Latest Research Highlights of some significant research related to United Methodist camp and retreat ministries

Thanks so very much to the 112 United Methodist Camp and Retreat Centers that participated in this survey. This represents an excellent response rate of 48.5 percent of our 231 United Methodist camp and retreat centers in the US. The data below were collated and sorted over the last eighteen months and are data from 2002 final figures. For the first time, we have important data from people serving in the field across the U.S. This provides very useful information for us all. Again, I want all of you to know how much I appreciate your team effort to gather the survey data. Connie Schmutz and Sean Little deserve special thanks also. Highlights Camp and retreat leaders give high priority to the development of training resources and processes related to living out the core mission of camp and retreat ministries. (See Question 7.) United Methodist camp and retreat centers are almost certainly caring for and serving more than one million people each year. (See Question 8.) Many of our ministries have been in existence for forty years or more, requiring updating of ministry vision and facilities. Among our United Methodist centers, the mean amount of funding being sought for development over the next decade is $2 million. (See Question 11.) Many of our camp and retreat ministries have experienced growth. I am surprised at how many hired staff peoples there are now at our centers. Opportunities for vocations in United Methodist camp and retreat ministry have expanded as we have moved increasingly to year-round ministries. This is very hopeful for those looking to pursue a vocational calling within camp/retreat ministry. (See Questions 1& 2 below.) Finally, there are some very meaningful endeavors that will require funding from generous donors and other sources. This points to a need for endowments and more organized fundraising. (See numerous questions in the following survey replies.) Question 1: Number of year-round, full-time hired staff? 1.8% 25+ 2 centers 0% 16-24 0 centers 5.4% 13-16 6 centers 4.5% 10-12 5 centers 4.5% 8-9 5 centers 6.3% 6-7 7 centers 20.5% 4-5 23 centers 22.3% 2-3 25 centers 22.3% 1 25 centers 5.4% 0 6 centers 7.0% No Data Given 8 centers Question 2: Number of year-round, part-time hired staff? 0.0% 25 or more 0 centers 0.9% 16-24 1 center 4.5% 13-16 5 centers 2.7% 10-12 3 centers 3.6% 8-9 4 centers 9.8% 6-7 11 centers 12.5% 4-5 14 centers 25.9% 2-3 29 centers 20.5% 1 23 centers 8.9% 0 10 centers 10.7% No Data Given 12 centers Question 3: Number of seasonal, full-time staff? 2.7% 50-100 3 centers 7.1% 40-49 8 centers 10.7% 30-39 12 centers 12.5% 20-29 14 centers 19.7% 10-19 22 centers 8.9% 6-9 10 centers 12.5% 1-5 14 centers 9.8% 0 11 centers 16.1% No Data Given 18 centers Question 4: Number of seasonal, part-time staff? 0.0% 50-100 0 centers 0.0% 40-49 0 centers 2.7% 30-39 3 centers 2.7% 20-29 3 centers 12.5% 10-19 14 centers 8.0% 6-9 9 centers 32.1% 1-5 36 centers 12.5% 0 14 centers 29.5% No Data Given 33 centers Question 5: Total number of volunteers supporting the ministry in any way annually? 5.4% 500-1000 6 centers 10.7% 300-499 12 centers 31.3% 100-299 35 centers 17.0% 50-99 19 centers 9.8% 20-49 11 centers 10.7% 1-19 12 centers 2.7% 0 3 centers 10.7% No Data Given 12 centers The total number of volunteers involved annually at the 100 responding sites is profound: 15,818. Realizing that we have more than 200 camp/retreat centers, the total number of volunteers may be approaching 25,000+ nationwide. Click here for more research highlights (questions 6-10). | Camp/Retreat Memo Contents | National Training Event | | Latest Research | The Legacy of Leadership Fund | | The Legacy of Leadership Fund Donation Form (in pdf format) | Camp/Retreat Ministry Certification | Share Our Worlds Concludes | Honoring Retirees | Honoring Colleagues Who Have Died | | Resources | Mark Your Calendars | | Camp/Retreat Memo Archives | |Camp and Retreat Ministries Home |