“Thank you for being exactly what we need an association for!”
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CCCA’s award-winning program is designed to elevate Christian camping leaders to new levels of competency and ministry.
Cairn Series® Information
Church Mutual Insurance Company, The Goehner Group, Slumberland Furniture, and Correct Craft, Inc., made valuable contributions to the development of the five Cairn Series® CD-ROMs.
The Association
Christian Camp and Conference Association (CCCA) is a not-for-profit membership association that provides wide-ranging programs and products for the leaders of autonomous Christian camps and conference centers nationwide. Incorporated in 1963, it is the only association of its kind in the United States, and thus is looked to by emerging leaders and veterans alike for training related to all aspects of the Christian camping industry.
Most major denominations and church associations, as well as many nationally recognized youth and adult ministries, are represented in CCCA. About half of the member camps and conference centers are independent organizations. Every year, nearly 7 million people are involved in the programs of CCCA member camps and conference centers, and tens of thousands come to faith in Jesus Christ through those experiences. What's more, 120,000-plus churches in America are served by CCCA-member organizations, and more than 600,000 adults are now involved in full-time Christian work as the result of decisions made at CCCA member facilities.
As an association, what makes CCCA's education proposition quite unique is the extreme diversity inherent in the typical member organization. To operate a summer or year-round Christian camp or conference center is to take on many of the responsibilities and duties required to operate a church, hotel, restaurant, bank, retail outlet, day-care facility, recreational park, aquatics center, personnel agency, counseling service, medical office, construction company, highway department, and on and on.
The Rationale
Many people enter the Christian camping field with a church or parachurch background, maybe having attended a Bible college or seminary, but soon find they lack the management skills to succeed. Likewise, some who get into Christian camping have a business degree or are trade-certified, but have never been exposed to ministry concepts. For decades, CCCA has been the "classroom" where people with divergent perspectives are trained.
Until now, the core curriculum for education within CCCA has been eclectic, much of it taken from short-run texts written primarily for counselor training, or from publications written for related industries. The didactic benchmarks for Christian camps and conferences have been recorded lectures by CCCA staff, consultants, and practitioners; plus bulletins and articles produced for CCCA's magazine and monographs. Most member camps and conference centers have produced their own program and operation manuals, basing them on this assortment of CCCA material or on experiential data. In short, to this point, no formal, codified body of knowledge has existed for this significant industry.
To meet the need for a legitimate national curriculum and a systematized approach to general and specialized education, CCCA has introduced the Cairn Series® Professional Training program. The purpose of the program is to provide Christian camping leaders in key positions with education in business and ministry that is consistent within the industry, elevating these leaders to a higher level of competence and better enabling them to meet their organizations' ministry goals.
The Analogy
The name Cairn Series® is quite fitting for a program of this nature. Cairns—basically, stacks of stones piled by the adventurous—are found around the world, most often on craggy footpaths above timberline. Hikers and climbers use them as markers when the trail beneath their feet becomes obscure—worn away, washed out, hidden by fog, covered with snow. True to its name, the Cairn Series® will provide significant learning experiences that, when completed, will stand as a monument in one's Christian camping career and set a standard for those following behind.
The Development
In creating the Cairn Series®, the association has assimilated in and sought ongoing counsel from members, consultants, professional educators, and others. Some of this was done through polling, some through group meetings, and some through one-on-one consultations.
In January 2001, an industry-wide survey was conducted. It revealed that 76 percent of directors would be interested in an intensive, industry-specific education program if CCCA developed one, and 82 percent of directors would encourage their down-line staff to participate. In December 2001, questions pertaining to education and training were asked in three separate focus groups that met in conjunction with the CCCA National Conference & Exposition. The following month, a Task Force was formed to process the information gleaned from the focus groups and discuss the feasibility of offering a curriculum-based certificate program within CCCA. In February 2002, an Education Summit* was held to review the work of the Task Force and suggest content and methodology for such a program. One month later, a Cairn Series® Advisory Council** (CSAC) was formed to give advice and feedback to the CCCA staff during various stages of the development process. In April 2002, the CCCA Board of Directors reviewed the progress and gave approval and specific directions regarding the continuation of the project.
In May 2002, an additional 200 randomly selected Christian camping stakeholders gave their input on preferences for professional training for the industry through a detailed education survey (donated in part by The Goehner Group of San Jose, California). The survey probed not only camp and conference directors, but also board members and down-line staff.
