“Camps are CRITICAL in the life of the Church; especially right now. You can do more with the kids in 5 days of camp than you can accomplish in an entire year of Church school.” — Fr. Thomas Hopko
Church camp is what so many students call the highlight of their summer. It’s that one week away from home that is still the hub of conversation when school starts again. From flying off the blob into the lake to worship services, late-night conversations and pizza parties, there is an endless stream of fun. But somewhere in the middle of all that fun, something else happens: kids learn.
They learn new skills. They learn about themselves and each other. They learn to step outside their comfort zones. And, most importantly, they learn more about God and what it means to follow Him. Ask a group of students to finish the sentence, “Church camp is where I learned…” and you may be surprised by just how many different answers you hear.
“…how to canoe.” “…how to shoot a bow and arrow.” “…how to paint.” “…how to play gaga ball.”
Camp gives kids opportunities to learn skills and try experiences that can be hard to find anywhere else.
A camper may arrive having never held a bow, climbed a tower or paddled a canoe. By the end of the week, they may have discovered something they love or something they never knew they were good at. Climbing towers, zip lines, waterfront activities and countless camp specific games give students the chance to try something new in an encouraging environment. And where else can you learn the perfect chocolate-to-marshmallow ratio for a s’more?
Trying new things is about more than filling the schedule with fun. Every new experience is also an opportunity for students to learn something about themselves: I can do hard things. I can be brave. I can try again. I can do something I was afraid to do.
“…how to lead.” “…how to listen.” “…how to make friends.” “…about teamwork.”
Some of the most important things learned at camp aren't necessarily printed on the schedule.
Leadership, communication and teamwork can be intentionally developed through team-building activities, but those skills continue to grow throughout the entire week. Campers learn to live alongside other people. They learn to compromise, respect someone else's space, keep track of their belongings and work through disagreements. They meet people they may never have approached at school. They learn when to lead and when to listen.
For many campers, a week at camp is also one of their first experiences away from Mom and Dad. In a safe and supportive environment, they get the opportunity to become a little more independent and a little more confident in themselves.
Those lessons may not come with certificates at the end of the week, but they often go home with campers just the same.
“…about God.” “…how to pray.” “…to live by faith.” “…to read the Bible.” “…to trust God.”
Most importantly, camp is a place where students learn about God.
Worship services, Bible studies, cabin devotions, conversations with leaders and even quiet moments throughout the week all work together to help students understand what it means to live a Christian life. For some, camp becomes the place where they make a decision to follow Christ. For others, it may be where they are baptized, feel a call to ministry or experience God in a new way.
But not every life changing camp moment happens at the altar. Sometimes a student simply learns how to pray on their own. They open their Bible because they want to read it. They ask a question they've been afraid to ask. They discover Christian friendships. They realize that their relationship with God belongs to them not just their parents, pastor or youth leader.
And that may be one of the greatest things students take home from camp: a faith that is becoming their own.
This can also be a great opportunity for marketing materials! Pull out a phone and record your students' answers. Together, those little clips tell the story of camp better than almost any promotional graphic can! Read more details in the follow up blog here: Capture It While It's Fresh