Jessica Smazenko: How can we help our students make a smooth transition back into "the real world" after camp experiences where they are isolated from outside influences?
After reading this chapter, I really thought about the importance of creating smooth transitions for the students back into the "real world" after the camp experience. I'm not sure of what an answer would look like fully flushed out, but I know that it would have to be a couple different things. For one, I think it would need to be intentionally planned into the camp. Address this issue and give the students practical applications that they can take out into their lives. Also, after talking with Dusty on Monday night, I really like the idea of giving the students surveys at the beginning of the week to see where they are spiritually and where they come from. This gives an idea of what they are going to be returning to and then things can be planned accordingly. Also, I believe it is important that the youth pastors or youth leaders are aware of who is going to the camps or retreats and keeps dialogue open with them when they return. Another idea is if more than one student went from the church, have a little "party" afterwords to ask how everyone is doing and just get back together in that same group of people. If they do not go to a church, then get them hooked up with a local church and youth pastor. All of these things can help the transition better.
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I agree with Dusty and giving each student a survey to fill out. I also this that having a "reunion" the week after with all the kids from that church is also a great way into the transition back into the real world. I believe that at the camp the students need to be aware of the real world and how they are going to want be influenced right back into their old life. I think for the students who dedicate their lives to Christ at camp for the first time need to be pair up with a local church and youth pastor. It will be even more difficult for them to go back to the real world and no longer be influenced than it will be others who are already Christians and know what it is like.
ReplyDeleteKristi Line
ReplyDeleteI think that the camp should attempt to put real life situations in their devotions. This will help keep the students prepared to go back into the real world with more information on how to handle certain situations. Also, I agree that making the students fill out surveys will help to see where the students are spiritually and morally. The camp counselors or camp worship leaders could use some of these issues during devotion/worship time to lead students to think about the "real world" that they will come back to after camp is over.
There is a spiritual high from camps or retreats that a lot of students feel. I know I have many times, after a week or so with being close to God and close to friends who are also growing in their relationship with God. However, this spiritual high is lost within a week or so upon returning and being back into the real world. Dusty talked about teens at the camp he was at and was saying how they found God, and had a wonderful time at camp because they had a support system. Connecting those teens who don't have a support system to a mentor or youth pastor would be a great way to introduce them back into the real world and give them pointers to how to live out their faith. That spiritual high does not need to be lost, we just need to find a support system around us to keep living for God and experiencing Him.
ReplyDeleteI completely agreed with there being a transitional process for students to re-enter the "real world" after going through a mission trip. I feel though when need to be aware that when we shape and mold themon the mission trips and camp and their on their spiritual "highs" we cannot just dismiss everything they have gained by entering back into their regular routine. We need to conitnuely be inforcing the values and key issues that we discuss at the camps, retreats, and mission trips as a lifestyle, not just something we do on these trips. I feel that creating the kids or teens in a way that intentionally helps with not conform back into society but adapt with it and to live in it but not of it.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Jake that students should have a support system in place after a retreat to help them continue what they have learned. After being away from the normal routine of life for a week, it can be really hard for students to adjust to regular life where a Christian lifestyle is not always encouraged/promoted by their surroundings. I think that it is important to continue to promote the values learned at camp not just as something for one week only, but as a way to live all the time. I also think that with the help of a support system of adult leaders, it will be easier for students to live their lives reflecting their retreat by having someone to keep them accountable.
ReplyDeleteThe crazy thing about camps, or weekend retreats even, is that there is this high level of "get you out of your element to experience God." I fully agree that we as leaders may be ill prepared for sending our kids back home without any practicality. I am all for more experiential camps, in a large group, but with their own small group going back home and keeping each other accountable like what Emily said. I'm not sure how much more I can add to greatness already spoken!
ReplyDeleteI have been involved with enought camps to understand this issue pretty well. I see the high that the campers experience at a camp that is filled with everyone worshiping God and not afraid of what others are saying around them. I have seen many lives transformed at these camps only to see the same students go back and lose their fire. I think that there needs to be something to help them stay encouraged and on fire, they need to have something both at and after the camp to help energize them for when the experience is over. Maybe come up with a special meeting or group that reinstitutes the camp ideas or something?
ReplyDeleteZac
ReplyDeleteI agree with Dusty. We must help develop a way for people to have smooth transitions after events. Camp and retreats are a wonderful experience where students grow closer to God, make friends, and mature. The good and the bad is that they are removed from "their real-world". That is good because, it is in those moments were distractions aren't around every corner, that God can really speaks to people. I like the idea of having real life scenarios talked about in the small group times at camp, as well as developing a really good debriefing time for the following weeks after these events.
Emily Grenier
ReplyDeleteI agree with all of these statements. It is really important to continue in discipling these kids. But at the same time, that spiritual high won't last forever. It's important to realize that and to know that they can still feel close to God without feeling "high." But having a close group is beneficial for all.
I like the idea of having a small group for the campers after the experience. Give them a way to relive the camp experience, but to also get them to think more in depth about the application of the camp themes. Especially when the adult leader helps them set up opportunities to truly live out what they learned in a situation that is more than theory.
ReplyDeleteThis is a huge deal because after a camp or retreat every has the spiritual high and then they go back to the same rhythm they were in before the retreat or camp. I know this was something I struggled with and what helped me was my youth pastor and I got together everyweek to just hang out and talk. I think this was a great method to see if I was hanging in there spiritualy and helping me to transisition from th camp life to my actual life. I think the most important thing would be to guide them and help them through it during and after the camp.
ReplyDelete