1

OutdoorMinistriesConnection2018DirectorSurvey

LOMDataReport

PreparedbyJacobSorenson,PhDSummer2019

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AboutthisReport:ThefoundersofOutdoorMinistriesConnection(OMC)committedthemselvestoresearchasoneofseveralministrypriorities.Thefirstdirectorsurveywasconductedin2014aspartofagrant-fundedresearchinitiativecalledTheConfirmationProject.Thisinitialsurveyfocusedalmostexclusivelyonsummercampministries.FouroftheOMCmemberorganizations(includingLOM)wereincludedinTheConfirmationProjectandtookpartintheresearch.FollowingthesuccessofthisinitialsurveyandhopingtoestablishabenchmarksurveyofMainlineChristiancampandretreatministries,OMCfundedafollow-upsurveyin2016,includingallofitsmemberorganizationsandexpandingthesurveytoincludeitemsrelatedtoconferencesandretreats.The2018survey,againfundedbyOMC,representsthethirdbi-annualsurveyofdirectorsinMainlinecampandretreatministries.Withdatafrom3surveysoveraspanof5years,wecanbeginobservingtrendsinthedata.The2018surveyincluded100surveyitemsandtypicallytookadirector25minutestocomplete.Ithadacompletionrateof90%,providingahighdegreeofreliabilityforthedatasetasawhole.Participatingorganizationscomprisenearly700individualministrycenters,and303respondedtothesurvey,foraresponserateofapproximately43%.ThisreportpresentsdataspecifictoministrycentersaffiliatedwithLOM.ThesedataareattimescomparedwiththeotherOMCcampsthatrespondedandothertimecomparedwithpastsurvey’sdatafromLOMrespondents.Thereportisdividedinto5parts,correspondingtothesectionsdelineatedinthesurvey.Allsurveyitemsareincludedinthereport.Additionally,multiplesurveyitemswerecombinedtocreateindicesthatgiveamoreconcisepictureofcertainaspectsofcampandretreatministries.Theseindicesandothersurveyitemsincludewritteninterpretationandcomparisonwithpreviousyearsofthesurveyinordertoobservetrends.

HowtousethisReport:Sharesurveyfindingswithyourorganization’scampdirectors…Discusskeysurveyfindingswithyourministrycenter’sstafforboardofdirectors…Compareyoursite’sphilosophyandstatisticaldatawiththelargercampingnetwork…

In This Report ReportHighlightsandFindingsSummary...................................................................................................................3Part1:GeneralCampStatistics:........................................................................................................................................4CampType:.............................................................................................................................................................................7

Part2:CampDirectors..........................................................................................................................................................8Part3:SummerCamp............................................................................................................................................................9SummerCampEnrollmentandCapacity...............................................................................................................13Summerstaff:......................................................................................................................................................................14

Part4:RetreatsandConferences...................................................................................................................................15Part5:CampPhilosophy....................................................................................................................................................18

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Report Highlights and Findings Summary

Thebelowfindingsarenotmeanttobeexhaustivebut,rather,tohighlightsomeofthesurveyfindingsrelatedtoLOMministrycentersthattheresearcherconsideredinterestingorremarkable.

1. The2018surveyhadahighlevelofparticipationamongLOMcamps,rivalingthelevelofparticipationinthefirstsurveyin2014(87LOMsites).TherateofLOMparticipationexceededthatoftheotherparticipatingorganizations.

2. DiversityremainsachallengeinLOMcamps,whichremainpredominantlywhite,evenmoresothanotherdenominationalcamps.However,therearesignsofimprovement.Fewerdirectorsarewhitemalesovertheageof40thanwhenthesurveybeganin2014,and2018wasthefirstyearthatmorethanaquarterofLOMcampsreportedthatmorethan10%oftheirsummercamperswerepeopleofcolor(page11,figure13).

