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?

The Fundamentals Part 5: Camp is Relational

by Jake Sorenson | May 19, 2018 | Camp and Congregation, Camp Research

We close this series on the 5 fundamental characteristics of Christian camping with the one that is most prominent in camper descriptions: Camp is relational. This does not mean that it is more important than the other four. It is, however, the most valued. Let’s hear...

The Fundamentals Part 4: Camp is Participatory

by Jake Sorenson | Apr 24, 2018 | Camp Research, Outdoors and Wilderness

The research is screaming at us from nearly every academic field. We nod approvingly, feeling that we are wiser. And then we go on doing exactly the same thing. We sit at our desks in front of computer screens. We demand more automation in our homes and our modes of...

The Fundamentals Part 3: Faith Centered

by Jake Sorenson | Apr 3, 2018 | Camp and Congregation, Camp Research

Remember, these five characteristics have no particular order, but I thought it poetic to cover this one in the middle. This is the characteristic that sets Christian camps apart from all other types of camps. Every well-run camp in the country has the other four...

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.

Meet the Staff

Ministry Partners and Current Projects

The Confirmation Project is a nationwide study of educational ministries in 5 denominations. With our help, it is the first major youth ministry study to take seriously the role of camp in Christian education and faith formation.

Effective Camp began in 2015 with 3 Lutheran camps in Wisconsin. It has since expanded to dozens of camps across the country and in Canada.

The Power of Camp Study is an ongoing initiative through CCCA. We are directing the summer camper survey and evaluation portion of this project.

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.

More About Jake

Let's start with a conversation.

Send me an email to schedule a 30 minute introduction conversation. I’d love to hear about where your ministry could go when informed by actionable, localized research and well-designed, well-facilitated training experiences.

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