Sacred Playgrounds Podcast

Every now and then, I get a little bit restlessAnd I dream of something wild- Bonnie Tyler "Total Eclipse of the Heart"Eclipse week! Epic, singular experiences are our specialty at camp, and yet, how we prepare campers and families for integration of faith in the totality of life is the real heart of our ministry.On this episode, we'll hear the story of Jake and his family's adventure into the path of totality for the April 2024 solar eclipse and draw some interesting, actionable connections with our partnered, integrated, connected ministries. We'll share how  Rhythms of Faith is seeking out how we maximize and harness these connections and share a quick project update on RoF as well.Plus, we'll share some a book recommendation or two in our #QuickQampQuestion and have some fun with eclipse data in our #StatOfTheWeek.PS, don't burn out their (or your) retinas.LEARN MORE ABOUT RHYTHMS OF FAITHDOWNLOAD THE #STATOFTHEWEEKSupport the showCome help camp thrive with us on Facebook, Instagram, or at sacredplaygrounds.com.

It's launch week for Holy Ground 2024!It's no secret, so says the research, that summer staff are the heart of camping ministry. We know they need support, agency, and faithful community to thrive. That's why we constructed the Holy Ground summer staff guidebook for the third year.On this episode, we'll quickly share the what, how, and why of Holy Ground. Then, the heart of this episode is two conversations we had with special guests Renzi Ricketts, Director of Summer Camp at St. Christopher Camp and Conference Center and Pastor Val Teppo, Lead Chaplain from Park River Bible Camp and Red Willow Ministries. They'll share some of the specifics on ways their camp communities use this resource and how it helps provide support for summer staff, and even some other partners.Plus, we've got a #StatOfTheWeek around the impact of resources like this on personal devotion and Bible reading time.LEARN MORE + ORDER HOLY GROUND 2024DOWNLOAD THE #STATOFTHEWEEKSupport the showCome help camp thrive with us on Facebook, Instagram, or at sacredplaygrounds.com.

Check!We're gearing up,  camp family! For many, it's time to begin forming our plans for staff training, even as we continue to recruit and hire staff. We're bringing you 8(+1) items on a summer staff training checklist to help you frame up a successful, impactful staff training experience that gets your summer staff well-equipped and wisely-prepared.Have an idea to add to this list? Have an idea for a resource for summer staff members? Drop it in the comments wherever you're listening. We'll also dive into what it means and what to do when staff can't make parts of training with our #QuickQampQuestion, and share average weekly counselor salary in our #StatOfTheWeek.DOWNLOAD THE STAT OF THE WEEK GRAPHICSupport the showCome help camp thrive with us on Facebook, Instagram, or at sacredplaygrounds.com.

We're constantly learning. Every season, we take care of each individual and/or group of camps we work with - creating reports, digging in with consults about the findings, and creating ways to help those insights tell stories. And, we take that data and compile it, looking at it from a higher level with richer numbers of responses. We do this to learn and identify trends across our broad outdoor ministry community.So, we've got 3 interesting, and more importantly, actionable, findings from the collective 2023 camper experience. You'll hear about:The trends on breakdowns in the 5 fundamentals of effective campsThe trend in church engagement and family faith practicesThe experience gap in different types of camper groupsOur #StatOfTheWeek shares a statistically significant story on family church engagement, and our #QuickQampQuestion is one for you or a camp person you know.DOWNLOAD THE #STATOFTHEWEEKSupport the showCome help camp thrive with us on Facebook, Instagram, or at sacredplaygrounds.com.

We're making a new friend in this episode as we talk with author Maria Warner who wrote a book all about her family's transformational experiences at family camp, a specialized kind of camp that can, as Maria passionately shares, help families thrive. Listen as we hear stories from the book and capture some of the secrets that make family camp work so well, and wonder what might be possible with this kind of experience as a vital part of your outdoor ministry.Embark on a heartwarming journey with the Warner family in 'Family Camp: S'more than a Vacation,' as they rediscover joy, strengthen family bonds, and cultivate a resilient community spirit in the tranquil embrace of nature. This book offers readers an inspiring blueprint for creating their own happy and healthy family connections. This book is for anyone who appreciates the healing power of nature and community. stories of resilience, personal growth, and family dynamics. Maria's memoir resonates with those seeking inspiration or understanding in the face of challenges.Maria Warner is an author based in Arizona with one published book and additional featured short stories and articles. Her memoir focuses on themes of love, loss, and self-discovery. In her free time, she enjoys being outside in the mountains and spending time with her family, friends, and adorable shih tsu's.MEET MARIABUY THE BOOKDOWNLOAD THE #STATOFTHEWEEKSupport the showCome help camp thrive with us on Facebook, Instagram, or at sacredplaygrounds.com.

We're hitting rewind on an episode from last season where we broke down some of what we know about emerging adults today. Knowing who they are, what they care about, and what motivates them makes a big difference in how we connect and communicate with them, especially during the recruiting process.Rev. Anna Sorenson and I will bring some fresh context to this episode, answer a #QuickQampQuestion from the perspective of a camp-enthusiast-and-board-member/pastor/mom of emerging adults, and share a 3-for-1 #StatOfTheWeek.DOWNLOAD THE #STATOFTHEWEEK GRAPHICSupport the showCome help camp thrive with us on Facebook, Instagram, or at sacredplaygrounds.com.