3. ThereisconsiderableturnoverevidentamongLOMcampdirectorsinrecentyears,includingathirdwhohadbeenservingintheircurrentpositionforfewerthan3yearsasof2018.TheproportionofmaleLOMdirectorsfellbelowthree-quartersforthefirsttime(74%),andtheproportionofwhitemaledirectorsovertheageof40fellfrom69%in2016to58%in2018.While2016sawanuptickintheproportionofLOMdirectorswhohadnoformaltheologicaleducation(toalmostathird),thatproportiondroppedagainin2018to22%,muchlowerthannon-LOMcamps(page8)

4. SummercampremainsadominantministrypriorityamongLOMministrycenters,muchmoresothanotherdenominations.Summercampprogramsaremorerobustthannon-LOMcamps,withhigherenrollment(page12),agreaterdiversityofprogramsoffered(page10),andalongerstafftrainingperiod(page13).

5. Intermsofsummercampernumbers,2018wasadownyearformostLOMcamps.Morecampsreportedlowercamperenrollmentcomparedwith2017thanthosethatreportedhigherenrollment.Thiswasthecaseinspiteofotherdenominationalcampsshowinganoverallincreaseincampernumbers(page13).

6. Incontrasttosummercamp,retreatnumbersfollowedthetrendamongotherOMCcampsbyshowingevidenceforoverallincrease(page16).

7. LOMcampsretainedtheirstrongemphasisonfaithformationandevenshowedevidenceforstrengtheningtheirconnectiontodenominationalidentityandconstituentcongregations.LOMdirectorsreportedstrongclergyinvolvementintheirprograms(figure14),andtheycontinuedprioritizingsuchthingsasfaithformation,Christianeducation,andstrengtheningcongregationsmuchmorethanotherOMCcamps(figure22).LOMcampsaremuchmorelikelytohaveprogramsdesignedtoconnectwithcongregationalministries,suchasconfirmationcamp,travelingdaycamp(figure10),andretreatsforchurchyouthgroups(figure19).

8. AhigherproportionofLOMcampswerecategorizedasType4camps(highfaithemphasisandstrongconnectiontotheircongregations/denomination)thanin2016.Itisnotablethattheturnoverincampdirectorsidentifiedinpoint3aboveresultedinmoretheologicallytraineddirectors.Thismayhavecontributedtothestrongeraffinityforcongregational/denominationalministriesevidentinthe2018survey.

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Part 1: General Camp Statistics:

82uniqueministrycentersrespondedinpartorinfulltothesurveythatclaimedaffiliationwithLutheranOutdoorMinistries(LOM)

• 80ofthesesites(97%)wereaffiliatedwiththeELCA

• OtherLutherandenominationsrepresentedincludedLCMS(4%),LCMC(4%),NALC(4%),andEvangelicalLutheranChurchinCanada.

• 13%ofLOMsitesindicatedaffiliationwithmultipledenominations

• Respondingsitesrepresented28USstatesand1Canadianprovince

• 90%ofrespondentswerecampdirectors,8%wereprogramorassociatedirectors,andtheremainderwereothercampstaffmembers.

Figure1:RespondingLOMSites,byRegion

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PropertySize(Acreage):• 13%ownedorleasedlessthan50acresofproperty(orhadnoproperty)• 28%had50-100acres• 25%had101-250acres• 22%had251-500acres• 12%hadmorethan500acres

Budget:Figure2:PercentageofCamps,byAnnualOperatingBudget

• 9%hadanannualbudgetoflessthan$200k• 12%$201k–$350k• 17%$351k–$500k• 41%$501k–$1million• 15%morethan$1million–$2million• 6%morethan$2million

Full-time,year-roundEmployment:

• 6%hadnofull-timestaffmembers• 13%employed1full-timestaffmember• 22%employed2-3• 22%employed4-5• 20%employed6-10• 17%employed11ormore

EmploymentSummary(full-timeandpart-timeyear-roundstaff):

• Aboutathirdoftheseministrysitesoperatewith5orfewerpaidstaffmembers• AnotherthirdofLOMsitesoperatewith6-11paidstaffmembers• Thefinalthirdoperateswith12ormorepaidstaffmembers

Accreditation:57%wereaccreditedthroughtheAmericanCampAssociation(ACA) 15%weremembersofChristianCampandConferenceAssociation(CCCA)

