From Insights to Impact
Camps are sacred playgrounds, where people explore their way to lives of lasting, difference-making faith. Together, we're gathering the stories and stats that power outdoor ministries forward through effective organizations and intrepid leaders. SHOW ME HOWWe generate insights, equip leaders, and connect partners to help camp ministries thrive.
What could happen if you had access to the resources and research, stories and stats, tools and training to fully maximize your camp or connected ministry? Let’s find out.
Currently Researching
Insights. Ideas. Answers.
Maybe you’re getting ready for staff training, or wondering about connections between camp and church leaders. Maybe you’re planning next summer’s program and are looking for innovative ideas based on current culture. Whatever you’re looking for, this ever-growing body of research projects, articles, and resources is designed to lead you there.
The Sacred Playgrounds Podcast
Behind the mic. Behind the research.Founder and Lead Researcher for Sacred Playgrounds, Jake Sorenson PhD, is joined by host and camp enthusiast Jared Rendell for insightful conversations about camp, why it matters, and how to help it thrive based on the latest research and insights from across the Christian camp landscape. Each episode, we explore one big thing that’s making a difference right now in outdoor ministry.
The Latest Episodes
& Articles
Breaking Down Breakdowns in the Camp Model
Camp is perfect, right? Right? At least, my camp is... You've thought it. So have we, and so has every camp enthusiast since the beginning of camp-time. And yet, we know that sometimes people have an experience that is less positive than we planned and prepared for....
3 Things We Learned & 3 Things We’re Going to Do
Reimagine. The Sacred Playgrounds team spent the second week of November gathered with camping ministry and supporting organization colleagues at the Outdoor Ministries Connection Great Gathering; a multi-denominational conference for outdoor ministry professionals,...
Live from the OMC Great Gathering: Insight-Driven Actions & Best of the Best Practices from Camp Leaders
Our team has spent the week at the Outdoor Ministries Connection Great Gathering! It's been an incredible week connecting in person with 500+ of our closest friends. From insightful keynotes to leading and joining engaging workshops to creative worship and making new...

















