New Strategic Directions for the Future of Camp & Retreat Ministry

Dear friends and supporters of Susquehanna Conference Camp & Retreat Ministry,

The Susquehanna Conference Camp & Retreat Ministry Board has been working diligently for the past two years studying, assessing, prayerfully discerning, and developing strategic direction. The goal of this in-depth process is to provide the best way forward for the future of the overall ministry, its growth, and its missional impact among a widening circle of people in our congregations and communities. Central to it all has been a deep cherishing and valuing of the importance of camp and retreat experiences and the unique benefits and life transforming opportunities they provide.

As many of you know, the past several years have been very challenging and the landscape in which we all do ministry has changed significantly. It is a great responsibility to steward this ministry forward so that it can be responsive and thrive within the changing dynamics, and re-orient to address the emerging needs of our congregations and communities. The Board of Camp and Retreat Ministries will be bringing key recommendations to Annual Conference this year that include strategic realignment to enhance the programs, leadership preparation, outreach, and facilities.

This recommendation also involves reducing the number of facilities we manage, and reinvesting resources and re-aligning staff focus to enhance the fruitfulness and impact of the overall ministry. The plan is to transition programs to Wesley Forest, Camp Penn, and Sky Lake (our Upper New York partner to serve northern tier churches closer to this center.) The recommendation is to sell Mount Asbury and Greene Hills and reinvest the resources for improvements and growth of the overall ministry.

We encourage all of you to attend one of the upcoming regional gatherings to learn more about the background, details, and important reasons for these recommendations. This will also be an opportunity to ask questions and be in conversation together.

Important: These recommended changes do not affect 2024. Camps and Retreats will proceed as normal this current year. Implementation of changes will begin in 2025.

Two gatherings have already taken place. Remaining gatherings are as follows:

Harrisburg Supervisory Area – 
Sunday, March 3, 3 – 4:30 pm
Fishing Creek Salem UMC, 402 Valley Rd, Etters, PA 17319.

Scranton Wilkes-Barre Supervisory Area –
Sunday, March 10, 3 – 4:30 pm
Trucksville UMC, 40 Knob Hill Road, Trucksville, PA 18708.
(in the Education Building.)

State College Supervisory Area – 
Saturday, March 16, 10 – 11:30 am
Park Forest Village UMC, 1833 Park Forest Ave, State College, PA 16803.

Camp and Retreat Ministry Receives Ministry Impact Grant

By Kevin Witt, Director of Age Level and Beloved Community Ministries

Earlier this year, The United Methodist Camp and Retreat Ministry Association announced that a major donor contributed more than 1 million dollars to strengthen United Methodist Camp and Retreat Ministries across the denomination. The donor recognizes the unique power of this ministry to change lives, inspire young people and adults in their giftedness, and create deeper connections with Christ, community and creation. We are thrilled to share that the grant request from the Susquehanna Conference is one of the those chosen to receive funding.

The grant must focus on an initiative that “elevates future sustainability and lasting impact of your camp and retreat ministry”. Here in the Susquehanna Conference the Camp and Retreat Ministry Board is now working with Kaleidoscope —one of the most highly regarded consultants for non-profit and religiously affiliated camp and retreat centers in the country. The board has been discussing the need for a consultation to build upon the good work that has been done in recent years to improve the ministry and its reach. The grant comes at the perfect time. Kaleidoscope excels at helping ministries assess a wide range of factors that contribute to vitality, effectiveness and missional impact long-term. 

The consultation and strategic planning process go deeper in examining key areas to strengthen the overall ministry. One example is mission clarity, focus, and specific outcomes and changes identified as central to the purpose of our camp and retreat ministry. Some other areas of assessment include leadership models and preparation, participant and guest analysis, church and community needs, financial health and sustainability, facilities and programs, staffing, and much more. Kaleidoscope has worked with hundreds of faith-based and nonprofit camp and retreat centers and programs. They bring a wealth of information about innovative possibilities and important milestones to reach for long-term sustainability and greater missional impact. They are very familiar with United Methodist Camp and Retreat Ministries, which adds to their insight in helping us do our own planning for the present and the future.

“The board is excited to engage in this process! We are committed to exploring opportunities to grow the reach and impact of our camp and retreat ministry. We strive to understand more fully and prayerfully discern how we can best serve those in our communities,” said Kristin Hoover, Chair of the Board of Camp and Retreat Ministry.

What a blessing it is to have such a visionary donor who is gifting us and many others with a real opportunity through the Ministry Impact Grant! Thanks to all of you, also, for your prayers as the board seeks God’s guidance in steps that will “elevate sustainability and the lasting impact of Camp and Retreat Ministry” here in the Susquehanna Conference.