Steven: With both of us in a season of summer camp, one of the things we’ve been thinking through is the camp high that comes along with the awesome experience of camp. A camp high is one of those things that is one of the best things that comes with camp, but it’s also one of the worst.
On the one hand, the camp high sets students up to fail when they get back home from camp. The “mountain top experience” is shattered when they get back to real life and have to face real challenges they’ve escaped for a week. On the other hand, leaders can use this camp high to their advantage.
- We can use it to build on a challenge. If a student has made a significant decision at camp, we can use the camp high to push that decision into action.
- We can use it to push students toward each other. Most of our students have the camp high after the week is over, and this can be helpful in bonding them after the fact.
- We can use it to form lifelong memories. Because there are so many memories made at camp, the camp high can be useful in cementing those memories. Conversations that start with “Hey, remember when…?” are perfect ways to make this happen.
Matt: Having just gotten back from high school camp, I’ve been thinking about this topic a lot. Here’s what I plan on doing to help my guys keep the camp high going:
1. I know the commitments they have made, and I plan on following up with them on those commitments on a weekly basis.
2. A couple of the guys have revealed issues that having an accountability partner will probably make a huge difference in them being able to succeed. I’ll keep pushing them in that area.
3. Pray. I’ve added these guys to my prayer list so I can keep them in prayer each day.
4. Make myself available to them. This is a new group for me and I need to do all I can to let them know I’m here for them.
5. Encourage them to attend a church service each week and small group each week so they are constantly getting spiritually fed.
6. Remember that I need to be an example to them in all areas of my life.
I just got back from camp three days ago and I can’t wait for camp next summer!
[...] How to use a camp “high” When teens go to camp, removed from the busyness of life and its distractions, we get “high” on God. They offer a way to use it for good. [...]