Upcoming Programs in 2026

Below is the schedule for our three upcoming programs and the directed study in Site Administration.

September 28 – October 1
Articulating Our Mission, Role, and Value

Directed Study
Site Administration

September 28 – October 1

Articulating Our Mission, Role, and Value

About the Course

Do you know where your ministry is going? Can you clearly articulate for others who you are and why you exist? Identification and implementation of mission, core values, and philosophy are central to all aspects of successful outdoor ministry: program, site management, hospitality, marketing, finances, and more. Participants will delve into their organization’s mission and core values. This course involves organizational introspection and will engage with a wide variety of concepts, ideas, and activities. Coursework will challenge a new or clearer perspective concerning mission, philosophy, vision and core values in your outdoor ministry.

By the end of the course, participants will:

  • Be challenged to clearly understand mission, philosophy, vision, and core values in their outdoor ministry.
  • Articulate their organization’s purpose.
  • Develop an elevator speech in order to share that purpose with the constituency.

This course will be held at Pilgrim Firs Camp & Retreat Center in Port Orchard, WA, and will be taught by Todd Bartlett and Margie Fiedler.

About the Instructors

Todd BartlettTodd Bartlett has served as the Executive Director for Camp and Retreat Ministry of the Oregon-Idaho United Methodist Church since 2016. He is an ordained elder in the United Methodist Church having served churches for 18+ years, followed by 8+ years as the director of the Alton L. Collins Retreat Center near Sandy, OR. He has a BA in International Relations from the University of MN and an MDiv from Boston University School of Theology. He enjoys photography, good food, and being on the water. His great joy in camp and retreat ministry is helping others learn and experience gracious hospitality.

Margie FiedlerMargie Fiedler served as the Executive Director of Flathead Lutheran Bible Camp (FLBC) in Montana since 2011, retiring on June 1, 2025. She is now halftime with the FLBC, coordinating the 3.5M Capital Campaign. She also serves as a consultant for GSB Fundraising, working with camps and non-profits in Executive Coaching, Board Development, Crisis Management, Fund Development, and Strategic Planning. She previously served as the Associate Vice President of Marketing for the ELCA’s Mission Investment Fund, Legacy gift planner for the ELCA Foundation, and Associate to the Bishop for the Inland NW synod of the ELCA. From 1977-1997, Margie served as Executive Director for Lutherhaven Ministries, ID, and Lutheran Outdoor Ministries, Ohio. (Hopewood). Stewardship, youth, camping, hospitality, and global mission are among her passions. Margie enjoys hiking, skiing, canoeing, reading, traveling, baking, and being with her family.

About the Tuition, Lodging, and Meals

The tuition for this certificate course is just $365. The lodging/meals options are single occupancy ($422.75) and double occupancy ($375). This includes three nights in bedroom accommodations with hall bathrooms (linens are provided) and all of your meals (Monday dinner through Thursday breakfast).

Transportation

Please arrive at Pilgrim Firs by 5:00pm on Monday. This course ends with breakfast on Thursday. For those participants flying into the Seattle Tacoma International Airport (SEA) in SeaTac, WA, the Compass Points Council is looking into the Kitsap Charter Service and scheduling one bus to pick up all Compass Points participants who need shuttle transportation. As part of the registration process, you will be asked about your travel plan intentions (if you plan to fly or drive, if you will need a shuttle from the airport, or if you’re planning to rent a car, etc.). The Compass Points Council will review the travel information and coordinate shuttle needs accordingly.

Reading for the Course

Required Reading
Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap… and Others Don’t by Jim Collins (Chapters 1-3)
The Infinite Game by Simon Sinek
View the TEDx Talk: Start with Why – How Great Leaders Inspire Action by Simon Sinek

Recommended Reading
Fish!: A Remarkable Way to Boost Morale and Improve Results by Stephen C. Lundin
Anxious Church, Anxious People by Jack Shitama

REGISTER NOW

Questions?

Please contact Joel Winchip at  joel@pccca.net or 803.322.0232 if you should have any questions about this class or the entire program.

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 one 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. Register to receive the digital curriculum. Please email with any questions.