Camp staff outcomes align remarkably well with the top skills employers identify as most important for the 21st-century workforce, including teamwork, communication skills, leadership, and problem-solving. Being a member of a Christian summer camp staff builds vital skills needed for impactful careers and faithful lives.On this episode, we're breaking down 4 things camp builds in summer staff members that can make a significant difference in their vocations and careers. This is part of the kickoff and continuation of the Camp Builds _______. Campaign we recently launched to equip, inform, and activate influencers in the lives of emerging adults around these career readiness skills and experiences.We've got a whole set of resources for you to join in spreading the good news that camp staff experiences have lasting impact. Use the links below to explore CampBuilds.com, download your kit of ready-to-share assets, share a story of what camp has built for you, and more.VISIT CAMPBUILDS.COMSupport the showCome help camp thrive with us on Facebook, Instagram, or at sacredplaygrounds.com.

Happy New Year! We're back with our third annual New Year's Resolutions episode! We're sharing 5 fresh resolutions for sacred playgrounds like yours for 2024. Here's what you'll find:Build resumesComplete the circleLook to the starsTransition wellKeep learningWe'll also share a bit about what you can expect from our sacred playground in the year ahead, as we work hard to help camps like yours thrive.We've got a #QuickQampQuestion about the role of intentionality and attitude in the summer camp staff experience, and our #StatoftheWeek is 42%.DOWNLOAD THE STATOFTHEWEEK GRAPHICSupport the showCome help camp thrive with us on Facebook, Instagram, or at sacredplaygrounds.com.

Merry Christmas from Sacred Playgrounds!Green beans and great songs and cookies and memories, these are a few of our favorite things! (Sing it or it doesn't count)On this episode, we share some favorite fun in an extended, Christmas-themed #QuickQampQuestion. AND, we'd like to hear yours. Here's the list:Favorite Christmas songFavorite Christmas foodFavorite Christmas traditionFavorite Christmas memoryWe'll also wonder together about 3 sets of voices from The Story, and how we journey, worship, and give with them, finding ourselves smack dab in the middle of the greatest story ever.Our #StatOfTheWeek reminds us that summer staff faith formation is often just as much a focus for leaders as camper faith formation. Download a shareable graphic below! DOWNLOAD THE #STATOFTHEWEEK GRAPHIC SETSupport the showCome help camp thrive with us on Facebook, Instagram, or at sacredplaygrounds.com.

Our heart is restless until it rests in you.   - ST. AUGUSTINE OF HIPPO"Spirituality." How do we actually define that word? What's the difference between spirituality and religion? Can one be a non-spiritual person? What does it mean to be "spiritual, but not religious" as many have described themselves? And, as we should always be asking, why does it matter to our wellness as beings, or our conversation as communities?In this episode, we'll unpack the word and bring it into context at camp and in culture. We'll talk through why spirituality as a human capacity matters deeply to our health and wellness, according to an increasing volume of faith-based and non-faith-based research.We call back a bit of our conversation with Tracey Gaslin from the Alliance for Camp Health. You can listen back to that episode here.We also share a book title or two from Lisa Miller, Professor at Columbia University and founder of the Spirituality, Mind, Body Institute (SMBI), a NYT Bestselling Author of The Spiritual Child and The Awakened Brain.Plus, we'll share a #QuickQampQuestion about camp denominations, and a #StatoftheWeek about campers and how much they love being in nature. Download your stat graphic below!Want a camp question featured on the podcast? Send us a message below, submit an audio file of your questions, or send us a message on Instagram or Facebook.Support the showCome help camp thrive with us on Facebook, Instagram, or at sacredplaygrounds.com.

Have you taken a walk through the life of Jesus?  Have you brought your campers through an experience like this in a way that puts them in the story?Immersive experiences have power, especially in the context of camp spaces already so experiential in nature. Bringing The Story to life is an honor, and we have an opportunity to make a connection between Jesus' story and our own, and that of our campers.What kind of spaces and experiences does your camp create to immerse campers in the narrative of God's story? Share in the comments!Our #StatoftheWeek is around camper financial support. Feel free to download and add your own link, QR code, or messaging around supporting your campership programs before you share.DOWNLOAD THE #STATOFTHEWEEK GRAPHICSSupport the showCome help camp thrive with us on Facebook, Instagram, or at sacredplaygrounds.com.

We've been doing what we're built for, turning data into stories, and today on the podcast we're sharing some of these findings via 3 questions: What's changed? What's stayed the same? What's surprising? And, most importantly, why do these things matter.We've also got a  Quick Qamp Question about attending different camps or sticking with what's familiar, and a Stat of the Week around the level of agreement with the question, "I am happy about my life and who I am."Support the showCome help camp thrive with us on Facebook, Instagram, or at sacredplaygrounds.com.

