Research Guides: Outdoor and Adventure Leadership: Theses and Creative Projects

The following is a list of recent Wheaton College M.A. theses and creative projects in Outdoor and Adventure Leadership ordered alphabetically by year and then last name of the author. Hover over the "i" icon to see an abstract. Click on the title to go directly to the PDF.

2023

Christian camp director response to the COVID-19 pandemic by Boyle, Raymond J. Thesis The COVID-19 pandemic provided a two-year, real-time case study in how camp directors (as organizational leaders) engage in complex, long-term social problemsolving. This study used grounded theory research methods to conduct and codify interviews with seven Christian camp directors across three Midwestern US states (Wisconsin, Michigan, and Indiana), identifying patterns across their responses to the pandemic. Directors were found to navigate distinct and pervasive atmospheres of uncertainty, opportunity, and opinion as they formulated a holistic response that covered psychological, spiritual, social, and practical aspects of organizational leadership and ministry. Strong relationships—both with God and among their systems of support—were credited with sustaining them personally throughout the pandemic; additionally, transparent communication, plasticity, and key resources that just ‘fell into place’ were found to be vital to continued organizational health. While weary from the pandemic, directors expressed a sense of significant positive growth, personally as well as organizationally, and conveyed hopefulness when looking to the future.
Emerging adulthood: the transition from a gap year into higher education by Gustafson, Kenyan Thesis This study explored the lived experience of gap year students transitioning into higher education upon the completion of their post-high school gap year program. This study sought to understand the challenges, supports, and helpful elements that influenced the transition experience. Eleven gap year alumni were interviewed regarding their lived experiences transitioning into college following the completion of their gap year. This study found that gap year alumni reported numerous challenges associated with the transition to college, primarily difficulties finding belonging and interpersonal connections. Additionally, this study found that the aspects most helpful in facilitating transition were relational support and the personal growth that students experienced during their gap year.
Impact of faculty relationships during outdoor orientation programs on college freshmen's adjustment to college by Norbeck, Emily A. Thesis The purpose of this study was to determine the impact that faculty members have on a student’s adjustment to college when faculty are a part of an Outdoor Orientation Program (OOP). In prior studies, the positive impact of OOPs has been demonstrated in multiple areas of a student’s college experience, including academics, social interactions, spiritual life, and overall adjustment to college. Research has also been conducted studying the positive impact that faculty-student relationships can have during college. This study explored literature on the development of emerging adults, OOPs, and faculty- student relationships. This study used a qualitative methods approach, utilizing semi- structured interviews to determine how faculty impacted a student’s adjustment to college as part of an OOP. Through an analysis that utilized grounded theory, key themes of how a student adjusted throughout the stages of entering College were explored. The findings suggest that when faculty are part of an OOP, it creates an environment to start the faculty-student relationship that holds immense benefit for students as they enter college, capitalizing on the known benefits of both OOPs programs and faculty-student relationships.
A fatherhood curriculum for the Latin American context using adventure programming by Rodríguez, César A. Creative Project This creative project uses wilderness and adventure programming to address fatherhood issues in Latin America. God created man to reflect and exalt his Creator in this life. Fathers are instructed in the Scriptures to be loving, compassionate, understanding, patient, wise, faithful, and trustworthy, to show forgiveness through faith and humility, and to teach biblical principles to their children (Ephesians 6:4, Colossians 3:21). In Latin America, fatherhood is beset by a poor upbringing on the part of men, a high percentage of separation of children from their parents, an increase in divorces, and the burden of single motherhood. A curriculum with ten lessons was developed to tackle some of these challenges. It is designed for fathers, men who may someday be fathers, and men with any paternalistic role in Latin American society. These lessons were designed to be delivered during an outdoor activity for SportQuest, a Christian sports and adventure ministry in ten countries worldwide, through a program called Xtreme Character Challenge (XCC). The XCC promotes good physical and mental health, develops discipleship, seeks spiritual formation, and increases learning through bible study. It also creates unique and significant memories. This experience will involve a 72-hour challenge, during which teams will face adversity as they encounter the lessons created for this curriculum, designed to follow rites of passage format.
Assessing the impact of worship on spiritual formation at summer camp by Schultz, Josie B. Thesis This thesis explores corporate worship and the unique experiences and impacts of participating in worship in the camp context. The practice of worship in the camp context is a gathered experience distinctively impacted and influenced by the individuals in attendance. While research has explored how spiritual disciplines and worship can be spiritually formative, very little has examined how the camp context may affect these benefits. The literature review explores the foundations of spiritual formation, the various spiritual disciplines, and models of faith formation. This research seeks to answer the question “How does worship at camp impact spiritual formation?” To answer this question, data from 12 participants ranging in age from 16-18 was collected during the summer of 2022 through interviewing them and allowing them to share about their worship experiences at camp. This research found that the worship experience impacted several aspects of spiritual formation, categorized by three main themes: Broadened Belief, Faith in Community, and Closeness to God.
Supporting the mental and emotional health of camp summer staff by Southerington, Margaret Thesis The mental and emotional well-being of emerging adults is an area of growing concern. As Christian camp summer staff primarily consist of this age group, it is essential for leaders of Christian camps to understand the mental health concerns of emerging adults and how their summer staff are impacted by them. In this qualitative study, eight leaders of Christian camps were interviewed to explore their observations of mental health concerns among emerging adult summer staff, specifically in the Christian camp context. This study also addressed strategies for supporting the mental and emotional health of summer staff during their employment at camp, as well as the perceived effectiveness of these strategies, according to camp leaders. Leaders’ perspectives and experiences regarding the relationship between camp and mental health professionals were also explored.

