Blue Ribbon Panel Recommendations
 on the Future of Outdoor Ministries

Report to the Ohio Conference Board of Directors

March 17, 2006

The Blue Ribbon Panel consisted of representatives from each Association, a representative of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), the Interim Ohio Conference Minister and Minister for Outdoor Ministries.  All members have investment in this ministry.  Members included camp directors, financial contributors, a business person, and a historian.  

The panel met from October 2005 until March 2006.  Its meetings included interviews with the management staff and the Secretary for Outdoor Ministries and reviews of financial data and utilization reports.  The Panel thanks each of these staff persons for their input as well as their continued efforts to reduce costs and increase usage. 

The Panel is pleased to be able to make two sets of recommendations. The first set includes immediate actions that may assist in stabilizing this ministry, as well as returning this ministry to a balanced budget.  These actions are to be implemented as soon as possible or as the timeline suggests over the course of three years.  

The second set of recommendations is to be reviewed and begun at the conclusion of year two of the first set of recommendations.  The decisions for this set will be based on the efficacy of the first set of recommendations.

Near Term Recommendations (3 years) 

• Nature’s Classroom rates--raise to “cost +10%” over the course of the next 3 years

• Health insurance--discontinue for seasonal employees and for new hourly employees

• Liability insurance—look into the market

• Division for Outdoor Ministries—reconfigure the membership

• Volunteerism--increase

• Website-Outdoor Ministries dedicated site

• Marketing plan—develop three year 

• Church Discount for summer campers--phase out 

• Capital Campaign

• Planned Giving campaign 

• Summer Camp Registration—automate further

• Specific site needs require response

These recommendations are dependent upon increased participation by clergy and churches.

If significant results don’t arise out of the above measures then the long-term discussions need to happen.

It is recommended that another blue ribbon panel be established in two years with the task of evaluating and amending these recommendations.

Mid - Term Recommendations (5 years +)

• Sell one camp and maximize the efforts of the site.  This will also allow camping events to happen at other camp and conference sites around the conference.

• Sell both camps and contract with other camp sites for site usage at which to hold Ohio Conference Events.

• Upon selling the sites build another center that would be a retreat house which might include conference and/or association offices.

• Sell one or both camps to one or a group of UCC church--giving them ownership with a request that UCC churches and affiliates have usage opportunities.

Outdoor Ministries