Help for Young Life Leaders NOW

Another great post from my wife Erin!…

While I’ve been the one going to camp as a leader and leaving our son with his grandparents for the week, more often over the past few years, I’ve been at home with the kids while Sean takes kids to camp. It can be a long week parenting solo…for me and for our kids who miss their daddy! Here’s some ideas to help make it through the week:

For the parent leading at camp…

• Pray for your kids daily. I mean your own children; I’m sure you will be praying for your club kids while you’re at camp And pray for your spouse, or whoever is watching them while you are away! They will all need it.
• Call when you can. I know it is hard to find time, especially in the first few days when the camp schedule is packed. Also, it’s hard to find a time and place to use your cell phone when campers aren’t around to get angry because you still have your phone. But they need to hear your voice. Also, people will ask your spouse how things are going at camp and it is great to be able to give them an update!
• If you can’t call when your kids are awake, leave a voice mail that they can listen to the next day. Our kids will listen to the messages from daddy over and over when they miss him. It helps them to feel loved, remembered, and connected.

Read the rest of this entry »

For anyone out there who has done a summer camp assignment, I could use your input…

Tradition at most YL camps is to have a “war room” room meeting in the morning. Usually this consists of a short devotional and prayer (10-20 minutes), then there is a review of the daily schedule and details with the assignment team, camp guest services and maybe a few more people.

Read the rest of this entry »

In my YL area we are going 110% on camp prep right now. One of our trips is less than two weeks away and another trip is not long after that.

Here are some popular re-posts that might help with your camp prep…

Camp unity outfits

http://ylhelp.com/2010/05/30/camp-unity-outfits/

Camp shirts

http://ylhelp.com/2010/05/01/summer-camp-shirts/

Read the rest of this entry »

I asked my wife to write some notes about her experience in the past few years through YL:

I’ve been involved in Young Life since I was in jr. high attending Wyld Life. My role since then have included Young Life club kid, campaigner kid, Wyld Life leader, Young Life leader, and now, staff spouse and leader mentor. It keeps changing as my season of life changes and the Lord allows me to be used in different ways.

Our kids are 4 years, 6 years, and 8 years old right now and my involvement is still changing. Being a parent of young kids and being involved in Young Life looks different in every family. We all have various capacities, personalities, and desires, not to mention our kids’ personalities! Here’s what’s worked for me:

• With one baby, I was a full-fledged leader and I just brought him along for club and contact work. I remember leading songs with my infant son in a front pack baby carrier. As he got a little older, he would sit with a club kid while I did songs, skits, or whatever. He was an easy baby and handled people, noise, and staying up late very well.

Read the rest of this entry »

Here are ten links and apps that I have found helpful recently:

1. The Young Life Leader Blog – Wow! I can’t say enough good things about this blog. My friend Drew is posting great resources and ideas. Every YL leader should check it out.
2. YL Playbook – These guys keep updating the games, skits and club ideas. I’ve mentioned it before, but I use it often. I use the search feature a lot when I’m looking for an idea about a certain theme (i.e. balloons, or bananas), or for an explanation of a game I already know. Little known fact: one of the guys on this team can clean your teeth and fill a cavity on your teeth. Read the rest of this entry »