1. Aligning Camp Program with Conference Vision and Priorities
Camp in the Community:
Aligning Camp Program with Conference Vision and Priorities

2. Sharon Cook Collin Grooms Coordinator of Camp, Retreat,
and Age-Level Ministries
Collin Grooms
Site Director, Lake Lucerne Camp

3. in the Wisconsin Conference
Vision and Priorities
in the Wisconsin Conference

4. Bishop’s Vision for WI, 2012 quadrennium
Engage our multicultural community
Plant new ministries
Launch turn-around movement with vital congregations
Imagine mercy and justice ministries in both rural and urban communities
Create ‘soul food’ in Wisconsin

5. Bishop’s Funding Priorities, April 2015

6. Engage our multicultural community
Plant new ministries
Launch turn-around movement with vital congregations
Imagine mercy and justice ministries in both rural and urban communities
Create ‘soul food’ in Wisconsin

7. Community Connections
building progression

8. Three Year Congregation Progression
Year One:
50% of camper participants are from outside of congregation
Year Two:
Minimum two outside speakers or programs that invite community members into the congregation to create and strengthen relationships
Year Three:
Begin transition process where the congregation is empowered to outreach into their communities without the aid of the Camp in the Community program
Specific goals- TBD
Each year builds upon itself. Year three thoughts: program volunteers from congregation lead some programming; congregation has a concrete marketing and follow up plan

9. Intentional Post-Camp Follow Up
Tools to remain in contact with campers and camper families
Programmed events throughout school year specifically for campers and families
Strengthened community connections lead to joint events and partnerships
This is to address the “vision for a new ministry” angle– I don’t know if we need a slide or not

10. utilizing a pilot phase
Getting Started
utilizing a pilot phase
Three intentional locations
By invitation, not application
Representing urban, suburban, rural
No financial commitment
Grant money
Collaboration with local leaders
Strong history of camp connection, support
Untested program

11. Started with a Pilot phase
Three intentional locations
Collaboration with local leaders
No financial commitment
Rural
Camps
Three intentional locations
By invitation, not application
Representing urban, suburban, rural
No financial commitment
Grant money
Collaboration with local leaders
Strong history of camp connection, support
Untested program
Bedroom community
Large town

12. Grant Writing Absolute clarity on the program Purpose
Measurable outcomes
Forms, contracts, agreements
Budget
Clarity about the request
Foundation request was for food
Local church request was to subsidize congregations
Accurate, compelling reporting
Account for all expenses and granted dollars
Tell the story of how it mattered
Grants written
WI UM Foundation
Requested $6,750;
Received $4,000
Local church trust fund
Requested $13,100;
Received $5,000
Back-up plan
Use budget funds for
staff
equipment
mileage
Use savings funds for
food
other expenses
Three intentional locations
By invitation, not application
Representing urban, suburban, rural
No financial commitment
Grant money
Collaboration with local leaders
Strong history of camp connection, support
Untested program

13. Three intentional locations
By invitation, not application
Representing urban, suburban, rural
No financial commitment
Grant money
Collaboration with local leaders
Strong history of camp connection, support
Untested program

14. Camp in the Community
details of the program

15. Year One- Camp in the Community Pilot
Friends of camp- Pastors were board members or former staff; Goal to hit Rural, Suburb, Urban; Goal for regional diversity
Mt. Horeb- Growing community, EPIC, rural right now; Watertown- Aging church population, right next to elementary school, fixed income housing on other three sides; Siren UMC- very rural and away from our current camp sites, four point parish
Mt. Horeb UMC
Christ UMC-
Watertown
Siren UMC

16. Program Planning and Design
Initial program framework- Beg, Borrow, and Steal!
Unique program goals and conference objectives to modify
Site visits and presentations to church committees
Scheduled for weeks where in-camp staff usage was lower
Provided resources to churches to create their own marketing
Camp Provides:
Team Leader and Counselors
Curriculum
Program supplies
Handbook for churches
Church Provides:
Church Coordinator
Registration Volunteers
Food Volunteers
Host Homes
Food
Program Space
Initial program framework adapted from Lutheran Outdoor Ministries in Ohio program; Outreach not Inreach- NOT VBS; Already had funding available from grants before presenting to churches; Efficiency of staff usage; Provided logos, funding, and some ideas– stay tuned for year two

17. Program Execution
Much of the program success hinged on a great Team Leader
Good volunteers from top to bottom are crucial
Each space and community was unique and adaptability was key
Successes:
Campers had fun and lives were impacted in positive ways
Brought camp energy to communities
Midweek congregation events
Staff to host home connections
Growth Edges:
Deeper connections for volunteers to campers
Food and schedule
Program ideas that fit in a tote and expand to any space

18. Community Impact

19. Year Two: Expansion Budgeted for program based on 2016 data
Staff, transportation, program, t-shirts, marketing materials (new for 2017)
Call for interest at Annual Conference and conference publications
All three pilot churches signed on for 2017
Two additional churches signed on at the contract price
Most responding churches cited cost and lack of volunteer interest as a factor to not hold the program
Continuing to only schedule during weeks where in-camp staff need is lower

20. Year Two: Program
Emphasis on community based programming (Year Two Goal)
Sunday Pre-Camp Congregation gathering and volunteer training
Midweek family/community event is essential
Program activities continue to innovate for impact and fun
Food must be controlled: church, host homes, etc.
“Branding”- Pre-printed marketing materials, standardized logos and banners, social media guidance

21. Questions?