites. But we are interested in meaningful partnerships with a wide variety of organizations. Perhaps you’re one of them.”  

Language matters. When people think they are “renting” your center, they often think they can do whatever they want to, which can sometimes lead to trouble or to missed opportunities. Our ministry of hospitality can be best expressed when we enter a relationship as a partner with guest groups. When we understand their purpose, we can align our services to help them meet their goals. Sometimes it is through simple things that support their experience: not mowing the lawn in front of their meeting space if we know they have scheduled an hour of quiet discernment time, letting the kitchen staff wear or decorate the dining area with tie-dyed shirts when we know that it’s “Tie Dye Tuesday” for this group, guiding them to nature trails, meditative spaces, or recreational options in line with their activity schedule. Sometimes a group’s experience as a partner can lead to larger collaborations.

I like to use the language of “guest groups.” Everyone is a guest at our site. They didn’t build or pay for the building of this site; they are likely not contributing to the maintenance or capital improvement funds needed by this ministry (though they might be invited to, if their experience becomes more meaningful to them than a mere rental of space!). So here are my ways of explaining to others who may wonder why we do what we do. Maybe this rings true for you. 

“We support groups that serve the world” 

Nonprofit groups of all kinds seek out camp and retreat centers for their planning, training, and programs. Much investment has gone into building, maintaining, and improving quality, year-round centers designed to serve multiple groups. More than an investment in buildings, it is ultimately an investment in changed lives. All of the groups that are guests at our centers share one thing in common: they exist to make life better in the world and to address real needs. As we host and partner with them, we help that happen. We extend nurturing hospitality for these groups because we understand them to be partners in healing, justice, personal and spiritual growth. Through our ministries, the church extends its love to people and places far beyond what we alone would ever know. We nurture people so they can go forth to be a blessing to others. 

“Enhancing community”

A fundamental change in U.S. society has been observed as we have moved from a “front-porch” culture to a “back-deck” existence. We know our neighbors less and less as we get busier and busier. Our population is the most diverse in U.S. history and the farthest away from families and communities of origin. Social isolation is a pressing challenge of our time, with many folks more disconnected and lonely than ever, needing places of belonging and a sense of shared purpose. 

One notable dimension of camp and retreat ministry is its consistency in giving groups of diverse people the vision, the tools, and the sensitivity to become a caring community for one another.  There are few other settings today where strangers come to live together 24 hours a day with the goal of becoming a loving community for each other. That explains in part why these temporary camp and retreat experiences have such lasting impact. Our “sacred places apart” provide a unique opportunity for deepened bonds and intentional group processing.

“Caring for the earth”

Climate chaos is a wake-up call to most of us today. People do not stand outside Creation but are part of it. Whatever happens to the earth affects us all. 

The natural settings of our camp and retreat centers make us ideal partners with schools, outing clubs, conservationists, and public agencies who share a commitment to environmental care. The spiritual, biblical roots of our faith speak powerfully to the sacredness of Creation and make it clear that earth care is vital to discipleship. Our sites provide an invitation to encounter the natural world up close. People who know and enjoy nature – land and landscapes, flora and fauna, water and watersheds – will be the people who act to preserve, protect, and share it.

“Nurturing leaders”

Our ministries have a long history of engaged learning – people actively participating in a shared experience, reflecting on what it teaches them, and putting new learning into practice. Our sites offer outdoor and indoor learning spaces conducive to this action/reflection process. Experiential learning keeps interest high since participants involve their entire beings, not just their minds, in the learning. We provide opportunities for a healthy balance of activity and restful renewal – the ebb and flow of action and contemplation – often enabling the application of faith to life issues and the thoughtful integration of learning. We seek to support groups that come to us with educational goals, and we are honored to be partners in nurturing learners and leaders for the community, church, and world.

The guests we welcome to United Methodist Camp/Retreat Centers ought to be treated with a care that the term “rental groups” just doesn’t convey. Our centers offer much more than building space as we enable and enrich the mission, connection, learning, and world-transforming potential of those we are privileged to host. Leaders in the UMCRM community are invited to choose terminology that aligns with these foundational values and helps all those with whom we minister to understand themselves as partners in something much more powerful than a short-term “rental.” After all, we are in the business of “the transformation of the world”!

