A Case for Camp

Have you ever given serious thought to not having youth camp? Most haven’t.

It is a conversation that we had at one point in my career and considered pulling it from the summer schedule. After much thought and intense conversation, we continued having an annual youth camp.

Here are a few of the things we learned in the process:

Camp is optional. You just need to go there and come to grips with some of the deeper issues in play. Prepare yourself to not like all the answers you come up with but at the end of the day remember that it is optional programming.
Camp should be a strategic piece to your youth ministry philosophy and process. You invest way too many resources for it to be anything less. I know in my career that Youth Camp would comprise up to 50% of my budget. Take time to create a philosophy of ministry and clarify the why of Camp.
There is life after camp. This is our mantra at Horizon Camps. While Youth Camp requires a major commitment of resources—people, time, and finances—it is one week of your year. What you do the other 51 weeks matters most. Therefore, plan like it.
Camp produces fruit, but will it remain? The fruit is in the follow-up. Camp isn’t over until you are 100% confident the follow-up is complete. The follow-up plan starts before you ever leave for camp. Share the process with your leadership and connect students for discipleship.
Camp does create a unique culture for growth. Generally, camps are more inclusive than mission trips and provide extended time for building relationships—for you, the Leader, and for one another. These relationships create a solid foundation for your student ministry to develop year-round.

At the end of the day, I will admit my bias but at least I’ve had the conversation. I would recommend it. Camp will mean more if you do.