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

Question 6: If an endowment were available that more of your camp and retreat staff and leaders could use to attend continuing education and spiritual formation learning events, how many leaders (who do not currently have the opportunity to attend) do you estimate would attend? The total number of people not now attending major training opportunities who would do so regularly if there were a fund to support more involvement: The National UM Camp/Retreat Leaders' Gathering and Training: 283 A Regional/Jurisdictional Training: 361 United Methodist Camp and Retreat Ministry Certification: 165 Question 7: Enhancing Our Core Mission. All Christian camp, retreat, and conference center staff in every position must effectively partner in: Creating Christian community experiences focused on actually living out Christian love and growing closer to God. Helping people (both clergy and laity) discern their calls to ministry and/or find renewal for their souls. We offer opportunities for people to grow as spiritual leaders who serve the church and society at large. Providing a ministry of Christian hospitality that welcomes the stranger and helps nonprofit groups in their efforts to better the world. Teaching lifestyles that care for and honor the whole of God's creation. This includes implementing practices of earth care in our programs and operations. If funding can be secured for a nationwide effort to prepare camp/retreat staff and volunteers to be even more effective in these key areas, will you make it a priority in your setting and participate? Yes 79.4% 89 centers No 3.6% 4 centers No Data 17% 19 centers Question 8: Number of Participants and Guests Served Total number of participants in events directly held at or connected with your site that were sponsored by your center, the district, or the conference: 199,309 Total number of additional guests you hosted from United Methodist local churches or organizations who came on retreat or led their own program: 189,185 Number of guests and participants from all other guest groups you partner with and host, including religiously affiliated groups, educational organizations, nonprofit groups, and all others: 323,226 Number of additional camp/retreat participants (not already recorded above) involved in trip camps or programs not associated with a camp/retreat center site that were sponsored by your district or conference as part of the overall camp/retreat ministry offerings: 12,850 Total number of all Camp/Retreat Ministry participants and guests reported by the 104 centers completing these specific questions in the survey: 724,570 The power of camp and retreat experiences for enriching people's lives, drawing them closer to God, and inspiring them to spiritual leadership has long been recognized. What was not known until this national survey was how many people are being affected by United Methodist-related camp and retreat centers and ministries each year. Knowing that only half of our centers completed the survey, the number of people served annually undoubtedly surpasses one million each year, possibly as many as 1.25 million. These numbers do not include local churches that own their own individual camp or retreat centers or youth and adult groups involved in work camp and mission trip camp experiences sponsored by local churches rather than by conferences and districts. Nor do these numbers include people touched by United Methodist and Methodist camp and retreat ministries in other nations around the world. The United Methodist Church has one of the largest networks of camp and retreat centers. This has evolved from a long heritage of recognizing how such sacred settings open people in special ways to the spirit of God. The number of people seeking out these "places apart" within the natural world, places that are dedicated by our churches to helping people experience the love of Christ and presence of God, provide yet another affirmation of their effectiveness and importance. True needs being met, disciples being nurtured, and leaders being called and prepared to return home to make a difference in the world — these are the fruits of the partnership between local communities of faith and camp and retreat ministries as an extension of local churches' impact within the society. Question 9: What is the annual operating budget of your center? 8.0% Over $1 million 9 centers 6.3% $700,000-$999,999 7 centers 18.8% $500,000-$699,999 21 centers 18.8% $300,000-$499,999 21 centers 28.5% $100,000-$299,999 32 centers 11.6% $0-$99,999 13 centers 8.0% No Data Given 9 centers Question 10: What annual subsidies does your site receive from churches, the district, or the conference? 4.5% $200,000 or more 5 centers 8.9% $100,000-$199,999 10 centers 24.1% $50,000-$99,999 27 centers 12.5% $25,000-$49,999 14 centers 16.1% $1-$24,999 18 centers 11.6% $0 13 centers 22.3% No Data Given 25 centers Click here for more research highlights (questions 11 and following). | 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 |