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...
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....
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...
Get On The Same P.A.G.E. with Church Leaders & Parents
This is a cutting edge for outdoor ministry right now, and camps, when we understand our role as a catalyst, is poised to have an outsized impact on faith lives of countless campers and families. The connectivity in three sacred spaces - camp, church, and home -...
Church Camp The Book: Guest Episode with Author Cara Meredith
On this episode, we're excited to sit down with Cara Meredith, a lifelong camp enthusiast, experienced camp speaker, and author of the book Church Camp. This book has been stirring in many ways for Christian camp and camp-connected leaders, and we are grateful for the...
Camper Confidence Over Time: Summer 2025 Insights
Each fall, early in our podcast season, we try to spend time talking through some of our, really your, learnings from the summer. We aggregate data from Effective Camp and Power of Camp projects - those that focus on campers and families - and run it through a variety...
Behind the Scenes of the #OMCGG & Why Cross-Denominational Camp Partnerships Matter
If you've ever planned an event, fundraiser, conference, or other significant gathering, you know that there is so, so much that goes on behind the scenes to make that happen. On this episode, Jake and Jared are joined by the Co-Directors of the Outdoor Ministries...
Season 5 Kickoff & Camp Leader Pulse Check Insights
Welcome to season 5 of the Sacred Playgrounds Podcast! We're back! On this episode, we've got some words of welcome, a quick summer in review from our Sacred Playgrounds team, and what to expect from this season. Then, we dive right into some impactful insights from...


