Rev. Lisa Jean Hoefner has served in United Methodist Camp & Retreat Ministries in various capacities for over 40 years. She served as Executive Director of Camp and Retreat Ministries in the Oregon-Idaho Conference, as Director at Wesley Forest (PA), Sky Lake (NY), Suttle Lake (OR), and Lake Tahoe UMC and Retreat Center (CA), and as a camp staff member in New York Conference camps (Sessions Woods, Epworth, Quinipet). Lisa Jean was ordained in The United Methodist Church in 1977 and has served churches and directed cooperative ministries in Connecticut and New York. Twice she began new congregations as part of the camp’s ministries in the communities in which they are located – in Weikert, PA and Sisters, OR. Lisa Jean has been an UMCRM supporter from its beginnings, served on the UMCRM Board and various committees and task forces, and is a frequent and beloved workshop leader, teacher and mentor. 

The Summer Camp VBS theme for 2024 Camp Firelight provides a unique opportunity for camps to collaborate with churches next summer. Rev. Ron Bartlow (Desert Southwest Conference) got our brainstorming wheels turning with some suggestions…

Create Co-Branded Materials (UMCRM & local camps), drafting content that camps can then use:

• Simple print materials – trifold, pamphlet – linking the camp-themed VBS offerings with a summary of the research / outcomes of the Effective Camp research, sharing the impact of camp. Allow space for camps to co-brand by adding their information. Camps can have the materials out for retreat groups in advance, send them to churches, share them with pastors in conversation, etc.

• A webpage that camps can copy and use on their own sites.

• Video / training for VBS directors about “a day in the life” at camp.  Local Camp Directors could film and edit in an intro and outtro (from a draft script).

Give Special Scholarships to Churches Utilizing the VBS materials

Camps can partner with churches to advertise scholarships along with / during their VBS.

Decorations & Props

Camps could print branded resources to lend to churches to use for decoration. Review the curriculum, print campfires, “happy campers,” or a rustic cabin backdrop, etc., as stand-ups with the camp logo on them. (I just ordered a 5 foot John Wesley; the printing cost me $120. He’s gonna stand in my office window, blessing anyone who comes by.) Or create camp-specific backdrops – e.g. a favorite cabin, or the dining hall porch, etc.

Planning Retreat 

Partner with the annual conference to host a VBS Directors / planners retreat at camp at low to no cost, to help with planning, coordination, and to learn from one another. Helps give a taste of the real thing to the directors as they are planning (some have likely never been to a camp!). Some conferences may have directors for children’s ministries or education committees that could help with planning/leading with the directors.

Camp Promo Announcements

“Hey, leaders: What if we told you there was a researched way to increase church attendance and involvement by kids? There is! And your VBS can contribute to it. The Effective Camp Research Project shows that children and youth who go to camp are X% more likely to be actively involved in worship afterward”… etc.

Share Leaders

Could counselors or camp staff come as guest speakers or activity leaders to VBS? Would VBS volunteers be interested in coming to camp with kids from their communities?

Swag

Loan or give out old camp branded merch for churches to use for decoration or gifts. T-shirts, camp hats, etc. 

Treats 

Camps could make and deliver cookie gift baskets to churches doing the camp VBS. Or send staff to make s’mores on site?

Camp/VBS Celebration and Debrief

Could camps provide a group pastoral retreat (before? after?) the summer season and share some of the joys of camp along with outcomes of the Effective Camp research?

If we were doing a Family Feud version of the summer camper survey, the number one answer to, “How do campers feel about their week of camp?” is: “It was FUN!” When asking parents what they look for in a summer camp for their children, “Fun” ranks second right behind Safety. 

So, what is fun? One definition is that fun is “a perception of pleasure and happiness brought on by achieving one's desires from an activity.” I think it is more than that.

Of course we want children to have fun at camp, but there’s so much more to it than just making sure everyone plays games and goes swimming.

In her recent book, The Power of Fun, Catherine Price writes that “True Fun” is the “feeling of being fully present and engaged, free from self-criticism and judgment. It is the thrill of losing ourselves in what we’re doing and not caring about the outcome. It is laughter. It is playful rebellion. It is euphoric connection. It is the bliss that comes from letting go. When we are truly having fun, we are not lonely. We are not anxious or stressed. We are not consumed by self-doubt or existential malaise. There is a reason that our moments of True Fun stand out in our memories: True Fun makes us feel alive.”

I can’t think of a better definition of camp. Fun is camp. Camp is fun! And fun, as Price describes it, is a powerful antidote for the challenges of today’s world. At camp we provide opportunities for letting go, being real, doing the silly (like “messy night”, belly flops in the pool or dumb jokes in the cabin) and sharing these things together —  multiplying the fun and its effect.

