Dear Ministry Leader,
What could your camp or congregation do if it were truly well-informed by actionable research and well-equipped by quality training?Emerging from the Data
Sorry for the long delay in communication! We have been immersed in data from all the camps who participated in various studies with us in 2018, including 10 new camps in the Effective Camp Project and 9 in its related study, the Power of Camp Study. It has been a...
Thinking about Safety at camp
Dear camp professionals, This week, Don Johnson at Lutheran Outdoor Ministries brought this disturbing news report to our attention. “Hundreds of sexual abuse cases reported at children’s camps across US,” the headline screams. That’s scary! A closer read shows that...
Cultivating Teen Faith
Cultivating Teen Faith has finally hit the bookshelves of libraries across the country, and ministry leaders are digging into this resource’s valuable findings and insights. The book cover shows many hands of diverse types, looking ready to start some game or...

Sacred Playgrounds, LLC
Supporting Camps and Congregations Through Research and Training
This organization was formed to bring current and upcoming research on what is truly effective in key ministry spaces like outdoor ministry, confirmation ministry, and more. The team is experienced in and passionate about academic and action research, training, faciliation, and adult learning. Use the link below to meet the staff and contact us.Ministry Partners and Current Projects

Jacob Sorenson, PhD
Founder/Lead Researcher/Consultant
Hi, I’m Jake. I am known as a camp guy, and I suppose that is fair, since camping ministry is one of my primary passions. I am engaged in many other minstries of the church, as well. I am a practical theologian and researcher who has a deep interest in bringing scholarly attention to ministry, especially outdoor and highy experiential ministry. I have a PhD from Luther Seminary and a Masters of Divinity degree from Princeton Theological Seminary. I have more than fifteen years of experience in youth ministry and camp ministry, and have published multiple articles on camping ministry. I love spending time with my amazing wife, Anna (a Lutheran pastor), and our two boys Elijah and Nathanael. On the best days, you can find me in the garden, out for a run, singing around a campfire, or at some camp somewhere.I have dedicated my work to supporting camps and congregations through research and training, and I would love to hear about your ministry.