Camp Advice

Caged Love · 06-02-2011, 04:44 PM

Well, i don't know if I can consider it a career choice or anything like that, but I suppose it is an occupation. I am going to be working at Torch Trail Bible Camp in northern Saskatchewan this summer, starting about halfway through June. I already handed in my resignation to Home Hardware (thank goodness I'm gone!), and am excited to be going to camp.

However, there is a slight "catch". I have never worked at camp, nor have i even attended a camp before. Needless to say, I'm a bit anxious about working with kids for 2 months, considering I don't have the biggest passion for younger children. I could use some advice for sure from people who have experience with younger kids (10-13), as this age group is the largest throughout the summer.

God bless!

**DaGeek** · 06-02-2011, 05:41 PM

That's a totally cool age group to work with! Start getting excited, because your mind will probably be blown by some of the profound stuff that'll come out of their mouths (as well as bizarre and irrepressibly immature

)!

What sort of advice are you looking for? How to minister to them? Games? How to talk to them? Other?

ithomas1600 · 06-02-2011, 08:39 PM

don't underestimate them. i hated being treated like i was less competent and couldn't learn as well as a 15 year old. be prepared they ask good and difficult questions if you challange them to. they want to learn they just don't know it yet

Caged Love · 06-02-2011, 09:53 PM

Oh, I know I can't underestimate the age group. Indeed, I believe that they are more mature than one would think, and I know they have their quirks but so does everyone (but they have more noticeable ones). But I'm still a bit nervous and what-not, I mean it's been a while since I've dealt with this age group and I'll be rusty haha. I know that's not a legit reason, but I'm much more relational towards the teenage/young adult group (my age group). I love apologetics and the like, but I can't really use this for the age group.

DaGeek, I could use pretty much anything you can give me at this point. I want to be as effective as I can with the kids, and I know that means submitting to God and glorifying Him in everything I do, but it certainly helps to be prepared as well! I'm mainly interested as to how to minister to them most effectively as a whole. I'm sure I can tell enough of my famous stories to entertain them, and I can be immature as well haha, but being serious with the age group is tougher for me.

jthomas1600 · 06-03-2011, 06:51 AM

I think one on one mentor-ship is probably the most effective tool for improving in something like this. My advise would be to go to camp and watch the other guys doing a similar job to what you are doing and identify a couple that you think are doing well and spend some time with them/learning from them. If there is someone in your local church who ministers well to this age group maybe you can get together with them now and ask some questions.

cotten · 06-03-2011, 02:15 PM

Some tips:

If possible, learn their names even before they arrive, and use their names often, especially as camp begins.
Know and abide by the Camp rules yourself at all times, and never let the campers sneak past them.
Expect the best, and be on the lookout for appropriate ways to recognize and reinforce good behavior when it happens.
Be ready for instantaneous shifts from profoundly mature to clearly childlike, and even childish.
Be ready for easily bruised feelings and inappropriate anger, from both girls and guys.
Be ready for lots of bathroom humor - know how you're going to handle it before it comes up.
Be ready to shower LOTS of encouragement, as this is one of life's biggest transition times, and they are still discovering who they are.
When correcting behavior, be firmly gentle, and again, encouraging.
Be ready to demonstrate both justice and grace. Grace is harder, but more life changing.
Be ready to talk about the "opposite sex," and how to get along with them. I know, BIG order! Oh, and be very careful with your own relationships. Make sure they are God-pleasing in every way. Those kids will be watching carefully!
Be ready to be taken to task if at any point you do not live up to what you "preach." This age needs to see first hand that it is possible to rejoice always, to be holy, to pray without ceasing, etc.
Be ready to do lots of fun, activity teaching. Lectures are likely to be the least effective approach. Making a lesson creatively entertaining, the most effective.
Be ready to teach young individuals, not just groups, and not just "lessons." Take an active interest in how each camper is doing, especially the "loners."
BE FLEXIBLE.
Be ready for the most fun, the most fulfilling summer you've ever had!

I could go on, but another tip is to be careful not to go on going on. Adolescents handle new information best in bite sizes.

I've taught on the faculty of a week long summer youth music camp for ages 12-18 for a long time, and it is one of the things I look forward to most.

cotten

Caged Love · 06-03-2011, 06:58 PM

Hmm, sounds like I'll be having fun! I mean I lived in a Bible College men's dorm for 3 years, so I got used to the potty jokes, the talks about the opposite gender and so on... I think keeping a consistent calm demeanor and being mindful of what I say/do is going to be something I need to be most aware of. But these tips are definitely going to heart guys, this stuff is awesome!

Caged Love · 06-19-2011, 09:35 PM

Update: I leave for camp tomorrow and will be gone for an unknown amount of time. If you could pray for me on occasion that would be so sweet! I'll miss you guys!

**DaGeek** · 06-19-2011, 09:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Caged Love

Update: I leave for camp tomorrow and will be gone for an unknown amount of time. If you could pray for me on occasion that would be so sweet! I'll miss you guys!

Good luck! Sorry for never getting back to you in this thread! Cotten seems to have hit the nail on the head, though

. Youth are awesome, and one of the things they want to see is that you value them individually. A lot of them won't really show you much response, but they will value that you respect them and treat them right. Don't be too trusting, of course, but make it evident that you aren't just going to dismiss them for their age.

You'll do awesomely! It's a learning experience all the time, but you'll be just fine!

Caged Love · 06-19-2011, 10:39 PM

Thanks man! I am pretty excited about this, but it is going to be intense and I am certainly an introvert who gets overwhelmed with crowds haha... yeah, perfect for this. Oh well, God takes the the unqualified for many of His plans, which I think is what is happening here haha. But thanks for the advice guys, it means a lot to me!

marksmolokai · 06-19-2011, 11:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Caged Love

Oh well, God takes the the unqualified for many of His plans

I think the saying goes "God doesn't call the qualified, He qualifies the called," or something like that. That seems to be the mantra in my church where we are led by such a motley crew, including myself.

Anyways, it sounds like you'll have a fun summer...just relax and enjoy it, kids can sense when you're tense or uncomfortable around them, and they know when you over think or over plan things. Sounds like you really care about this so I'm sure you'll do great.