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• Compass Points: Site Administration

  • Start
    01 Mar 2024
  • End
    01 Apr 2026

  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

  
  

  Show details
• Compass Points: Capstone

  • Start
    01 Mar 2024
  • End
    01 Apr 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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• DonorArc Fundraising Cohort

  • Start
    29 Apr 2025
  •  
    1:00 PM
  • End
    13 Oct 2026
  •  
    3:00 PM
  • Location
    14 2-hour Online Sessions
  • Registered
    17 registrants

  
  

  Registration has closed for this series.

  Please drop us a line if you have questions.

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  90% of Crises in a nonprofit can be fixed with more money

  
  

  Electrify Your Fundraising Strategies

  
  

  Join the UMCRM Donorarc Fundraising Cohort:

  • Increase Giving an Average of 15% in the First Year
  • Grow the number of annual donors giving to your mission
  • Decrease dependence on revenue sources that aren’t stable
  • Implement a system that works for you and fits into your schedule

  How It Works:

  • Join a 1 to 2-hour Zoom call each month to learn a new step of the Donorarc system.
  • Between calls, implement what you learned in the previous session.
  • Need more support? Jump on Mitzie’s calendar for additional training as needed. There is no limit to the number of additional support sessions you may schedule.
  • Can’t make a meeting? While it is best to be present to ask questions and learn from others in the cohort, all sessions are recorded and available for make up or to watch a second or third time to help the information stick.

  All Meetings are held from 1 pm ET to 2 pm ET unless otherwise noted: 

  Tuesday, April 8, 2025 

  Meet and Greet by Zoom to ask questions about the cohort before registering. 

  Zoom Link for April Meet-n-Greet session

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  COHORT OFFICIALLY BEGINS

  Tuesday, April 29, 2025 at 1pm-3pm ET

  Donorarc Training 1

  This foundational training will ensure you use the summer to collect stories to help increase

  giving. You will learn the Donor First principles, steps of fundraising, and how to gather and

  write stories your donors can’t ignore.

  Tuesday, August 12, 2025 at 1pm-3pm ET

  Basecamp Training

  Learn to edit the stories you collected over the summer and begin sharing them each month.

  Tuesday, September 16, 2025 

  Newsletter Training

  Learn to use your stories in a printed newsletter format that will help ensure your donors are

  building an emotional connection to your mission.

  Tuesday, October 14, 2025

  End-of-Year Appeal Letter Training

  This is foundational to increasing giving to your organization. You can’t skip this step, but you also need to ask in a way that fosters engagement.

  Tuesday, November 18, 2025

  Best Practices for managing the end of the year in a nonprofit funds development office

  Tuesday, December 9, 2025

  Database management best practices that will help ensure you have the right data to ask for the right gifts in the best ways.

  Tuesday, January 13, 2026

  Gratitude Plan strategies and implementation

  This is a huge step in funds development. Know your legal obligations and your relationship obligations.

  Tuesday, February 10, 2026

  Spring Appeal letter preparation including segmentation, timeline, and follow up.

  Tuesday, March 17, 2026

  Friend Raisers & Prospecting Training to ensure you aren’t wasting time of events that don’t

  work and that you are maximizing your efforts when you do have an event.

  Tuesday, April 21, 2026

  Board Development (Board Members invited)

  Learn how to engage board members in your annual fundraising efforts and empower them to best use their gifts to help.

  Tuesday, May 12, 2026

  Major Donor Solicitation

  We will cover how to identify, cultivate and ask for a major gift.

  Tuesday, August 18, 2026

  Planned Giving Documents to explain what you need to have in place to best speak to your

  legacy donors.

  Tuesday, September 15, 2026

  Planned Giving Solicitation/Workshop to help you learn how to approach a legacy donor and ask for a planned giving commitment.