• ThepercentageofLOMcampsaccreditedwithACAhasheldsteadysince2014

9% 12% 17% 41% 15% 6%

<$200k $201kto$350k $351kto$500k $501kto$1million 1to2million >$2million

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GeneralMinistrySiteOverview:• 4%Primarilyadultconferencesandretreats• 22%Primarilyyouth/childcamping• 68%Combinationofyouth/childsummercampingandyear-roundretreats/conferences• 6%rentalgroups,primarilyfamilycampprograms,orotheruses

LOMSiteslargeroperations,onaverage:

• LOMsiteshadhigheraverageannualoperatingbudgetsandmoreyear-roundstaffthannon-LOMsites;62%hadbudgetsofmorethan$500k,comparedwithonly47%ofnon-LOMsites.Itappearsthatthisisduemostlytolargeraveragesummercampprograms.

EvaluationMethods:

Figure3:EvaluationMethodsusedbyRespondingCamps

• SincetheOMCsurveybeganin2014,moreLOMcampshavebegunusingonlinesurveymethods,andmorehavebegunsurveyingparents.

16%

7%

20%

25%

12%

41%

51%

66%

73%

12%

13%

13%

22%

48%

59%

65%

77%

79%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

WeDONOTdoaneffectivejobevaluatingourprograms

Listeningsessionswithclientele

Informalevaluationonly,nowrittenevals

Assesseffectivenessbasedonmissionaloutcomes/goals

Surveyclergyorcongregationalleaders

Onlinesurveyafterparticipantsreturnhome

Surveyparentsaboutchildren'sexperience

Directobservationbyleadershippersonnel

Participantsurveyatendofcamporretreat

LOMsites(82) Othersites(219)

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Camp Type:

Type1:Lowfaithemphasis,weakconnectiontocongregations/denom.ministries

Type2:Moderatefaithemphasis,moderateconnectiontocongregations/denom.Type3:Highfaithemphasis,weakconnectiontocongregations/denominations

Type4:Highfaithemphasis,strongconnectiontocongregations/denominations

Figure4:PrevalenceofCampType

• LOMhasamuchhigherprevalenceofType4campsthananyotherOMCorganization,andthishasbeentruesincethesurveybeganin2014.TheproportionwasevenhigheramongLOMcampsin2018thanprevioussurveys,indicatingastrongerconnectionbetweenLOMcampsandcongregationalministries,combinedwithastrongeremphasisonChristianfaithincampprogramphilosophy.

16%

37%

12%

35%

2%

20%

8%

70%

Weakconnection,lowfaith

Moderateconnection,moderatefaith

Weakconnection,highfaith

Strongconnection,highfaith

LOMsites Othersites

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Part 2: Camp Directors • 98%werewhite

• 74%weremale(underthree-quartersforthefirsttimeintheOMCsurvey)

• Education:49%bachelor’sdegree,43%master’sdegreeorhigher

• 22%hadreceivednoformaltheologicaleducation(comparedwith39%non-LOM)

• 21%hadamastersofdivinitydegree(comparedwith16%non-LOM)Figure5:DirectorAge

Figure6:DirectorTenure

• 58%ofallLOMdirectorswerewhitemalesovertheageof40,downsubstantiallyfrom69%in2016

• LOMdirectorswereslightlyolderandhadmoretheologicaleducation,onaverage,thantheircounterpartsintheotherdenominationsstudied.

• Averagelengthofdirectortenurewasverysimilartootherdenominations,reflectingahighamountofturnoverinLOMorganizationsatthedirectorlevel.One-thirdofLOMdirectorshadbeenservingintheircurrentpositionforlessthan3years,comparedwithonly23%in2016.

• LOMdirectorsweremorelikelytobemalethananyotherdenominationaldirector.

