If leading a camp or retreat ministry feels harder than ever right now, you’re not imagining it, and you’re definitely not alone. The data from the OMC Directors' Survey, which is conducted every two years, reveals what United Methodist camp and retreat leaders identify as the greatest threats and challenges in our ministry. A comparison of the threat assessments from United Methodist Camp & Retreat Ministries (UMCRM) in 2022 and 2024 paints a clear picture: we’re up against real, complex challenges. But they also show something else just as important — we’re all in this together.
There is power in knowing that we’re not alone. Each time UMCRM surveys directors across the country, it offers a snapshot of our shared struggles and hopes. Comparing 2022 and 2024, we can see not just what’s weighing on us today, but how our priorities and pressures are shifting. And right in the middle of this busy summer season, there’s real comfort and strength in knowing we face these hurdles as a connected community.
2022 Threat Assessment and the NEW 2024 Threat Assessment
What’s stayed the same — and what’s new:
Financial stress: still at the top
Finances remain the biggest concern across our ministries. In 2022, rising costs, inflation, and overall funding gaps topped the list. By 2024, directors are naming financial threats in more detail, splitting them out into costs, general finances, fundraising challenges, and broader economic pressures. It’s clear we’re all juggling multiple fronts, from food prices to staff paychecks.
Facilities taking center stage
A big shift since 2022 is how often infrastructure is now coming up. In 2024, aging buildings, deferred maintenance, and facilities that simply aren’t built for today’s groups have jumped to the second most cited threat. It’s a wake-up call that while we pour energy into programming, we can’t afford to ignore the physical spaces that make ministry possible.
Staffing headaches continue
Staffing was the #1 issue in 2022 and still ranks in the top three. Directors everywhere are wrestling with recruiting, training, and keeping quality summer staff, plus making sure we have enough year-round team members to safely run programs. If you’re burning the midnight oil over hiring or scheduling, you’re in good company.
Denominational shifts still ripple through
The fracturing of the UMC was the second biggest concern in 2022. By 2024, it’s slipped down the list but still lands firmly in the top ten. Along with it, directors are pointing to changes in local church engagement and camper numbers. The way churches connect with camps is evolving, and it’s something we’re all figuring out together.
Why this matters right now
Hearing these survey results mid-summer might be both a relief and a weight. Yes, it’s tough out there, but your camp isn’t the only one bearing this weight. Our shared reality means that within our UMCRM Association we can stand shoulder-to-shoulder, lean on each other, and find solutions we couldn’t come up with alone.
You’re not isolated.
Whether you’re staring down a crumbling cabin porch, worrying about next week’s numbers, or trying to fill one last staff slot, directors across the country are wrestling with the same problems.
Community is our lifeline.
Connecting with fellow leaders at conferences (like the OMC Great Gathering and UMCRM Immersion), in online spaces, or just through a quick phone call, does more than bolster our ministries. It protects our mental and spiritual health, too.
This work is still sacred.
No matter how long the threat list grows, the core truth doesn’t change: camp and retreat ministry transforms lives. Maybe today more than ever, young people and adults alike need the holy space we provide.
Let’s keep each other going
So here’s the encouragement for you, right in the middle of your packed summer: keep sharing. Be open about what’s hard and where you’re hopeful. Ask your peers for ideas, prayers, or simply a listening ear. (Connect in our FB group, reach out via our member directory, or call our support line: 724-766-9783). Our collective wisdom and shared heart for this work are among the strongest resources we have. Together, we can keep these sacred places thriving, and keep changing lives in the seasons to come.