Events – Part 4: Host a Camp/Retreat
Every summer we host a weekend retreat exclusively for preteens. Several years ago we stopped inviting 4th-6th graders to VBS, but instead invited them to a three (or sometimes four) day retreat. We were growing rapidly needing more space and also felt VBS was too kiddie for 4th-6th graders. It’s the biggest and most effective program we run all year long. What do we see happen at each retreat? Spiritual and relational breakthroughs. There is nothing like spending four days with a small group of preteens. You sleep, eat, play, learn and pray together twenty four hours a day. By the end of the retreat, leaders and preteens have experienced a deep sense of community and sometimes even form life-long friendships. On a spiritual level preteens experience more life transformation and God encounters in four days than in six months of weekend services. They experience God through extended worship, have plenty of opportunities to get prayer, are exposed to tons of life-changing messages and are empowered to live out their faith in God. Consider hosting a camp or weekend retreat and create an environment for life change.
When putting together a camp or retreat there are a couple of key elements that need to be present.
First, get out of dodge. I cannot explain it but something magical happens when you take a road trip and leave town. The problems of everyday life and distractions of following God are removed. It creates an environment where God can do his stuff in the hearts of his children.
Second, go to a retreat/camp center in the woods. Something about a real camp experience is exciting. Look for a place that has a lake, swimming pool, rock climbing wall, cabins to sleep in, etc. I’ve been to camps before that were hosted on a college campus, but it’s not the same. Something about being in nature creates a sense of wonder and adventure within the group. I also think we more easily connect to God when we simply life and are surrounded by God’s creation.
Third, have plenty of worship. Invite the youth group’s worship team, recruit a worship team or pay a worship team to lead worship. Whatever you do, don’t skip worship. It has a way of breaking down the walls we build around our hearts. Preteens also often experience God speaking to them when worshipping. God’s spirit seems to be more evident when a group of people openly worship Him. Also, make sure worship is done in a relevant way to preteens. Some variation of a band is preferable. In other words, leave the organ at home.
Fourth, don’t allow electronic devices. As you know, preteens are a media driven generation. They spend most of their leisure time engaged in some type of media – TV, movies, iPod, internet, video games, cell phone, email, instant messaging, text messaging and yes even Myspace. Give them the opportunity to disconnect from media and help them to connect with one another and God. Now, often parents want preteens to bring a cell phone for easy access to them. On a parents request I do allow cell phones under one condition – that it is given to the group leader and used only for emergency purposes.
Fifth, having hosted over 15 preteen retreats I recommend the following basic schedule. Do worship/message/small group twice a day. In the morning after breakfast and in the evening starting around 7-8pm. The day should be filled with outdoor activities like group games, swimming, canoeing, etc. Not a bad idea to also include some down time throughout the day. Free time and/or a movie are great ideas. I believe this schedule is a recipe for success.
Sixth, either host your own retreat or bring them to a camp that does it all for you. See what is available in your area. A little research goes a long way. From day one, we decided to put the retreat together ourselves, but there is a lot of work involved in doing so. Another option is to bring them to SuperStart, which is an preteen event that has all the components I mentioned above and more. They do it all for you and you spend the time hanging out with preteens. iShine is another one similar to SuperStart. Although I believe a camp experience is preferable, SuperStart is such a powerful event that the benefits exceed the need to get away to a retreat center. I also think that SuperStart is open to expanding to other cities if your church is willing to host the event. Not sure, you need to check with them. Also, Group Publishing hosts a preteen work camp for preteens. They add one more thing to the mix – serving others. Each day preteens do some sort of service project in the community. Pretty cool.
There are a lot of elements to consider when hosting a preteen retreat or camp. However, I believe these six are the most crucial to consider.