The Christian Camp Leader: May 2014

Thursday, May 22, 2014

Audiobook Version Now Available!

The audiobook version of The Christian Camp Leader is now available! It is listed along with the other versions of the book at Amazon.com. The cost is a little more ($13), but right now it is free with a 30-day free trial subscription at Audible.com (which you can cancel any time). It has a professional narrator who is easy to listen to, and it is just over three and a half hours in length, or about 20 minutes a chapter.

This means your summer staff can listen to the book in the car or mowing the lawn! Or, you can include a chapter in your summer training programs. The audiobook will be especially helpful to those who find reading difficult or who just don't read often.

A huge thanks to our friend Amanda Rubert who took on this project, and our talented narrator, Stacey Glemboski.

Tuesday, May 20, 2014

An Example: Help Your Staff Respond Online

I recently updated a web project for Camp Imadene, a simple blog-based site that is designed to help their weekly volunteer staff interact with The Christian Camp Leader as they read it before the summer. They kindly allowed me to post the site here as an example of what your camp could do along the same lines. Click here to see it.

Endorsements for Camp Liverwurst

“A captivating and fun-filled adventure. Cabin leaders love using the story to present biblical truths. Campers can’t get enough!” – Chris Burdge, Executive Director, Camp Imadene
“In this mysterious fantasy, Jim crafts a wonderfully imaginative story, helping the reader see the Gospel through the eyes of a camper who is wrestling with difficult questions about God. What a fun story! And what a great read for a counselor with young campers at camp, to help open up meaningful conversations!” – Pat Petkau, ED, Forest Springs Camp & Conference Centre
“Jim Badke has done it again! Camp Liverwurst is another valuable contribution to the Christian camping community. These adventures at Camp Liverwurst in the lives of the campers and staff will provide the backdrop for many deeper and better-focused cabin conversations that God will use for His purpose and glory!” – Dan Bolin, Director of Christian Camping International (retired)
“Jim has provided an innovative, tangible and creative way to facilitate the important relationship between a camper and their cabin leader, and a camper and God. An excellent resource for cabin leaders to encourage God discussions.” - Sharon Fraess, National Director, Christian Camping International - Canada
“Fun. Imaginative. Original. Jim Badke’s Camp Liverwurst brings the world of Bible camp to life in a most unexpected way. Complete with discussion questions, this book will engage your campers’ minds and hearts with a story that is sure to create thought-provoking discussions on what it means to be a follower of Jesus.” - Bill McCaskell, National Director, One Hope Canada
“From decades of experience, Jim has created a tool that will help cabin leaders be more effective in guiding meaningful spiritual conversations with their campers. Who doesn't like a good story? And the questions will gently lead campers to explore what it means to follow Jesus. I look forward to getting my hands on copies of Camp Liverwurst for the cabin leaders at the week of middle school camp I direct.” – Randy Carter, Camp Speaker, STM Ministries
“The book creatively and imaginatively captures so many of the emotions and thoughts a camper experiences in a typical week of summer camp. The reader is invited into Jayden's faith formation journey, recognizing the role that other campers and counselors play in that process.” – Rob Tiessen, ED, Camp Squeah
“A creative, enjoyable, and much-needed addition to camp ministry. I love how Jim weaves solid biblical principles into a fun and intriguing story.” – Craig W. Douglas, ED, Timberline Ranch & Author of Pillow Fights & Sleepless Nights
“Young campers will love this story as cabin leaders read it to them during cabin time to stimulate faith-oriented discussions.” – Kirk Potter, Retreat Center Director, The Firs (retired)
“A wonderfully crafted story designed to ready one’s imagination for the wonder of the Gospel.” – Tim Paquette, ED, Sunnybrae Bible Camp
“Here’s help to reduce cabin leader stress and create a fun environment for Bible discussions.” – Amanda Rubert, Former Head Counselor
“The book is brilliantly written and will be a big aid to camp staff, especially those who are new to cabin leading. Make room in the camp toolbox for this one!” – Katie Brown, Emerging Writer & Aspiring Camp Director
“I look forward to reading this book to my campers, who will be eager to see what the next chapter holds. A great way to spark conversations about Jesus!” – Janelle Ten Have, Cabin Leader, Camp Imadene
More reviews at Amazon.com

Endorsements for The Christian Camp Leader

"With a solid spiritual foundation and a rich understanding of both campers and young adult camp leaders, Jim gives a realistic picture of camp life, with practical guidance and a godly perspective..." – Dan Everest, Christian Camp and Conference Association
"How do you equip young leaders for the daunting task of accompanying a herd of campers through an intensely relational week of camp programming? This little volume covers it all. Next to a book on how to rub sticks together to start a fire in the rain, this will be the most valuable book in your camp ministry library." – Marv Penner, Youth Specialties Canada
"Jim is a consummate camp leader who packs a lifetime of experience and a wealth of wisdom in these pages. This book is the one essential tool in any camp leader's survival kit." - Mark Buchanan, Ambrose Seminary
"We have used Jim’s books for staff training at all levels, including our counselor in training program, and could not have asked for a better resource. His latest edition is simple, straightforward and applicable for all of our summer staff." – Andrea Jackson, Program Director, Stillwood Camp
"Puts the focus where it's needed: on the campers and the personal spiritual preparedness of the leader they look up to." - Les Klassen, Campfire Ministries
"This book focuses its reader on Christ and God's Word, while driving home the importance of discipleship as a foundation in camping ministry. A must use resource for equipping camp ministry leaders to succeed!" - Nancy Paschke, Leadership Director (Camp Nutimik)
"A concise, easily read book to equip young workers with the core skills, attitudes and passion they will need to be outstanding Christian camp leaders. In my 32 years of experience of working at camps this is the best resource I have found to prepare new staff to care for campers." - Randy Carter, Camp Speaker, Straight Talk Ministries
"Jim Badke has done it again. He has created another indispensable resource by capturing the essence of why and how ministry takes place at camp. The Christian Camp Leader is well written, accessible and concise, telling rookies - and reminding veterans - what camp ministry is all about." - Bill McCaskell, Co-Executive Director, One Hope Canada
See more reviews at Amazon.com, or add your own!

Where To Buy Jim's Books

Thursday, May 22, 2014

Audiobook Version Now Available!

Tuesday, May 20, 2014

An Example: Help Your Staff Respond Online