On this episode, we're around a table with five incredible camp leaders bringing different perspectives from their role, to geography, to camp journey, to denomination, and more. We're sharing this table while gathered at Camp Wapo in Amery, Wisconsin for CampWell X...
Getting Ahead of the Camp Enrollment Cliff
Uncovering the Cliff Well, that was fun. Last week, we posted a podcast episode diving into something that we, along with other camp researchers, consultants, and practitioners, have been exploring about the upcoming enrollment cliff that camps across the country will...
The Camp Enrollment Cliff
There's a shift coming, and it affects camp in significant ways. On this episode, we'll talk about why, how, and when it's coming, and leave you with some ideas to get ahead of it. When you lay out the story thread of camp over the story of demographic shifts through...
Summer Staff Journey Insights
We've learned so much about summer camp staff over the past few years. With insights from more than 2000 summer staff members at more than 120 camps in the last 5 years, plus additional data from projects like the ACA Youth Impact Study and more, we know quite a bit...
Pilgrimage on Purpose: Reflections from Mt. Sinai & Why Camp Can Be This Kind of Journey
On this episode, we welcome Jake back from his journey to Egypt, where we travelled with other camp and church leaders on a pilgrimage that lead them to and through places and spaces with deep Biblical, historical, and spiritual significance. We'll hear stories from...
5 Camp New Year’s Resolutions for 2026
Happy New Year, camp and camp-connected friends! It's 2026, and we're kicking off the new year with our annual installment of the New Year's resolutions for camp. On this episode, we'll share a fresh set of hopes and dreams for camp based on the latest research data...
Did Camp Thrive in 2025? A Resolutions Recap
What a year! As we round out 2025 and look toward 2026, it's a great time to look back at our hopes for this past year. Each year on the Sacred Playgrounds Podcast, we kick off a new year with a set of data-driven New Year's resolutions for outdoor ministry. Before we...
A Mailbag & A Merry Christmas
As we release this episode, it's almost Christmas 2025! We're wishing you a very Merry Christmas from our sacred playground to yours. We're ever-grateful to share this space with you. On this (shorter) episode, we're taking a few moments to answer a handful of curious...
Grownups Need Camp Too
It's true. Adults are a deeply important audience for your camp in one way or another - or more likely, in many ways. Not just as a donor, parent, or partner, but as one who can have personal, meaningful experiences at your camp. On this episode, we're talking about...
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...


