2022

The gap year effect: how Christian gap years help emerging adults develop a lasting faith by Sawer, Abigail Thesis The purpose of this study was to determine the connection between the development and longevity of faith in a Christian gap year. In prior studies, gap years have been identified as a catalyst for growth and development for emerging adults. Research on emerging adults has shown that taking a gap year and intentionally engaging in a safe, temporary community helps in self-development and the ability to function long term, and the transition into adulthood. The literature explored in this study was the development of biblical disciples, emerging adulthood, and gap year programs. The study used a mixed-methods approach to determine the faith development that happened during a gap year and the faith longevity of alumni from Timberline Lodge Bible School and Discipleship Program, a Christian gap year program in Colorado. The quantitative part of this study used the Faith Maturity Survey by Benson et al. (1993). The qualitative part of this study involved interviewing 9 alumni ranging in age from 24-31, who all completed the program between 2010-2016. The findings suggest that by participating in a Christian adventure-based gap year program, specifically a Torchbearers International program, a person is better equipped to handle the challenges of life and to transition well into adulthood.
An experimental entrepreneurship education curriculum for a farm-based youth program in the greater Boston area by Shattuck, Emily Creative Project The goal of this project is to create a faith-based experiential entrepreneurship curriculum in the context of farming and agriculture that supports asset building according to the Positive Youth Development approach to youth programming. Though a nascent topic, research is being done worldwide discussing the benefits and best methods of entrepreneurship education among adolescents (Obschonka, 2016; Kruse, 2019). This creative project addresses questions on how best to teach and use entrepreneurship education with the belief that entrepreneurship education has much more to offer than just “business skills.” It utilizes the assertion by Martin Obschonka, (2016) that entrepreneurship is not simply a business principle but a skill that, due to factors such as risk taking and personal agency, creates an “agent for social change...” and has become a critical skill to have in the 21st century (Obschonka, p. 196). Literature explored includes topics on adolescent development, entrepreneurship, and positive youth development. The curriculum, born from the findings of this supporting literature and the author’s experience in the field, includes a 10 lesson plan on experiential entrepreneurship for early adolescent urban youth in a farming and agricultural context, which span the course of ten months. The faith-based lessons include the following ten topics: Entrepreneurship, Creativity, Collaboration, Innovation and Problem Solving through Brainstorming, Market Research, Prototyping, Business Planning, Pitching, Marketing and Sales, and Hosting a Farmers Market.
Adaptable outdoor orientation program curriculum by Thacker, Terik Creative Project This creative project focuses on the necessity for wilderness based, rites of passage programs for emerging adults going into their freshman year of college or university. The literature review portion of this thesis covers the critical nature of rites of passage, the transitional time of emerging adulthood, and the importance of wilderness in these rites of passage events. The curriculum portion of this creative project seeks to provide colleges and universities with a framework to create an outdoor orientation program. This curriculum will help with the transition from high school to college, providing a meaningful transitional time. The transition will be aided by providing students with 10 foundational questions which they will learn about and discuss. This meaningful and intentional transition will create a rite of passage event, which will aid students in the process of moving from childhood and into adulthood. The methodology utilized will be Kolb’s Experiential learning model and Lebar’s teaching-learning philosophy to teach in discussion based small groups. With this considered, the curriculum is created with Vella’s curriculum approach, to maximize the effectiveness and flexibility of the curriculum. These small group discussion times will occur after a day of travel and wilderness adventure, which will lend itself to the learning process.

