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• Compass Points: Site Administration

  • Start
    01 Jan 2023
  • End
    31 Dec 2023

  Register

  
  

  
  

  This self-directed course may be taken at any time by students seeking to complete the Compass Points Certificate Program. Students are urged to complete Site Administration prior to the summer before their anticipated capstone. 

  
  

  Visiting other camps and conference centers helps develop skills to think critically about our ministries. For this self-directed course, participants will choose and visit a camp and conference center different from one they are currently serving or have served. Participants will physically tour the site, interview staff who serve in various roles, and summarize the visit using comparative observations between this site and their own.

  
  

  Through the self-directed study, students will:

  • Tour another site that is unfamiliar and different from their own camp experience, interviewing staff members and observing them in their roles
  • Learn how to look at another site through the lenses of hospitality, building and grounds, food service, and communication/administration in order to learn and grow in their own ministry
  • Collect their observations and share their own feedback, including suggestions, praises, and concerns with the site visited

  After registering, students will receive the Site Administration syllabus/curriculum as a pdf document.

  
  

  Questions? Contact Russell Casteel: russell.casteel@twkumc.org

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• Camp Volunteer Training Suite

  • Start
    24 Apr 2023
  • End
    05 Aug 2024
  • Location
    Virtual

  
  

  
  

  Volunteer Deans or Directors and cabin counselors are central to the camp experience at many UMC sites, but it can be a challenge for them to be trained in all aspects of camp leadership in a short amount of time. The Volunteer Masterclass resource developed by experienced leaders from our UMCRM community is meant to meet this need.

  
  

  Learn more about this training resource

  
  

  Learning modules:

  • Faith Formation

  • Worship Planning

  • Small Group / Bible Study Facilitation

  • Safe Sanctuaries

  • Duty of Care

  • Camper Behavior

  In the past this training was offered as a 3-day class with a live discussion component. Now, based on user feedback, the class can be accessed in a DIY Training Suite format for use at your local volunteer training events or as a virtual training supplement for late hires. A one-time $150 purchase provides unlimited access to the six 10-13-minute learning videos and supplemental resource materials.

  
  

  100% of the proceeds goes toward the UMCRM Legacy of Leadership Fund, which provides continuing education scholarships to UM camp and retreat leaders! 

  
  

  Questions? Contact Jessica Gamaché

  
  

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• Compass Points: 2023 Fall Courses

  • Start
    01 Oct 2023
  •  
    5:00 PM (CDT)
  • End
    07 Oct 2023
  •  
    1:00 PM (CDT)
  • Location
    St. Columba Camp & Retreat Center
  • Registered
    11 registrants

  Registration is now closed. These courses will be offered again in 2025.

  
  

  

  
  

  2023 Fall Courses:

  Articulating Mission, Role, & Value (October 1-4) 

  and/or

  Nonprofit Business Management (October 4-7)

  
  

  These courses will be held at St. Columba Camp & Retreat Center in Memphis, TN. 

  
  

  Tuition, Lodging, Meals, and Transportation

  Registration includes $325 tuition per class. The pricing for private bath lodging with meals (Sunday evening meal through Wednesday lunch or Wednesday dinner-Sunday lunch) is $285.00 for single-occupancy and $245.00 for double-occupancy. For the best value and most "bang" for your travel buck, stay all week to take both courses. Full payment is due by 9/15; contact Jen Burch with registration or payment questions.

  *If you are a member of your denominational outdoor ministry association, there is a $25 per class discount available. Contact your Association for the member discount code.

  
  

  Please arrive at St. Columba by 5:00pm on Sunday (or Wednesday, if you are only attending the second course). The first course ends after lunch on Wednesday. For those participants flying into the Memphis Airport (MEM), there will be a shuttle leaving the airport at 4:00pm. Please plan your flights accordingly. If you are taking the shuttle back to the airport on Wednesday or Saturday, we ask that you schedule your departure no earlier than 2:30pm. St. Columba is about a 25 minute drive from the airport.

