Q: What is Student Life For Kids like?
A: Student Life For Kids is designed for 3rd through 6th graders. Worship services and Family Groups make up the two most important parts of a day at camp. Worship services include drama by All Things To All People, praise music from trusted, experienced worship leaders, sound biblical teaching from gifted communicators, and opportunities for students from your group to be involved in leading worship. Family Groups are an essential element in the personality of Student Life For Kids. Each Family Group is made up of 9-12 students, one or two Student Leaders and one or two Adult Family Group Leaders. Students spend much of their organized camp time with their Family Group.
Q: Why is Student Life For Kids structured the way it is?
A: We strongly believe in the 52-week local church. We are all active in our local churches, and we believe that men and women who attend camp are called by God to be the Shepherd-leaders of these students. As we designed Student Life, we wanted to do everything we could to support these individuals and what goes on the other 51 weeks of the year. Camp is just one week of the spiritual journey. In order for what we do to be successful, it must support the local church.
Q: Why do you not hire staff to teach the Bible studies?
A: That's a good question. It goes back to the philosophy of supporting the local church. We believe it's important for adults from the local church to be involved in what happens at camp. After all, they go home with the students. Their involved leadership during camp allows friendships, accountability and connection to get on the bus with the kids as they travel home. We also believe that in order for a small group to work it needs to be small. We believe the ideal size for a Bible study group is 9-12. This size facilitates good discussion and allows students to feel comfortable.
Q: What will adult leaders do at camp?
A: Many adult leaders will be asked to serve as Family Group Leaders. Bible Study materials will be available online, or can be mailed before camp to allow adequate time to prepare. Family Group leaders serve as motivators and encouragers during Recreation, lead Bible Study for their Family Groups, and facilitate the activities during Family Group Extreme. A Family Group Leader's Meeting each morning prepares adults for Recreation, Family Group Bible Study and Family Group Investigate.
Q: Will my students be in a Family Group with students from other churches?
A: It's up to each church. If your students would like to spend Family Group time with students from other groups, we'll put them in Mixed Family Groups. These students will be in a Family Group with their roommate for the week. If you prefer for your students to spend this time with students from their own church, we can accommodate this with Independent Family Groups. In this situation, we will let the Children's Minister assign their Family Groups.
Q: What is the adult to student ratio?
A: We request one adult for every seven students.
Q: What will Children's Ministers do at camp?
A: Camp is designed for Children's Ministers to be free from a lot of responsibility so they can spend time building relationships with their students. Each evening there will be a prayer and share time for Children's Ministers one hour before the worship service. This meeting takes place while the students are in their evening prayer gatherings with their Family Groups. For this reason, it's best for Children's Ministers not to serve as Family Group leaders. We think this is an extremely important aspect of Student Life For Kids.
Q: What about second graders? Are they invited?
A: It's up to you. If they're normally a part of your group, they're welcome at Student Life For Kids Camp. Just be aware that they'll be classified as 3rd graders at camp.
Q: What about younger children or preschoolers?
A: There is no programming or childcare available at camp. However, because many Children's Ministers would like to bring their families to camp, we will do our best to accommodate these situations for Children's Ministers only. Accommodations vary based off camp locations. Give us a call and check on your location.
Q: What are the goals of Student Life events?
A: Obviously we have numerous goals with what we do. Ultimately, it comes down to people. Is life change happening in students, adults and us? In Scripture, every time someone spent time with Jesus, they went away changed. We hope all of us leave this experience changed. Not because of technical effects, entertaining dramas, challenging recreation or even meeting new people; we are changed because we have been with Jesus.
If you have additional questions please call our office at 800.718.2267.
