"The Hidden Responsibility Behind Sending Your Kid to Camp"

I can still smell the smoke.

The bonfire’s long gone. The kids have gone home. My clipboard is in a drawer somewhere, and the rec field is silent. But the ache? Still here.

I miss camp.

It’s a weird ache—one I didn’t expect to feel this much, this far removed. For over two decades, camp ministry was part of my spiritual DNA. Summers were marked by the scent of bonfires, the sound of late-night worship, and the kind of deep conversations that only happen when you’re away from home, stripped of distractions. Those were sacred days.

Now, standing on this side of it—as a parent and a not-so-young youth worker who’s been at this for 30 years—I find myself reflecting. Not out of bitterness or nostalgia, but out of gratitude. Camp shaped me. And because it shaped me, I care deeply about the kind of experiences we give our kids today.

Camp is supposed to be the highlight of a student’s summer.

But somewhere between the permission slip and the packing list, we forget to ask one crucial question:

Who’s actually leading our kids—and are they ready for that responsibility?

Is isn't just about Weeping Wednesday (the midway point in camp where lack of sleep meets spiritual deficits we are now aware of, or the baptisms our kids are begging for from their leadres phone, Who is teaching them? WHo is leading them through this tender time of discover their faith in new ways?

Here’s what I’ve learned over the years—both as someone who planned camps and someone who sent their kids to them.

1. Absolute Biblical Teaching

Shane Huey Bringing the Word

Camp isn’t just a fun getaway; it’s a spiritual greenhouse. I’ve seen firsthand how God’s Word, when taught clearly and boldly, can soften even the hardest hearts. Not the “feel good” fluff or overhyped, seeker-sensitive messages—but the actual, living, breathing Word of God.

Yes, the delivery matters. Stories, illustrations, humor, creativity—they all help. But at the end of the day, it’s the Scriptures that pierce hearts and change lives. Camps that prioritize the Bible as the foundation are the ones that leave the deepest, longest-lasting impact.

I once had a parent call me after a retreat their child attended, deeply frustrated. The camp speaker had stood in front of the students on the first night and admitted—almost proudly—that he hadn’t really prepared anything. He was just going to “wing it” and see what God did. I get the heart behind wanting to be Spirit-led, but that kind of approach sends an unspoken message to students: you’re not worth my time or effort.

We prepare because they matter. We dig into God’s Word because it’s the most valuable thing we can offer them. Camp isn’t a stage for charisma—it’s a sacred space for truth. And when students sense that the teaching is sincere, thoughtful, and anchored in Scripture, they lean in. They listen. And sometimes, they meet Jesus in a way they never have before.

2. Worship That Stirs the Heart

I’ll never understand why some people try to remove emotion from our relationship with Christ.

We get emotional about sports. About weddings. About babies being born. We even get choked up during movie trailers. But when it comes to Jesus? We think tears or raised hands are too much?

Worship at camp should stir something in us. It should remind us that God is not only holy and powerful—but personal. That He’s near. And when students catch even a glimpse of that, the response is almost always emotional. It should be. That’s part of what makes worship so beautiful.

Kristin being"baptized" into the color war FAMILY

3. Safe & Fun Leaders

Yes, we need background checks. But we also need background relationships.

It makes a world of difference when camp leaders are part of your church community—when they know your kids, when they share your values, and when you can trust them to model Christ both on and off the stage. I’ve seen the difference.

One leader might be cautious, thoughtful, and intentional about the spiritual and emotional growth of the students. Another might be binging the Saw horror movies and cracking inappropriate jokes on the ride to camp. Guess which one I’d want mentoring my kid?

4. A Push Outside the Comfort Zone

Our EPIC FOOD FIGHT was a year to remember

Camp should stretch students—not shame them.

There’s a fine line between challenge and coercion. A great leader knows how to gently nudge a middle schooler to climb the ropes course—not because it’s a requirement, but because growth often begins just past our fear.

When we surround students with adults who know their story and believe in their potential, we create a space where courage grows. And courage, when rooted in Christ, changes everything.

5. A Camp That’s Actually Fun

Ummmm....

Let’s be honest—screens dominate our kids’ lives. If camp is going to compete, it better bring something better than “free time” and a late-night snack.

I remember going to a camp in my early teen years where there was literally nothing to do. No games. No activities. Just awkward conversations and too much unsupervised downtime. The result? Lots of pairing off, and a banquet that felt more like a middle school dating game than a spiritual retreat.

Fun matters. Good facilities, organized games, engaging activities—they’re not just filler. They’re how we help kids be kids again. And they’re how we keep students present in the moment instead of spiraling into emotional rabbit trails.

Ok, so, “The Secret Sauce” isn’t so secret What makes a great camp?

It’s not just the teaching or the worship or the leaders or the games. It’s all of it together, held in the hands of a God who loves our kids more than we ever could.

Camp is a chance to unplug, reset, and hear God’s voice in a fresh way. When done well, it can be one of the most spiritually forming experiences of a young person’s life.

I miss it.

But more than that—I hope we never forget how powerful it can be when we get it right.

Let’s not settle for average. Let’s aim for holy ground.

A Note to Parents

If you’re a parent sending your child to camp this summer—thank you. It’s no small thing to entrust your kid to others for a week. I know the nerves, the questions, and the what-ifs.

But I also know the God who meets students in unexpected places—on late-night walks to the cabin, in quiet moments during worship, around bonfires and breakfast tables.

So pray for your child. Pray for their leaders. And if you’re able—get involved. Because when the church and home partner together for moments like these, camp becomes more than just a memory. It becomes a milestone.

You’re planting seeds. Eternal ones. Keep growing.

Follow-Up Questions for Reflection or Discussion:

1. Do I know the spiritual maturity and background of the people leading my child at camp?

2. Am I trusting charisma or convenience over character and calling when it comes to camp leaders?

3. What kind of training and accountability do camp leaders have in place—if any?

4. Are students being guided through emotional moments with wisdom, or just hype and peer pressure?

5. Have I prepared my own child to process spiritual experiences with discernment?

6. As a leader, am I more focused on the camp experience or the discipleship opportunity?

7. What legacy am I helping build through camp—one of fun memories or lasting faith?