13%

24%

25%

24%

14%

6%

22%

28%

24%

20%

upto30

31to40

41to50

51to60

Over60

LOM non-LOM

10%

20%

27%

21%

22%

21%

11%

24%

22%

22%

<1year

1to2yrs

3to5yrs

6to10yrs

>10yrs

LOM non-LOM

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Part 3: Summer Camp Overallsummerprogramsummary(of65camps):

• 55%hadprimarilyco-edresidentialsummercampforchildren/youth• 40%ranacombinationoftraditionalsummercampandretreatsorotherprograms• 5%wereprimarilyfamilycamp,withsomeadditionalprograms

SessionLengthsOffered:

Figure7:SummerSessionLengthsOffered

WeeksofSummerProgramming:Morethantwo-thirds(70%)ofLOMsitesoffered7-9weeksofsummerprogramming.17%offered6orfewerweeksofprogramming,and13%offered10weeksormore.Summercampprograms:

Figure8:Centralizedv.DecentralizedProgramming

Averageweeklycampfee:$430(upfrom$417in2016and$384in2014)• Halfofcampsreportedweeklyfeesbetween$390and$450,withonequarterlowerand

onequarterhigher• Non-LOMcampsintheUSAcharged$426,onaverage

Table1:AverageWeeklyCampFee,byRegion

Northeast Midwest South West AllUSALOMCamps $425 $430 $454 $408 $430Non-LOMCamps $447 $382 $457 $418 $426

6%

16%

98%

52%

17%

5%

17%

97%

72%

38%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

Morethan2weeks

2-weeksession

Week-longsessions

Partialweeksessions

Singledayprograms

LOMCamps(76) non-LOM(196)

36% 58% 6%

Mostlycentralized Combinationcentralized&decentralized Mostlydecentralized

10Figure9:SummerHousingAccommodationsOffered

SpecialtyPrograms:LOMcampsofferedawidervarietyofspecialtyprogramsthanotherdenominations.Theincreasedprevalencewasespeciallypronouncedinconfirmationcampandtravelingdaycamp,neitherofwhicharecommoninotherdenominations.Morethantwo-thirdsofLOMcampsofferedtravelingdaycampprograms,withanaverageof14daycampsiteseachin2018.FamilycampwasalsomuchmorecommonatLOMsites,with80%offeringtheseprograms.Familycampnumbersrangedfromverysmall(30%servedfewerthan50campers)toquitelarge(15%served300ormore),averagingapproximately100familycamperspersite.Figure10:%ofCampsOfferingSpecialtySummerCampPrograms

24%

20%

40%

54%

64%

26%

31%

36%

66%

61%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

Wildernesscamping

Hotel-style

Dormitory-style

Moderncabins

Rustic(tents,yurts,rusticcabins)

LOMCamps(80) non-LOM(199)

27%

22%

32%

28%

46%

52%

60%

7%

19%

56%

36%

37%

47%

48%

53%

60%

67%

68%

69%

80%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

Tripandtravel

Grandparent/grandchildcamp

Specialneedscamp

Service/missionexperiences

Music,art,anddramacamps

Highadventureorwilderness

Leadershiptraining

Confirmationcamp

TravellingDayCamp

Familycamp

LOMCamps(75) Non-LOMCamps(184)

11Figure11:PercentageofCampOfferingSummerProgramSpecifics(78LOMcamps)

FinancialAssistance(69camps):

Figure12:%ofCampersReceivingFinancialAssistance

CamperDiversity(73camps):

Figure13:%ofCampersthatwereRacialMinorities

Table2:PercentageofCampsusingBibleStudyCurricula InsideOut(C.P.) LOMCurriculum Wroteourown Non-traditionalLOM 4% 65% 27% 4%Non-LOM 40% 6% 36% 19%BibleStudyLeaders:AtLOMsites,thecabincounselorleadstheBiblestudyat82%ofcamps.Thisisthecaseatonly43%ofnon-LOMcamps,manyofwhichusevisitingclergyorspecialtystafftoleadBiblestudy.

