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• 2025 UMCRM Conference Staff Summit

  • Start
    07 Nov 2025
  •  
    4:45 PM
  • End
    09 Nov 2025
  •  
    3:00 PM
  • Location
    Lake Junaluska Conference & Retreat Center, NC
  • Registered
    12 registrants

  Register

  2024 Summit group photo at Scarritt Bennett Center, TN

  
  

  
  

  At beautiful Lake Junaluska, North Carolina, we will welcome United Methodist Conference Staff who relate to Camp & Retreat Ministries to gather for our annual Summit. 

  
  

  The Summit is UMCRM's once-a-year opportunity for Conference leaders in camp and retreat ministries to come together to share ideas, tackle common challenges, dream about what's next, and enjoy meaningful fellowship with others who understand this unique work. While fewer Conferences now have dedicated staff in this role, there is almost always someone who takes the lead in supporting and connecting camp and retreat ministries. In some Conferences, that's a staff person with camping in their portfolio, in others it's a Board Chair or Site Director. We welcome a representative from every annual conference to join us for the Summit. 
  

   

  This year our event will dovetail with the OMC Great Gathering, "ReImagine." We encourage all to plan to attend both parts of the week and to book travel and lodging accordingly. 

  
  

  If you are planning to attend the Great Gathering, registration will be in 3 parts. If attending the Summit only, you just need steps 2 & 3:

  1) Register for the Great Gathering  

  
  

  2) Register for the UMCRM Summit (click Register in the blue box on the lower left)

  
  

  3) Call Lake Junaluska (828-452-2881) to arrange to add the extra UMCRM Summit days and meals to your reservation. We will be meeting in the Wilson Complex, and you may stay in any lodging. If you would like to coordinate with a roommate, please indicate that on your Summit registration prior to reserving housing so UMCRM can assist you. 

  
  

  Pre-Summit Orientation/Conversation (optional)

  If you are new or new-ish to an executive role related to Camp & Retreat Ministries, you are especially invited to arrive a little early (2:30pm on Friday 11/7) for a time of UMCRM orientation and conversation. 

  
  

  Arrival & Departure

  We will assist with shuttles to and from AVL (Asheville airport) or GSP (Greenville-Spartanburg) as needed. Check-in time for all at Lake Junaluska begins at 4:00pm on Friday and the Summit will begin at 4:45 in the Wilson Complex, room 5. We will conclude by 3:00pm on Sunday. Those needing a shuttle ride on Sunday should book departing flights (from GSP or AVL) after 6:00pm.

  
  

  TED Talks

  We'll once again have an opportunity to present "TED (Talking Executive Directors)" talks. Share your proposal for a 10-minute presentation on a relevant topic of your expertise or interest on the Summit Details form below. 

  
  

  Off-Site Adventure

  On Saturday afternoon, participants will have the option to visit Camp Tekoa in Hendersonville for a tour, or to spend free time in Asheville. We will re-gather for dinner at a restaurant in Asheville (purchase your own meal, not included in Summit fee). 

  
  

  Other Program Plans

  Additional highlights of our time together include worship & communion, Bible study focused on the InsideOut curriculum themes, delving into research findings, and strategic conversations.

  
  

  Questions? Contact Jen with questions or to make changes to your registration.

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• OMC Great Gathering: Reimagine

  • Start
    09 Nov 2025
  •  
    3:00 PM
  • End
    13 Nov 2025
  •  
    9:00 AM
  • Location
    Lake Junaluska, North Carolina
  • Registered
    390 registrants

  Register

  

  
  

  Themed "Reimagine A Way In The Wilderness," the Outdoor Ministries Connection (OMC)'s second Great Gathering will be hosted in 2025 at Lake Junaluska in Western North Carolina. 

   

  The Great Gathering is a collaborative ecumenical event where leaders from denominational Christian camp and retreat ministries from across North America come together to share best practices, enhance their programs, and improve the quality and impact of their respective outdoor ministries. This event will bring together outdoor ministry partners (directors, program staff, board members, site and facility staff, etc.) of mainline denominations to build relationships, discover each other’s gifts, and equip vital ministries so that we can honor and reimagine what has been done before as we aim into the unknown.

  
  

  Learn more at https://omcgreatgathering.com/

  (and keep checking back as details are added!)