In his book about fun, behavioral psychologist Mike Rucker writes: “Fun isn’t ‘extra,’ it’s an act of radical self-care. Fun is less ‘think ' and more ‘do.’ It’s demonstrable, observable, real and immediately within our grasp. Are you drawn to, finding pleasure in and engaged with an activity? That’s fun.”

The word “fun” doesn’t appear in the Bible but the word “joy” shows up 269 times. One of the fruits of the Spirit we learned this summer was JOY. Jesus said, “I have said these things to you so that my JOY may be in you and that your JOY may be complete.” (John 15:11) Whether it be summer camp, family camp, or a retreat time with friends, fun is definitely on the agenda. Let’s go have some fun so that our JOY may be complete!

Rev. David Berkey is Executive Director of Michigan Area United Methodist Camping. He is an active member and longtime supporter of the UMCRM Association, former ACA and UMCRM Board member, and a lifelong advocate for Camp and Retreat Ministries. Besides camp, David finds joy in rooting for Ohio and Clemson.

Once the summer camp season ends, we’re all ready for some rest and a much-needed vacation. (And we hope you did both!) Also, good “wrap-up” procedures and preventive maintenance will save a lot of time and aggravation, making you or your successor staff happy and grateful next spring. Check out the checklists and then read on for advice from UMCRM colleagues about their summer wrap-up process.

General site maintenance and housekeeping:

• Close and lock windows and close curtains.

• Empty and clean all trash cans.

• Store outdoor furniture, picnic tables, benches, and hammocks. Note items that need to be repainted, repaired, or replaced for next season.
• Transition summer staff housing to its non-summer use.

• Check crevices of furniture to ensure that there are no food particles or lost-n-found items.

• Restock first aid kits or make a list for next year.

• Unplug computers, air conditioners, microwaves, and major appliances that will not be used.

• Clean ovens, stoves, toasters, grills, and microwaves to eliminate food, crumbs, or grease deposits.

• Clean out grease traps.

• Remove batteries from electronics such as clocks, radios, etc.

• Seal up cracks & crevices that are ¼” or larger to keep unwanted critters out.

• Discard opened food that will not be used. Donate unused, unopened food that will expire before you can use it. 

• Clean and sanitize fridge, freezer, and pantry shelves, drawers, etc. Unplug and prop open units that will not be used.

• Clean and winterize lawnmower and other gas-powered yard equipment.

• Clean out gutters and inspect roofs for shingles that are raised or cracked.

• Store and secure waterfront equipment and docks. Note replacement needs like rescue tubes, paddles, lifejackets, etc.

Program wrap-up:

• Clean up and put away program areas that aren't used the rest of the year (archery, climbing, health center, pool & waterfront, arts & crafts, etc.) Store cleaning supplies, chemicals, art supplies, etc. to ensure that they will not freeze and will be safe from critters.

• Organize the office.

• Debrief with summer staff, collect evaluations, conduct exit/stay interviews.

• Create communications plan for summer staff (remembering birthdays, winter reunion, retreat hosting opportunities, etc.)

• Create communications plan for camper families (evaluations, next year’s registration info, newsletters and holiday greetings, faith formation resources, donor appeals, etc)

A few UMCRM colleagues offered their own additions and advice.

from Jeff Wilson, Assistant Director, Camp Lake Stephens, Mississippi:

The biggest thing for us is getting any thing that could be chewed by squirrels or mice (high ropes gear, life jackets, foam balls, camping gear, pool noodles, etc) into containers (inventoried and organized) and inside a building. Most of that stuff lives in sheds with screen ventilation during the summer. They wind up being easy targets for overwintering mice / squirrels. We used to lose a lot of gear each year, until we started making space inside for it. 

This year I am trialing some new NFC tags called "Organize-it!" that let you keep all the info about what's in a box on an app. You can scan the tag and see what's in the box without opening it. TBD if they are awesome or not. 

During organization and inventory I also ask my staff to write notes inside the box on what we need for next year. That way we aren't replacing stuff using the previous years budget, AND I don't forget about it by the time April rolls around. 

from Julie Lautt, Director, Wanake Camp & Retreat Center, East Ohio: 

I have begun keeping a Google Doc list of items that we are going to need to purchase or replace for the next year. This way I have a good shopping list and can capitalize on sales throughout the year.

