One of my absolute favorite things to do every Summer for the last 20 years is to preach Christian Youth Camps. However, no matter what Camp it is… these 10 people are sure to be there.
1. The Over-Zealous Adult Playing Recreation Games: This is best known as the Uncle Rico syndrome after the character from Napoleon Dynamite. “I bet I can throw a football over that mountain.” In their mind, the older they get, the better athlete they once were. And, they’re going to prove it by drilling a seventh-grader in the face with a dodgeball for the glory of God.
2. The “Are You Looking at Me While I Worship” Person: They’re in the moment, singing Gratitude off-key with hands lifted high, and while a single, solitary tear streams down the left side of their face… they give a glance to see if anyone else sees just how passionate they are about a “lion inside their lungs.”
3. The Teenage Boy Who Tries to Hug All the Crying Girls: The Lord and the tears are moving. Then, almost out of thin air, here he comes, the teenage boy who is perfectly positioned to be available to comfort all the crying girls. But there are no friendly side hugs in this bro’s repertoire; he’s got one pitch, and every hug is a full-front disaster.
4. The Student Who Makes Multiple Decisions at the Same Camp: It’s a busy week of walking aisles, praying prayers, and filling out cards for this student. It’s a steady progression of re-dedication, a call to missions/ministry, then re-dedication again, but for real this time…all in one four-day span.
5. The “Sneaker-Offer” Couple: The scavenger hunt is on for the couple who keeps “sneaking off” or “getting lost.” “Hey! What are you two doing?” “We were just standing here, praying.” “Well, it looks like you’re praying in tongues, so how about we call timeout on this prayer session?”
6. The Teen Who Is at Camp on Scholarship, but Brings $200 Cash: The student pastor cut some back-room deals with the senior adult Sunday school class, they sacrificially and generously gave, and now this one student can come to youth camp free of charge. He may not show up with a Bible, but by golly, he’s got enough money to buy two of every shirt at the band’s merch table, plus enough sugar snacks at the snack shack to put a Clydesdale into a diabetic coma.
7. The Student Who Spends All Their Concession Stand Money on the First Day: She bought $25 worth of Sour Skittles and Pepsi on Day 1. Now on Day 2, she’s camped out in front of the concession stand shaking a Pepsi cup for spare quarters. (Note: In some rare unconfirmed cases, Person Number 6 and Person Number 7 may occur in the same person.)
8. The Teenager Who Returns Home With All His Clothes Still Folded in His Suit Case: The Good News? There’s no laundry to do after camp. The bad news? That student came home in a dense fog of filth, adolescent stench, and enough Axe body spray to choke a moose. Your church van will never be the same again.
9. The Student Who Thinks Swimming Counts as a Shower: They can’t even tell you where the showers are because they haven’t taken one all week. “How?” You ask? Well, they’ve been in the pool, the river, or the lake already that day. That counts, right? (Note: Unlike the incredible and rare Person Number 6 and 7 Combo, chances are extremely high that Person Number 8 and Person Number 9 are the same person. Be warned.)
10. The Student Pastor Who Believes That What They’re Doing Matters: Alright, alright time to get serious. Student pastor, keep your eyes on the prize. Your calling is so incredibly important because the Spirit is working through you to help reach, disciple, and empower the next generation to be on a mission right now for the glory of our Risen King. God bless you for your sacrifice and obedience. May the Lord constantly fill you with energy, patience, and perseverance, because what you’re doing does matter.
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