This week, we leave for our annual summer camp. It is by far one of my favorite things we do all year. This is going to be my 3rd summer camp and I can’t wait! Here are a couple things that I’m going to do to make the most out of this year’s camp:

  1. Get a deck of cards! Games build instant community. Try to find some games that you can carry with you in your backpack. Whenever you sit around a group of students at lunch or in the coffee shop, pull out a deck of cards. It is a great way for students to build a relationship with you and for students to build relationships with each other. The classic go-to is a deck of cards. If you decide to go that route, I suggest playing games like “Egyptian Rat Screw” or “Spoons.” Both of those games allow for a large amount of people to play so that anyone can join the party. I am also a personal fan of the game “Monopoly Deal.”
  2. SLEEP! Camp already kicks your butt, but doing it while you’re tired will be infinitely worse. Do whatever you can to sneak naps into your everyday schedule and make sure you get plenty of sleep every night. If you feel like you are getting sick, immediately drink some Emergen-C. Take good care of yourself before you get to camp and you’ll thank yourself for it later.
  3. Buy some snacks! If your camp allows it, grab some snacks. Nothing will bring people to you like a bag of chips. Food is one of the best ways to connect people together (i.e. Thanksgiving, Christmas, etc.). Everyone always gravitates to the person with the food. Some of my best conversations at camp have come up because I brought chips and salsa. Worth every cent.
  4. Pray! Make a list of the things to pray for. Pray for health and safety. Pray for each student and volunteer by name. Pray for your own health, both physical and spiritual. Camp is doing ministry 24 hours a day for however long your camp is. You will be pouring out a ton to students so make sure you have something to pour. Make sure you are taking care of your spiritual life.

What are ways you prepare yourself for camp?

Colton

[Email||Twitter]