2021

Grit through community: individual development from living communally by Cassel, Olivia Thesis Grit has been identified as a developable trait that contributes to the long-term success and well-being of individuals. Individuals themselves cannot exist outside of communities. Research on healthy communities has existed for decades and shows distinct long-term benefits in the growth and development of individuals. Both the development of grit and the development of healthy communities share core themes of repeated practice and perseverance through challenges as well as the importance of the individual’s mindset. In this qualitative study, former participants of a gap year program participated in semi-structured interviews regarding their experiences living in community for 6-8 months. Through an analysis that used grounded theory, community experiences emerged as a possible context for the development of grit. A person’s mindset and effort, when pursued within the context of relationships with all their challenges, can promote growth in individual’s and much of this development is described in terms related to the development of grit.
Discipleship-based leadership development: a training program for summer camp student leaders by Crawford, Kirstin Creative Project The primary aims of this project are to 1) answer the question – how does integrating the Biblical components of discipleship into leadership training impact young adults working seasonally in a camp setting?, 2) provide a framework for the execution of the theories explored in the literature review, and 3) create a curriculum for leadership training specific to seasonal middle management leaders of summer camp. To answer the question posed above, the literature review section of this creative project will define discipleship and examine how it relates to leadership development, how it might fit with the objectives and characteristics of the camp context, and the impact that integrating this approach may have on college students in relation to research that has been done on this age demographic. These theories will be the building blocks for the foundation of the curriculum and training framework that follows.
Director definitions of leadership in a Christian camp context by Nichwitz, Rachel Thesis ...the purpose of this study is to determine how Christian camp leaders define leadership, if there is a predominant theory and/or definition amongst their responses, and how the camp context impacts their definitions.
Equine-assisted learning for emerging adults: a curriculum for ministry by Sheriff, Rebecca Creative Project The end result of this creative project is a three-tiered horsemanship lesson program intended for emerging adults. Emerging adults with varying levels of prior horsemanship experience are catered to in this program, with the three levels being 1) introduction, 2) intermediate, and 3) advanced. Horsemanship is further divided into five key areas of learning: 1) groundwork, 2) equine psychology, 3) equine science, 4) riding, and 5) riding on the trail. Out of these three levels and five areas of learning stem the individual lesson plans; eight lessons are provided in each of the three levels.

2020

The practice of retreat and its application in outdoor ministry for young adults by Duarte, Abrahm Thesis This thesis explores the discipline of retreat as an essential need for today’s young adult, first by surveying some modern issues presented to today’s young adults, secondly by investigating literature surrounding the history and theology of retreat practice, and lastly by proposing a model for its implementation within contemporary outdoor ministry settings. The domain of retreat practice has received a renewed surge of interest in recent decades. Young adults—believing and non-believing alike—are turning back to the ascetic practices characterizing the wilderness retreats of the early church fathers and mothers, longing to experience both bodily and spiritual rejuvenation in personal and communal spheres of life. More than ever before, rhythms and practices associated with rest and mindfulness may prove to be tremendously advantageous and relevant for the younger generation. Literature regarding the effects of fast-paced living and an overabundance of technological connectivity point to ever-increasing states of exhaustion and distraction in young adults. Interestingly, the disciplines which embody the practice of wilderness retreat have been used throughout the ages of the church to combat these very issues. It follows that a dive into the literature surrounding the retreat history and theology is warranted. This study first explores the modern world of today’s young adults, setting the groundwork for the discipline of retreat. Next, it explores the literature surrounding the discipline of retreat, tracing its origins through the ages and identifying key principles and exercises associated with its preparation and observance. Lastly, this study attempts to integrate the findings into to the modern context—specifically the world of outdoor ministry—by providing a critique and recommendations for tuning retreat practice to suit the needs of today’s young adult.
A wilderness backpacking curriculum for a Lutheran camp in Indiana by Fann, Jackson Creative Project The purpose of this project is to create a wilderness backpacking curriculum for camp Lutherwald in Northern Indiana that uses positive youth development assets to attempt to transform mid-adolescents and provide physical, cognitive, emotional, and spiritual benefits from time spent in nature.
Impact of summer camp employment on leadership skills in emerging adults by Port, Jessica Thesis This study explores data gathered by Ribbe and Botting in their greater study “Exploring the Impact of Summer Camp Employment on Camp Staff” in which 526 camp staff between the ages of 18 and 25 fully participated. The study utilized the pre-existing Leadership Practices Inventory scale developed by Kouzes and Posner. This exploration aims to investigate the impact of summer camp employment at a Christian camp on the leadership skills of seasonal employees and the difference in growth in leadership skills dependent on gender and role while employed at camp. While the data do not demonstrate direct causation between camp as a developmental context and growth in leadership skills, there is demonstrated growth in leadership skills no matter gender or role demonstrated in the data.

