3 Reasons to do a Summer Program
Do you have a summer program for your youth?
Every Church I have visited or worked at has different philosophies about summer program planning. Basically, I feel that the major conflict with summer programming is that with vacations, camps and all the non-routine schedules of summer, is it worth it to do a program for the youth? For me, the simple answer to me is YES! Here are 3 reasons why:
- It keeps consistency and stability in place. For instance, when I first started at Cedar Run, I was strongly encouraged to take the summers off and rest as the previous Youth Pastor did. As appealing as that sounded (and looking back on that, it sounded way too good to be true), I did not have that same mentality. I felt that in order to build a strong youth program, we needed consistency and regularity – not time off. So, we scaled back a little of what we did but we kept a consistent weekly youth time and did some special events like go into DC or have some BBQs. Nothing really formal, but we were consistent and students knew that if they were in town, there was something that was probably happening at Cedar Run.
- It provides different ideas for you to try out without the pressure of failure. As I mentioned above, with all the vacations and camp trips students are involved in, you should expect smaller numbers. Therefore, try some new ideas geared towards smaller groups. Do BBQs, water parks or day trips and have fun with whoever shows up.
- It is a great outreach opportunity. Because you can try new events during the summer that you couldn’t do during the year, there may be something you can do (i.e., going to the water park) that might open the door for one of your students to invite a non-believing friend. Less threatening events such as the water park can be very inviting for a non-believer to come to rather than to go to Bible Study or traditional youth group. Then, hopefully, this would be a great bridge event for that student to start coming to youth group or a Bible Study.
What do you think? Should youth programs continue over the summer or shut down? Post a comment on your thoughts.
Also, if you have had a cool creative summer idea or event that has been really successful, post it so that we may all benefit and possibly get a new idea for the summer.
Great post – and great blog! Have just discovered your blog and hope to come back often. You've left me inspired…
Thanks a lot! I'm glad you like it.
Tom…
We here at Good Shepherd try to keep some consistency through the summer months. We do scale back a bit on our programming but keep things like worship gatherings and our bi-monthly community night. Summer is when we do our one BIG trip for the year so a lot of time and focus is put into that event during those months.
I totally agree with you that summer is prime opportunity to try out new events or ideas… as well as prime opportunity for relational ministry. I feel like, during the summer, I can be more spontaneous and casual with my students… random lunches together… late night ice cream runs… impromptu games of "ultimate chicken in the park… stuff like that.
Last summer I invited a few students to come "intern" for a day. They pretty much did what I do in the course of normal day. It was great bonding time for me and them and it also allowed me to gauge a sense of ministry vocation in their lives.
Great post once again… keep it up!
Andy
"intern" day sounds awesome Andy! That's a really cool idea. Thanks for you comment Andy and support of the blog – really appreciate it. And, as always, anytime you want to hit up Sushi again, I'm game.
Hmmmmm……wondering how I missed all that summer time-off that Tim took?! 🙂 Don't seem to remember that. : ) Fun to see how you're supporting other youth pastors – give my love to Anne!
Yeah it is interesting how "summers time-off" get filled up quickly with all those mission trips and Young Life camps he did…thanks for reading Katie and hope that all the work you all are doing in Nica is going well!
Well I completely agree with doing summer programming. I have worked in a church going on my sixth year and have always done an extremely scaled back program of mostly trips to bowling, movies, beach, etc. As well as spending a huge focus on training up our student leadership for the upcoming year. However, this year I was told that I HAVE to take the summer off as no programs will be running at my church. This has been a difficult thing to swallow. Not so much about the money that I will not be getting, but more about what you said about consistency. Do you have any advice to try and convince my pastor that we need to have summer programming.
Ray, that is definitely a tough pill to swallow as you are not given much of a choice. I'm sorry to hear that because being consistent and giving students a place to go/be at during the summer can pay huge dividends during the school year. Sure crowds may be smaller, but it gives you a better chance to get to know your students and their friends. If money is not the issue, I would go back to your pastor with 2-3 goals that you could have for the summer that will how a benefit to the youth program because of summer activities. If you would like to discuss further, shoot me an email and we can chat.