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Here are ideas for how to partner
with outdoor ministries to enrich your
congregation’s ministry:
- Designate a week or two of the
summer camp schedule for your congregation to
participate in as a group. Identify the outdoor
ministry experience as part of the
congregation’s education program during the
summer months. Providing transportation and
offering financial assistance for those who need
it can assure success.
- Offer day camp programs for
children and youth during the summer. Many camps
provide day camp staff and programs in
partnership with local congregational volunteers.
This can be an effective outreach opportunity for
the whole community.
- Make confirmation camp and
retreat experiences an integral part of your
catechetical program. Close relationships of
trust and cooperation can be built between youth
and adults in a place apart from their normal
surrounding over an extended period of time.
- Participate in wilderness,
high adventure camp programs and mission trips.
People grow in their faith and group
relationships as they work cooperatively in
situations that are challenging!
- Work together to address local
hunger and justice concerns. Camps can help pull
together volunteers and “servant event”
programs to help meet local community needs such
as hunger relief, housing improvement, day camps
for children, environmental care, and
cross-cultural education.
- Serve your congregation by
offering Family Camp! Looking for a great way to
spend family time together? Try Family Camp.
You’ll be treated to family fun, fellowship,
learning and worship! Spend time together around
the campfire, swim, fish, go boating and more.
It’s a great family experience! Cabins and
tent/trailer sites are available. Camp staffs are
available to help with programming. Weekend and
week-long camps can be arranged.
- Develop programs for older
adults. Use retreat facilities and staff for
learning, spiritual growth and service
opportunities for older adults.
- Use camp staff to help plan
and implement youth and adult programs. Outdoor
ministries staff have a wealth of programmatic
and organizational skills to share.
- Encourage youth and adults to
work at camp as paid or volunteer staff. Serving
in outdoor ministries enables people to share in
the mission and ministry of the church.
While Lutheran Outdoor Ministries
continue to offer traditional camping programs in outdoor
settings, they have also moved indoors with adult
retreats and leadership training. They’ve also taken
to the streets with urban programs in which young people
experience the needs and cultural diversity of the
cities. And, outdoor ministries are bringing day camps
for children right to the front door of urban , suburban,
and rural churches. Servant events and Mission Trips give
young adults an opportunity to lend a helping hand with
construction, cleanup or environmental projects. Lutheran camps and retreat centers are also
leading the way in ministering to the needs of an active
and growing older adult population. Lutheran Outdoor
Ministries are opening doors, inside and out. Come,
experience the mission and ministry of your ELCA Region 3
outdoor ministry sites!
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Make plans now for a great
summer experience!
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Plan Adult, Family or Youth retreats throughout the
coming year!
Consider programs that focus on: Parenting, family
enrichment, marriage enrichment, leadership development,
daily life issues, or Congregational Planning.
Use the retreat setting to mix
recreation, work, community-building and worship!
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