2019

A staff training model: working with campers with Autism Spectrum Disorder by Boyd, Joshua Creative Project As we look forward into the future of Christian Camping, serving more diverse populations is increasingly becoming a major need. One of those diverse populations is campers with disabilities. This staff training is becoming more important as more camps that don’t specialize in camp for disabilities are finding a rise in the possible inclusion of campers with disabilities. To be able to serve them well, and to be able to minister to them and share the Gospel with them just like we do with our other campers, we must be prepared. This experiential training will prepare staff with vital skills and knowledge to best serve these kids and provide the best and safe camp experience possible. This training is for staff that are specified as Special needs counselors and for those in the Unit Leader positions. (Unit leaders are in charge of a group of counselors or staff)
Experiences of Honduran and Mexican Christian camping international/Latin American national associations with the efforts of CCI/LA Central Office to accomplish its mission of linking the ministry of Christian camping with the work of the local church by Rivas de Umaña, Evelyn Thesis Christian Camping International/Latin American (CCI/LA) ministry is an institution that supports the work of the local church in camp-related ministries by providing tools that help churches use camps to disciple the body of Christ, Through the use of CCI/LA’s tools and programs churches, see growth in the spiritual life of the body of Christ. The Latin American evangelical church is culturally accustomed to being the institution that takes a leading role in running camp programs. The church leaders identify and prepare what will be taught in their camp and, typically, are responsible for the whole event. CCI/LA supports the church in that work. CCI/LA also supports other institutions such as campsites or related ministries that can use camp tools for their own performance purposes. The working strategy of the international association is to invite countries to be part of the global alliance, by forming a working team in their country. These teams are called National Associations (NAs) and they adopt the mission of the international organization as their own. In this way the international organization reaches the countries where the national association resides; it becomes a local ministry that serves the local church and related ministries in the fulfillment of the great commission through the ministry of camps. Observing the relationship between the central office and the national association, generated the following question: What is the experience of the Honduran and Mexican Christian Camping International / Latin American National Associations as it relates to the effort of the CCI / LA Central Office to accomplish its mission of linking the ministry of Christian camping with the work of the local church? This question forms the basis of this study. The qualitative research included sixteen interviews; eight of which were conducted in Mexico and eight in Honduras. All interviewees were either participating members of the NA board of directors or were part of the team of volunteers that supports the work of the NA. The findings produced a diagnosis that can help strengthen the work of the national teams. The research highlighted the need for improvement in administration, discovered challenges related to communication, discussed the NAs relationship with the central office and revealed their perception of the mission and how they work for the fulfillment of the said mission. This document is presented as a contribution that can be of benefit to the national associations as they develop a plan to improve their performance. Given that the organizations have a reciprocally active role in camp ministry, contributions will help improve the work of both of the institutions, the central office, and the national association.
Spiritual formation of adolescents in camp ministry: a staff training guide by Taetzsch, Hanna Creative Project