0%

8%

26%

28%

51%

60%

60%

69%

74%

81%

94%

96%

96%

97%

100%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

Shooting/riflery

Sailing

Horsebackriding

Rockclimbing

Highropes

Archery

Environmentaleducation

Outdoorcooking

Lowropes/challengecourse

Canoeing/kayaking

Dailyworship

Groupprayers

Groupsinging

DailyBiblestudy/Christianed

Campfires

9%

11%

25%

43%

12%

Morethan75%

51%to75%

26%to50%

10%to25%

Lessthan10%

0%

0%

6%

22%

33%

40%

Morethan75%

51%to75%

26%to50%

11%to25%

5%to10%

Lessthan5%

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LevelofInvolvementofCongregationalLeaders/Clergy

Figure14:%ofCampsIndicatingVariousWaysClergyMemberswereInvolved

• CombiningtheabovesurveyitemsrevealsacomparativelyhighlevelofclergyinvolvementatmostLOMcamps.Mostcampshadahigh(28%)orveryhigh(41%)levelofclergyinvolvement,whileslightlylessthanathirdhadmoderate(17%)orlow(14%)clergyinvolvement.Thisreflectsthemake-upofLOM,whichconsistsmainlyofType4camps.

PercentageofCampersAffiliatedwithConstituentCongregations/Denomination

Figure15:%ofCampersAffiliatedwithConstituentDenomination/Congregations

38%

24%

19%

26%

29%

42%

59%

54%

50%

26%

37%

13%

58%

71%

33%

36%

67%

79%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

VERYFEWleaders/clergyareregularlyinvolved

Manyleaders/clergyareHEAVILYinvolvedincampministries

Leaders/clergySELDOMinvolvedincamplife/activities

Leaders/clergyoftenvisitcampwhiletheircongregantsarepresent

Areinvitedtostayatcampwhilecongregantsattend

Leaders/clergyregularlyleadBiblestudiesorreligioused

Leaders/clergyregularlyleadcampworshipservices

Leaders/clergyministertosummerstaff

Leaders/clergyleadstafftrainingsessions

LOMCamps(76) non-LOMCamps(194)

5%

18%

27%

28%

22%

4%

4%

23%

31%

38%

Lessthan10%

11%to25%

26%to50%

51%to75%

Morethan75%

LOMCamps(74) non-LOMCamps(179)

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Summer Camp Enrollment and Capacity SummerCampCapacity:AquarterofLOMcampshadacapacityof100orfewercampers.Anotherquarterhadacapacityof101-149,anotherquarter150-199,andtheremainingquarter200ormorecampersatonce.AveragecapacityforLOMcamps(160)wasroughlyequivalenttonon-LOMcamps(164).Table3:SummerCampEnrollment: LOM

2014LOM2016

LOM2018

non-LOM2018

90%capacityorhigher 14% 16% 8% 18%75%to89%capacity 42% 33% 31% 31%Lessthan75%capacity 44% 51% 61% 51%Enrollmenthigherthanprevioussummer 41% 49% 26% 51%Enrollmentaboutthesameasprevious 28% 40% 38% 33%Enrollmentlowerthanprevioussummer 32% 11% 36% 16%Highestofpast5summers - 22% 13% 32%Higherthanmostofpast5summers - 22% 24% 20%Aboutthesameaspast5summers - 34% 32% 30%Lowerthanmostofpast5summers - 20% 23% 14%Lowestofpast5summers - 3% 8% 4%OvernightCampAttendance:Summercampattendancenumberswerecollectedfrom76camps,andtheyreportedintotalserving47,649summercampers.Aquarterofcampshad270orfewertotalsummercampers.Anotherquarterhad280to490.Anotherquarterhad500to850,andthelastquarterhadmorethan850overnightcampersinsummer2018.Theaveragenumberofovernightcamperswas627(downfrom796inthe2016surveyand754in2014).DayCampAttendance:On-siteDayCampattendancenumberswerecollectedfrom42camps,totaling11,486campers.Aquarterhadfewerthan50daycampers.Anotherquarterhad51to100.Anotherquarterhad101to250,andthefinalquarterhadmorethan250daycampers.Alargemajorityofdaycampparticipantswereundertheageof12(elementaryage).Themediannumberofdaycampersservedwas108,downfrom155in2018.CamperDays:Camperdaysisanindustrystandardforsummercampenrollmenttypicallydefinedasanovernightand3meals.Alargemajority(77%)ofrespondingLOMcampssaidthattheydonotkeeptrackofthisnumber.Thesmallnumberofcampsprovidingthisnumber(only18)makethedataunreliable,sotheyarenotreported.2018AttendanceSummary:LOMsitessawasubstantialdropinsummercampattendancenumbersin2018.ThiswentagainstthetrendofMainlinecamping,ingeneral,whichsawoverallnumbersincrease.Itisnotablethat2018wastheyearofthetriennialnationalyouthgatheringfortheELCA.Inspiteofthesizeabledropinattendance,LOMcampenrollmentremainedhigher,onaverage,thanotherMainlinecamps,reflectingthehighpriorityplacedonsummercampintheLutheranchurch.

