Articles & Episodes

STORIES FROM SACRED PLAYGROUNDS
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S2 E17: From Campus to Camp

S2 E17: From Campus to Camp

Special guest day! We've got two special guests with direct, experiential perspective on the seasonal migration that is about to or recently has happened for thousands of college students (and many high school too) on their way in to serving as summer camp staff....

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Strengthening partnerships with congregations

Strengthening partnerships with congregations

Hi friends, It’s almost May! Your to do list is long before the summer staff arrive. One of the things on your list is probably asking something of pastors or youth ministers. But wait, don’t rush in – read these tips first. This relationships are best when they are...

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S2 E16: Staff Training Deep Dive

S2 E16: Staff Training Deep Dive

Staff training is identified by many leaders and summer staff members alike as their favorite part of the summer. There must be something going on here.There is. Something that matters. Your camp culture starts here. The creativity, clarity, and community that is...

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Training Throughout the Summer

Training Throughout the Summer

Tis’ the season for summer planning, hiring staff, creating curriculum, solidifying programs, training all those amazing staff, and so much more. How is your planning going? Do you feel overwhelmed? Behind? Ahead? Wherever you are in your planning, we are holding you...

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S2 E15: Fresh Findings from OMC

S2 E15: Fresh Findings from OMC

These are some of the most impactful findings on the pulse of outdoor ministry today, draped in a really hopeful outlook. We unpack things like the biggest threat to outdoor ministry this year, what we're learning about director demographics, the four types of...

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The State of Camping Ministry

The State of Camping Ministry

It is an exciting but nerve-racking time for Christian camping. The uncertainty and persistent stress of the past three years has given way to cautious optimism. A new survey of Mainline Christian camp directors sheds light on the state of camping ministry. This was...

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S2 E14: The Best Gift We Can Give Them

S2 E14: The Best Gift We Can Give Them

To know and listen - these is the best gifts we can give our camp community. This applies throughout our ministries, from the connection between a counselor and camper, to how we engage our trusted supporters, and everything in between. Life is loud, input is...

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Love your Neighbor

Love your Neighbor

The Age of Authenticity is in full swing. The highest moral good has become reduced to a simple maxim: be yourself. At face-value, this is not a bad thing. Far from it. We want people to discover their God-given gifts (1 Corinthians 12). We want them to know that they...

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Finding God in the Mess

Finding God in the Mess

Let’s get something straight: “Cleanliness is next to Godliness” is not in the Bible. (All the camp directors give a collective sigh of relief.) We love building nice-looking church buildings “for the glory of God.” We hang beautiful artwork, ensure the communion wear...

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Staff Training Insights from Peer Ministry

Staff Training Insights from Peer Ministry

by Kelsey Blinn, Sacred Playgrounds Research Coordinator How do you plan events? Training? Workshops? Staff continuing education? Does it get overwhelming and bog you down? It is a process that takes a lot of time and energy to organize and initiate. It is amazing...

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