 

One practice I have found to be invaluable is to take a "tour" of the summer program areas after summer camp is over and keep notes about what I see or don't see that needs attention or needs to be retained for the coming summer program season.

from Dan Kirby, Assistant Director, Gretna Glen Camp & Retreat Center, Eastern PA: 

Program

• STUFF: ropes, safety gear, inflatables, fun signage, prop things, game leftovers, and summer-only program spaces. Put things away into a mouse-tight shed or building (Check: is it dry, is it maintained, is it in a good container, is it worth keeping?)
• Did you spend $1500 on a foam machine and foam packets? Think through odd things like this that should not be left where they might freeze (foam machines may hold water, as would many of these types of devices).
• Don’t assume that the stuff all got put back. Every year I find a harness in the outskirts of our high ropes course because a kid thought it didn’t need to be put back with the others and staff missed it during clean up.
• Extension Cords, Hoses, Tools, and other maintenance-y things. Our program staff are focused on fun, and if we aren’t intentional we might forget the importance of returning tools borrowed from the maintenance barn, or tidying up hoses.
• Safe Storage – as you store things, be intentional not to block utilities such as hot water heaters, furnaces/ac units where filters will need to be installed, water shut off, etc. Ask your maintenance staff to come with you and tape off the areas that they would like to keep open. Bring coffee.
• Don’t depend on yourself in May. Remember what May was like? It was just 3 months ago and also a year’s worth of life has passed. “May You” is not asking for more things to fix, repair, or maintain. Take care of the bike with the busted tire now, repair the bow that needs new limbs if you can afford to. Write a list for “January You” if the budget demands it.

Maintenance

• Pools: Is it on someone’s radar to pull out the pool pump motors and winterize the pool shed before a freeze? This would be a costly miss.
• Outpost sites. Water lines or utilities that need to be drained out before winter? Platforms that ought to be covered or blown off regularly to help the wood last?
• Tents and Shelters – what gets taken down before winter hits? If you have mattresses on beds that won’t be used until next summer, turn them up on their side to prevent a cozy warm spot for pest nests.
• Picnic tables – turn em up on their sides and they shed snow way faster so your wood will last longer.
• Fire sites – before winter hits, dump out water buckets to keep them from popping in the freeze.
• Did anyone call to have the porta johns picked up yet? What other summer services do you need to cancel today to avoid extra fees? 

What's on YOUR checklist? If you have additional checklist items to add, please share in the comments! 

Summer camp has come to an end. For some of us, this is a HUGE relief. The long, hard days and sleepless, short nights are behind us…at least for another year. For others, it’s the end of the fun season, where children’s laughter is no longer and theme days with costumes are a cherished memory. But, for all of us in this ministry, it is a change of season and a chance to practice some needed self-care. Unfortunately, for so many of us in outdoor ministry, self-care is something we put aside and often just ignore. But it is so important, especially once summer has come to an end. I am by no means an expert in this area, but after over 20 years in this ministry, I did adopt some practices that became crucial for my physical, mental, and spiritual health.

1. SLEEP! I know, I know, this one seems so obvious. It’s probably also unavoidable, as our bodies are just worn out. But, I just want to give you permission to do it for as long as you need to. Maybe you are fine with just a normal 7-8 hours the day after camp. But, if you need to just stay in your bed or spend a day or days on your couch, allow yourself to do it and don’t apologize for it.
2. Feel the blues. I called the first few days after camp my “Blue Days” because I found myself feeling down and often uncomfortable. Walking around a quiet camp, with no one around can be very unsettling. I learned to give myself permission to give in to my feelings whatever they may be. Some years, the dark days were none or few and some they were many. But, whatever my body and mind needed, I learned to give it.
3. Offer prayers of gratitude. Some summers end on a high, but some do not. Making a physical list of the things that I am grateful for always helps me to see that there are so many blessings in our lives each day that go unrecognized.
4. Leave Camp. Your world has likely centered in one place for the season, so it's time to get off camp for a while and experience the outside world again. Plan a vacation, a staycation, a day in the city, or some other complete change of scene. Fill your senses with sights, sounds, and tastes that are different from what you experience at camp. This can reset your perspective and help with your re-entry process.
5. Reconnect. Our family and friends often go neglected in the summer. If we have an understanding support system, those close to us usually give us a lot of grace during the summer months for being out of touch. Now is the time to make efforts to reconnect, not only for ourselves but for those in our lives who truly miss us during the camp season. Visit family. Go out to dinner with your best friends. Take your dog on a fun adventure. Make some phone calls or just resume Snap Streaks with those you have been apart from.
6. Debrief the summer. In the early days after camp ends, try taking a long walk while creating a voice memo on your phone. Ramble on about the summer to capture your first thoughts. Later, use those notes to draft an end-of-summer report to record reflections and to set goals for the following year. We always think we will NEVER FORGET certain incidents, but we do, especially as time goes on. Record your thoughts while it is fresh and raw.

