-A Summer Camp Assignment-
This summer I experienced the gift to sit in a room of Adult Guests observing a week of Young Life camp. They marveled at the inner workings of YL’s camping ministry. They were in awe of the spirit, the humor, the community, and the like-mindedness of this mission. It is remarkable to think about the very narrow window in the culture we are trying to engage:
Early to late adolescents (Junior High, High School, College)
No knowledge or perceived interest in faith
Limited understanding of the life and teachings of Jesus
Living in countless communities around the Globe
Immersed in the most challenging cultural and theological climate in decades.
Our mission is “introducing adolescents to Jesus Christ and helping them grow in their faith” is a tall order. It requires clarity in calling, sensitivity in approach, and a broad skill set. How do you train an organization to reach the next generation? Having just returned from a month serving at one of our Camps, I think I have the answer. A SUMMER ASSIGNMENT!
I have spent over 5 years of my adult life at Young Life camps. With students from my community or serving others who have come as guests. It has left its mark on me and I am not sure there is a better way to spend your summer and IT JUST MAY BE THE BEST TRAINING THAT WE OFFER. An ‘Assignment’ is YL’s version of an ‘intensive’ or immersive experience in culture and theology and it's built into our Job Description. The training we experience is daily. Whatever role you have been asked to accept, you have been gifted the unique opportunity to have a singular focus on serving in that role. (a rarity in today’s culture). In addition, YL stumbled upon the genius of having this training occur in the context of mission community. The popularity of internships and ‘gap year’ are increasing because refinement happens while living and learning with others. YL staff are students of students, Christ, and the culture, and serving on assignment is at the intersection of all three!
No matter what your role is, serving a month-long assignment refines and transforms you daily. The discipleship is modeled in the manner of Jesus and the Disciples. You study service, hospitality, community, or discipleship and then are sent out to live it out in community. Daily, you return together, debrief and do it again. It’s experiential discipleship!
Here is what I observed this Summer-.
WORK CREW BOSSES: Every day a work crew boss lives at the intersection of mentor, boss, discipler, and motivator to small and large groups of teenagers. A 4-week small group with intentionality and intensity!!
SUMMER STAFF COORDINATORS: It is not hard to acknowledge that at the center of much of the change and tension that we are experiencing as a culture is the College-Aged Student. Summer Staff Coordinators have a front-row seat to the openness, hunger, and hurdles that are present on college campuses and get to exercise discipleship principles in the midst of it all, daily!
HEAD LEADERS: Head leaders do contact work with everyone at camp and you can’t host a daily leader meeting and not be changed. Equipping, encouraging, and teaching are the sweet spot for head leaders while managing schedules, and being a Young Life leader to everyone at camp on the side.
PROGRAM DIRECTORS: The Program team is successful when they aren't just funny, but in touch with the culture by opening up a space for the gospel to squeeze in. Laughter is one of the key tenants of the mission and it is a high calling that oftentimes is at the top of the list of what others admire and appreciate about the mission. One month of sharpening that skill makes your
SPEAKERS: Obviously, the Camp Speaker has the honor of speaking daily, but perhaps more importantly they are able to observe what element of the Gospel resonates with students ‘today’. That is next-level knowledge that only comes from the gift of having a weekly audience of students that lets you see how your theology intersects with the street.
CAMP DIRECTORS: At most camps, the CD has the opportunity to equip, encourage and manage a team of over 100 staff and volunteers. Additionally, they are privileged to partner with the camp staff and others. The empowerment of this team happens daily!
Lastly, the beauty of YL camp is the Camps within Camp. Work Crew, Summer Staff, Volunteer Leaders, Assigned Team, Interns, Property Staff, Adult Guests, Families. All of these are experiencing intimacy and transformation. Literally, we are witnessing the mission statement at work on a daily basis, there may not be better training available.