  
  

  Cancellation policy: Contact Registrar Jen Burch to amend or cancel your registration. Up to 30 days prior to the class, a refund of the program fee will be given minus a $50 admin fee. In the event that Compass Points must cancel the class, a full tuition refund will be given.

  
  

  Learn more about the Compass Points Program

  FAQs

  
  

  If you should have any questions about registration or the Compass Points program in general, please contact Joel Winchip at info@compasspointsprogram.org or 803.322.0232. with any questions about this class or the certification program.

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• 2023 UMCRM Conference Staff Summit

  • Start
    04 Dec 2023
  •  
    5:00 PM (CST)
  • End
    07 Dec 2023
  •  
    1:00 PM (CST)
  • Location
    Canyon Camp, Hinton, Oklahoma
  • Registered
    8 registrants

  Register

  
  

  
  

  

  
  

  
  

  Why attend the UMCRM Executive Summit?

  Each year camp/retreat executives gather for leadership development, educational opportunities, spiritual renewal, and networking. We are stronger together! During the Summit, we will have time for intentional learning, small group conversation, and opportunities to envision the future of camp and retreat ministries of The United Methodist Church.

  Who is the Summit for?

  Our community includes executives with many years of experience and those who are brand new to their positions. Some serve in roles focused entirely on Camp & Retreat Ministries; in recent years many relate to camps as part of a larger portfolio of ministry responsibilities. This gathering is for all conference staff who oversee United Methodist-affiliated camp and retreat ministries in an executive capacity.

  Where is this year’s Summit being held?

  We will be hosted by Canyon Camp & Conference Center in Hinton, Oklahoma. Canyon is a National Natural Landmark, with two of its five canyons hosting unique flora. The natural beauty of the red rock wall, the feeling of being set apart from the outside world, welcoming facilities, and the convenience of a major city make Canyon Camp a perfect gathering spot. 

  Our lodging is in comfortable, hotel-style rooms with private bath. All linens and towels provided. Registration includes 3 nights' single-occupancy lodging, 8 meals (Monday dinner through Thursday lunch, except for our Wednesday dinner out), and all programming. 

  
  

  Optional: Personal Renewal Day on Friday

  Stay an extra night and take some personal time for renewal in community with fellow outdoor ministry execs. No program is planned after lunch on Thursday through Friday morning, so enjoy a little extra time of retreat. The cost is an additional $105 for the overnight and additional dinner and breakfast. Check out by Friday noon.

  
  

  Transportation:
  We'll coordinate carpools from Will Rogers World Airport in Oklahoma City (OKC). Please schedule flight arrivals by 3:30 pm on Monday, December 4th. The ride to Canyon Camp is approximately 1 hour. 

  
  

  Questions? Contact Jen Burch, Registrar

  
  

  
  

  
  

  Group photo from the 2022 Summit at Alton L. Collins Retreat Center, Oregon. Top row: Keith Shew (Dakotas/MN), Mary Thompson (Holston), Jack Shitama (Pen-Del), Russell Davis (North GA), Kayla Hardage (Tanako, AR), Augie Lankford (Pecometh, MD). Middle: Alan Rogstad (Pacific Northwest), Mike Standifer (FL), Arthur Spriggs (SC), Gary Lawson (Lakeshore, TN), Nancy Folsom Lane (Illinois Great Rivers), Jen Burch (UMCRM), David Berkey (Michigan). Front row: Jacey Pickens-Jones (Cal-Nevada), Shea James (WV), Todd Bartlett (OR-ID), Chris Schlieckert (Balt-Wash), Jessica Gamaché (UMCRM). Present but not pictured: Nick Yarde (IN).

  
  

  
  

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• 2024 UMCRM Immersion Experience

  • Start
    06 Jan 2024
  •  
    3:30 PM (EST)
  • End
    11 Jan 2024
  •  
    9:30 AM (EST)
  • Location
    Scarritt-Bennett Center

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  The UMCRM Immersion Experience is an unforgettable week. A core component for Certification in Camp and Retreat Ministry, this event is open to anyone who would benefit from an immersion into what it means to be a uniquely United Methodist Camp, Retreat and Conference Center.

