The most potentially productive “Seeker to Salvationist” pools in the Salvation Army today. Work these action steps intentionally and proactively and the ratio between Seeker and Salvationist will shrink dramatically. Most importantly, Heaven’s rolls will grow eternally! Let’s… REFOCUS For Heaven’s Sake!

1. SEEKER TO SALVATIONIST
CAMP REFOCUS
SEEKER POOL REFOCUS
Kings Lake Alaska Camp View

2. SEEKER TO SALVATIONIST
CAMP REFOCUS
Camp Redwood Glen
Camp programming (day/residential) is a major seeker pool and worthy of serious and intentional refocusing. Children
who make decisions at camp (a considerable percentage), if followed up properly, can then be channeled into
appropriate bridging programs within the corps seGing and eventual soldiership. The beauty being, that extended
family members can also be reached and brought into the Salvationist fold.
Example: Ed Covert, camp director, Redwood Glen shares this success story. Los Banos, CA was an outpost, having not
yet met the membership requirements for corps status. As a result of camp seeker follow-­‐‑up, 8 families became
Salvationists, thereby qualifying them as a corps.
The point being, seeker pools are to be found “wherever the people are to be got at” (Catherine Booth). It was the street
corner in her day, the camping program being one of our most productive modern-­‐‑day street corners today for reaching
the entire family.

3. SEEKER TO SALVATIONIST
CAMP REFOCUS
Camp Mt. Crags/Gilmore
Example: As corps officers, Commissioner’s Joe and Doris Noland purposely and strategically sent as many children
as possible to camp (as the fund raising camper appeal would allow, financially). Strategic, in that the motivation and
goal was to utilize camp as a seeker pool, following up on every camper upon their return (day camp/VBS included).
Where possible, a soldier of the corps or staff member was sent along with them to build relationships. Hundreds
(entire families) were bridged into corps programs accordingly, becoming Salvationists. This same strategy was
utilized with day camp and VBS.
In the focus groups, Camp Redwood Glen’s assessment and followup programs were positively highlighted. While
there are, no doubt, other excellent programs out there, we will use its template as a blueprint here for this camp/VBS
Seeker to Salvationist refocus.
ACTION
STEPS

4. SEEKER TO SALVATIONIST
CAMP REFOCUS
RECRUITMENT
1. Campers. Be intentional about maximizing camper donor appeal allotment for every community service camp.
Plan ahead. Get creative, resourcing all potential recruitment pools within the community.
2. Minders. Defined as staff or volunteers (parents, soldiers, etc.) to mind the children, thereby building relationships
and bonding. Staff or volunteers on the bus going and coming represents the perfect opportunity for this, teaching
the children camp songs, telling Bible stories, etc. Campfire on the bus (without the fire, of course). Someone from
the corps on the camp staff is a plus. They need to be indoctrinated to intentionally connect and befriend those
children from their corps community. Be intentional and creative.
ACTION
STEPS
ACTION STEP 1

5. SEEKER TO SALVATIONIST
CAMP REFOCUS
ASSESSMENT TOOLS.
1. Check with your camp director to ensure that a camper assessment tool is being used. If not, recommend one (see
samples at end). If necessary, create your own and distribute to your delegation at camps end or on bus ride home.
Include questions to help determine bridging groups they might be interested in, i.e. music, sports, hobbies,
guards, sunbeams, Sunday School, Jr. Soldiers, etc.
2. Evaluate and categorize assessment forms for followup (bridging opportunities) according to age, interests,
location, etc. (you may want to modify assessment questions to fit your unique needs and culture)—See last sample
form.
ACTION
STEPS
ACTION STEP 1
ACTION STEP 2

6. SEEKER TO SALVATIONIST
CAMP REFOCUS
FOLLOW UP (Immediately).
1. Send postcard. Preferably custom made featuring your corps as welcoming and all inclusive—Staples 4 cents each:
hHps://design.staples.com/offers/custom-­‐‑one-­‐‑sided-­‐‑gloss-­‐‑stock-­‐‑postcard. Personalize message.
2. Weekend VBS. Schedule at end of summer, inviting campers (resident/day) to participate. Group Campout Starter
Kit $69: hHps://www.group.com/category/ministry-­‐‑resources/childrens-­‐‑ministry/vbs/camp-­‐‑out.do
3. September Event. Sunday School Rally Day/Open House on Saturday or Sunday. Hand deliver event flyers for
both VBS weekend and Open House event to camper home inviting entire family. One focus group corps held a
Big Splash Party on Sunday (Bar-­‐‑B-­‐‑Que), for example. Get creative. Follow up! Follow up! Follow up!
ACTION
STEPS
ACTION STEP 1
ACTION STEP 2
Camp Homelani
(Heavenly Home)
ACTION STEP 3

