by Jake Sorenson, PhD | Dec 5, 2024 | Camp and Culture, Theology and Culture
Happy Advent! In this season of expectant waiting, here is a riddle for you: This thing all things devours:Birds, beasts, trees, flowers;Gnaws iron, bites steel;Grinds hard stones to meal;Slays king, ruins town,And beats high mountain down. So spoke Gollum to Bilbo...
by Jake Sorenson, PhD | Jan 30, 2024 | Camp and Church Leadership, Camp Staff, Young Adults
Camp builds the skills and attributes most needed in the 21st-century workforce. We have all witnessed the life-changing impacts that camp can have on campers and summer staff members. Many of us have experienced these impacts personally. We now have reliable studies...
by Jake Sorenson, PhD | Jan 16, 2024 | Camp and Church Leadership, Camp Research
by Dr. Jake Sorenson Sunday school. Summer camp. Campus ministry. The Gathering. These are the Big 4 Ministries, the ones that have proven most consistently impactful for developing young disciples and nurturing leaders in the ELCA. They are keystone ministries,...
by Jake Sorenson, PhD | Oct 21, 2019 | Camp to Congregation, Site Visits
“He gives strength to the weary, and increases the power of the weak!” Nearly 100 elementary-age campers shouted the words in unison, as they first flexed their muscles and then drooped in a bodily display of weakness. They continued without hesitation through the...
by Jake Sorenson, PhD | Oct 12, 2019 | Camp to Congregation, Site Visits
There was a collective gasp in the crowd, as everyone’s attention focused immediately on our guest. “This is Tulip,” she announced affectionately. Rarely have I seen a presenter so effectively capture their audience, especially when the audience consists primarily of...