2018

Intentional community for camp professionals by Clark, Amber Thesis As camp ministry has become a growing field in recent years, more questions and implications concerning longevity in this vocation have risen. One such issue is that of active church attendance and involvement for camp professionals. This study sought to unpack the dilemma of church participation for people who work in camp ministry full-time. This paper explored a further understanding of the church, intentional community, and camp community to discover whether they serve the same functions and purposes. The research was conducted by both a historical and theological literature review. The historical research sought to understand the beginnings of church and how it has changed and developed over the centuries. An in-depth theological review studied the nature and functions of church, as well as the nature of Christian and camp communities to understand their characteristics and purposes. Finally, a cross-examination of all was done to determine if church, intentional community, and camp community can serve the same functions and purposes for camp professionals.
Impact of summer staff training experience on counseling staff perceptions of preparedness by Eddy, Phillip Thesis This thesis sought to answer the question, How do camp professionals best prepare counselors for ministry? Christian camps seek to prepare their staff as best they can in a limited amount of time. In order to train effectively, trainers of counselors need to know how much time to spend covering different aspects of training. A quantitative research survey was administered to the counselors of twelve Christian Camp and Conferences of America (CCCA) member camps that solicited the level of felt preparedness before training and after training. In addition, the program directors of those twelve camps submitted an inventory that showed the amount of time in hours the counselors were trained in different training aspects. The results were used in a Pearson correlation test to measure any correlation between time spent in different training aspects and any increases in levels of felt preparedness. A paired-sample t test showed an increase in overall preparedness from before to after training. The correlation test yielded minimal results when it came down to specific training aspects, but when those aspects were lumped into training areas by role, the results showed that those counselors who spent more time training in the areas of "one-on-one counseling" and "mission and vision" experienced increases in levels of felt preparedness. These findings indicate that camp managers should spend more time communicating a shared mission and vision from which to serve, and more time training in responsive and relational aspects of their role in order for counselors to feel more prepared heading into their summer of ministry.
The impact of previous counselor-in-training participation on self-perceived summer staff job performance by Hardy, Maggie L. Thesis The purpose of this study was to determine the nature of the relationship between past participation in a counselor-in-training (CIT) program and summer staff job performance at two different camps, New Life Ranch and HoneyRock. Forty-nine summer staff responded to an online survey that enabled them to rate their job performance according to the Role-Based Performance Scale (RBPS). The results showed that past CIT involvement was not an overall predictor of job performance; however, an analysis of the individual scale items revealed veteran staff who were once CITs were more inclined to see themselves obtaining personal career goals and working as a member of a team through their summer staff experience. Staff with no previous CIT experience significantly outperformed past CITs in their quantity of work output. As a whole, these findings suggest that CIT programs at HoneyRock and New Life Ranch minimally impact the workplace performance of their staff. Further research is necessary to understand CIT program outcomes in areas such as recruitment, retention, return on investment, and personal and vocational development. These outcomes are more abstract in nature and would benefit from qualitative study.
Does the setting matter? : exploring college student engagement during daily devotion with in a wilderness and camp context by Lindsey, Breann Thesis This study was designed to investigate college student engagement during daily devotion within two contexts: the wilderness and residential camp settings. Survey methodology was used to collect data from college student summer staff from HoneyRock, the Outdoor Center for Leadership Development of Wheaton College. The survey questions were answered by 65 of 100 college students, a 65% response rate. The results indicated that college students did not perceive a significant difference in engagement with daily devotions based on physical setting. The respondents did indicate in one survey question that they were more aware of God's presence in the wilderness setting. The respondents also indicated that the extent they were able to engage with Morning Watch overall was higher in the camp setting. Residential camp and wilderness tripping can provide a space for one to engage in the word of God and his creation. In light of the results of this study, when looking at college student engagement with daily devotions, it is recommended that HoneyRock continues its practice of daily devotion, or Morning Watch, with staff each summer. Daily devotion is valuable because it is a way of becoming awake and continuing to stay awake to God, something that is crucial in full-time summer ministry.