7. SEEKER TO SALVATIONIST
CAMP REFOCUS
BRIDGING THE GAP.
1. Invite child (and family members) to participate in a corps program/activity (for bridging purposes): music, sports,
hobbies, guards, sunbeams, Sunday School, etc. (children). Bible Study, women’s/men’s groups, sports, etc. (adult
family members).
2. Follow up camp/VBS seekers (and non seekers) with opportunity to confirm or to commit their lives to Christ
afresh via group decision opportunities or one-­‐‑on-­‐‑one. Be intentional about this. Train your SS teachers and youth
group leaders likewise.
ACTION
STEPS
ACTION STEP 1
ACTION STEP 2
ACTION STEP 4

8. SEEKER TO SALVATIONIST
CAMP REFOCUS
JR. SOLDIER RECRUITMENT
1. Invite child to become a Jr. Soldier (Preparation class). Meet with parents to explain membership and get their
participation. Most parents are very open and accepting, and this represents another opportunity of contact with
them.
2. Timing is critical here. Statistics indicate that the longer the gap between making a decision for Christ and
invitation to Soldiership, the higher the dropout percentage. Be quick! (two months max) Be intentional!
ACTION
STEPS
ACTION STEP 1
ACTION STEP 2
ACTION STEP 5

9. SEEKER TO SALVATIONIST
CAMP REFOCUS
JR. SOLDIER ENROLLMENT
1. Select a weekend day and time most accessible to aGendance by family members (doesn’t have to be on Sunday).
2. Make it special inviting and involving residential/day camp/VBS staff.
3. Plan a reception following. Excellent opportunity to mix with and get to know family members. Make it classy. Be
proactive! Be intentional!
ACTION
STEPS
ACTION STEP 1
ACTION STEP 2
ACTION STEP 6

10. ACTION
STEPS
ACTION STEP 1
Camper Survey: The Salvation Army Camp Redwood Glen
Summer 2014 – Older Units
Spiritual Well Being –(SW)
How much, if any, has your experience as a camper in this camp changed you in
each of the following ways?
Decreased
Did Not
Increase
or
Decrease
Increased
a Little
Bit,
Maybe
Increased
Some, I
am Sure
Increased a
Lot, I am
Sure
1. I have a meaningful relationship
with God
2. I feel very close to God
3. I get personal strength and support
from God
4. I am able to find meaning and
purpose in my life
5. I have real direction in my life
6. Life makes sense to me
Interest In Exploration – (IE)
How much, if any, has your experience as a camper in this camp changed you in
each of the following ways?
Decreased
Did Not
Increase
or
Decrease
Increased
a Little
Bit,
Maybe
Increased
Some, I
am Sure
Increased
a Lot, I
am Sure
1. Wanting to meet new people
2. Looking forward to learning new
activities
3. Wanting to learn more about
new ideas
4. Enjoying getting to know new
people
5. Wanting to travel to places that
you have never been before
6. Wanting to do new things
7. Wanting to think about new
things
8. Wanting to visit places that are
different from where I live
SAMPLES ONLY: Complete forms can be obtained from Redwood Glen
SEEKER TO SALVATIONIST
CAMP REFOCUS
These forms can and should
be customized for day camp
and VBS as well.

11. ACTION
STEPS
ACTION STEP 1
SEEKER TO SALVATIONIST
CAMP REFOCUS

12. ACTION
STEPS
ACTION STEP 1
SEEKER TO SALVATIONIST
CAMP REFOCUS

13. ACTION
STEPS
ACTION STEP 1
SEEKER TO SALVATIONIST
CAMP REFOCUS
The most potentially productive
“Seeker to Salvationist” pools in
the Salvation Army today. Work
these action steps intentionally
and proactively and the ratio
between Seeker and Salvationist
will shrink dramatically. Most
importantly, Heaven’s rolls will
grow eternally! Let’s…
REFOCUS
For Heaven’s Sake!