To further garner member feedback, in November 2002, a five-hour Cairn Series® overview was given by CCCA staff and selected content experts. Attendees included the association's section presidents and other program participants, all of whom completed a post-presentation evaluation. As a result of this kind of ongoing grassroots input—which has already significantly and positively impacted both curriculum and delivery—CCCA is able to offer members an education program that aptly meets voiced needs and expectations.
CCCA then contracted the services of Randy Wilbur, one the best interactive developers available, to create the CD-based courses. In order to effectively bridge the gap between content experts and interactive development, CCCA asked Greg Lund to serve as course designer. Greg has a post-graduate degree in education from Wheaton, so he understands education and training (and the difference between the two). He is a former CCCA staff member, so he knows the clientele and the culture. He left the association to become a curriculum designer for computer-based distance learning at Northwestern College, so he knows the medium. He is currently a CCCA-member conference center director, so he knows the industry.
*Members were: Becky Ball-Miller, IACCA; Cliff Miller, Michindoh; Dale Price, Canyonview Camp; Dave Klopfenstein, Mars Hill Bible Church; Dick Angelo, Forest Springs Ministries; Don German, Focus 3; Don Goehner, The Goehner Group; Gary Fawver, George Fox University; Greg Lund, Oak Forest Center; Greg Rhoades, Timberlake Ranch Camp; John McAuley, Muskoka Woods Sports Resort; Jon Bisset, River Valley Ranch; Larry Johnston, McConkey/Johnston; Lloyd Mattson, The Wordshed; Mark Caldwell, Dickson Valley Camp & Retreat; Norm Middag, Association of Adventist Camping Professionals; Pete Morrill, Kidder Creek Orchard Camp; Rob Ribbe, Wheaton College/Honey Rock Camp; Sandy Outlar, Sandy Cove Ministries; Steve Venable, Ceta Canyon Methodist Camp & Retreat Center; Wendel Weaver, Rockin' C Ranch
**Members are: Bob Drovdahl, Seattle Pacific University; Cathey Prudhomme, Grace Youth Camps & Retreat Center; Dan Bolin, Encouragement FM; Duffy Robbins, Eastern University; Gary Fawver, George Fox University; Greg Lund, Oak Forest Center; John McAuley, Muskoka Woods Sports Resort; Rob Ribbe, Wheaton College/Honey Rock Camp; Ron Mattocks, American Academy of Cardiology; Ruth Pape, Woodmen Valley Chapel
The Curriculum
The Cairn Series® features foundational courses that, in essence, comprise the basic body of knowledge for the industry. The subject matter includes fundamental concepts that are inherent in Christian camping in general, plus include subject matter that strongly influences approaches to ministry and management. As participants move forward through the courses, self-administered quizzes and exercises help them assess their progress.
Courses include:
102: Survey of Christian Camping
The Delivery
Because CCCA member camps and conference centers are spread throughout the country, many in remote locations, offering Cairn courses at specified times in particular locations would eliminate many from participating. Not only would travel costs be a barrier, but so would finding the necessary blocks of time to complete multiple courses offered in a traditional classroom. The Goehner Group survey bore this out. Therefore, the Cairn Series® courses are offered on CD-ROM. This distance-learning methodology, presented in a technologically advanced format, features video and audio, graphics, photos, text, and printable materials. With CD-ROMs, participants can work at their own pace in their own time, and thus better apply the content. Additionally, high quality, dynamic presentation media maintains consistency and interest.
A CD-ROM also lends itself to a group showing. Certain segments of the material can be efficiently projected in a conference-style setting. This would be ideal for team or departmental in-service training.
The Fees
Because of the tremendous value of the Cairn Series®, CCCA provides a free set of the CD-ROMs to the executive of every CCCA member camp and conference; this is the camp or conference's official set. Staff members can share that copy or purchase additional CD-ROMs at the published rate. Additional CD-ROMs may be purchased from CCCA for $89 each for members or as a set of five for $345. (Non-members may purchase these for a higher price at our online public Store.)
Fees are subject to change.
The Outcome
As a result of participating in an education program of this nature, Christian camping leaders will be better qualified to perform specific tasks within their multifaceted organizations and not waste time and energy in trial-and-error scenarios. In all likelihood, sights will be lifted, confidence will increase, and businesses will flourish.
Additionally, facilities will become safer and better managed on every level, providing an all-around excellent experience and allowing ministry objectives to be completely fulfilled in the lives of campers and guests.
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