At the heart of United Methodist Camp and Retreat Ministries (UMCRM) is a commitment to listen, learn, and grow together. This month, the UMCRM Association Board established a set of strategic initiatives designed to shape the future of our community over the next three years. These initiatives, grounded in feedback from our members, reflect the collective vision of our camp and retreat leaders' network.

In the spring of 2024, we conducted a survey to capture your insights, experiences, and hopes for the future of UMCRM. The results of this survey were instrumental in shaping our new strategic directions. (View the survey results)

In this blog, we will highlight how your voices influenced these initiatives and why your involvement is crucial to their success. Together, we can build a stronger, more connected, and more impactful UMCRM community.

1. Leadership Development: Building a Comprehensive Pathway for All

Goal: By June 2027, UMCRM will create a comprehensive professional development pathway for students and non-executive staff, especially those from culturally and ethnically diverse backgrounds. The initiative aims to ensure that at least 75% of non-executive members report enhanced career development opportunities within camp and retreat ministries.

Leadership development emerged as a key priority from the survey. Many members expressed a desire for more robust training opportunities and certification options beyond the traditional roles. You asked for diverse and meaningful pathways for professional growth that reflect the evolving needs of camp and retreat ministries.

How Your Feedback Shaped This Initiative:

• Expanded Certification Opportunities: Respondents highlighted the need for more certification tracks that go beyond the traditional Director role. To address this, we are working to introduce new certification tracks in areas such as fundraising, marketing, food service, hospitality, etc., starting in October 2025. This initiative directly responds to feedback about recognizing the unique contributions of various roles within our camps, such as maintenance, food service, and administrative roles.

• Increasing the Value and Rigor of UMCRM Certificate Program: You told us that the value of certification needed to be elevated, with more rigorous standards and ongoing education requirements. As a result, we will be moving toward increasing the requirements for achieving and maintaining the UMCRM Certificate by adding proficiencies, applicable hours, and continuing education requirements starting in 2026. This will ensure that our certification reflects high standards and professional excellence, addressing concerns raised in the survey about better equipping leaders for the future.

• National Summer Staff Exchange: The development of a new National Summer Staff Exchange Program will be designed to broaden the horizons of summer staff by connecting them to the wider UMCRM network. By working at different camps across the country, participants will experience the diversity and shared mission of our ministries, helping them see their role as part of a larger, impactful movement. This exposure aims to inspire them to consider a career in camp and retreat ministries by showing how their skills and passions can contribute to meaningful, lifelong work. The program is scheduled to launch in Summer 2025 with a pilot, followed by full implementation in Summer 2026, providing training and support to foster a positive and enriching experience.

2. Advocacy: Amplifying Our Voice and Impact Together

Goal: By December 2026, UMCRM aims to enhance advocacy efforts to showcase the value of camp and retreat ministries, ensuring that at least 80% of Annual Conferences recognize and support the impact of these ministries on their congregations and communities.

Your feedback was clear: advocacy needs to be a stronger focus for UMCRM. Many of you mentioned the importance of advocating for our ministries, especially in a time of budget cuts and organizational transitions within the broader church. You emphasized the need for better communication with decision-makers and more robust tools for self-advocacy.

How Your Feedback Shaped This Initiative:

• Strengthening Relationships with Conference Leaders: Many respondents expressed the need for deeper relationships with Bishops, Directors of Connectional Ministries (DCMs), and other conference leaders. In response, we will immediately begin work to develop dedicated resources on the UMCRM website specifically for Conference leaders, aligned with the UMCRM 7 Foundations. We are also expanding our UMCRM Advisory Team to enhance support and advocacy efforts, starting in June 2025.

• Organizing Advocacy Events and Building Stronger Networks: Respondents suggested more direct engagement with decision-makers through events and presentations. Starting in September 2025, we will organize advocacy events or luncheons at already established United Methodist Leadership Gatherings to facilitate direct interactions between camp advocates and conference leadership. This initiative aims to foster stronger support for our ministries within the church hierarchy, a need highlighted in many survey responses.

• Creating Effective Advocacy Tools: You shared that advocacy efforts often feel disconnected or underutilized. We heard your call for practical, research-based tools that clearly communicate the value of camp and retreat ministries. To address this, we are developing a user-friendly advocacy document that synthesizes research findings on the positive impact of our ministries. This tool will be available by March 2025 and will be complemented by training sessions on how to use it effectively in presentations and communications.

3. Networking: Enhancing Connection and Collaboration Across Our Community

Goal: By May 2027, UMCRM aims to enhance networking and collaboration among its leaders by leveraging ecumenical partnerships and increasing jurisdictional-focused programs. The objective is to ensure that at least 90% of participants report a stronger sense of connectedness and professional growth.

Networking was a recurring theme in the survey. Many of you highlighted the value of peer support, mentorship, and gatherings. You also expressed a desire for more opportunities to connect across jurisdictions and with ecumenical partners.

How Your Feedback Shaped This Initiative:

• Doubling Jurisdictional-Focused Programs: Survey respondents underscored the importance of jurisdictional connections for support and collaboration. To enhance these connections, we will double the number of jurisdictional-focused programs by December 2026. This will include quarterly, virtual peer-to-peer support opportunities within each of the five jurisdictions starting in February 2025, and a mentorship program pairing experienced leaders with emerging leaders by September 2025.

• Strengthening Ecumenical Partnerships: Respondents also called for stronger ties with ecumenical partners and more collaborative initiatives. We will be developing and piloting initial partnership initiatives, such as joint training sessions and co-hosted events, in Fall 2025. This will help broaden and deepen networking connections among faith-based camp and retreat leaders, responding to feedback about the need to break down silos and work more closely with adjacent ministries.

Get Involved: Your Participation Matters

These strategic initiatives were shaped by you—our members—who have shared your insights, dreams, and concerns for the future of UMCRM. Now, we need your involvement to bring these initiatives to life. Here are a few ways you can participate:

• Watch for opportunities to join a task force or working group as they form throughout the fall season: Contribute your expertise by joining a task force focused on developing new programs like the National Summer Staff Exchange or expanding certification tracks. Your unique insights will help shape these initiatives and ensure they meet the needs of our community.

• Spread the word: Share information about these initiatives with your colleagues, Conference leaders, and supporters. 

• Participate in new programs: Engage in programs and opportunities created by these initiatives, such as jurisdictional networking events, new certification tracks, or the summer staff exchange program. These programs are designed to enhance your ministry and strengthen connections across our network.

The new strategic initiatives are not just about setting goals; they are about building a future together that reflects the collective wisdom, passion, and commitment of the UMCRM community. We are excited to embark on this journey with you, knowing that each of you plays a critical role in the success of our shared mission.

Together, we can create a more vibrant, connected, and impactful UMCRM network. Let's turn these initiatives into action and continue to inspire, advocate, and lead with faith and purpose.

Your voice matters, and your involvement is essential. Join us as we move forward, embracing the opportunities ahead and building a stronger future for camp and retreat ministries.