Dear small group leaders, counselors, and cabin wranglers,
Let’s be honest. Camp is wild. It’s loud, it smells like sunscreen and feet, and someone is always losing a sock. But it’s also a sacred space—where God can move in students’ lives at Kids Camp, Middle School Camp, or ASCENT. So if you’re ready to ditch the default “How’s everyone’s heart?” approach and try something new, here are 10 creative, weird, and totally effective ways to connect with your students this summer:
1. Reverse Uno Testimonies
Have each student draw an Uno card. Red? Share something you’re passionate about. Blue? Share a time you felt sad. Green? Something that gives you hope. Yellow? Something that makes you laugh. Wild card? You get to ask the leader ANY question about their life with Jesus. Chaos? Yes. Deep? Also yes.
2. Morning Mug Confessions
Bring a few ugly mugs (or “borrow” from the snack shack). Every morning, pass one around during devo time. Whoever’s holding the mug shares something real—no pressure, just honesty. You’d be shocked what your students will say while holding a mug that says “World’s Okayest Human.”
3. The Walkie-Talkie Blessing
Invest in a pair of walkie-talkies. Throughout the day, use them to randomly encourage your students, like:
📻 “Hey Cabin 4, just saw how you picked up that trash. Kingdom work. Over.” There are also apps available that sound like walkie-talkies if you have cell phone reception.
Fun + affirmation = win.
4. Mystery Encouragement Missions
Each student gets a random name from another group (leaders too). Their secret mission? Encourage that person without being discovered. Notes, small gestures, epic high-fives. Reveal identities at the end of camp and prepare for some surprisingly emotional hugs.
5. Camp Court
Let your small group hold “court” one afternoon. Someone’s on trial for “Cringiest Camp Dance Move” or “Most Likely to Snore Through the Rapture.” Everyone gets to vote, laugh, and then reflect: What would it look like if we brought grace to the courtroom of life? Remember it’s not a time to publicly call out a conflict you have but more as a way to encourage people in an awkward way.
6. Canteen Conversations
Buy your student their favorite snack. But here’s the rule: You have to ask three intentional questions while they eat it. No preaching. Just presence. Bonus points if they have Cheez-Its dust in their braces while talking about God’s faithfulness.
7. “If You Knew Me…” Circle
Once trust is built, try this. One at a time, students say: “If you really knew me, you’d know…” and finish the sentence. It starts silly. Then gets real. Keep it safe, sacred, and always close with encouragement. This is great if it’s already 1 in the morning where most people’s guards are already halfway down.
8. Cabin Awards (With Weird Prizes)
At the end of each night or at the end of camp, hand out awards like:
- “Most Likely to Survive a Squirrel Attack”
- “Silent Legend”
- “Most Biblical Use of a Pool Noodle”
It’s silly, but it shows them: You see them. You can get cheap trophies at most dollar stores or make them yourselves by using acorns or things around the camp!
9. Bible Verse Hide & Seek
Print out short verses, hide them around camp with little prompts: “Read this with someone you trust,” or “Memorize this and get a snack.” You’re sneaking Scripture into their day like a stealthy spiritual ninja.
10. The “One Thing” Night
At the end of camp, give them a postcard and then first write their name and address on one side, then on the other, answer:
“What’s one thing God showed you this week you don’t want to forget?”
Then ask if they want to share. Or mail it back to them just before school starts as a surprise. Let the camp echo last longer than the closing worship set.
Remember:
You don’t need to be the coolest, funniest, or loudest leader. You just need to be present, intentional, and a little weird in the name of Jesus. Camp is where awkward becomes holy, and small conversations around bunk beds change lives.
So go. Connect. Be the leader who makes room for fun and faith to collide.
You’ve got this. And if not, there’s always the walkie-talkie.