  Tuesday, October 13, 2026

  Final Meeting Review the Calendar

  
  

  About Mitzie Schafer,  the Cohort Leader:

  Mitzie is a full-time consultant with GSB Fundraising, helping nonprofits and churches tell their story in ways that increase engagement. She specializes in strategic planning, annual fund, planned giving, and the Donorarc story-based fundraising model training and coaching. She has over 15 years of experience in non-profit executive leadership and fundraising for organizations, including Epworth Children’s Home in Columbia, SC, the ELCA Foundation, and NovusWay Camps. Mitzie specializes in growing passion, engagement, and giving to non-profits. In her first 3 years at Epworth, she implemented a system she designed and titled “Donorarc Storytelling.” The annual fund grew from $1.4 million to $2.6 million. At NovusWay, using the same system, she grew giving 68% over 12 months ($1,078,000 to $1,809,000). In her last two years at the ELCA Foundation, she helped congregation members take the necessary steps to create charitable estate

  plans that will gift more than $24 million to churches, church-related non-profits, and other

  charities.

  
  

  Mitzie serves on the board of The United Methodist Camp & Retreat Ministries Association

  (UMCRM), which is committed to providing resources, advocacy, inspiration, and networks to enhance the effectiveness and sustainability of camp and retreat ministries. Mitzie is an avid quilter, writing her own patterns in Newberry, SC where she lives with her husband, Pastor Jason. She is a mother of two. Ella is an engineering major at Clemson; Micah is a

  business major at Winthrop.

  
  

  The investment is only $1,000 per camp/retreat ministry. Additional sister sites from the same Conference or organization receive a 10% discount. 

  
  

  Registration Questions? Contact Jen Burch

  Cohort Questions? Contact Mitzie Schafer

  Show details
• Camp Volunteer Training Suite

  • When
    23 Aug 2025
  • Location
    Virtual

  Register

  
  

  
  

  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 Training Suite 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

  Access the 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.

  
  

  You will be invited to list email addresses for everyone who needs to receive online access. Add additional users at any time and in future years by emailing UMCRM.

  
  

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

  
  

  Please reach out with questions or for tech support.

  
  

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• Interim Directors' Training

  • Start
    02 Sep 2025
  •  
    11:00 AM
  • End
    04 Nov 2025
  •  
    4:00 PM
  • Location
    Virtual
  • Spaces left
    50
  • Registered
    Be the first

  Register

  
  

  
  

  Interim Director and Executive Director Camp, 

  Conference, and Retreat Center Training 

  
  

  Join the ecumenical training for Interim Directors/Executive Directors:

  • Build on your present skill set

  • Learn the nuts and bolts of an interim season according to the type of interim, as well as assessing and addressing anxious, grieving, or reactive systems

  • Engage with other experienced Directors bringing together decades of learning and leading camps, conference, and retreat seasons

  • Gain confidence in knowing when to act and when not to act based on stated and perceived urgency in an interim setting

  How It Works:

  • Each week for 10 weeks join a 2-hour Zoom call

  • Read articles and (2) books before class which further inform the learning process

  • Can’t make a meeting? While it is best to be present to learn with others in the class, all sessions are recorded and available to watch afterwards.

  Class times:

  11:00-1:00 Pacific time

  12:00-2:00 Mountain time

  1:00-3:00 Central

  2:00-4:00 Eastern

  
  

  August 20th  Meet and Greet Information Session:

  Wednesday, August 20th, 11:00-noon Pacific / 2:00-3 pm Eastern

  
  

  Zoom link (all are welcome, no registration required)

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  Class Session Content:

  
  

  September 2^nd, 2025 – What is an interim season?

  • Purpose of Interim season 

  • 3 types of interims; nuts and bolts 

  • Setting goals for interim season

  • Suggested MOU 

  September 9^th, 2025 – How to make decisions during a liminal time?

  • Discernment during a liminal time; how to listen for what is and is not being said

  • Seeking clarity regarding decision-making and authority – who supervises me; when do I ask for permission to make changes?

  • Procedural vs. operational decision-making

  September 16^th, 2025 – How to care for ourselves during an anxious time?

  • Two-way mirror of self-awareness 

  • Practical self-care in an interim season 

  September 23^rd, 2025 – How to help your site find their next, right person?

  • Appropriate role of interim in search for settled Executive/ Director

  • 9 areas of expertise needed in a camp, conference, retreat center Director and why this knowledge is important – how to engage Search Committee in this conversation 

  September 30^th, 2025 – How to help systems during transition?

  • Conflictual, anxious, grieving systems 

  • Role of pastoral care and non-anxious truth-telling during an interim season

  • Review of two-way mirror of self-awareness

  • Introduction of conflict management type assessment

  October 7^th, 2025 – How to productively engage conflict? 

