Comments on RETHINKING YOUTH MINISTRY: 7 WAYS TO GUARANTEE A LOUSY CHURCH CAMP

Good thoughts, Ryan. I couldn't agree more.

2010-05-07T15:07:18.748-05:00

Good thoughts, Ryan. I couldn't agree more.

I think these comments can be helpful not just for...

2010-05-07T14:55:48.616-05:00

I think these comments can be helpful not just for camp, but also for Youth Group Gatherings in general. For example, we have 6th graders moving up to youth group next Wednesday, and these types of pointers are good things to keep in mind.

this is my favorite blog! keep writing :)

2009-06-18T00:50:50.299-05:00

this is my favorite blog! keep writing :)

DaYouthGuy, Thanks for the feedback. Regarding #1...

2009-06-17T09:36:40.018-05:00

DaYouthGuy, Thanks for the feedback.

Regarding #1: I think you have this just right. Community builders are great but it's important to allow the introverts to opt out as needed (within reason). My suggestion is to start with activities that are low threat (the "Would you rather" sort of games where there's not a lot of physical interation and no one person has to be the focus of attention) and then you work up to those more elaborate team-building games as the teens get to know each other.

On #3: I wasn't clear. You are perfectly right, I think, that shared songs are important. I didn't mean to imply you shouldn't sing old songs. But include everyone by providing written lyrics on paper or powerpoint so everybody can participate from the beginning. I've been to camps where this was not the case and so you had to have been there before to know the words.

On #6: I really like your approach to this as it provides the right sort of balance. I can tell from what you have written that you deal with this in a healthy way. Some camps do not and they make a much bigger deal out of it than it needs to be, leaving behind the impression that the staff just assumes that "hooking up" is what they all came to camp for. When camps have middle schoolers and highschoolers together (as mine does) focusing too much on this issue can be a challenge to the younger ones to whom dating and sex isn't even on their radar yet. They just come to camp to have fun. So attending to the issue is fine -- dwelling on it can cause problems.

Thanks for sharing your input!

Getting ready to head off to camp myself in 10 day...

2009-06-17T08:21:46.758-05:00

Getting ready to head off to camp myself in 10 days so I approached your post with interest and a certain amount of dread. I agree with several points and disagree with others. #2,4,5,and 7 I agree with completely. Interestingly on #7 I've gotten complaints from the youth when I leave some "free" time in the schedule. A lot of our kids really have never had to figure it out for themselves. Which is why it's staying free time!

Quick thoughts on the others:
1: Don't do icebreakers but interaction is still needed. I'm not sure I see where this ends up. We do icebreakers and community builders (actually using all stuff from you site this year). If someone wants to opt out we let them but we encourage everyone to join in community.

3: So I shouldn't sing songs from previous years? All new songs every year? If you're not giving every one some help in learning the traditional songs I can see the problem but shared songs are part of the culture of the community. Should we stop singing the classic hymns in church because a newcomer won't know them?

6: We do the purple conversation every year, the kids ask for it. And yes we also talk about "hot pink" and "baby blue". It's part of our "covenant" for our time together. It's much less about "Thou shalt not" and more about easing pressure by setting that aside. I ask existing couples to relax and just function as brother and sister (or whatever) in Christ for that week too. I was perplexed by your assertion that this alienates kids who aren't sexually mature. My experience says they see it as boring and not relevent so largely ignore it.

Much to think about as I finish up my packing and prep. Have a great time at camp.

Great list -- most of them apply to your counselin...

2009-06-16T23:29:15.177-05:00

Great list -- most of them apply to your counseling staff as well. New counselors are generally donating their time away from work for a week and don't need to be rewarded for that by being made to feel like noobs who need to spend their entire week trying to play catch up from summers past. As Michael Scott would say "I love inside jokes. I'd like to be a part of one some day."