  
  

  Payments & Cancellation: 

  Payment can be made by check (preferred) or credit card; balance must be paid by the deadline of your registration tier (January 15th for Early Bird, June 30th for Classic) in order to receive the discounted rate. Registrations are not confirmed until payment is received. Mailed checks should be postmarked by 10/24/25 at the latest. Scholarships may be available through your denominational Association. In the unfortunate event that you have to cancel, OMC is able to issue a refund, minus a $100 registration fee, for cancellations through September 24th. Please email the Registrar for assistance if needed.

  
  

  Cancellations of lodging with Lake Junaluska must be made with them directly and Lake Junaluska's policies will apply (see site reservation page).

  
  

  Room & Board

  Staying on-site?  Reserve your lodging and meals directly through Lake Junaluska. Click here for the Lake Junaluska reservation page. Book your lodging early to access the best availability. There are options for hotel-style lodging and group cabins. 

   

  Staying off-site? Commuters choose one of the following meal packages when registering for the program:

  • Sunday dinner and daily lunch at Lake Junaluska (M, T, W) - $102 
  • 3 lunches and 4 dinners (Sun-Wed) - $170

  Commuter meals are reserved here through UMCRM/WildApricot, not through Lake Junaluska. We've got you covered!

  Bring Your Family 

  Free childcare is offered to make the gathering more accessible to families. When you register yourself, there are options on the form to list your children and/or a non-participant spouse/partner. (If your spouse/partner will be attending conference workshops and keynotes, they should register as a full participant).

  
  

  Airport Shuttles

  Learn more & sign up for the shuttle. Shuttle reservations are non-refundable.

  See the Carpool page to connect with a ride (or offer one!).

  
  

  Registering a group? 

  Bring your whole team! Before you enter registration, collect everyone's details on this form. This quick video walks you through the process. Feel free to email the Registrar for more help if needed.

  
  

  OMC Inclusion Statement:

  The Outdoor Ministries Connection (OMC) recognizes and values the diverse identities, backgrounds, and perspectives of the faith leaders, staff, and organizations we serve. We are committed to creating inclusive and welcoming environments where all individuals, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, ability, or denomination, can contribute and thrive. OMC strives to foster collaboration and ecumenical unity, ensuring our initiatives, events, and training opportunities are accessible and equitable for all.

  We believe diversity enriches our shared mission and strengthens the impact of outdoor ministries across Christian denominations. OMC is dedicated to challenging barriers to inclusivity and promoting a community of mutual respect, where every individual is heard and valued. By upholding these principles, we work to create a future where everyone is empowered to fully engage in and benefit from the transformative power of outdoor ministry.

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• Compass Points: Site Administration

  • When
    17 Nov 2025

  Register

  
  

  

  This self-directed independent study may be taken following successful completion of at least 3 Compass Points courses for context first. Students are encouraged to complete Site Administration 3 months prior to the event in which they intend to 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 via email. Please contact Jen Burch if you do not receive your program documents. 

  
  

  Questions? Email info@compasspointprogram.org

  
  

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• Compass Points: Capstone

  • When
    05 Jan 2026

  Register

  
  

  

  
  

  The Capstone event is the eighth and final class of the Compass Points certificate program. Students must have received credit for all of the Compass Points coursework, including Site Administration, prior to registering for the Capstone. If you are uncertain about your eligibility for Capstone, please contact your denominational Compass Points Council representative or Joel Winchip. Candidates for the Capstone are advised to begin their projects several months prior to the event at which you plan to make your presentation. Students may choose to Capstone at any denominational outdoor ministries conference of their choice. 

  
  

  Through the Capstone process, you will...

  • Spend time discerning how your ministry has been informed and how it might be enriched in the future as a result of the Compass Points Program

  • Articulate a vision for how your ministry organization might have greater impact on relevant issues of our day

  • Demonstrate a comprehensive grasp of the seven Compass Points content areas through written papers and oral presentations

  • Share final projects in a workshop format with fellow Capstone candidates and workshop attendees

  
  

  Students who successfully complete the Capstone project will be awarded their Compass Points certificate and compass. 

  After registering, students will receive the Capstone syllabus/curriculum as a pdf document via email. Please contact Jen Burch if you do not receive your program documents.