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Summer staff: Mostoftherespondingcampsemployedseasonalstaffmembersforthesummermonths.Mosthadpaidsummerstaffmembers,withonlyafewrelyingpredominantlyonvolunteerstaff.Relianceonvolunteerstaffismuchmorecommonincampsofotherdenominations.The79respondingcampsemployedatotalof2,545paidsummerstaffin2018,withamedianof25staffpercamp.Athirdofcampsemployed20orfewerstaff,anotherthirdhad21-34,andtheremainingthirdhad35ormore.10%had65ormorepaidsummerstaffmembers.LOMcampsemployedfarfewerstaffin2018thanin2016,whenonly66respondingcampsemployedmoretotalstaff(2,705)andhadamedianof32staffpercamp.Stafftraining:Paidstaffmembersgenerallyreceivedextensivetrainingatthesecamps.Theaveragelengthofstafftrainingin2018was12days(equivalentwith2016),with82%ofallcampshavingbetween10and14days.Fewcamps(6%)offeredfewerthan10days,while12%hadmorethan14days.Averageweeklysummerstaffsalary:$237(UPfrom$223in2016and$230in2014)

• Three-quartersofcampsreportedweeklystaffsalariesbetween$200and$250• Non-LOMcampsintheUSApaidsummerstaff$242,onaverage

Table4:AverageStaffSalary,byRegion

Northeast Midwest South West AllUSALOMCamps $208 $246 $208 $240 $237Non-LOMcamps $232 $240 $217 $290 $242

ReturningSummerStaff(75camps):

Figure16:%ofCampsReportingVariousLevelsofStaffReturningfromPreviousSummers

12%

20%

37%

19%

12%

Morethan75%

51%to75%

36%to50%

25%to35%

Lessthan25%

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Part 4: Retreats and Conferences Primaryclienteleforretreats/conferences(77ministrysites):

• 26%Primarilyadults• 1%Primarilyyouth/children• 73%Mixofchildren,youth,adults,andfamilies

RetreatAccommodationsOffered:

Figure17:%ofCampsOfferingSelectedHousingAccommodationsforRetreatParticipants

SeasonalRetreatStaff:Ministrycentersvariedintheirrelianceonseasonalstafftohelpduringtheretreatseason.Overathird(38%)didnotemployanyseasonalretreatstaff.Anotherthirdemployed1-3,andtheremainderemployed4ormore,with10%employingatleast10.RetreatGuestAffiliation

Figure18:%ofCampsIndicatingRetreatParticipantsAffiliatedwithConstituentDenomination/Congregations

32%

39%

49%

46%

62%

54%

47%

57%

39%

42%

71%

52%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

Campgroundfortents/RVs

Hotel-style

Rusticcabins

Largegroupmeetingspace(100+)

Moderncabins(bathroom&tempcontrol)

Dormitory-style

LOMsites(77) non-LOMsites(181)

15%

25%

30%

19%

11%

9%

21%

25%

30%

15%

Lessthan10%

11-25%

26-50%

51-75%

Morethan75%

LOMsites(69) non-LOMsites(168)

