2024 Symposiums Phase 2 Information now available
Click here for Total Inclusion! Website
Total Inclusion! FAQs:
What is the purpose and mission of Total Inclusion!?
“Total Inclusion! Widening the Welcome at ELCA Outdoor Ministries” is a collaborative effort of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) churchwide organization and Lutheran Outdoor Ministries (LOM), the association of the camps and retreat centers affiliated with the ELCA. consisting of 117 sites and 87 organizations in 31 U.S. states and Puerto Rico. Total Inclusion! is an opportunity to inspire, educate and resource LOM organizations as they move toward a wider and more intentional inclusion of people who have been historically marginalized in the church – especially people of color, people with disabilities and people who are LGBTQIA+.
Intentional welcome and inclusivity is a stated priority for the ELCA, as expressed in the ELCA strategic document, “Future Directions 2025.” Through the five goals in this document, the church has committed to equipping church members to confront racism, discrimination, sexism, homophobia and other divisions; providing an authentic welcome to all; and embracing differences as opportunities to learn about and appreciate God’s beloved and diverse creation. Total Inclusion! is a step on our journey to becoming the church that we believe God is calling us to be.
Intentional welcome and inclusivity is also a stated priority of LOM, as set forth on the home page of the LOM website – “LOM Has a Place for Everyone Around the Campfire! In all our programs, activities and events, Lutheran Outdoor Ministries (LOM) is committed to providing safe and inclusive environments that reflect the lessons Jesus taught us: ‘Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another’. (John 13:34) LOM values diversity, opposes discrimination and promotes equal opportunity for all people, regardless of age, abilities, race, ethnicity, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, or others who are often marginalized. We strive to ensure that all participants and staff are valued as unique individuals and can reach their full potential by living and working in a community of inclusion and mutual respect. As an association, we encourage our member organizations to do likewise.”
What is Lutheran Outdoor Ministries (LOM)?
Lutheran Outdoor Ministries (LOM) is the association of the camps and retreat centers affiliated with the ELCA and consists of 117 sites and 87 organizations in 31 U.S. states and Puerto Rico.
With their shared commitment to inclusivity, welcome, and outdoor ministry, the ELCA churchwide organization and LOM have been working closely together in many ways, not the least of which has been to develop a program that promotes diversity, equity and inclusion and will help to realize measurable results. The relationship between ELCA and LOM, already strengthened and deepened by the process of implementing this program since 2020, will continue to be the cornerstone of this shared project. As we move forward together, we will continue to draw upon our respective strengths – LOM’s strong network of leadership development, professional relationships, and event structure and ELCA’s technological platforms and staff capacities – to foster program success.
What is the structure and timeline of Total Inclusion!?
Total Inclusion is now in its second 3 year cycle of programming, running through the end of 2025.
2023: The Total Inclusion Grant cycle for 2023 will open early spring 2023, with awards going out in the summer. Any camp affiliated with the ELCA/LOM and doing overnight youth camp are welcome to apply for this grant, if they have a program/project that meets Total Inclusion goals.
Late 2023 will see the initial training for the Total Inclusion Audit Teams, which will roll out in early 2024
2024: Total Inclusion Audit teams will begin to rollout this year, an application process will be available near the start of the year.
Total Inclusion Symposiums for Camp Executive Directors and Program Directors will take place regionally throughout the year. These symposiums will feature powerful and experienced guest speakers and are free to ELCA/LOM camps.
In a context of sharing and dialog, the specific outcomes which we hope each participant will experience are:
- To become more aware of barriers to the full welcome and inclusion of persons who are often marginalized.
- To begin an assessment of the programs of their own camp in regard to barriers that need to be eliminated.
- To be aware of resistance that is often encountered while working for full inclusion.
- To develop strategies for reconciling conflicts that may emerge when total inclusion strategies are implemented.
- To identify strategies for an action plan to make continued progress. There will be time for participants to work on plans so that they can return to their setting prepared to implement the first steps in their action plans.
- To offer recommendations for helpful resources that are available for camps as Total Inclusion! moves forward.
- To expand awareness of additional Total Inclusion! strategies by hearing what other camps are doing and planning.
- Through worship, devotional opportunities, and guided reflection, to be inspired and committed to the ongoing DEI initiatives of their camp.
- To have fun and experience the joy of working together on challenging endeavors.
Current Symposium schedule is:
- March 4-7, 2024 – East Region, Camp Agape (NC)
- March 18-21 – West Region, Spirit in the Desert (AZ)
- April 8-11 – Eastern Midwest, Bethel Horizons (WI)
- Sept 21-26 – Western Midwest, Metigoshe (ND)
2025: Total Inclusion Audit teams will continue. Grant reporting for the 2024 grants will be due the fall of 2025, and much of the year will be reviewing and evaluating the results of Total Inclusion to date. The experiences of our audit teams will drive the development of a self audit tool for organizations to use.
What has Total Inclusion accomplished so far?
