What to Look for in a Christian Summer Camp

**Note: the following advice and information comes solely from the writer's firsthand experience in teaching and leading worship at two separate summer youth camps in Alabama and Louisiana.

With the fall season coming to a close, a new year will soon be upon us. And a new spring semester of school will bring for many students a feeling of disdain and disgust. Leaving Christmas break behind to reenter the world of academia can be a depressing scenario to say the least. Fortunately, the summer break is a time when countless parents across the country plan for their children to attend one of the hundreds of religious camps spread out across the U.S. Church-sponsored, run or operated camps can be an incredibly fulfilling and needed experience for the vast majority of today's children and teens. Before choosing one for your child, here are a few things you should consider and questions you should ask:

1. Doctrinal Statement, Beliefs, Values & the Gospel Message

If the church you currently attend does not operate or sponsor any summer camps, you will likely find yourself researching locations on your own. Be certain you first investigate the camp's doctrinal statements and denominational beliefs to see that they align closely with yours. These can typically be found on the camp's web site. For example, if you attend a Baptist denomination church, you would likely do well to research Baptist summer camp locations in or near your immediate city of residence before moving toward other non-denominational camps. If the camp does not have a website, or you feel you are still lacking information, call the direct line.

Questions you should ask: Will the Gospel Message be presented at, in and through the camp and its activities? Will all children, teens and students in attendance have multiple opportunities to accept Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior? Will the cross of Christ and the work He accomplished there be taught? Will the camp feature several guest speakers or just one?

2. Worship Music: Styles, Formats & Message

With today's contemporary worship music continuing to broaden in musical style and diversity, you would do well to investigate this aspect of your selected camp. It is no secret that the vast majority of youth students, teens in particular, are often inspired by their favorite music. For many, music is as much of a hobby as it is an emotional release and experience. The camp may feature a local or nationally known band and/or worship artist.

Questions to Ask: Is the camp concerned with worshiping Christ through the venue of music? Will the music provide an uplifting atmosphere in which my student will feel free to participate and worship in a way he/she deems comfortable? Will there be an equal balance between fun and energetic songs and slower, reflective songs?

3. Recreational Activities

This element is a must for any summer camp, regardless of denominational background. Students of all ages need outdoor recreation time to burn energy and enjoy spending time with their fellow campers. The majority of church sponsored and operated camps typically feature a recreational coordinator and/or director who will facilitate the games and activities throughout the duration of the camp. Oftentimes games function well when they reflect the theme of the camp.

As is always the case, safety should be the primary concern of any and all camp recreational coordinators. This will vary depending upon the ages of the children participating in the games. A game that may be safe for a sixteen year old may not be safe for an eight year old. Use wise judgment and when in doubt, forfeit the game for the safety of the campers.

Questions to Ask: What types of physical activities and games will my children be participating in? What are the emergency safety protocols for the camp (i.e. nurses, first aid, etc.)? Will any of the games require that my child bring old and/or worn out clothing? Will any of the games involve water and require my child to wear a swimsuit?

Ultimately, the success of selecting a Christian summer camp for your child depends on several variables. The aforementioned three are merely the larger of the variables and are often the most analyzed among parents. After selecting your camp, run it through these three criteria and see where and how it measures up. I guarantee you will be glad you did.