Lutheran Outdoor Ministries

Compass Points Continuing Education Certificate Program for Outdoor Ministry Professionals
2024-09-22 - 2024-09-28 | Rolling Ridge (MA)
More Information & to Register: http://www.compasspointsprogram.org/upcoming-courses-fall2024/

Upcoming Courses in 2024

Below is the schedule for upcoming courses and the directed study in Site Administration. The two face-to-face classes will be held back-to-back during the week of September 22-28 at Rolling Ridge Conference Center in North Andover, Massachusetts (participants have the option of taking one class or both).
September 22-25 Development

September 25-28 Personnel and Leadership

MYLE, the tAble, ELCA Youth Gathering and Young Adult Gathering
2024-07-13 - 2024-07-20 | New Orleans, LA
The ELCA Youth Gathering is a faith formation event for young people including MYLE, the tAble, the Gathering, and the Young Adult Gathering.
Find more information at https://www.elca.church/gathering

Total Inclusion! Symposium – East Midwest Territory
2024-04-08 - 2024-04-11 | Bethel Horizons, Dodgeville, WI
There will be four Symposium events – one in each of the four LOM territories. Each of them will have almost identical program features that will focus on widening the welcome and inclusion for persons who are often marginalized, particularly persons of color, persons who are LGBTQ, and persons who live with disabilities. Each LOM organization will be invited to have their executive director and two program staff members participate. Additional participants will be welcomed as space at the host site allows.
For the executive director and two program staff members, all expenses for the program and room & board at the host site will be covered by the Total Inclusion! grant. The grant will also cover airfare reimbursements for those who fly.
Airport: Dane County Regional (MSN). Latest flight arrival on April 8, 1:00pm. Earliest flight departure on April 11, 11:00am.
Registration deadline: March 25
Register for the Total Inclusion! Symposium
Click here for information about Total Inclusion

Total Inclusion! Symposium - West Territory
2024-03-18 - 2024-03-21 | Spirit in the Desert, Carefree, AZ
There will be four Symposium events – one in each of the four LOM territories. Each of them will have almost identical program features that will focus on widening the welcome and inclusion for persons who are often marginalized, particularly persons of color, persons who are LGBTQ, and persons who live with disabilities. Each LOM organization will be invited to have their executive director and two program staff members participate. Additional participants will be welcomed as space at the host site allows.
For the executive director and two program staff members, all expenses for the program and room & board at the host site will be covered by the Total Inclusion! grant. The grant will also cover airfare reimbursements for those who fly.
Airport: Phoenix Sky Haven (PHX). Latest flight arrival on March 18, 1:00pm. Earliest flight departure on March 21, 11:00am.
Registration deadline: March 1
Register for the Total Inclusion! Symposium
Click here for information about Total Inclusion

Compass Points - Program Design and Implementation
2024-03-13 - 2024-03-16 | Columbia Theological Seminary, Decatur, GA
Program is the most important facet of outdoor ministry. From determining the need for a program to evaluating the final product, today’s camp and retreat leaders need to be knowledgeable in how programs are designed and implemented. This course will focus on an overview of human growth and development in relation to outdoor ministry, and will look at program models and how they serve as an extension of a ministry’s mission statement. Participants will also study how our summer programs can be part of a year-round ministry.
This course will be held at Columbia Theological Seminary (near Atlanta, Georgia) and will be taught by Dr. Kathy Dawson and Joel Winchip, faculty members of Columbia Theological Seminary in Decatur, GA.
By the end of the course, participants will:
• Identify the characteristics that differentiate program structures
• Analyze the progression we find in program offerings
• Consider how their program is portrayed through their marketing image.
http://www.compasspointsprogram.org/

Compass Points - Biblical and Theological Foundations
2024-03-10 - 2024-03-13 | Columbia Theological Seminary, Decatur, GA
What makes our church camps so uniquely wonderful and sets us apart from other camping organizations is our firm foundation in our beliefs as Christians. This course will enable participants to deepen their knowledge and strengthen their understanding of our biblical and theological roots as the core value for all that we do in our outdoor ministry settings.
At the end of this course, participants will:
• Articulate Biblical themes that form the foundations of outdoor ministry
• Have tools for training staff to lead effective Bible Studies
• Learn how theology should shape the practice of ministry in each outdoor ministry site
• Engage in guided theological discussions
• Understand how campers/participants may encounter Christ through the mundane and extraordinary events of living in community
This course will be held at Columbia Theological Seminary (near Atlanta, Georgia) and will be taught by Dr. Martha Moore-Keish and Dr. Brennan Breed, faculty members of Columbia Theological Seminary in Decatur, GA.
http://www.compasspointsprogram.org/

Total Inclusion! Symposium - East Territory
2024-03-04 - 2024-03-07 | Camp Agape, Fuquay-Varina, NC
There will be four Symposium events – one in each of the four LOM territories. Each of them will have almost identical program features that will focus on widening the welcome and inclusion for persons who are often marginalized, particularly persons of color, persons who are LGBTQ, and persons who live with disabilities. Each LOM organization will be invited to have their executive director and two program staff members participate. Additional participants will be welcomed as space at the host site allows.
For the executive director and two program staff members, all expenses for the program and room & board at the host site will be covered by the Total Inclusion! grant. The grant will also cover airfare reimbursements for those who fly.
Airport: Raleigh-Durham (RDU). Latest flight arrival on March 4, 1:00pm. Earliest flight departure on March 7, 11:00am.
Registration deadline: February 26
Register for the Total Inclusion! Symposium
Click here for information about Total Inclusion

Western Midwest Territory Program Share-A-Thon
2024-01-29 - 2024-02-01 | Camp Shetek, Slayton, MN
You are invited to the West Midwest Program Share-A-Thon at Shetek Lutheran Ministries Monday January 29th-Thursday February 1st. (open to all territories)
The cost is $125 per person. You can call and pay ahead of time 507-763-3567 or you can pay with a card, check, or cash when you arrive.
On Monday you can arrive anytime between 4:30-5:45, we will have supper at 6:00pm! On Thursday morning we will serve you breakfast and wrap up in the morning.
We are looking forward to hosting you at Shetek Lutheran Ministries for the Program Share-A-Thon! If you are planning on attending, please fill out the form below so I can start planning for the event! -Lexie
We will be staying in our new Youth and Adult Lodge for the Program Share-A-Thon! Our lodge has 4 bunk style rooms with both double and twin sized beds. Bedding and towels will be provided! One room has 6 beds and the rest all have 10. Each room has two private shower rooms, one private bathroom, and a sink inside the room. Two of our rooms are handicap accessible. In the common area of the lodge there are couches, tables and chairs, a bathroom, and a kitchenette.
Registration: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScQkLQYrDktvuY1yGNXV3VJaKlOZH45MgDFsDuUjHeMuNgekA/viewform

Western Midwest Territory Gathering
2023-12-05 - 2023-12-07
Camp Onomia (MN)
