Your group will be off to camp soon, and your support while they’re there is vital. It will reinforce the power of the camp experience in students’ lives and exhibit your belief in students and your investment in their faith journey.
When students and adults feel supported, their experience will be even better. Here are some ways you as pastor or other church leader can undergird the camp experience and be seen as an enthusiastic supporter.
1. Be present.
Attend if you can, even if it’s for a short time. It may be for just a day. If you cannot make it to camp, be present for send-off to commission them and pray over them. Also, consider joining a church group meeting time via Zoom or FaceTime to let students see and hear from you.
2. Pray for them.
Pray for students and adults by name. Start this before they leave for camp but especially while they’re at camp. Pray specifically for those who need to come to salvation in Christ or who are dealing with hard situations. Pray over your leaders for wisdom, discernment, words to say, rest and health.
Pray for students and adults by name. … Pray specifically for those who need to come to salvation in Christ or who are dealing with hard situations. — Kyle Cravens
3. Send encouragement.
Write a personal note of encouragement to each student and adult attending and give it to them before they leave. This step will speak volumes to your students and show them you really care. It may take time, but it will pay huge dividends.
4. Study along with them.
Follow along with the daily themes and study. By doing this, you will know what your students are studying and hearing at camp, and you will know better how to pray for them. You’ll also be able to connect with them once they’re home about the things they learned and hold them accountable.
5. Support your student minister and adults.
Check in with your student minister and adults to see how the week is going. Text them encouragement each morning. Send them a treat. Camp is demanding and can be exhausting for adults. Your support will mean so much.
“Camp is demanding and can be exhausting for adults. Your support will mean so much.” — Kyle Cravens
6. Be available.
Be on call in case a situation arises when your student minister needs you and your guidance. This could range from a student reporting an incident situation back home that will need follow-up to behavior issues where help is needed in knowing how to handle it.
7. Invite others in your church to participate.
Ask church volunteers, maybe in the senior adult area, to prepare and send a care package of snacks, fun items and encouraging notes to camp to be given out mid-session.
Camp is designed to be a life-changing experience where students are away from the normal day-to-day so they can focus on God and their relationship with Him. This experience is dependent upon congregational support and recognition, and it starts with the senior pastor and extends to the entire church family. Don’t miss this opportunity. Your students and adults will never forget that you were there for them during this significant time in their lives.
EDITOR’S NOTE — This article was written by Kyle Cravens for Lifeway Research and edited by TAB.
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