Impact of adolescent summer camp experience on college student's attitudes toward body image by Vannoy, Morgan R. Thesis This study was designed to better understand the possible effect that going to summer camp during adolescence has on attitudes toward body image of college-age students. Survey methodology was used to collect data on adolescent camp experience as well as attitudes of body image from students at Wheaton College in Wheaton, Illinois. To measure body image, the Objectified Body Consciousness Scale was used, which separates overall attitudes into three different categories of body shame, body surveillance, and appearance control beliefs. The results showed that adolescent camp experience had no effect on attitudes of body image of those surveyed. Significant differences in attitudes of body image, however, were found amongst males and females. Females scored higher on the questions regarding body surveillance, meaning they think about how their body looks more often than how it feels, whereas males scored higher on questions regarding appearance control beliefs.
A theological study of Native American spirituality and Christian camping by Wade, Silas Thesis This thesis seeks to understand the ways in which a Native American spirituality (with a focus on the natural world) can inform our theology and practice of Christian camping. Three areas of study comprise this study: a theology of creation, a Native American spiritualty of creation, and an integration of literature on Christian camping. Christian camping is a unique ministry that combines the outdoors, experiences, trained leaders, and community to meet spiritual objectives.1 Whether this is discipleship, character development, or hard skills, these objectives often call for adventure, difficult experiences, temporary community, and other methods.2 Creation theology is an informant for Christian camping, providing basis to believe that God reveals Himself through His creation (Romans 1 :21). God has used experiences in creation to teach and transform people throughout the scriptures. 3 The natural world, including us, are created and sustained by God to worship Him through the fulfillment of His purposes.4 All of creation is good by virtue of her Creator being good. 5 This and our biblical role as humans gives us the call have knowledge of creation, concern for creation, sacrifice for creation, and movements towards the redemption of creation. 6 Native American spirituality recognizes the interdependence and interconnectedness of creation and lives within a culture that informs the posture of the community toward their proper relationship with the rest of creation. 7 This study seeks to integrate these three areas of study into a model of how Native American spirituality can inform Christian camping towards a more holistic theology and practice that moves practitioners of Christian camping towards a truer occupation of their calling. As a result of this study, we have learned that Christian camping can learn from Native American spirituality and develop a more holistic theology and practice of creation through the incorporation of liturgies, rites, ceremonies, and practices that tell the story of creation theology. Through this, Christian camping and the community therein can hope to be informed by God's truth of Himself and His creation, and their activities in relation to God and to the natural world can move towards a fulfillment of the human roles of steward, protector, and servant. As a result, an enjoinrnent of creation in worship of the Creator and a redemption of creation can occur.
Establishing mentoring relationships between older women and younger women through a Fall retreat by Walker, Alyssa Creative Project The purpose of this project is to introduce a designed weekend fall retreat for the women’s ministry at Brookside Church. Brookside Church is affiliated with the Fellowship of Evangelical Church’s and is located in the suburbs of Fort Wayne, Indiana.
Exploring the relationship between sense of community and job satisfaction among residential camp counselors by Zeigle, Bryce C. Thesis This study was designed to explore the possible relationship between job satisfaction and sense of community among residential camp counselors. Electronic survey methodology was used to collect data from the residential camp staff at six American-Camp-Association-accredited camps in Wisconsin. The survey received responses from thirty-eight residential camp staff. Participants assessed the job satisfaction and sense of community at the respective camps where they were employed the summer of 2017. The fifteen-question Minnesota Satisfaction Questionnaire and the twenty-four question Sense of Community Index measured job satisfaction and sense of community, respectively. The results support a positive correlation between general job satisfaction and a general sense of community. Further analysis showed strong positive correlations between general job satisfaction and three sense of community subscales: membership, influence, and shared emotional connection.

