Effective Camp

for pastors and ministy professionals

Camp Wisdom Speaks

Lasting and intentional partnership between camps, churches, and families creates an incredibly impactful environment for campers of all ages. Outdoor ministry leaders and local faith community leaders are on the same team, working together to create spaces and expriences for people to get to know God and each other more deeply.

The 5 Fundamentals of Effective Camp lay out an ecology of characteristics of camps that create impact. Learn more about what these look like and how some also apply to your local church.

Share the story

When the 5 Fundamentals of Effective Camp come together, outdoor ministries become an integral part of the faith forming ecology. Use the resources below to help tell the story of how camp and the local church can work together toward effective faith formation.

Shareables

Below you’ll find your easy button on things to share about effective camp. These graphics and written statements help you tell the story of camps like yours and the depth of impact your ministry can offer in partnership with churches and families. The images are downloadable just by clicking. They are sized ideally for Facebook, work great in Instagram and Twitter, and can be embedded in your websites and emails as well.

“The Christian summer camp experience impacts campers in positive ways that extends to their families, churches and others.” Learn more at effectivecamp.com

“90% of those attending a Christian summer camp like ours report that they grew in faith.” Contact us at ______________to learn more and go to effectivecamp.com

“97% of those attending a Christian summer camp like ours report that they had fun!” Contact us at ______________to learn more and go to effectivecamp.com

“Kids report that they feel safe at Christian summer camp because of the powerful relationships they form.” Contact us at ______________to learn more and go to effectivecamp.com

“Kids report that by growing in faith at camp it helps them in their daily life back home.” Contact us at ______________to learn more and go to effectivecamp.com

“Camp doesn’t end when the week is over, research shows that it has lasting effective. Many campers read their Bible more, pray with their family more, and attend church more.” Contact us at ______________to learn more and go to effectivecamp.com

Articles + Blog Posts

Feel free to use and share these posts on your websites, in your newsletters, and in conversations with other leaders, pastors, parents, and supporters.

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...

Searching for Connection

Searching for Connection

The church is about connection. You know the analogies: vine to branches (John 15), different parts to make one body (1 Corinthians 12), grains of wheat gathered to make one bread. The church connects the people of God to one another and connects them all to Christ....

The Big 4 Ministries

The Big 4 Ministries

There are four key ministry spaces that are particularly important for faith formation and call to ministry. These include Sunday school, camp, the national youth convention, and campus ministry.

Surprise! The Most Influential Ministry Space

Surprise! The Most Influential Ministry Space

We set out to study the impacts of working on camp summer staff. In our survey of more than 3,000 pastors and deacons, we made a surprising discovery about the most influential ministry space.

Comparing Traveling Day Camp Models

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

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...

Agents of Change: Day Camp at Peace Lutheran

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...

Graphics

You are free to use the 5 Fundamentals of Effective Camp and the Effective Camp Research Project graphics and logo whenever you are sharing about Effective Camp or the Research Project in your communications. The download package is a .zip file with a variety of logo styles and colors. For questions about style and brand standards, contact Jared.

Maximizing Our Impact. Together.

The 5 Fundamentals work. When each of these pillars are intentionally planned and faithfully practiced, the faith forming impact of camp is realized in the lives of participants, and extends to their families and communities back home.

Where do we go from here?

Below you’ll find your easy button on things to share about effective camp. These graphics and written statements help you tell the story of camps like yours and the depth of impact your ministry can offer in partnership with churches and families. The images are downloadable just by clicking. They are sized ideally for Facebook, work great in Instagram and Twitter, and can be embedded in your websites and emails as well.

Talk with a Team Member

We’ll connect you with a team member with first-hand experience in key parts of the 5 fundamentals and how they can benefit the relationshiop between church and camp.. Send us a message to get started, and we’ll be in touch.

Join the Effective Camp Community

We’re gathering on via a special Facebook group to explore ideas, share resources, and tell stories of impact and tranformation through camp experiences.

Let's start with a conversation.

Send me an email to schedule a 30 minute introduction conversation. I’d love to hear about where your ministry could go when informed by actionable, localized research and well-designed, well-facilitated training experiences.