outdoor ministries connection 2018 director survey · 82 unique ministry centers responded in part...
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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
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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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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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