“Then there are the leaders. We maintain a high standard for our leadership; all of them are carefully trained in our own approach to evangelism... trained, skilled, dedicated people.” Jim Rayburn - 1952
As our volunteers' numbers have grown exponentially since Jim Rayburn said the above quote, we all want to do our best to ensure what Rayburn said about our leaders is still true today, especially as we look forward to heading back to camp.
This summer, you have the opportunity to ensure that we are passing on the DNA of Young Life camping and excellent training to the next generation of leaders. Your camp leaders desire to feel confident, equipped, and well prepared from the second they get on the bus all the way to say-so and camp follow-up.
However, with so many plates to spin heading into the camping season (fundraising, communication, health forms, COVID precautions), good camp leader training could be in danger of being the first plate to drop.
That does not have to be true! With the help of the 2021 Camp Leader Orientation on Young Life Access (on the devices they carry every day … smartphones, tablets, and laptops!), you can help make sure all of your leaders are on the same page heading into the first leader meeting at camp. And you can rest assured that every other leader at camp that week will have done the same.
If your area does not have a free Young Life Access account, email Laura at laura@younglifeaccess.com. For complete instructions as to how your leaders can access the training, click HERE. for a simple overview and faqs.
This 2021 Camp Leader Orientation course is divided into eight parts easy to consume parts...
1 Introduction and the Philosophy of Young Life Camping
2 Young Life Camping Non-Negotiables
3 Understanding Your Role in Leader Centered Camping
4 Being a Leader and Keeping Kids Safe
5 Cabin Time: Don't Fear the Silence
6 Cabin Time: Sample Questions and Helpful Scripture
7 Mastering One on One Conversations at Camp
8 A Thank You and a Simple Glimpse of the End
The entire course should take under an hour to complete, well worth the time considering the impact of summer camp on our kids. There is also a “Returning Leader Orientation” which is shorter for leaders who have completed the original training in previous summers.
Remember, this training is not meant to replace your pre-camp meetings with your other leaders but rather enhance those face-to-face meetings by allowing you to spend more time in direct application of the material and in prayer for your kids. We know you look forward to getting together with your camp leaders in the coming weeks, praying together for your trip together as a team. If your leaders have completed the training on their own, you have more time to pray and discuss what they have learned before those meeting. In other cases, you may want to do the training together by streaming it to a TV and consuming it as a group. Either way, the kids win.
Every kid deserves a well-trained leader. This summer has the potential to be the Young Life’s best, and you can ensure that by making sure all of your leaders are equipped and ready.
For more information on Young Life Access, visit http://younglifeaccess.com.