Christian camping ministry in the Mainline Protestant
tradition is often broken down along denominational lines. We have Lutheran
camps, Methodist camps, and so forth. These distinctions are not always helpful
because camps have varying programmatic goals and ministry priorities. The camp
director survey conducted as part of the Confirmation Project in fall 2014
reveals another way to think about the differences among our camps and
conference centers.
One thing that is abundantly clear from the camp research
that we have gathered thus far is that camps and retreat centers are effective
catalysts for faith formation. Contrary to many anecdotal accounts, it is
becoming clear that the residential camp experience has lasting effects on
participants, and one of the clearest lasting effects is that camp participants
tend to be more engaged in Christian community. This includes church
attendance! They actually leave camp with a stronger desire to engage in
congregational ministries. This highlights the importance of strong
partnerships between camps and congregations.
A small portion of Mainline camps have a weak emphasis on
faith formation in comparison to other camps, but these only account for about
7% of the total. The remaining 93% have a moderately strong or very strong
emphasis on faith formation and Christian education that permeates all of their
programs. The interesting and perhaps concerning reality is that not all of
these camps have maintained strong ties to congregational ministries. Just as
there is variation in the degree that camps emphasize faith, there is also
variation in how strongly they identify with their denominational traditions
and seek connection to congregations. Using both of these measurements reveals
four types of Mainline Protestant camps:
1.
Camps with a weak connection to
congregations/denominations and a low
faith emphasis. Only 7% of camps fall into this category. They look very
different from other Mainline camps and probably resemble secular camps to a
large degree. They still may have worship, prayers, and even Bible study,
though much less frequently than other camps. Faith practices are
compartmentalized from other aspects of camp life.
2.
Camps with a moderate connection to
congregations/denominations and a moderate
faith emphasis. 22% of camps fall into this category. These camps do not
show particularly strong connection to other ministries or particularly strong
faith emphasis. Faith teachings and Christian practices are part of the camp
program, but they are not given noticeably more emphasis than other aspects.
Religion or, more often, “spirituality” is seen as an important piece of camp
life, but it does not necessarily permeate all aspects of the program.
3.
Camps with a weak connection to
congregations/denominations and a high faith emphasis. 29% of camps fall
into this category. These camps are committed to faith formation, and
Christianity permeates all aspects of camp programs. However, they deemphasize
theological teachings specific to their denomination, and they have generally
weak connections to congregational ministries. Camp directors are unlikely to
have formal theological instruction, and clergy involvement is likely very low.
The large number of camps fitting into this category is alarming because the
camp experience does not stand alone as a singular life event. This category is
a sign that the partnership between camps and congregations is weakening.
4.
Camps with a strong connection to
congregations/denominations and a high faith emphasis. 42% of camps fall into this category. These camps exhibit
high clergy involvement and strong connection to congregations in terms of
philosophy and program. They appear to be strong partners in ministry with
congregations and denominational leaders. They tend to emphasize Christian
education and specific theological teachings/practices more so than the other
camps. These camps most closely resemble the historical priorities of Christian
camping ministry in the Protestant tradition. They see themselves as part of a
larger ecology of faith formation, and they intentionally try to strengthen
partnerships with other ministries.
The
Christian camp, conference, or retreat experience does not stand on its own! It
is necessarily part of a much larger ecology of faith formation. Denominational
differences among camps are not always helpful distinctions. A type 3 Lutheran
camp may not look Lutheran at all, though it may share many of the ministry
priorities of a type 3 Episcopal camp. Understanding where our camps fall in
terms of these 4 categories can help us understand their strengths and
weaknesses. It can also help us make distinctions when we are talking about
Christian camping ministry. Some clergy members, theologians, or parents level
critiques at camping ministry as a whole because they are lumping all camps
together. People base their assumptions on their experiences. There are clergy
members who do not want to support camp and retreat ministries because they
have experienced mostly type 1 or type 3 camps. We can tell a more complete story
of Christian camping ministry. We can also seek greater connections between
camps and congregations. I firmly believe that these connections are vital to
the future of both camps and congregations, and I would love to see many more
of our camps shift to the Type 4 piece of the pie.
Where does your camp fit into the mix?
Where does your camp fit into the mix?
