• All Sites:
  • Pastors
  • Leadership
  • Kids Ministry
  • Student Ministry
  • Groups Ministry
  • Women's Ministry
  • Worship Ministry
LifeWay

Kids Ministry

Dedicated to helping Kids Ministry leaders in their mission of making disciples

  • Blog
  • Podcast
  • Training
  • Events
  • Team
  • Resources
CentriKid, Kids Ministry, Leadership
February 27, 2018

How to Make the First Trip to Camp Successful

By Jeremy Echols

Every year there are children who will attend camp for the very first time. Because we know the importance of summer camp in the life of a child, we want every one of them to attend but some will need some help and encouragement. Here is a checklist you can follow to help make the first trip to camp successful for young campers.

(1) Grab Their Interest

For making this first experience a win, approach it with a campaign to build interest. Announce camp dates, show a few of the videos from our website in whatever format you can (kids church, emails to families in your ministry, or even in “big church” if you can). Hopefully, you can gain attention and begin to build interest in camp. Invite everybody to attend an information meeting about summer camp.

(2) Reassure the Parents

Seek out the parents of those kids who may be attending for the first time. They may have specific concerns to ask about or they may just have a general uneasiness about sending their child to camp for the first time. This conversation is where you can reassure them about the safety of camp and the way you watch over each of the kids under your care. In the conversation, invite them to the information meeting. Some parents may feel more comfortable attending camp with their child the first time, so let them know that can be an option.

(3) Provide Details About the Trip

In your summer camp informational meeting, you should plan to explain the dates, the travel plan, the camp activities, and share your heart for why you take kids to summer camp. Show them the daily schedule, talk about the camp location . . . those things will be early details that parents will want to know. You don’t have to be a summer camp expert to host that first meeting, and they may even ask questions you don’t know the answers to, so collect those, contact us and you can follow up with parents later on.

(4) Follow Up with Reminders

Some parents and kids may benefit from a follow-up conversation and a personal invitation to camp. Everybody should see visual reminders about camp in the kids ministry area and in any regular email or newsletter communication you send out. We have some promotion tools that you can download, print, and customize and videos online at centrikid.com.

(5) Sign Them Up!

Start a sign-up sheet because you’ll want to have a gauge of interest, and maybe even collect deposits before you are required to make non-refundable deposits. Registration is always open for CentriKid as long as space is available, so contact us today to reserve your spots at camp. Call 1-877-CAMP-123 or register at www.centrikid.com.

Of course, the biggest success factor is actually going to camp and having a great time, but your preparation will help get them there. That’s the biggest hurdle. The camp experience will be a ton of fun and camp staffers will join you in loving on the kids in your group. Do those wacky activities and make the most of every moment at camp this summer.

Jeremy Echols leads the CentriKid Camps team and manages the LifeWay Kids events.  He, his wife Emily, and their precious daughter love their church, their neighborhood, and spending time together.  Jeremy loves to read, watch sports, and grill burgers.

 

You may also like -

  • Tips for Kids Hesitant to Stay Overnight at CampTips for Kids Hesitant to Stay Overnight at Camp
  • World Bean GameWorld Bean Game
  • Large Group Games and the GospelLarge Group Games and the Gospel
  • 5 Not-So-Hidden Benefits of Serving on Camp Staff5 Not-So-Hidden Benefits of Serving on Camp Staff

Filed Under: CentriKid, Kids Ministry, Leadership February 27, 2018

Sign Up for Our Newsletter

Subscribe to Podcast

Apple PodcastsGoogle PodcastsAndroidRSS

Sign Up to receive the free Kids Ministry 101 Magazine!

Get the Digital Magazine Get the Print Magazine
Want to write for LifeWay Kids?

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Join 1,222 other subscribers

@LifeWayKids
FOLLOW
My Tweets

All Ministry Sites

Pastors
Leadership
Kids Ministry
Student Ministry
Groups Ministry
Women’s Ministry
Worship Ministry

Digital Resources

Ministry Grid
LifeWay Worship
Digital Church
KidEvent Pro
MyCurriculum Manager
Simulcast Manager
LifeWay Reader eBooks
Generosity
WORDsearch
SmallGroup.com

LifeWay Network

LifeWay Research
B&H
Ridgecrest

Copyright © 2021 · LifeWay Christian Resources · All Rights Reserved