Mission Work or Camp? Which is better? Which is inclusive?
It can feel impossible sometimes to know how best to spend your Summer when you only have 8-10 weeks to fit in Vacation Bible School, camps for so many different extracurriculars, family vacation, and time to plan for the next school year. Wow, Jon! Why are you bumming us out only weeks after Christmas?! Well I am so glad you asked. It's because for many families, getting information out around this time of year is necessary for your families to plan for their Summer. January-February is the time of year that most camps are announced and families start planning for their summer, even just by blocking out which weeks they’ll be leaving town.
So, in deciding WHAT information to start sending out, you may be wondering which is a better use of your time and money: camp or mission trip?
Camps are often what I think about when I consider the most fun and exciting moments of my time as a youth and as a leader. The large games, the amazing time away from family (hey, we all need that sometimes), the music and talks, the moments in silence, the exciting life changes, the community growth and shared memories! Camp was FUN! With those things in mind, camp definitely sounds worth the time, but, let’s look at the financial logistics before we make any decisions:
Today, camps run at about $400 per student, for a week. There are smaller camps and those that host for only 4-5 days, and therefore priced a little cheaper, but plan on paying over $300 for each youth group member.
Mission Trips have also been the highlight of many Spring and Summer Breaks. I’ve been to Buffalo, NY; Owego, NY; Memphis, TN; Louisville, KY, and soon, Denver, CO. I have seen time and time again how much students can grow from opportunities like these, and in so many different ways.
Most mission organizations ask for $300-500 per attendee. And this price doesn't include transportation (like a van rental) and other small/medium costs (like training, food, gas, etc.).
With these comparable prices, your decision really comes down to what you and your students have gotten and will get out of the experience and what your goal is for the Summer.
At the end of Summer every year, I sit down to plan my whole year of ministry. Here is my guiding thought for deciding between camp or mission trip, every time:
Camps and mission trips can serve similar purposes,
but mission trips bring something to the table
that no camping experience can.
Working as the Body of Christ in cultural contexts similar-and-yet-so-different than the one our students are most engaged in, and used to, presents two significant opportunities. First is being the working Body of Christ serving in a community by using different gifts, talents, and abilities in various roles. For teens, I would argue there is nothing more important than trying to grow by using different gifts, talents, and abilities. The second is going into different social-economic geographies not as a savior but as an individual learning to humble themselves and to put themselves in the shoes of others. Man, half the fun of a mission trip is the training that goes into these trips, watching the team grow together and learn to listen to one another! And see each other as individual human beings with needs and wants and feelings, just like them.
The main push back I’ll get when I say that mission trips are better for the spiritual formation of students is, “but they aren't as fun, and it’s harder to invite students’ friends.” I would argue that not everything needs to be outreach-oriented, especially when it’s often such a large financial ask for many families. To balance out that push back, and to provide chances for that all important outreach, I’ve planned many small-risk events for students to invite their friends to throughout the year. That way trust can be built between you and the family of the new student. And hey, more opportunities for the trust to grow and potentially turn into a leap towards a mission trip!
Ultimately, it's up to you, like all things in your ministry. It's up to what your goals are for your limited time with your students. I have found that Mission Trips will always provide more for the development of our youth, and more growth in the group as a whole. If you haven't been on a mission trip with your students, you need to. Check out the links, below!
And, in the case that you’re stubborn and just want to camp with your kids, I have provided a list of inclusive camps, as well. All links are for organizations I believe will make your students feel welcome to be themselves and to have an experience they will never forget.
Camps
Mission Trips
This list will constantly grow and change – hopefully with your input! If you see a mission organization or faith-based camp experience that all of your youth felt welcome attending, please send me a message and let me know! HAGS! (Remember when people said that?)
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