2017

Christian camp program director perceptions of the role of high school camp programs in facilitating identity formation for adolescents by Anderson, Emily Thesis Adolescence is a challenging period in which young people are struggling to figure out who they are and where they belong. Within contemporary society, the possibilities to choose from seem limitless, and the way forward is often uncertain. In light of the need of guidance for adolescents during this stage in their lives, this study explored the perceptions of high school program directors of how high school camp programs helped facilitate identity formation in adolescents. In addition, the alignment between components of the high school camp programs and rites of passage goals, structure, and process was explored. Seven program directors from six Christian camps in the Midwest participated in semi-structured interviews for this study. The interviews were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed. Qualitative analysis of the transcripts yielded four emerging themes. The program directors' perceptions revealed contributions to identity formation through shaping the adolescent's purpose, forming him or her in community, and providing opportunities for agency, all of which were facilitated in the context of a temporary system. The high school camp programs, according to the program director's perceptions, endeavored to help adolescents discover a biblically grounded understanding of their purpose that impacted their lives holistically. The adolescents were immersed in a supportive community of positive and empowering adults. They were given opportunities to develop skills, exercise independence, explore creativity, and broaden their horizons through unique experiences. Finally, the nature of camp as a temporary system enabled them to be separated from the normal responsibilities and distractions of life. Implications of the study were that camps should seek to foster the rites of passage process during the high school programs as a way to purposefully provide guidance during the uncertainty of adolescence. In addition, camps should learn from the Positive Youth Development perspective, in particular PYD goals, atmosphere, and activities, in order to enrich adolescents' experiences at camp and help them continue to integrate their faith and life.
Offering Haitian youth a camp experience as an alternative to Mardi Gras by Bierma, Amanda Creative Project The purpose of this project was to design a curriculum for a week-long Christian camp experience in Haiti for Haitian teens during Mardi Gras as well design a curriculum for a one day training for the Haitian staff that will be working with the teens for the duration of the camp program.
Is it just a camp high? : a study on the continuing effects attendance at Christian summer camps has on spiritual formation in adolescents by Cloughly, Emily Thesis This study was designed to evaluate the effects Christian summer camps have on the promotion of continuing spiritual formation in adolescents. Survey methodology was used to collect data from adolescents that had attended a Christian summer camp in the Midwest of the United States. This research sought to answer if attendance at a one-week Christian summer camp has continuing effects on spiritual formation in adolescents and what aspects of spiritual formation are most affected by the camp experience. The results indicated that attending a Christian summer camp did have effects on the spiritual formation of the adolescents that were surveyed. No generalizations could be made due to a limited response rate. The participants of the survey grew in spiritual maturity and practice of spiritual disciplines.
An exploratory study on the leadership development of seasonal staff at camp by Davis, Sarah Thesis Often, emerging adults spend their summers working in the camp environment. While efforts have been made to understand the camper experience, research regarding the growth and development lacks, especially as it concerns leadership. This study uses data gathered by Ribbe and Cyrus in their exploratory study, "Exploring the Impact of Summer Camp Employment on Camp Staff." In this study, 236 camp staff between the ages of 18 - 24 completed the Leadership Practices Inventory by Kouzes and Posner. This study seeks to explore the following: (1) the impact of Christian summer camp employment on leadership development of emerging adult staff and (2) what aspects of staff training, supervision, and care are correlated with positive growth in leadership. The data showed that emerging adults do grow in leadership ability from the beginning to the end of their summer spent working in the camp employment. Although camp cannot be claimed as the cause of this positive change in leadership, Pearson Correlation tests reveal that there is a connection between aspects of staff training, support, and supervision and what the Leadership Practices Inventory measures.
Christian wilderness adventure ministry: a practical philosophy of Christian formation for adolescents and emerging adults applied in HoneyRock's School of Adventure Leadership Training by Limkeman, Andrew Creative Project The purpose of this project is to recover the role of wilderness expedition in camp ministry first by articulating a philosophy of Christian wilderness adventure ministry (I will abbreviate this as “CWAM”) as a subcategory of Christian adventure ministry (which is in turn a subcategory of experiential education). CWAM is distinct from Christian adventure ministry in general, because not all outdoor adventures take place in the context of what I will define as the wilderness. Second, this project aims to apply a practical philosophy of CWAM within the context of a summer outdoor educational internship program that aims to train participants in wilderness leadership, adventure facilitation, and youth/emerging adult ministry by leading a residential-based camp ministry program that features wilderness expedition as a significant program element. Finally, the end goal of the process will be to produce a program curriculum participants’ manual for this summer outdoor educational internship program.
A study of the integration of the theology of the outdoors and justice by Mackh, David Paul Thesis This thesis examines the theology and practice of outdoor ministry and the theology and practice of justice, and integrates them into a model for justice-based outdoor ministry. Four areas of study are explored in a review of literature on each. These areas are the theology of the outdoors, the practice of outdoor ministry, the theology of justice, and the practice of justice. The outdoors is unique because encounters with the natural world can cause a person to ask where God may be found. When a person understands Him as revealed in Scripture, they may see Him clearly in the outdoors. In this manner, the outdoors serve as a parable of the kingdom. God uses the outdoors to train believers for ministry and foster reliance on Him. Finally, the outdoors move believers to praise. The practice of outdoor ministry is the intersection of experiences, temporary community, an outdoor environment, trained leaders, and spiritual objectives, often taking the forms of adventure and retreat. Justice is properly understood in God, whose justice is fulfilled in mercy and generated love. For humankind to participate in his justice is to align with His will and correct wrongdoing by taking personal responsibility for social ills. To align themselves with His will, those who have been oppressors join the oppressed because God identifies Himself among the oppressed in Jesus. To practice justice is to care for those in need, imitate Christ, challenge systems of oppression, cast a vision for a better society, and advocate for the liberation of the oppressed. These areas of research are then integrated into a model for a justice-based theology of outdoor ministry with recommendations for practice. The distinctions of this model are an understanding that the God we perceive and commune with in the outdoors is the just God we find fully revealed in the person of Jesus--a recognition that a God-oriented sense of justice is essential to the teaching done at Christian camps, and a conscious reorientation of practices to reflect the justice of the kingdom of God.
A study of the effect of intentional group prayer on burnout among camp ministry professionals by Nelson, Lindey K. Thesis This study was designed to investigate if the time and means camp ministry professionals pray affects their reported levels of burnout symptoms. Survey methodology was used to collect data from camps that are members of the Christian Camp & Conference Association's North Central Region, which includes Wisconsin, Minnesota, the Eastern Dakotas, Iowa, Nebraska, and Illinois. Sixty-four Christian camp professionals completed the survey. The results indicated that although intentional group prayer does not have a statistically significant effect on levels of burnout experienced by camp ministry professionals, intentional private prayer does. That is, those participants who reported that they pray for so often per week and for a specific average amount of time had lower burnout scores than those participants who only reported that they pray constantly through the likes of "Breath prayers throughout the day."
The effects of digital technology fasting at camp and the formation of individual and community embodied habits by Shore, Molly Thesis We live in a digital culture to the extent that most people carry a digital device in their pockets. Camp is a place that is separate from our regular environments situated within a temporary community. What effect does taking a digital technology fast in this environment with others have on our individual and community habits? This project surveyed and interviewed nine gap-year students who took a six-week digital technology fast in this type of environment. After analyzing the data, four major themes were found: the environment had an effect on the fasting experience, the present moment was emphasized, conversation was increased and became easier, and music was the hardest digital technology to give up. In light of these themes and the reviewed literature, conclusions and implications for camp are discussed.