  • Conflict Management continued – discussion of individual preferred conflict management style and when to stretch into other styles

  • Five levels of conflict and how to assess conflict level of system

  October 14^th, 2025 – The importance of establishing RACI 

  • RACI as a way to create more effective leadership and governance of site/s– Who is Responsible? Who has Authority? Who is held aCcountable? How is Information shared? 

  October 21^st, 2025 – How to use a Healthy Camp Checklist? How to create greater inclusion of others in the site’s program and in its decision-making

  • Healthy Camp Checklist – importance of best practices; how to explain best practices when there is resistance to change

  • Inclusion of new populations, programs, and paradigms into camp community 

  October 28^th, 2025 – What to do in a crisis, known and not known?

  • Crisis Management - how to act when crisis is known going into the interim and how to act when crisis becomes apparent during your service 

  • Malfeasance, financial crisis, criminal activity during previous leadership tenure 

  November 4^th, 2025 – How to create a healthier decision-making culture at your site

  • Changing Culture – working to create healthier decision-making culture; high possibility for culture change because of liminality of interim season; assessment and discerning whether to observe and report, take action and how, or actively choose not to act 

  • Character types and patterns often found in interim seasons with practical guidelines 

  In-person class gathering* following the OMC Great Gathering, November 13-14^th. (Great Gathering dates are November 9-13, 2025.)

  • Case studies created from real life situations 

  • In-depth discussion of books and articles 

  • Panel discussion of ecumenical leaders regarding present trends and suggestions regarding interim service 

  *If participating in the in-person class days, students are responsible for booking their room at Lake Junaluska for Thursday night, Nov.13th. Call 828-454-6710 and ask for Elizabeth Burson, Conference Coordinator Specialist; to request your room from the Healthy Camp Leadership block.
  

  About the instructor, Melinda Trotti:

  Melinda has served as a Permanent and Interim Director/ Executive Director at UMC, UCC, and Episcopal camp, conference, and retreat centers across the country. She has taught graduate level Personnel Management for Not-for-Profits. Certified as a spiritual director and trained as a professional coach, she brings her faith-based community organizing experience and commitment to justice to all that she does. Her consulting firm, Healthy Camp Leadership, works with centers in conducting searches for Interim and settled Directors/ Executive Directors. Melinda consults with judicatories and boards to create healthier decision-making cultures, so that that their strategic plans can be successfully implemented for financial and mission-driven sustainability. She has previously served as co-instructor for the Interim Camp Directors’ Class and has written articles about interim camp ministry used in a variety of formats.

  
  

  Tuition: The cost is $950 per participant. Scholarships may be available from your camp, conference, and retreat ministry association.

  
  

  Registration Questions? Contact Jen Burch

  Class questions? Contact Melinda Trotti

  Show details
• 2025 UMCRM Conference Staff Summit

  • Start
    07 Nov 2025
  •  
    5:00 PM
  • End
    09 Nov 2025
  •  
    9:00 AM
  • Location
    Lake Junaluska Conference & Retreat Center, NC

  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. 

   

  This year our summit 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. We will assist with shuttles to and from AVL (Asheville airport) or GSP (Greenville-Spartanburg) as needed. 

  
  

  If you are planning to attend the Great Gathering, registration will be in 3 parts:

  1) Register for the Great Gathering  

  
  

  2) Register for the UMCRM Summit  (coming soon)

  
  

  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 Terrace Hotel, but you may stay in any lodging.

   

  
  

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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
    207 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

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

   

  Staying off-site? Commuters may choose one of the following options:

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

  
  

  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

  Due to delays because of Hurricane Helene, transportation/shuttle details to and from the Asheville and Greenville airports are not yet settled. Check the box on the registration form to receive that information when it is available in late January 2025.

  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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• 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

  Registration for this event isn't open quite yet, but it's coming soon!

  Watch S'more Mail for an announcement when it's ready.

  
  

  
  

  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

  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 $TBD (est. $975) 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, full refunds will be issued. Student may cancel for a partial refund (less $100 admin fee) up to 30 days prior to the event. 

  
  

  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.

  
  

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