Could I do a Digital Summer Camp?

How is it possible that summer has already come upon us! Well, it has been about two months since my last post, and that was not intentional, but with COVID-19 and my wife having a baby, it brought a little delay to my writing. Sorry about that!

Today is a hot topic in ministry right now, should I host a summer camp digitally or not this summer. Trust me, I have looked at that option for my ministry and understand the pros and cons of doing a digital summer camp. About two weeks ago, I put together the full gameplan to pull off a digital summer camp. In our blog today, I would like to walk you through how to pull off a digital summer camp if that is something you are interested in, but not sure how to pull it off. 

Theme

I am a big fan of themes for Summer Camp. I think that you need to have a great topic to grab your student’s attention and helps get them excited about what is going to happen. Here are three themes that I think are perfectly timed for this summer.

o   Overcome- Overcoming fear, failure, lukewarm, Covid-19, lukewarm living, etc.

o   Stronger- What does it look like to have a Strong Christian Walk. God is bigger and stronger than our struggles. Psalm 46:1 and Joshua 1:9

o   Collide- A theme centered around God colliding with our lives.

After you choose the theme, then get graphics made and start promoting your digital summer camp. Have students participate in games that help share your camp. 

Boxes for Students 

I think that students need to receive a box or something that has merchandise, notebook, pen, and other items that they could use during the week for summer camp. Students could receive boxes in the mail, or you can drop them off at their house. However, you want to have them distributed is up to you and your team, but there is something about students having material and items in hand while participating in Summer Camp. Here are some ideas for what the Box could include. 

• The Box could include:

  • Summer Camp T-Shirt

  •  Journal with camp logo on it

  •  Pen for Camp

  •  Bag of Popcorn

  • Participant Books

Kickoff Event (Night Before):

Should you have a kickoff event the night before starting a digital camp? Yes, there is something special about doing a kickoff event for camp, but when you are doing camp digitally, it is especially important to have a kickoff to camp. Having a kickoff service or event helps build hype, excitement, and encouragement for the digital camp.

 I have thought of many different ideas that may be the perfect kickoff event. But I have narrowed it down to these three.

•  Deal or No Deal- Using Happy Meal Boxes

  •  Students will submit their names in for different giveaways, or they could answer trivia questions for a chance at choosing a box with a giveaway in it. I have also seen this done where boxes have cards inside of them that say, “Sorry, Not a Winner.” You choose how to play, but it is a definite win for your ministry.

•  The Tonight Show

  •  Set up a time to interview 1-2 Students and make it feel like they are on the set of Jimmy Fallon or something.

  • I also love including in my tonight show a moment where I write cards to leaders, influencers, or famous people.

  •  Lastly, do some giveaways, because honestly, that is why the students are checking in to the kickoff to digital summer camp.

•  Talent Show

  •  I have students submit videos of them doing their talent at home, outside, or whatever location they prefer. Students have to offer a video that is about 1.5-2 minutes long. Make sure you put together rules and guidelines for talents, music, and apparel. Lastly, I let them know that we will edit the videos if needed.

Small-Group Element

I believe that it is imperative that you set up small group time nightly after the evening service. I think it would allow for some great discussion with leaders and students to build off of the message, but also enable discipleship to happen in your ministry. All your small groups can happen on zoom, facebook rooms, google hangouts, or whatever social media client you want to use. But I would have a regular time for small groups and make sure that your small group leaders share back with you any feedback from their meetings. It allows accountability, but also allows you to follow up with students throughout their digital camp experience.

Daily Schedule

I would keep the digital camp very short and to a 2-3 hour window daily. I would not exceed that because you do not want them to get burned out, but also remember they are at home and not actually at Summer Camp. Shorter is always better.            

Speaker 

You can speak to your students and your staff can also, but I would recommend for one night bringing in a special guest. Why? It gives them a different voice and perspective, but honestly, it brings excitement to your digital camp to have a different view. 

Student Participant Book

The last thing that I would cover is providing a student participant book. It is not expensive at all, but it is a vital part of your summer camp for students to follow along and take notes. I always make my student books include a place to take sermon notes, daily devotionals, and a few games for them to participate in during the week. I add a QR code to the page where it mentions a game and allow the students to have a unique game experience while at your digital summer camp.

No matter how you plan your digital camp, just make sure you make it unique for your students. Your ministry needs to meet the students where they are and help them grow deeper in their Christian walk. I am praying for each of you as you tackle digital camp.