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Times Have Changed in America, Are You Prepared?

The legal landscape and environment has changed in so many ways for camps and Christian ministries, we must ensure we have all of the protections in place to ensure maximum ministry with minimum liability.

A seasoned nonprofit executive with over fifteen years of experience guiding charities and faith-based organizations through the complex legal, financial, and operational challenges of today’s nonprofit landscape.

With a foundational background in finance and marketing, Jonathan Bailie has led growth initiatives across sectors including legal services, medical outreach, technology, and broadcast media. He served as marketing director for two national Christian ministries before advancing to vice president of digital strategy at one of the world’s leading nonprofit marketing agencies. In that capacity, he partnered with influential ministries and organizations such as Ligonier Ministries, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, WORLD News Group, Trans World Radio, and numerous rescue missions through his work with ResourceOne.

Today, as an attorney and nonprofit strategist, Jonathan provides comprehensive legal counsel and executive-level advisory to churches, schools, and religious charities across the country. His work focuses on helping ministries navigate governance challenges, mitigate legal risk, protect property and tax-exempt status, and strengthen organizational structure. He regularly advises on strategic planning, employment matters, regulatory compliance, and conflict resolution. Drawing on his multifaceted background, he equips nonprofit leaders to proactively address legal threats, steward resources wisely, and pursue opportunities for long-term growth and ministry impact.

Target Audiences: “Purple Worm”

Identifying and understanding your target markets/audiences. Learn how to establish a specific strategic plan/campaign to reach your new or existing defined audiences.

Tammy Briggs brings nearly 30 years of non-profit experience in Event Fundraising, Marketing, Communications and Public Relations. Through the years, she has performed four capital campaigns, organized over 100 fundraising events, executed targeted communications, and has written hundreds of grants.

5 T’s of Biblical Stewardship

There really is a difference between stewardship and fund-raising. This seminar will show you the opportunity you have to disciple your investors. You will come to discover the Biblical basis for giving and what your greatest donors look like. This seminar is a foundation to every development strategy.

Mark is a gifted presenter and brings 35 years or experience to the table. Mark’s passion is to train organizational leaders to see clearly, to proceed effectively and to develop the resources needed to accomplish their mission. He has partnered with scores of urban, local, and international schools and ministries to help them to experience their vision and see lives impacted for the cause of Christ. He has 35 years of expertise

Lessons from the Boot Club: When Our Ministry Friends Get Fired

Far too many people in the ministry face forced resignations and transitions. What lessons can we learn from others to avoid this situation within our own camps?

Mike has served as director at Camp Conquest for 23 years. Prior to that time, he faced his own forced transition from camp ministry, and since that time he has had numerous opportunities to help others transition into or from a ministry position.

Steal This: Ideas of Parenting Awesomeness

Parenting is the most important job you will ever have, and it does not come with an instruction manual. This book is packed with practical wisdom, Biblical encouragement, and real-life strategies to help you raise kids with faith, love, and purpose. Organized into clear categories such as Faith and Values, Love and Relationship, Guidance and Discipline, Growth and Learning, and Care and Encouragement, each section gives you actionable ideas you can put into practice right away. Whether you are looking for fresh inspiration or a solid framework to guide your parenting journey, this resource will help you take simple steps that make a big difference in your family’s life.

Steal This: Ideas of Awesomeness
This is the original class that started it all. Just a huge random collection of super epic programing for your camp! We will be presenting a slew of ideas that you can steal and start doing. I will have gobs of handouts and hands-on activities so that you can take these ideas back home and implement them into your programming tomorrow!

Steal This: 25 Rules for Unparalleled Hospitality
This is the session for anyone who wants to take their hospitality game to the next level! These are 25 practical, actionable tips you and your team can implement tomorrow to create unforgettable experiences for your guests. This high-energy session will break down our favorite tried-and-true strategies that anyone can master. Plus, you’ll walk away with a resource guide to use in your own staff training.

Steal This: Ideas for Escape Rooms and Puzzleness Vol. 2: Beyond the Room - 
Prepare for an adventure like no other as we go beyond the escape room. Join us for a thrilling journey of puzzles, teamwork, and excitement through activities like Mystery Trails, Escape Bags, Puzzle Rooms, Table-top Games, and more! These activities help campers work together by deciphering clues, solving mysteries, and unlocking the hidden secrets. This session will help you add these incredible programs for campers to test their wits, unleash their problem-solving skills, and have an unforgettable time at your camp.

Chris and Carrie have been serving in camp ministry since 2000, working at four different camps and loving every minute of it. They are passionate about all things camp and spend much of their free time helping others grow in their own ministry. They have taught camp leadership and programming sessions at conferences across the country and have written multiple books covering many areas of camp life. When they do manage to find a little free time, they hunt for the newest and most creative ideas they can “steal” and bring back to their Camp. Their workshops are fast paced, practical, and packed with ideas you can use right away.