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Overnightcapacityforretreats/conferences(outof71ministrysites):Aquarterofministrycentersreportedthattheirovernightretreatcapacitywas75orfewerguests.Anotherquarterhadacapacityof76to120,anotherquarter121to179,andtheremainingquarterhadacapacityof180ormoreguests.ThisbreakdowniscomparabletothereportedcapacityofLOMministrycentersin2016.RetreatGuestsinmostrecentretreatseason:Aboutathirdofministrycenterswereunsurehowmanyovernightretreatgueststheyhostedinthemostrecentretreatseason.Ofthe43sitesthatprovidednumbers,halfhostedfewerthan2,000totalovernightguests,withtheotherhalf2,000ormore,includingaquarterthathosted4,000ormoreguests.Guestdaysisanindustrystandardforretreatenrollmenttypicallydefinedasanovernightand3meals.Overthree-quarters(77%)ofLOMcampdirectorsindicatedthattheydonotkeeptrackofthisnumber.Withonly15campsprovidingthenumberofguestdays,nomeaningfuldatacanbeofferedforLOMasawhole.Table2:Retreat/ConferenceUsage(outof77LOM,179non-LOMsites) 2014 2016

LOMSites2018

LOMSites2018

non-LOMsites90%capacityorhigher(weekends) - 4% 6% 13%75%to89%capacity(weekends) - 16% 30% 20%50%to74%capacity(weekends) - 37% 30% 35%Lessthan50%capacity(weekends) 43% 33% 32%90%capacityorhigher(weekdays) - - 0% 2%75%to89%capacity(weekdays) - - 7% 7%50%to74%capacity(weekdays) - - 8% 12%Lessthan50%capacity(weekdays) - 85% 79%Usagehigherthanpreviousyear - 46% 47% 46%Usageaboutthesameasprevious - 37% 35% 39%Usagelowerthanpreviousyear - 17% 18% 15%Highestofpast5years - 17% 13% 22%Higherthanmostofpast5years - 28% 36% 29%Aboutthesameaspast5years - 40% 38% 36%Lowerthanmostofpast5years - 15% 12% 11%Lowestofpast5years - 0% 1% 2%

• Whilesummercampnumbersweredownsubstantiallyin2018amongLOMcamps,theproblemdidnotextendtoretreatministries,whichfollowedthetrendofotherMainlinecampsbyincreasing.AbouthalfofLOMministrycentersreportedanincreaseinretreatattendancein2018,bothcomparedwiththepreviousyearandwhenconsidering5-yeartrends.Fewerthan20%reporteddecreasingattendance.

17Figure19:PercentageofSitesServingSelectedRetreatClientele(of77sites)

Figure20:PercentageofMinistrySitesOfferingSelectedRetreatPrograms(of75sites)

• Incomparisonwithotherdenominations,LOMministrycentersweremuchmorelikelytoofferfaith/spiritualformationprogramstoretreatguests,alongwithworshipleadership.

29%

39%

47%

49%

51%

60%

64%

69%

70%

83%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

Corporategroups

Ministrytrainingevents/conferences

Clergy/churchworkerretreats

Churchcouncil/presbyteryretreats

Schoolgroups

Non-profitsnotaffiliatedwithchurch

Adultgroupsunaffiliatedwithnon-profit

Family/couplesretreats

Faithformation/spiritualityretreats

Churchyouthgroups

36%

40%

41%

43%

47%

59%

60%

61%

68%

75%

97%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

Craftorartprograms

Archery

Environmentaleducation

Guidednaturehikes

Highropescourse

Spiritualcare,worshipleadership

Linenservice

Faith/spiritualformationprograms

Lowropes/challengecourse

Swimming,boating,orotheraquaticsactivities

Foodservice

18

Part 5: Camp Philosophy LevelofAgreementwithPhilosophyStatementsaboutMinistrySite(outof78LOMministrycenters)–Right-handcolumnindicateswhetherLOMcenters,onaverage,agreedsignificantlymorethan(é),lessthan(ê),orwerenodifferentfrom(≈)non-LOMcenters.

