"Take them to camp." The very first thing I ever did as a pastor was go to camp with a group of kids. Well, that is not entirely true. I wasn’t actually a pastor yet. I was still a month away from my ordination, and about seven weeks from my start date as pastor of...
Trivia In early February, we got to spend time with our friends from the Episcopal Camps and Conference Centers. It was a great few days of friend-making, research-wrestling, and faith-exploring. We went to present some of the latest findings in the Episcopal Church...
Tradition! Does anyone else have the song “Tradition” from Fiddler on the Roof jump in their head when you hear that word? It plays in mine…and let’s be real I also start belting it out! Every year this happens and probably drives my husband a little crazy but that is...
What? A Wedding?Hear me out. We're approaching camp conference and gathering season, and I think we can maximize our experience at these events if we give ourselves a dose of intentionality inspired by an old wedding adage. Many camp pros absolutely love this season...
Parents love what camp does.The campers have gone home, the summer staff has departed, and camp staff are reviewing assessments. One major constituency to ask for feedback is your camper parents and guardians. This summer, Sacred Playgrounds helped 22 camping...
Dance Summer ModeOne of the things baked into the realities of outdoor ministry that many of us appreciate and thrive in is seasonality. For everything there is a season, and then another one, and then another one. It's a beautiful cycle, and we usually love it. It...
Jesus took so many consequential steps this week. He stepped onto a road covered in palm branches and cloaks to resounding hosannas. He strode into the temple and braced his stance as he turned tables. He climbed the Mount of Olives. He ascended the stairs to the...
Life can be busy beyond imagination. We can get stuck in the mode of just making it from one day to the next. There may be moments we are able to come up for air. Moments we feel everything is caught up and then we get bogged down again. I have had many of those...
Each Sunday morning several preschool and young elementary aged students (and occasionally an adult) gather near the piano in worship to lead the congregation in song. The young musicians play the xylophone as the people sing, “Listen to the Word that God has spoken.”...
What is a playground? The dictionary tells us a playground is “a piece of land designed and often equipped for recreation, especially for children.” Okay, it’s a place to play. Its purpose is fun. But the purpose of a playground is so much more than a place for...
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...
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...
This quick, impactful read lays foundation for effective outdoor ministry. Sacred Playgrounds explores the wisdom of camping ministry for Christian education and faith formation, examining its rich history and fundamental characteristics with compelling stories, groundbreaking research, and theological grounding.
