You never know what to expect going into church camp.  It was a whirlwind four days filled with exhilarating games, powerful sermons, blobbing, waterslides, smelly campers, midnight ding dong ditching, and it culminated with two of my 8^th grade boys making decisions to follow Jesus. 

God was on the move!

I have done middle school camp for years and feel comfortable enough to give a few tips.  If you happen to have a camp coming up yourself, feel free to pay heed. 

1. Pray.  Pray before camp for God to mold hearts.  Pray during camp for God to open your eyes to opportunities to connect with kids and show them Jesus.  Pray afterward for the kids slide back into normal life and that they can pick up enriching spiritual habits. 
2. Lay the ground rules.  From day one, they have to be firmly in place, and the campers must buy in.  A gentle redirect at first may be needed, but if you are continually having issues, a more serious tone can help.  Be encouraging but don’t let your anger get the best of you if you are having problems. 
3. Be intentional.  Recognize moments where you can witness.  These moments come at the most mundane moments, usually between sessions during down time.  Build relationships with the kids.  Gain their trust.  Then as the week goes on, dive deeper into spiritual talks.
4. Empower leaders.  Especially the high school helpers.  My two sophomores were vital to helping our group have fun, and we even let them each lead a small group session on the last night.  I caught three sophomore girls on a picnic table and asked them to practice their testimonies on me.  And never be shy about allowing one of your own middle schoolers to slide into leadership by praying for the group.
5. Recharge when needed.  Do NOT feel guilty if you need a half hour or hour to lay down in your bunk and rest.  That first afternoon I took an hour after lunch to close my eyes and decompress.  It was just what my body needed to power through the lake and pool activities. 
6. Take pictures.  The memories will pop up for years to come.  Share the pics with parents.  I asked some of my new kids that I just met for their parents’ phone numbers, and all were grateful in knowing their kids were okay and having a blast.
7. Say thank you.  To the speakers.  To the lunch staff.  To the lifeguards.  To the worship team.  Anyone who serves.  These weeks are exhausting, and the encouragement is needed.  When people get a compliment at the right time, it boosts their energy and commitment to excellence.  They try even harder!
8. Diffuse camp drama.  There will always be issues with relationships, who cheated in which game, and gossip that drips from every lip.  Keep positive.  Encourage others to not share negative things.  Stand up for what is right.  Move past the negative and embrace hope for the future.  If you hear someone share an unhealthy rumor or gossip, cut it off.  Tell the kid bluntly to keep that information to themselves.
9. Model behavior you want to see.  Worship with your hands raised.  Clean up after yourself.  Devote yourself to a quiet time.  Encourage others with positive comments.  Go all out in the games.  Laugh and have fun!  Check in on the lonely.  Ask campers how their week is going.  Serve.
10. Encourage a take home goal and follow up.  I had my boys write down one thing they learned at camp that they wanted to take home with them.  Some wanted to pray more.  Some wanted to attend youth group more regularly.  Others wanted to get their parents to come to church.  Others yet wanted to download YouVersion and complete Bible plans.  As time passes, check in on the kids and see how they are doing.  Ask if they have any questions.  Guide them to their next steps.

I saw God at work daily at Youthfront.  Day one was all about setting those ground rules, learning names, making connections, and building trust.  My 8^th grade boys inhaled candy like it was going out of style.  Their sugar highs combined with their curiosity for the week made night one an exhausting marathon.  Nobody got much sleep, but by day two, it all changed.

Breakfast.  Small group.  Chapel.  Lunch.  Free time: blobbing, waterslides, snack shack, frisbee golf, game room, more snacking, pool basketball, napping, and my favorite pastime, boys and girls flirting with each other by ding dong ditching and splashing water in each other’s eyes.  Then showers (you hope).  Dinner.  Chapel. Small group.  Night games.  Lights out at 11:30 pm. 

After a day like that, how could you not just hit the pillow exhausted and melt into your bed like butter?  We slept like rock stars that second night.  The fun from the first full day molded into more intense sermons and small group discussions on the second day.  Leaders emerged.  Eyes were opened.  Worship thundered in the chapel, moving our souls.  Tears were shed.  Even my toughest 8^th grade boys.

I watched one of our more outspoken leaders break down completely.  How I yearned for him to approach me so I could console him, but his buddies swooped in with hugs and comfort that he needed.  All I could do was smile and snap a picture of the moment (see above picture).  Back in the cabin, another boy asked about baptism.  We called and texted his mom.  The boys didn’t want to go to sleep.  They wanted to stay up all night talking.  Their weary bodies wouldn’t allow it though.  And a certain cabin leader may have got his teacher voice on to regulate.

The last day was the icing on the cake.  I texted out pictures to parents.  Worship moved us again.  The two clans of 8^th grade boys, split the entire week by different cliques and friendships, united as one, arms wrapped around each other’s shoulders.  I was there in the middle.  Weeping.  Wondering how God could be so good.  And as we sat down, another boy asked to be baptized.  I pulled his mom and him aside.  The only thing left to do was head to the pool.

The afternoon sun baked my skin as we waited.  How many kids had chosen to make Jesus the Lord of their lives today?  I honestly lost count.  It seemed like eight or nine.  The most I had ever seen at a middle school camp.  Walking into the water was refreshing.  Invigorating.  Our youth pastor asked my two boys if they accepted Jesus as Lord and savior, and I got to dunk each one. 

All glory to God!

I cannot wait to lay my head down tonight, but I would not be able to sleep without digesting this amazing week here.  I never expected God to move like He did this week.  It was magical.  May your summer camp experiences be fruitful and fulfilling as well!