Figure21:LevelofAgreementwithPhilosophyStatementsaboutMinistrySite

• TheaboveresponsesreflectthemakeupofLOMaspredominantlyType4camps.LOMdirectorsweremuchmorelikelythandirectorsfromothercampstoagreethatitisimportantforstaffandcamperstounderstandthetheologyandpracticesoftheirfaithtradition,andtheyweremuchmorelikelytoagreethattheirworshipandprogramsaredesignedtogetcampersmoreexcitedabouttheirhomecongregations.Theywerealsomorelikelytoagreethatfaithformation/practicesshouldbeincorporatedintoallaspectsofcamplife.Inshort,theytendtoplaceahigheremphasisonfaithformationandconnectiontopartnerministries(thetwosignsofType4camps).

• AverageagreementlevelswiththeabovestatementshaveremainedlargelyconsistentamongLOMcampdirectorssince2014.Onlytwoitemshaveshownmodesttrendsforincreasingagreement:“Ourcamphasastrongfocusonnature/creationlearning/stewardship”and“Campworship/programsaredesignedtogetcampersmoreexcitedaboutandengagedintheirhomecongregations.”

8%

10%

24%

31%

38%

44%

34%

51%

52%

50%

58%

70%

21%

33%

46%

36%

35%

28%

45%

26%

32%

40%

35%

25%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

Retreats/conferencesarethemostimportantaspectsofourministries

Atcamp,specifictheologyisnotasimportantasgeneralspirituality/belief

Ourcampisaplacewherepeopleencounterdiversity

Ourcamphasastrongfocusonnature/creationlearning/stewardship

OurcampexiststoleadyoungpeopletoChrist

Ministryofhospitalityistheprimarywayweproclaimthegospeltoguests

Itisimportantforstaff/camperstounderstandtheology/practicesofourfaithtradition

Summercampisthemostimportantaspectofourministries

Ourcampemphasizessummerstaffformationasmuchascamperformation

Campworship/programsaredesignedtogetparticipantsmoreexcitedabout/engagedintheirhomecongregations

Campisaplacetounplugfromtechnology

Faithformation/practicesshouldbeincorporatedintoallaspectsofcamplife

Stronglyagree Moderatelyagree

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19

LevelofImportanceAssignedtoSelectedProgramPriorities(of78LOMministrycenters)–Right-handcolumnindicateswhetherLOMcenters,onaverage,saidspecificstatementsweresignificantlymoreimportant(é),lessimportant(ê),ornodifferentfrom(≈)non-LOMcenters.

Figure22:LevelofImportanceAssignedtoSelectedProgramPriorities

• LOMcampdirectorsassignedhigherlevelsofimportanceto10oftheabove18itemsincomparisontonon-LOMcamps.Acloserlookattheseitemsrevealsthattheyareassociatedwithfaithemphasis,Christianeducation,andconnectiontootherministries(congregationandhome).

• Sixofthe7itemsthatwereequivalentwithothercampsareseculargoals(safety,fun,communitybuilding,etc.).Since2014,LOMdirectorshaveshownamodesttrendofplacingmoreimportanceontwooftheseseculargoals:“knowledgeof/fellowshipwithcreation”and“takingastandonmoral/ethicalissues.”Importanceofotheritemshasremainedroughlyequivalentovertime.

12%

13%

20%

17%

23%

27%

22%

32%

36%

37%

40%

48%

50%

53%

56%

63%

81%

90%

43%

43%

44%

45%

40%

37%

50%

53%

46%

44%

43%

43%

41%

41%

39%

28%

19%

9%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

Takingastandonmoral/ethicalissues

Theologicalinstruction

Peaceandjusticeawareness

FamiliaritywiththeBible

Facilitatingparticipantfaithformationfollowingthecamp/retreatexperience

Learningfaithlanguage/practices

Strengthen/supportcongregations

ParticipatinginChristianpractices

Strengthen/supportfamilies

Knowledgeof/fellowshipwithcreation

Christianeducation

DevelopingChristianleaders

Funforallparticipants

Individualfaithformation

Selfesteem/characterbuilding

Facilitatingparticipants'experiencesof/encounterswithGod

Fellowship/communitybuilding

Participantsafety

Extremelyimportant Veryimportant

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