Total Inclusion! has awarded in grants directly to LOM organizations to assure sustainability during the pandemic and to support initiatives related to Total Inclusion at individual camps
Hosted four regional symposiums preparing executive directors and board presidents to support initiatives related to Total Inclusion Goals.
Produced a series of 8 educational videos with presentations by leaders who represent persons who are often marginalized and are familiar with and/or well known throughout the ELCA and/or LOM. https://www.lomnetwork.org/resources/total-inclusion/
Connected with other camping organizations around the country to learn effective strategies and share ideas
Had a diverse slate of speakers at the 2021 LOM Conference, the theme the of which was Total Inclusion!, speaking on a broad range of topics related to diversity, equity and inclusion.
Developed a component of the LOM Annual Leadership Training Event (LTE) that accentuates the importance of addressing issues of diversity, equity and inclusion in an ongoing way throughout the outdoor ministry organizations of the ELCA. This component was implemented in the 2021 and 2022 LTE’s, and is intended to be included in the annual LTE each year moving forward.
What are the hoped-for outcomes and objectives of Total Inclusion!?
Overall outcome #1: Outdoor ministries throughout the ELCA have a fundamental and common understanding of demonstrated best practices around welcoming and including all persons, especially persons of vulnerability who are often marginalized, and implement these best practices in their contexts.
Overall outcome #2: Campers from often-marginalized groups experience camp as a place of belonging, acceptance and spiritual growth, as evidenced by increased participation at LOM sites by campers of color, campers with disabilities and campers who identify as LGBTQIA+.
Objective #1: 60% of ELCA outdoor ministries will have been represented by their executive directors and program staff persons in symposiums that will strengthen their awareness of obstacles to full inclusion and increase organizational competency for full inclusion of people with disabilities, people of color and people who identify as LGBTQIA+. (This will be accomplished through symposiums in 2024)
Objective #2: 50% of LOM organizational members will have been represented by program implementation staff and volunteers at events that will inspire and provide tools for outdoor ministry inclusiveness and be valuable to those organizations for years to come and embed inclusion of persons of vulnerability as a core value for those ELCA-affiliated outdoor ministries. (This will be accomplished through LOM conferences in 2023 and 2024.)
Objective #3: Fifty sites will have strengthened their welcome and inclusion of marginalized persons. (This will be accomplished through our Total Inclusion! Sub-Grants.)
Sub-Grant applicants will need to document inclusion initiatives in their current programming and a strong vision for taking next steps toward expanding their impact. Successful applicants will continue to provide essential expertise to peer organizations within the LOM network.
Applicants will need to demonstrate the will, capacity, and clarity of vision needed to use the funds to further the stated objectives of the Total Inclusion! program.
Additionally, the selection committee will consider questions similar to the following Does the proposal help the organization better include, serve, develop and uplift leadership of participants living with disabilities, LBGTQIA+ participants, and participants of color?
- How closely does this proposal align with the expressed values and philosophy of the ELCA and LOM? How closely does it align with the expressed vision and objective of the Total Inclusion!program?
- How compelling and coherent is this vision? How well did the proposal demonstrate the capacity of the grantee to achieve its goals? How well will the proposed uses of funding meet the need or opportunity?
- To what extent would the proposed initiative broaden the overall capacity of the ELCA to contribute to the objectives of the Total Inclusion!program? Would it further develop the longer-term expertise available within the network of ELCA outdoor ministries? Would it extend reach geographically or in other ways? Would the program develop participants from the identified frequently-marginalized groups as future leaders for camps and other settings? Would it help prepare others to receive them as such?
- How well did the proposal demonstrate the commitment needed to achieve its goals? Did it demonstrate commitment from key stakeholders? Does the proposal demonstrate thorough an honest assessment of the site or organization’s strengths, challenges, and opportunities?
- Would this funding more effectively realize the Total Inclusion!program objective if used elsewhere instead?
What types of programs might qualify for a Sub-Grant?
Potential proposal elements might include, but are not limited to:
- Capital improvements to sites: Improvements in physical accessibility of activities; renovation of restroom and sleeping spaces; expansion of murals and artwork to be more inclusive; segmentation of existing facilities for more affordable “safe space”; and more.
- Expanded programming: Repetition of existing strong programs at new locations; creation or implementation of related new camp programs; revision and repetition of strong programs to reach new age groups; development of curricula, whether for local or widespread use; follow-up programming that would positively impact effectiveness.
- Training and staffing: Expenses related to site visits across camp locations for the purpose of sharing best practices; and funding for specialist staff expertise, whether for training, or for inclusion of any needed and related specialist portion of summer staff.
- Outreach and financial assistance: Initiatives to refresh marketing materials effectively to reflect commitment to diversity; consulting related to the above; focused outreach to campers from the frequently-marginalized groups identified; financial aid for participants from the identified vulnerable groups who need support for travel, special transportation, or enrollment.
Any Total Inclusion related questions can be directed to:
Josiah Benedict