LYQ’s Strategic Plan a Path to Renewal

LYQ Director Aaron Glover presented to Synod delegates, saying the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic have hit hardest in the past 12 months.

LYQ camps experienced the impacts of lockdowns, cancelled camps, COVID being detected on camps and vaccination mandates.

The organisation has had $700,000 less income than budgeted between January and April 2022.

Other challenges for LYQ include staffing as experienced team members for ministry are harder to find and lower numbers of campers and leaders being seen.

On a positive note, delegates were told about the implementation of LYQ’s 2022-2023 Strategic Plan, which seeks to improve the department’s strategic focus, Lutheran identity, leadership capacity, sustainability and partnerships.

Already, progress has been made on:

• online learning for camp leaders and congregational ministry workers
• a new summer Christian Life Week camp and a new winter adventure camp
• new Bible study curriculum for kids and Christian Life Week camps
• working with Ministry and Mission to develop a district approach to young adult ministry as well as an understanding of intergenerational worship practice
• master plan for Koojarewon Youth camp
• staffing structures
• programming and catering traineeships
• greater focus on lutheran distinctives in staff induction

Aaron also outlined the new First Camp strategy for the Koojarewon Youth Camp at Highfields, to address the “pain points” for first time campers in years 3 and 4 to make it a memorable experience.

Teachers are providing positive feedback to this approach.

It is LYQ’s aim to be the best First Camp provider in the Toowoomba region for years 3 and 4 school camps.