On this episode, we're excited to sit down with Cara Meredith, a lifelong camp enthusiast, experienced camp speaker, and author of the book Church Camp.

This book has been stirring in many ways for Christian camp and camp-connected leaders, and we are grateful for the opportunity to sit down with Cara to hear the heart and story behind this book and the impact it is having. We'll ask some big questions and peel back what we can learn that can help us connect with our campers in ways that create safe spaces, authentic relationships, and positive, healthy impact.

Plus, our #StatOfTheWeek and #QuickQampQuestion connect directly to our conversation, reminding us that camps cover a broad spectrum of values, theological perspectives, and ways of being camp, and that broad brush strokes and big assumptions can do harm to us and to those we serve.

Connect with Cara, learn more about the book, and find her online at the links below.

Quick Links:

Connect with Cara Online

Church Camp Book

Cara's Substack (including a visit from Jared!)

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Each fall, early in our podcast season, we try to spend time talking through some of our, really your, learnings from the summer. We aggregate data from Effective Camp and Power of Camp projects - those that focus on campers and families - and run it through a variety of statistical and strategic lenses, including comparing this year to previous year's data. This allows us to uncover something deeply valuable in data and in decision-making - a trend.

On this episode, we're looking at a few key insights around camper self-confidence and data trends we're seeing over time, all the way back to 2018, through our COVID summers, and up through the summer of 2025. We'll share what has increased, decreased, what camp is doing to impact confidence, and what we can do going forward.

We also talk through a #QuickQampQuestion about creating resilient leaders ready for long-term camp leadership, and offer a #StatOfTheWeek that surprised us in the direction it changed when we added a single word to a camper parent survey question.

Quick Links:
Camper Confidence Graph - Summer 2025
Post-Camp Pulse Check Results Episode
The Anxious Generation
Elevating Well-Being at Camp
#StatOfTheWeek

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If you've ever planned an event, fundraiser, conference, or other significant gathering, you know that there is so, so much that goes on behind the scenes to make that happen.

On this episode, Jake and Jared are joined by the Co-Directors of the Outdoor Ministries Connection Great Gathering, Cat Holbert and Joanne Kovac-Roberts. These dynamic leaders guide the OMC Great Gathering planning team and the dozens of volunteers it takes to make this gathering happen. We'll ask some questions about gathering design that the average attendee may not know, like the #nervousnightmares.

Then, we'll share insights and stories about why the intentional cross-denominational camp partnerships like the ones this gathering brings about really matter, and are worth giving energy to in your own ministries. The power of these partnerships is what makes this gathering next-level special for every attendee.

Quick Links

OMC Great Gathering Website

Gathering Facebook Page

CampWell X OMCGG

OMC Director Survey

#StatOfTheWeek

Send us a text

Support the show

Connect with our team. Support the podcast. Ask about advertising opportunities. Find us on Facebook & Instagram.