Summer camps are full of friends, fun, and memories, but they also impact kids and teens beyond their time at camp. Christian youth camps are a great place to instill healthy spiritual habits that will endure long after it's time to pack up and go home.
1. Living in Community with Believers
While many kids attending Christian youth camps come from Christian families, for those who don't, camp is the first place they experience living in a community with other believers. Worshiping and praying together with their peers is an unforgettable experience.
Summer camp is not just about connecting with peers but also with trusted adults as counselors and staff seek to come alongside campers as mentors in the faith. No one is perfect, but even in difficult situations or social drama, the community is able to exercise grace and forgiveness as Christ encouraged.
2. Exercising Spiritual Disciplines
Many Christian youth camps encourage campers and counselors alike to spend a portion of their busy days in prayer and Bible study. These rhythms known as spiritual disciplines are valuable habits for any Christian to form in growing in their understanding of the Bible and its contents.
Often the busyness of everyday life pushes these activities to the fringe or causes them to be eliminated altogether in the rush of tasks and activities. The slower pace of summer camp, coupled with the fact that everyone is taking time for prayer together, allows campers the chance to discover the benefits of daily prayer and focus on God.
3. Scripture-Based Games and Songs
Ask any adult who grew up attending Christian youth camps if they remember a Bible verse or song they learned, and chances are they will be able to recite it even decades later. Many summer camps involve memorization contests, catchy songs, and games to help campers remember Bible lessons and stories.
While these games and songs are fun (and sometimes silly) entertainment, they also implant Scripture verses in the hearts of campers where they will be remembered long after camp is finished. Again, for kids who don't regularly attend church or other Christian youth groups, these might be the only spiritual songs and verses they learn.
4. Serving and Loving Our Neighbors
One of the most enduring lessons to be learned at a Christian summer camp is Jesus' own exhortation to be servant leaders. Often campers will gain practice serving each other through camp chores or service projects in a community that shares work.
As camp ends and kids return home, they bring with them the satisfaction of having served their community well and a lasting desire to use their unique gifts and talents to meet the needs of their own communities at home.
Contact a company like Victory Church to learn more about Christian youth camps.