How Youth Group Leaders Can Use Snail Mail to Connect with Their Students

Snail mail may seem like a thing of the past, but the truth is that youth leaders are missing out on a prime opportunity to connect with their students by not using snail mail. Everybody loves getting mail, especially kids and teens who normally don't get personal mail. Junk mail is one thing, but something fun like a card for no reason or a postcard from a friend on vacation is always a sweet surprise.

So how can youth group leaders effectively use good old-fashioned snail mail to connect with their students? It's actually remarkably easy. Here are some fun, crazy ideas for youth leaders to use with their students to get you started.

Snail Mail Tip #1
Have your students current addresses

Before you can mail off anything you'll need to be sure that you have your students current addresses. So keep your youth group directory updated at all times. This should include their cell phone number, email and of course their mailing address. It's good to have an online version of the youth group directory accessible online for those times that you're away from home or the office.

Snail Mail Tip #2
Send students a fun card on their birthday

Every good youth group leader should have their students birthdays and addresses marked on a calendar or directory somewhere. Forget a kid's birthday and you immediately drop a few notches in their eyes.

Buying a birthday card for each student in your youth group doesn't have to be a huge expense either. My local dollar store has an incredible selection of birthday cards available for .50 cents each. Even Wal-Mart has birthday cards for less than that. If you have a large youth group you'll probably get a better deal by buying a selection of birthday cards in a box set or package.

No matter what type of card you choose, the point is to make sure the each student in your youth group receives a birthday card in the mail from you on or before their birthday. Tuck a popular gift card to a place like Starbucks or McDonald's in there for an added surprise.

Snail Mail Tip #3
Send students a postcard when you're traveling

Whether you head out-of-state to visit the in-laws or travel across the country for a youth pastors convention, let your students know you're still thinking of them by popping a few postcards with a short, fun message into the mailbox before you return home. Obviously, if you have a large youth group you probably won't be able to send a postcard off to each student. So just keep a list of who got a card during which trip so that you get around to each student at some point.

Snail Mail Tip #4
Send your students a surprise in the mail

This can be anything - a quirky magazine article that reminds you of them, fun snapshots from the last youth camping trip, a copy of an awesome devotional or even just an envelope filled with confetti and a post-it saying "Surprise! You're Awesome!" Your students will be talking about their unexpected mail for days.

With a little creativity and a lot of heart, you'll find that an envelope and a stamp can go a long way when it comes to teens.