Adding Local Flavor to Your Menu

Camps, your entire meal doesn’t need to come off a truck. It is easier than ever to find and incorporate locally grown or produced food on your menus, which can educate and enlighten guests, benefit local businesses and farms, and help you make worthwhile connections in the community.

Bill Pitcher has been a food journalist and a food service director in Christian camps and entertainment venues. Since 2015, he also has helped his peers optimize their food purchasing and menu planning through The Buying Networks, a procurement group working with over 400 camps around the country.

Wisdom For A Younger Me

What I would tell younger me when I was launching into adult life and camp ministry. Wisdom and encouragement for young camp leaders from someone who has lived it for 35 years.

Matto loves Jesus, his family and adventure in God's creation. Matto is the coolest Matto that you will ever meet! Matto has been married to Jen for 21 years so obviously she at least thinks he is amazing. Matto has 8 kids, 2 dogs, 20 chickens, and seasonal pigs (bacon!) Matto grew up living and working at camp and has been in full time camp ministry for over 20 years. Sometimes Matto has good ideas but mostly has learned from a lot of mistakes. Matto is currently the Director of The Avodah Internship at Pine Valley Camp, a gap year discipleship program for 18-23 year olds.

Giving a Talk That Gets a Hearing: From Mouth, to Ear, to Head, to Heart

Remember the old question about the tree falling in the forest? If no one heard it fall, did it actually make a sound? Well, every summer thousands of camp speakers ask the same question: “If a camp speaker gives a talk, and nobody actually hears it, did he actually speak at all?” You will leave this session with clear, actionable tips for how to prepare and deliver an effective camp message.

Duffy graduated magna cum laude with a Master of Divinity from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in South Hamilton, Mass., and completed his Doctor of Ministry in Youth and Family Ministry at Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, Calif.

Duffy is the author of over 15 books and hundreds of articles. His titles include: Ministry of Nurture: A Guide to Building Teenage Disciples, Everyday Object Lessons, Youth Ministry Nuts and Bolts: Mastering Ministry Behind the Scenes, There’s a Teenager in My House (ed. Wayne Rice), Speaking to Teenagers: How to Think About, Create and Deliver Great Messages, Enjoy the Silence: A Thirty Day Experiment in Listening to God and This Way to Youth Ministry: An Introduction to the Adventure.

Duffy lives in Cranberry Township, Pa., with his wife and best friend, Maggie. They have two grown daughters, Erin and Katie.

Self-Care isn’t Selfish

This session will help you recognize burnout, explore a biblical basis for self care, and give you practical tools and strategies for improving your physical, emotional, and spiritual health. You will leave with a personalized self care plan with realistic goals for incorporating new habits and routines into your life.

Christa Rose grew up in South Central PA and has been involved in camping ministry since her teen years. Upon graduating college, she developed a love for empowering others to build new habits and create healthier lives. She is married to her husband Eric and has 2 girls ages 7 and 4, as well as another girl on the way! She currently resides in Chester County and spends her days homeschooling her daughters, coaching others to better health, and actively participating in music and children’s ministry at her church Christ Church West Chester. 

Starting with the Fundamentals of Marketing

Fundamentals of marketing are your go-to for guaranteed results. If you are not doing these things, stop everything and focus on these fundamental issues. Bring your questions as this will be interactive.

For the past 15+ years, Donnie has been marketing national events, producing world-class media projects, and sharing his skills with others. Donnie founded ROSIE Marketing in 2010 in order to help more businesses and organizations grow and tell their stories. He has a Bachelor’s degree in Business from the Edinboro University of Pennsylvania, and now serves at Miracle Mountain Ranch as the Chief Financial Officer and Marketing Director. Donnie is an FAA licensed drone pilot and still very much enjoys photography after all these years. He is married to Tonya, and they have four children.

Evangelism

Tyree Sterling’s workshop on evangelism equips camp leadership to build a Gospel-fluent staff culture that doesn’t wait until the “big service night” to share Jesus. Instead of relying on one major moment, you’ll learn how to help your counselors naturally start spiritual conversations anywhere (cabins, meals, rec time, late-night talks, etc… and lead campers toward a clear understanding of the GOSPEL. You’ll walk away with simple tools your staff can master quickly, a strategy for training seasonal volunteers, and a system you can implement in under two weeks. This is evangelism designed for real camp life, not a one-time service.

Discipleship

Tyree Sterling’s workshop shows how discipleship can thrive in the short, intense environment of camp. Instead of assuming discipleship must be long-term or program-based, you’ll learn how to leverage “nudging moments” that happen constantly during camp (devotions, mealtimes, challenge courses, evening reflections, one-on-ones, and more). Counselors will discover how to identify a camper’s spiritual chair, how to guide them to their next step, and how to partner with home churches so spiritual momentum continues after camp. You’ll leave with a clear system that makes discipleship more simple, relational, and repeatable.

Tyree Sterling is a speaker and trainer who helps ministries create Gospel-advancing cultures. With decades of youth experience, he equips leaders to build Gospel-advancing systems that are simple, relational, and ones that leaders can implement quickly. See more at www.TyreeSterling.com/LinkTree