  
  

  New and aspiring Directors and Program Directors, board members, and key staff, as well as students seeking Certification, are encouraged to take advantage of the opportunity to grow and be nurtured by exploring the following topics:

  • Methodist/Wesleyan Theology and Doctrine

  • Faith Formation

  • Methodist Camping History, Heroes, & Best Practices

  • The Seven Foundations of Camp/Retreat Ministry

  • Stewardship of Places, Resources, and Relationships

  • Governance Models/Working with your Board

  • Collaboration with Local Churches and Agencies

  • Roundtable discussions on UMC changes, theology, and concerns specific to students and their sites

  
  

  Perhaps best of all, the event features networking with peers in small groups and growing in relationship with colleagues across the nation, many of whom may become friends and encouragers throughout your ministry.

  
  

  Reflections from past Immersion participants:

  "In that week, I was able to plant the seeds to what turned into a network of close colleagues at a similar stage in our camping professions. Some of those connections are now my dearest friends and the people I call immediately when I need advice, to rant, to celebrate."

  "Like Camp for Leaders" – Collin Grooms, 2018

  "Circumnavigating The UMCRM Globe at Mach Speed" – Matt Williams, 2018

  2023 Faculty:

  • Russell Casteel, M.Div., Camp Executive of the Tennessee Western Kentucky Conference and Site Director at Camp Cedar Crest, TN
  • Audrey Jordan, M.Div., 2020 Immersion alum, Program Director, Cedar Crest, TN
  • Rev. Jennifer Bingham Hampton, Director, Tekoa Foothills, NC
  • Jen Burch, M.Div., Director of Communications and Community Engagement, UMCRM Association

  Course requirements:

  The syllabus / reading assignments will be made available in November 2023. There will be one book, several articles and excerpts to read prior to the course, and one short reflection paper due following the course.

  
  

  Cost:

  The inclusive cost is $900 for course tuition, 5 nights' lodging at the Scarritt Bennett Center (all rooms are singles at this site) and 14 meals. Registration may be secured with a deposit of $200. Full payment is due by December 22, 2023 (online via credit card, or check postmarked!)

  
  

  
  

  To support our UMCRM Association member ministries in cultivating leaders, Immersion students are eligible to apply for Legacy of Leadership scholarship funds. Apply here. Scholarships are granted on a first-come, first-served basis and applicants are limited to one scholarship every two years. 
  

  
  

  Cancellation policy: A full refund, minus a $75 administrative fee, will be furnished for cancellations before November 10th. Cancellations between November 10 and December 22nd will result in the forfeiture of 50% of the total fee. Cancellations after December 22nd are nonrefundable. 

  
  

  Travel:

  Please book travel to arrive at BNA (Nashville International Airport) no later than 3:00 pm CT on Saturday, 1/6. Our first gathering will be at 4:00 pm at the Scarritt Bennett Center. Departures on Thursday, 1/11 after breakfast.

  
  

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• 2024 UMCRM SEJ Gathering

  • Start
    22 Jan 2024
  •  
    2:00 PM (EST)
  • End
    25 Jan 2024
  •  
    9:00 AM (EST)
  • Location
    Glisson Camp & Retreat Center, Dahlonega, GA
  • Registered
    16 registrants

  Register

  
  

  
  

  Themed "Breaking Forth," SEJ's biennial cornerstone event will be hosted in 2024 at Glisson Camp & Retreat Center in North Georgia. Gather with camp and retreat ministry leaders from across the Southeast (and beyond) for inspiration, education, fun, and fellowship.

  
  

  
  

  Prices are all-inclusive (lodging, meals, programming)

   Bunkroom: $295 per person
  Single Room: $335 per person

  *Commuter pricing available*

  
  

  Questions? Contact

  
  

  
  

  
  

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