  
  

  Please contact your denominational Compass Points Council representative with further questions about your Capstone. 

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• 2026 UMCRM Immersion Experience

  • Start
    18 Feb 2026
  •  
    4:30 PM
  • End
    23 Feb 2026
  •  
    1:00 PM
  • Location
    Asbury Hills Camp & Retreat Center, Cleveland, SC
  • Registered
    2 registrants

  Register

  
  

  
  

  
  

  The UMCRM Immersion Experience is an unforgettable week. A core component for the Certificate in United Methodist Camp and Retreat Ministry, this event is open to anyone who would benefit from an immersion into what it means to lead 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

  Faculty: 

  • Rev. Kevin Witt - Director, Age Level Ministry/Beloved Community Ministry/Camp & Retreat Ministry, Susquehanna Conference
  • Rev. Megan Weston - former Program Coordinator, Pecometh Camp & Retreat Center; UMC General Board of Church & Society Board of Directors
  • Rev. Jennifer Hampton - former Director, Camp Tekoa Foothills; Resource Development Director, Burke County United Way
  • Jen Burch, M.Div. - Director of Communications & Community Engagement, UMCRM

  Course requirements:

  The syllabus / reading assignments will be made available after Thanksgiving 2025. There will be one book, several articles and excerpts to read prior to the course, and a reflection paper due following the course.

  
  

  Cost:

  The inclusive cost is $967-$1132 (depending on housing type) for course tuition, 5 nights' lodging at Asbury Hills, and 14 meals. Full payment is due by January 16th, 2026 (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 during either the October or January application periods. Apply here. 

  
  

  Cancellation policy: In the unlikely event that Immersion is canceled by UMCRM, full refunds will be issued. Students may cancel for a partial refund (less $100 admin fee) up to 90 days prior to the event. No refunds are available for cancellations after January 16th.

  
  

  Travel:

  Please book travel to arrive at GSP (Greenville-Spartanburg Airport) no later than 3:00 pm ET on Wednesday, 2/18 to allow time to collect your luggage and meet the UMCRM shuttle. Our first gathering will be at 4:30 pm at Asbury Hills. Departures on Monday, 2/23 after breakfast, or stay on for two more nights to take part in the SEJ (Southeast Jurisdictional) Gathering.

  
  

  Please contact Jen with any questions or to make changes to your registration.

  
  

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• 2026 UMCRM SEJ Gathering

  • Start
    23 Feb 2026
  •  
    1:30 PM
  • End
    25 Feb 2026
  •  
    11:00 AM
  • Location
    Asbury Hills Camp & Retreat Center, Cleveland, SC

  
  

  "Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, no more can you, unless you abide in me" – John 15:4-5
  

  
  

  Themed "Abide," SEJ's biennial cornerstone event will be hosted in 2026 at Asbury Hills Camp & Retreat Center in Cleveland, SC. Gather with camp and retreat ministry leaders from across the Southeast (and beyond) for inspiration, education, fun, and fellowship.

  
  

  Need an extra retreat day? Optional early check-in is available starting Sunday 2/22 at 5:00pm (select Sunday stay when you register).

  
  

  Regular check-in begins Monday at 1:30pm.

  
  

  Please contact Whitney Winston with questions.

  
  

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• Compass Points: Biblical & Theological Foundations 2026

  • Start
    16 Mar 2026
  •  
    1:00 PM
  • End
    19 Mar 2026
  •  
    3:00 PM
  • Location
    Virtual
  • Registered
    2 registrants

  Register

  
  

  

  
  

  2026 Spring Course:

  Biblical & Theological Foundations (March 16-20) 

  
  

  What makes church camps so uniquely wonderful and sets us apart from other camping organizations is our firm foundation in our beliefs as Christians. This course will enable participants to deepen their knowledge and strengthen their understanding of our biblical and theological roots as the core value for all that we do in our outdoor ministry settings. This course will be held virtually with Columbia Theological Seminary faculty Dr. Martha Moore-Keish and Dr. Caitlin Hubler. Course tuition is $365. 

  
  

  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, this course, and faculty
  

  FAQs

  
  

  Please contact Joel Winchip: info@compasspointsprogram.org or 803.322.0232 with questions about this class or the certification program. Contact Jen Burch with registration or payment questions.

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