We’re honored to be able to pull back the curtain with Gregg Hunter, our association’s CEO, to get a long view of things before us. We hope it gives you some insight on how to pray more precisely for Gregg, both professionally and personally, and for CCCA as it moves forward maximizing the ministry of our member camps and conferences. 

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In your years as president of CCCA, what are the exciting trends you're seeing in our industry? What are the concerning trends?  

Over the last several years, I’ve noticed an increasing trend toward professionalism among member camps. Specifically, I see more camps learning from business and pursuing solid business practices as a basis for excellent ministry. From board training to continuous quality improvement to solid marketing strategies, camps are using best practices of business to ensure the success and sustainability of their ministries.  

I’m concerned about any trend that causes division in the church, or that pits the culture against Christian ministries. Social and cultural trends pose that type of threat. I know that years ago, under the leadership of my predecessor Bob Kobielush, CCCA (then CCI-USA) asserted its desire to stay true to the fundamentals of the Christian faith while recognizing that members may vary in some particulars of their denomination or faith tradition. Our statement of faith remains solid and unchanged today. (See https://www.ccca.org/ccca/Vision,_Mission,_Values.asp.) 

The team is also watching the trend toward experiences – including experiential learning and recreation as well as the research around time in nature and the benefits to mental health and well-being.  

When you look into the crystal ball to 2033, what do you think our member camps will be in the thick of? Why? 

I believe that 10 years from now, Christian camping will be at the center of a spiritual renewal in our country and around the world. At a recent CCCA staff retreat we shared many stories of changed lives that God reached through camping ministry. Overlaying these stories on the approximately 7 million campers and guests who attend CCCA member camps each year, one can see that the potential for widespread impact is tremendous. We believe one of the most important things we can do as an association is to raise the awareness of, and esteem for, the Christian camp experience, and we are committed to doing that. As we work to gain a seat at the table for important conversations about youth evangelism, camp will gain greater mindshare among Christian leaders and influencers, and more will seek a camp experience for their children, for their youth groups, for kids at risk. We believe God loves camp, as it is the most effective tool on the planet for introducing people, young and old, to Him.  

As research continues to point the challenges of local churches connecting to the unchurched, unbelieving world, especially teens, I believe Christian camps provide one significant answer to that challenge. In the next 10 years I think we will find that to be more and more true. 

Could we get a sneak peek into how the Association could be responding/leading our member camps into staying ahead of the curve? If so, what are some possible initiatives you are considering?

Our best approach toward maximizing ministry for our members is to execute on our strategic plan. Every year, we seek input from the CCCA Board, which represents each region of membership across the U.S., on our current plan, and what we should consider adding, increasing or stopping. Currently, our plan is crafted under the banner of Sustainability, with two initiatives leading the way:  Thriving Ministry and The Power of Camp. Each of these initiatives has four elements that contain measurable goals for delivering ministry impact to members. We just completed the phase of developing the plan that involved harvesting board input. Over the next few months, the CCCA team will consider the best ways to incorporate board feedback into our updated Strategic Plan. We all agree that the most pressing need for camps across the country is recruiting staff – both for summer and year-round positions. It is the top priority for us at CCCA, and if we are blessed with a grant for which we have applied, we’ll be able to triple our efforts in this area. See #2 for some of the trends we are tracking and crafting programs, products and services around.  

On a personal front, tell us about your favorite hobbies for you personally and what you and Penny love to do together. 

I love to be in the outdoors. Hiking, hunting, fishing, or just driving through the mountains of Colorado – each one ministers to my soul. It’s been a busy season, but Penny and I look forward to getting back to our daily walks/hikes in our neighborhood. That has been a healing and nourishing discipline. This is also a season in which Penny and I are blessed to be walking through life with the families of our two adult sons. They both live very close to us, and we see them weekly, if not daily. We try to lean into the things our family members love so that takes us into adventurous territory like falconry, earth dog trials (you have to Google it!), musical theater, film and TV production and dressage.  We’re always learning.