Outdoor Ministry

The church in a time and place apart

Who We Are

Outdoor ministries encourage spiritual growth for the whole person by providing encounter with scripture, experience and care of the environment, staff witness, and opportunities for worship, re-creation, and relationship development through intentional Christian community. There are approximately 145 ELCA outdoor ministry programs in the United States and Puerto Rico.

The Value of Camping

Camp experiences help build skills necessary to prepare youth to assume roles as successful adults. Parents, campers, and camp staff report growth in areas such as self-confidence, independence, making friends, exploring and learning new activities, and spirituality. Camp provides growth experiences for youth that can benefit them through adulthood.

The Impact of Outdoor Ministry

Outdoor ministries offer a wide vareity of programs that provide growth experiences for people of all ages, many of whom become leaders in the church and their communities. In partnership with congregations, outdoor ministries strive to strengthen, support and lift up the body of Christ through building relationships with others and with God while enjoying creation.

...outdoor ministries strive to strengthen, support and lift up the body of Christ through building relationships with others and with God while enjoying creation.

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