Camps as Catalyst for Family Faith Practices
about the project
The Rhythms of Faith Project seeks to empower parents and caregivers in family faith formation by leveraging the power of camp experiences.
This project is a 5-year, nationwide, cross-denominational initiative coordinated by Wheaton College’s Center for Leadership Development (HoneyRock), in partnership with Sacred Playgrounds, and generously funded by Lilly Endowment Inc. The project seeks faith formation through partnership: partnership among parents/caregivers; partnership among camps, congregations, and the home; partnership among practitioners and the academy; partnership among different Christian traditions. We bring together scholars and practitioners from Lutheran, United Methodist, and Evangelical traditions, drawing experience from camp, clergy, and academia.
We have been investigating the most promising strategies of overnight Christian summer camps to influence faith formation in the home. Now it is time to test and refine these strategies at camps across the country. The evidence is clear that if we want to have lasting impacts on campers, we must influence faith in the homes and local churches of our camp families.
Project Updates
Regular project updates sharing what we’ve been working on, what we’re learning, and where we’re going next.
In Rhythm · Early Fall 2024
Welcome to the early fall 2024 issue of In·Rhythm, the project updates newsletter for the Rhythms of Faith Project. These updates include the latest findings from the current phase of the project, what the project team has been working on, and what’s ahead for the...
Request for Proposals · Fall 2024
We have been investigating the most promising strategies of overnight Christian summer camps to influence faith formation in the home. Now it is time to test and refine these strategies at camps across the country. The evidence is clear that if we want to have lasting...
In Rhythm · Late Summer 2024
Welcome to the second issue of In·Rhythm, the project updates newsletter for the Rhythms of Faith Project. These updates include the latest findings from the current phase of the project, what the project team has been working on, and what’s ahead for the project,...
Reports & Findings
As we move forward through each phase of the project, we’ll share all we’re learning along the way.
Creative Faith Immersion at Mt. Hermon
“Jesus is our Home, now and evermore.”This was the theme for summer youth camps at Mount Hermon Ponderosa Lodge, Felton, California in the slopy redwood forests of the Santa Cruz mountains. Per the Ponderosa website, six weeklong youth camps took place this summer...
Faith-Centered and Family-Inclusive Ministry at Chestnut Ridge
A Tour of Chestnut RidgeI traveled to Chestnut Ridge as part of the Rhythms of Faith Project, which is investigating camp’s role as a catalyst for family faith formation. Chestnut Ridge was founded in 1959 and is located 20 minutes from Chapel Hill and 30 minutes from...
Sacred Rhythms at HoneyRock
Welcome to HoneyRockThe HoneyRock Center for Leadership Development is located on one of the many lakes that dot the northern region of Wisconsin. Driving to the Center, dairy farms give way to pine woods and I saw many deer and a coyote on my way to the camp in the...
Promising Camp Strategies that Influence Family Faith Practices
The Rhythms of Faith Project seeks to empower parents and caregivers in family faith formation by leveraging the power of camp experiences to establish rhythms of faith through regular Christian practices. Phase 1 of the project sought to answer the question, “What...
Belonging and Empowerment at Rainbow Trail
“Is it done yet?”The 5-year-old peered hopefully over the camp director’s shoulder, watching as his name appeared on the small piece of bass wood. “Almost, buddy,” the director replied with a smile. “Just don’t lose this one, okay?” He carefully carved the name into...
Church is Not a Building: Site Visit at Caroline Furnace
Church is not a building.As I pulled off the Virginia highway during the final stretch of my 6-hour journey to Caroline Furnace, I passed a small building that looked somewhat like a church. The message on the sign in the parking lot read, “This is a building. You are...
A Taste of God’s Kingdom at Gretna Glen
Welcome to Gretna Glen “Hello, Rachael.” “How are you today, Rachael?”“Can I get you anything, Rachael?” I heard phrases like this so much that I had to remind myself that I was not, in fact, in the south. I was at Gretna Glen Camp and Retreat Center in Lebanon,...
Engaging God’s Word at Hidden Acres
Welcome to Hidden AcresSurrounded by Iowa farm fields and buffeted by a preserve of beautiful hardwoods sits a bustling center of life, activity, laughter, and faith formation. Hidden Acres operates camp on a massive scale, yet they also remain committed to intimate,...
Relationships with Impact at Fort Wilderness
Welcome to Fort WildernessI arrived at Fort Wilderness around 2:30 on a Tuesday afternoon and was greeted by Kurtis Moss. Within 30 minutes, I launched into a parent focus group, followed by a pastor group with three people present in the room and six pastors online....
more about the project
Together, we will develop a model program that enables camps to be training centers that equip parents and congregations to maximize the impact of camp-like experiences in developing resilient faith and maturity in their youth.
Throughout human history, God has used time away in temporary community to deepen faith, renew the people of God, and equip them for impact in critical historic moments. Prophets, kings, the nation of Israel, families, and Jesus’ own disciples were transformed and prepared through Spirit-led times away. Christian camping, at its core, performs a similar role in today’s world. The key characteristics and lasting impacts of Christian camping experiences are well- established, with a growing body of literature and scholarship confirming their value and potential. Rhythms of Faith will build on this research and seek to deepen the impacts of camp experiences.
This project will capitalize on the power of camp by equipping families and churches to deepen resilient faith in youth through an evidence-based action-research process. The project team will identify program elements, rhythms, faith practices, and training processes that impact youth directly and improve the partnership between camps, churches, and families. So often, the powerful faith experiences of camp are not understood, transferred to, or capitalized on by the permanent systems. We seek to help parents maximize the impact of these deeply transformational experiences and continue the lessons learned and growth into everyday life.
Once tested and refined, this program will be shared with the Christian camp movement, through denominational training, in churches and with families across the country and around the world. The project team’s visibility, reputation, and prolific writing at the national and international level ensure global impact. As a result of this project, we hope that camps, in partnership with churches and parents, can become a more effective and pervasive catalyst for enduring faith formation, maturity, and leadership development in today’s youth and emerging adults.
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Congregation
Home
Our Outdoor Ministry Partners
Lutheran Outdoor Ministries
Lutheran Outdoor Ministries (LOM) is an association of outdoor ministry organizations, professionals, board members, businesses, and students connected to Lutheran camping, conferences, and retreats.
Christian Camp and Conference Association
CCCA exists to maximize ministry for member camps and conference centers. CCCA works to equip members to provide camp experiences that allow campers to escape their hectic everyday lives, get a clearer picture of God’s love for them, and discover their purpose and passion.
United Methodist Camp & Retreat Ministries
The United Methodist Camp & Retreat Ministries Association resources, advocates, inspires, and networks to enhance the effectiveness and sustainability of camp and retreat ministries.
Project Leadership Team
Meet the team guiding this project, along with our Project Advisory Board, and in partnership with a talented support team.
Jake Sorenson, Ph.D.
Project Co-Director & Director of Research
Founder & Lead Researcher · Sacred Playgrounds
Rob Ribbe, Ph.D.
Project Co-Director & Director of Training
Associate Professor · A. Duane Litfin School of Mission, Ministry, & Leadership · Wheaton College
Rachael Botting, Ph.D.
Project Associate Director
Program Assistant & Adjunct Faculty for Outdoor Adventure Leadership · Wheaton College
Generously funded by a grant from Lilly Endowment Inc.