Blog
STORIES FROM SACRED PLAYGROUNDS
Impacts of the Summer Camp Staff Experience
When we think about the impacts of summer camp, we most often think about the camper experience. Indeed, the lion’s share of camp research has focused on the campers (e.g. the Effective Camp Project and ACA’s Impact Study). The research provides compelling evidence...
Comparing Traveling Day Camp Models
Day Camp is a big umbrella term for diverse, community-based camping models. In faith-based ministries, there is a unique model called Traveling Day Camp. Shared characteristics usually include: camp counselors traveling to local communities in partnership with a...
The Importance of Being Day Camp
Traveling Day Camp is a partnership ministry between the camp and congregation in which trained summer camp staff members are deployed to lead interactive programs in the congregational setting. Traveling Day Camp has evolved over the decades and become a staple for...
Finding Direction: Data for Camps in the Midst of a Pandemic
As the Covid-19 pandemic sweeps across the nation and world, leaders have been hampered by uncertainty. It is a new virus, meaning there is uncertainty about infection, treatment options, and death rates. Inadequate testing means we cannot effectively track the...
In a Post-Covid-19 World, We Will Need Camp More Than Ever
Social distancing is not what humans were made for. In fact, we were made for just the opposite. We need face-to-face contact and human touch. Newborn babies come pre-programmed to track and respond to faces. We need to be held and be near one another for our...
Agents of Change: Day Camp at Peace Lutheran
“Bingo!” a young voice sounded out. The young boy was paired with an elderly woman who was unable to speak up loudly enough to be heard from across the room, but she clearly shared his excitement and enthusiasm on their fourth bingo in as many rounds. A runner dashed...
Strength to the Weary: Day Camp at The Chapel
“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...
The Next Generation of Counselors: Day Camp at Genesis Church
In Noblesville, Indiana, an outer suburb north of Indianapolis, the counselors in training (CITs) create a cheering tunnel for more than 120 elementary-aged children and their families to welcome them all to day camp at Genesis Church. Between two campuses, Genesis...
We are Family – Beautiful Savior Day Camp
I felt like I was walking into a family reunion. I arrived around 1 pm on a muggy Wednesday afternoon to Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church in Bloomfield Hills, MI. Bloomfield Hills is a city of about 4,000, but it appears to be growing quite rapidly. There was nothing...
Bringing Camp to the Congregation: Holy Cross Day Camp
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...
All of the Energy: Day Camp at Res Life
“Friends! The rope is ice cream!” shouts a counselor to their campers. The campers are doing the Flying Squirrel together, a high ropes course element that requires the entire cabin group to pull a rope attached to a camper wearing a harness who is then pulled into...
Affirmed Counselors Affirming: Day Camp at Epiphany UMC
It is an unexpected sight to walk into day camp in July and see a fully decorated Christmas tree with presents underneath and a big screen projecting a Yule log burning. That is how the meeting room at Epiphany United Methodist Church is adorned when SpringHill is on...