Upcoming Courses in 2025

Below is the schedule for upcoming courses and the directed study in Site Administration. Details regarding the Site Administration directed study can be found at the bottom of this page.

March 11-14, 2025           Program Design and Implementation

Directed Study                Site Administration

March 11-14, 2025

Program Design and Implementation

About the Course

Program is the most important facet of outdoor ministry. From determining the need for a program to evaluating the final product, today’s camp and retreat leaders need to be knowledgeable in how programs are designed and implemented. This course will focus on an overview of human growth and development in relation to outdoor ministry, and will look at program models and how they serve as an extension of a ministry’s mission statement. Participants will also study how our summer programs can be part of a year-round ministry.This course will be held at Columbia Theological Seminary (near Atlanta, Georgia) and will be taught by Dr. Kathy Dawson and Joel Winchip, faculty members of Columbia Theological Seminary in Decatur, GA.

By the end of the course, participants will:
• Identify the characteristics that differentiate program structures
• Analyze the progression we find in program offerings
• Consider how their program is portrayed through their marketing image.

About the Instructors

Kathy DawsonKathy Dawson

Kathy Dawson is currently serving on the faculty of Columbia Theological Seminary in Decatur, Georgia as Associate Professor of Christian Education and Director of the Master of Arts and Practical Theology degree program. Kathy holds the B.A. in liberal studies and music from California State University, Long Beach. She earned the M.A. in Christian Education in 1992 from the Presbyterian School of Christian Education and is a certified Christian educator. In 1994 she received the M.Div. from Columbia Theological Seminary, and in 2002 was awarded the Ph.D. in practical theology with an emphasis on Christian education from Princeton Theological Seminary. Her interests run from brain research to puppets. She enjoys teaching and learning with all ages and in all spaces.

Joel WinchipJoel Winchip

Joel Winchip is the Executive Director of the Presbyterian Church Camp and Conference Association and the Campfire Collective. He also serves on the Adjunct Faculty of Columbia Theological Seminary, where he teaches their Camp/Conference Program and Administration and Introduction to Recreation Ministry courses. Joel attended the Presbyterian School of Christian Education, receiving an M.A. in Christian Education and an Ed.S. in Camp and Conference Ministry. He is also a certified church educator. Joel worked on the staff of 10 Presbyterian camps and conference centers in Florida, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Virginia. He has also served as an adjunct instructor at Presbyterian College and Union Presbyterian Seminary. Joel lives in Charlotte, NC with his wife, Tammy, and their two cats.

About the Tuition, Lodging, and Meals

The tuition cost for this course is $365.00. The lodging in private bath bedrooms is $440 for a single-occupancy room and $345 for a double-occupancy room. Linens are provided. Both of the above plans include all of the meals (Tuesday dinner through Friday breakfast).

Transportation

We ask participants arrive at Columbia Seminary by 5:00pm on Tuesday. For those participants flying into the Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport (ATL) on Tuesday, there will be a shuttle leaving the airport at 4:00pm. Please plan your flights accordingly. If you are taking the shuttle back to the airport on Friday, we ask that you schedule your departure no earlier than 11:00am. The seminary campus is about a 30-minute drive from the airport. The cost for the airport shuttle is $35.00 round trip.

Questions?

If you should have any questions about this course or the certificate program in general, please contact Joel Winchip at joel@pccca.net or 803.322.0232.

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Directed Study

Site Administration

About the Course

The Site Administration course is a self-directed study that will involve you visiting a camp and retreat center and interviewing their staff related to hospitality, food service, maintenance, and communications/registrations/office management. The project will be a 5-7 page paper that pulls together what you learned from your visit. This paper is due one month after the visit is completed (no later than one month before your Capstone course if this is your graduation year).

Requesting the Curriculum

Before you request the curriculum, participants must complete at least three of the Compass Points face-to-face courses. The cost for the Site Administration directed study is $150.00. When you submit payment, you will receive a digital copy of the curriculum by email. You can pay by credit card using the registration system. If you would rather pay by check, please use the request form. Please contact Joel Winchip at joel@pccca.net or 803.322.0232 if you have any questions.