2016

From leading self to leading others: a challenge course curriculum for adolescents by Rininger, Rhonda Creative Project
Unique camp worship: working toward a communal hermeneutic of general revelation by Rzempoluch, Joseph Creative Project This creative project seeks to understand how worship can pay due diligence to the uniqueness of the camp context and can benefit from the power of camp. It melds the ends of worship and the power of camp to create a unique camp worship style that emphasizes both the intensity of the temporary community and God’s revelation in creation. In emphasizing these two pillars of the camp context, it proposes a worship experience that not only affirms the community of campers and counselors but also helps to expand the perspective of participants to see God in new ways through creation.
A perseverance curriculum for S.A.L.T. of HoneyRock by Zhou, Haoran Creative Project If camp can facilitate transformational character and leadership growth, it is highly possible that the camp environment will cultivate the character trait of perseverance in college students. This leads me to want to develop a holistic curriculum that includes teaching, experiences and reflections in order to more effectively facilitate the growth of the character trait of perseverance in the camp environment for college students. HoneyRock’s School of Adventure Leadership Training (S.A.L.T) program include a six-week staff training session on teaching and learning, and a four-week camp session emphasizing practicing real scenarios, which overall provides an excellent platform to implement this designed curriculum. The following literature review section serves to provide helpful insights and key principles from other scholarly resources. These insights and key principles will be applied to develop a curriculum for S.A.L.T to cultivate the character trait of perseverance in college students.

2015

Camp counselor self-leadership training through discernment, intentionality, and reflection as they pertain to personal discipleship by Clevenger, Hollie Creative Project
Camp support staff mentoring program: helping emerging adults belong so that they can believe by Hess, Karen Creative Project Mentoring plays a key role in the spiritual formation of emerging adults. The goal of this creative project is to develop a mentoring program for support staff at a Northwoods camp to allow emerging adults to articulate their spiritual growth, to take the next step in their walk with Christ, belong in a safe environment, and to be empowered in their summer role and beyond.
High school ministry: a training curriculum for leaders in ministry by Lutz, Beth Creative Project The purpose of this project was to develop a training curriculum that would prepare and equip staff to lead high school students in an outdoor ministry context. The world of Christian camping has, in many ways, seemed content to rely on the inherent power found in its setting and context (i.e. experiential programming, temporary community, etc.) in lieu of pursuing a more rigorous understanding of the best practices in youth ministry and development. This project was an attempt to synthesize the current best known practices in high school ministry and faith formation, and apply this formal research and scholarship to the context of a leadership training program.
Instilling a creation care ethic in children at camp by Seaton, Hannah Creative Project Although there is an abundance of research concerning EE programs for children, there is a large gap where Christian EE is concerned. Based on a review of pertinent literature and drawing from my spiritual formation, outdoor ministry, and human development coursework, I have created a camp program that combines the best practices of Christian camping with the best practices of EE to promote lasting changes in attitudes and behavior. This program contributes to research and development that integrates Christian camping with EE, an underrepresented yet necessary perspective in the field. This paper presents the literature review, methodology, and the final product, a program guide (found in Appendices A-D), of my creative project.
HoneyRock Vanguard sustainability curriculum by Seaton, Shane Creative Project The following program description will first take a look at the literature regarding these fields of eco-theology and EE. It will also look at literature written about people in the latter teenage years of their lives. The research will be the foundation for the creation stewardship element of a nine-month residential program for older teenagers. The creation care element of this program is just one part of the holistic learning that will happen in the teenager’s lives.
The long distance backpacking trip: a path of spiritual formation for emerging adults by Walls, Grable Creative Project There are a myriad of ways that God can use to grow our faith in Him. What is useful to find a particularly helpful way is to understand who we are and the methods that might affect the deepest and most lasting change.1 Many emerging adults today are in a state of extended transition into adulthood and need guidance and structure that will support them in their continued holistic development.2 With this in mind, this project explores who emerging adults are and the particular circumstances and actions that may be helpful for their spiritual formation. It will go on to state that one way that could be helpful to many is through the use of a long distance backpacking program.3 The mission of this program is to grow trust and joy in Christ, experience simplicity and solitude, and backpack through beautiful wilderness to build a strong foundation for life. This program will be both an awesome experience of backpacking and use the power of spiritual disciplines, wilderness, and solitude to place participants in a situation that requires them to trust God deeper and provide space for them to truly reflect and listen to the Holy Spirit. The design is intentionally very open ended, so that the participant, from the very beginning, may develop personal responsibility and create their trip to match their God-given uniqueness and desires. Yet the design also offers much support and direction, realizing that too much freedom can lead to dangerous wandering.4 It is the point of this program to allow participants to truly grow into and experience the first and greatest commandment to “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind,” (Matthew 22:37, NIV) so that the rest of their life will be centered around a relationship with Christ.