The hiring bodies for the vast majority of United Methodist camp/retreat positions are either the conference or the local camp/retreat staff or boards Getting information about current openings is best accomplished by tapping the following sources:

Newscope
Newscope is a good source for job openings that are advertised nationally, such as manager/director or conference staff positions related to camp and retreat ministry. It usually lists the positions once. Newscope gives a brief overview of major news within The United Methodist Church. For more information, call 615-749-6320 or e-mail umnewscope@umpublishing.org.

The United Methodist Reporter
The United Methodist Reporter is another good source for job openings that are advertised nationally such as manager/director or conference staff positions related to camp and retreat ministry. This publication gives detailed information on United Methodist news across the country. The Reporter has a classified section , where positions are often listed.

Conference Newspapers
Most, if not all, United Methodist conferences have newspapers or newsletters where local job openings for camp and retreat positions may be advertised. Call InfoServe at 1-800-251-8140. InfoServe can give you the phone number and address of every conference. You can ask the conference office staff whether or not you can get subscriptions to the conference papers for those conferences in which you have an interest.

Camping Magazine
This is the official publication of the American Camping Association. Many camping sites advertise openings in the classified ads of this magazine, including many religiously affiliated camp and retreat centers. Religiously Affiliated Camps (RAC) are an important part of the American Camping Association. Many of our leaders are members of ACA.

By the way, ACA has a good bookstore for camp and retreat leaders. Call 800-428-CAMP or visit their online bookstore.

Christian Camp and Conference Association Job Listings

The International Association of Conference Center Administrators
The International Association of Conference Center Administrators is a key organization for leaders of retreats and conference centers. The organization may have information on openings among its member centers.

Camp and Retreat Ministry, the General Board of Discipleship, The United Methodist Church
Frequently, notices of job openings are sent to the director of camp and retreat ministries at the General Board of Discipleship Many are not, however, so this source of information should be used in conjunction with other sources. Camping job openings are also posted on the Camp and Retreat Ministries web site at http://www.gbod.org/camping/employment.asp

Kevin Witt
General Board of Discipleship
P.O. Box 340003
Nashville, TN 37203-0003
E-Mail: kwitt@gbod.org

Contact the United Methodist Camp/Retreat Office for a copy of the Camp and Retreat Directory. This is a directory of addresses and contact information for United Methodist camps and retreat centers across the United States. You can then look up and contact a conference staff person or site directly to seek what positions might be open. This is one of the most effective ways to getting the latest information on current openings. Write to the General Board of Discipleship at the address below or call to request the directory. The directory is also available online at http://www.gbod.org/camping/map.asp.

Contact:
Camp/Retreat Office
General Board of Discipleship
C/O Connie Schmutz
P.O. Box 340003
Nashville, TN 37203-0003
1-877-899-2780, ext. 7134 (toll-free)
or in Tennessee 615-340-7134
E-Mail: cschmutz@gbod.org

Jurisdictional and National Camp and Retreat Trainings/Gatherings
These events occur regularly. Many of the people who have hiring responsibilities attend. You can introduce yourself and begin to establish a relationship with key camp and retreat leaders. Attendance at these events also demonstrates a willingness to gain new training in camp and retreat ministry. For information about upcoming events, click on Leadership Training Opportunities, or contact your conference office.

General Board of Discipleship Camp and Retreat Ministires Web Page and E-mail Network
The General Board of Discipleship now provides a camp/retreat web page. Jobs openings that are forwarded for the web page are posted there at http://www.gbod.org/camping/employment.asp.

People may also ask to be added to the United Methodist Camp/Retreat E-Mail Network, where jobs are posted and educational dialogue occurs among many leaders of this ministry. To have your name added to the network, simply send an e-mail message to kwitt@gbod.org and give your name, e-mail address, location, and current responsibility or interest in camp/retreat ministry.

Please, inform the National Camp/Retreat Office, 1-877-899-2780, ext. 7134 if any of this information changes and needs updating. Thank you !

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