How do we prevent summer camp from being “just” a one week experience? How do we build on the decisions and the experience in order to extend the benefits?
Summer camp plays a vital role in the overall strategy of any student ministry. I know from experience that this has been a turning point in many lives. I consistently come in contact with pastors, missionaries and teachers who committed their lives to Christ at summer camp.
Our goal in ministry is to create a strategy that encompasses the student’s life, not just their time. Every event, relationship and experience should be another building block in an intentional ministry. Summer camp is one of those building blocks that can be capitalized, transforming into sustainable life-change.
Summer camp should be a process, not a destination. In order to maximize the experience, you need to implement a plan on both ends. I want to suggest seven practical steps to help extend the benefits of summer camp.
- Check out the theme and emphasis of the camp before attending so you can prepare the students before they arrive. If they arrive at summer camp already engaged, their take-away will be greater.
- Begin follow-up of the spiritual decisions at camp; don’t wait until you return home. Have a plan for creating accountability for each student. Check out my post How to Make Summer Camp Decisions Stick for more information.
- Borrow ideas, songs or games from camp that you can incorporate into your ministry. This will help remind the students of the experience. Check out Ways to Be More Creative: #7 Borrow Ideas.
- Connect your students to their counselors via email, Facebook, Twitter or IM, so they can continue communication. A counselor’s influence should not end when you drive away from camp.
- Video your students’ testimonies following camp and use these in your fall programing. We often use them in a Sunday service after camp, so why not plan to extend their effect?
- Have each student write a letter and address it to himself the last day of camp. Ask them to explain any decisions they made and how the experience changed them. Then mail the letters to each student January 1. You can remind them of their decisions – but how much better to hear it in their own words.
- Get the students involved in the youth ministry and other ministries of the church. This allows them to put into practice some of the things they learned and are continuing to learn.
What are some of the ideas you have found helpful?