What are some practices that you use for self-care and renewal at the end of camp? If you can’t think of any, maybe these or others will give you some help that you didn’t even know you needed. Summer 2023 is in the books. Well done, good and faithful servant. Well done.

Allyson Ashmore is the new Retreat Director at Beersheba Springs Assembly (TN).  She has served in outdoor ministry for over 22 years; recently retired from Camp Hopewell (MS).  She chairs the Compass Points Council and serves on the faculty for Personnel & Leadership course. Allyson resides in Spencer, TN where she and her husband, Darren, along with her sister and brother-in-law spend much time exploring waterfalls in the area.

In this world of “give and take,” it seems that the overarching focus is most often on what we can get… from goals to results, mission to outcomes and expectations of impact. I would say that the same might be true regarding our membership with the United Methodist Camp & Retreat Ministries Association (UMCRM.) “Sure, we want to be a part of something bigger. But, what’s in it for me?”

Well, I am here to give you a first-hand account of my experience with the give and take of being a member of this fine Association. My story begins in my own Annual Conference. For as many years as anyone can remember, the North Carolina Conference of The United Methodist Church (NC Conference) has supported what is now the NC UM Camp & Retreat Ministries, Inc. (NCUMCRM), the organization I serve as Executive Director. Heck, the NC Conference birthed our three camps 75 years ago! Over time, the Conference chose to spin off the camps and other extension ministries to establish separate nonprofit entities, yet still be “related by faith.” Through that process, the Conference continued its support of camp and retreat ministries through apportionment giving for many, many years – until the reality of disaffiliations became apparent, bringing about financial anxiety and the need for substantial budget cuts.

We are fortunate in that the NC Conference operates on a budgeting schedule that is two years in advance of the actual budget year. Thus, the Conference recently developed the 2025 budget which was scheduled to be presented at the Annual Conference in June 2023. To our dismay, we learned that NCUMCRM was eliminated from that budget. As the news broke, I sprang into action, reaching out to committee chairs,  cabinet members, the Council on Finance and Administration, and even the Bishop. I also reached out to the Board of Institutions, which is a liaison to the NC UM Conference for the extension ministries. I wrote letters, essays, emails and used as many means of messaging as I knew to request our reinstatement into the 2025 budget. I was also invited to speak at the Annual Conference. What did I share? Results. Outcomes. Impact.

Admittedly, much of my communications were rather anecdotal relative to the impact and value of the three camps of the NCUMCRM. You know, those stories of the transformational experiences that occur at camp. In addition, because of the research that UMCRM promoted and cultivated in partnership with Sacred Playgrounds, [View 2022 Camper Survey Results] I was able to cite objective findings regarding the positive effects of the camp experience. And, let me tell you, those statistics made a difference. When I presented at Annual Conference, I knitted those findings into my short, but informative talk. [View 5 UMCRM Research Facts infographic] Each time I mentioned a statistic from the Sacred Playgrounds research, applause broke out from the 1000+ attendees. “81% of campers said they were strengthened in their faith at camp.” The crowd roared! “87% of campers made friends who were different from them and their friends at home.” The laity and clergy cheered! “85% of campers learned more about God during their camp experience.” The enthusiasm was palpable.

Later that day, when the 2025 budget was presented, an amendment from the floor was quickly made to reinstate the NCUMCRM into the budget. After the proper protocols were followed, it was evident from the hands and paddles that were raised in support of restoring this ministry back into the budget that the overwhelming majority of the NC Conference wanted to continue to support our camp and retreat ministries in North Carolina.

Of course, I cried. The emotion from the moment and support was overwhelming and deeply encouraging. Camp does matter. Camp has value. And people know it from their own experiences, from those anecdotal stories of transformation, and from real and trusted data from effective and relevant research. So, what do we “get” from our alliance with and membership in the UMCRM Association? A LOT! In our case, the investment in research, collegial support, and tools for communicating outcomes helped our organization inspire our Conference’s investment in the future of camp & retreat ministries. 

Dail Ballard is the Executive Director of North Carolina United Methodist Camp and Retreat Ministries, Inc. Three camps -- Chestnut Ridge, Don Lee and Rockfish operate under one nonprofit umbrella. Dail also currently serves as Chair of the United Methodist Camp & Retreat Ministries (UMCRM) Association Board of Directors. Dail loves being outdoors, especially by water –  her happiest place being on the beach or a boat on the NC coast.