It's time to set this rhythm in motion.Our brand new project, Rhythms of Faith launches with waves of energy and anticipation of what we'll learn and the impact those learnings will have. Funded by a $1.25 million grant from the Lilly Endowment, we're partnering with Wheaton College and Honeyrock, their center for leadership development, on this exciting project.On this episode, we'll hear from the Rhythms of Faith Project Co-Directors, Jake Sorenson and Rob Ribbe. They'll share the passion behind this initiative, a breakdown of how the project will phase out, and how you can participate and follow along, as we seek to establish rhythms of faith in the lives of campers, their families, their churches, and their communities.Engage with Rhythms of FaithDownload the Stat of the Week GraphicSupport the showCome help camp thrive with us on Facebook, Instagram, or at sacredplaygrounds.com.

"Of all the pillars of health, spirituality is the one that has a perfectly inverse relationship with anxiety and depression."- Tracey GaslinListen in to this deep conversation with our own Jake Sorenson and Tracey Gaslin, Chief Executive Officer of the Alliance for Camp Health about why and how establishing a culture of health and wellbeing at camp is both possible and a priority, and how everyone at your camp is on the wellness team. Hear how the MESH+ framework gives us real things to pay attention to as we build a community living really well.Learn more about CampWellConnect with the Alliance for Camp HealthDownload your MESH+ GuideDownload your free #StatoftheWeek GraphicSupport the showCome help camp thrive with us on Facebook, Instagram, or at sacredplaygrounds.com.

Have you heard that phrase? "Ok, boomer..." Or how about the not-insignificant number of millennial-bashing parody songs across YouTube?What leads us to slap these "Gen ___" labels on people? Where did they come from? In this episode, we're unpacking generational theory, exploring what may be helpful and not helpful in this way of sociological thinking, and wondering how we approach this for our ministries as we seek to connect with the next generations of staff, campers, and families.Plus, we've got a Quick Qamp Question about creation care and our #campstatoftheweek = 90%DOWNLOAD THE EP2 STAT OF THE WEEK GRAPHICSSupport the showCome help camp thrive with us on Facebook, Instagram, or at sacredplaygrounds.com.

Welcome to Season 3!We're kicking off this season with a what-to-expect and introducing two new segments we're including in each episode this season. Read more about them and download your free graphic below!  We'll be behind the mic every other week bringing you fresh insights from the latest data, all on a mission to help camping ministry thrive.Ever seen an amazing panoramic photo, or used the setting on your smart device? This episode features a "panoramic" take on a 2023 summer in review. We'll talk through and help you create 3 quick, clear deliverables to tell, connect, and prepare.Quick Qamp Question (New Segment for Season 3!)Each episode, we'll feature a quick qamp question from you. Yep, you! You can submit your question on Facebook, Instagram, direct message, text, email, or carrier pigeon. Want to level up your question? Send us an audio file and we'll try to share it in the episode!Camp Stat of the Week (New Segment for Season 3!)Each episode, we'll take a minute to highlight a fresh statistic from the latest research and also give you a simple set of downloadable graphics so you can share it with your camp communities.DOWNLOAD THE EP1 STAT OF THE WEEKSupport the showCome help camp thrive with us on Facebook, Instagram, or at sacredplaygrounds.com.

Eat. Let go. Grateful. Jesus. Giggle.No, it's not a silly camp word game. Ok, maybe a little. The season 2 finale is here! We'll look back at some of the numbers and share our favorite episodes of this season. Hear our longest, shortest, and most listened-to episodes. Any guesses?Then, we beseech leaders to remember some things for the summer ahead as we launch, encourage, and bless you into this season of ministry.Support the showCome help camp thrive with us on Facebook, Instagram, or at sacredplaygrounds.com.

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. We'll hear from Jenna, one of those students in the midst of such a transition, and from Pastor Dominique Bucholz who serves as a Campus Pastor at the Minnesota State University Moorhead in Minnesota.Then, Jake talks us through the study we did a few years ago with a campus ministry organization, what we learned, and why is matters. You can check out that study here.Support the showCome help camp thrive with us on Facebook, Instagram, or at sacredplaygrounds.com.

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 gained in these training and orientation experiences set the tone for the summer, impacting campers and families every week.So how do we do this really well? We use what we've learned to frame staff training in a way that begins to give staff the three things they need to thrive in a summer of ministry: support, agency, and a faithful community. We'll also share stories, ideas, and tips on how to get there.PS, here are some of the resources and projects we refer to in this episode:The Camp & Church Leadership ProjectHoly Ground: A Guidebook for Summer Camp StaffTraining Throughout the Summer by Kelsey BlinnBRAND NEW! Sacred Playgrounds Staff Training OpportunitiesSupport the showCome help camp thrive with us on Facebook, Instagram, or at sacredplaygrounds.com.

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 faith-focused camps, and more. We just finalized the report on the 5th OMC Director's Survey, a biennial study of camp leaders and the ministries they serve, effectively telling a story of where we've been and indicating trajectory for where we're going. These are the kinds of findings any camp can use right now. In this episode, we're sharing some of the most interesting headlines and why they matter. Learn more and access the report at sacredplaygrounds.com/omc.Support the showCome help camp thrive with us on Facebook, Instagram, or at sacredplaygrounds.com.