ParentLife Blog

The Camp Experience: All About CentriKid by Meredith Teasley

There is just something special about a week away from everything normal and familiar. Many Christians say times when God spoke most clearly along their spiritual journey were retreats or camps. God uses these away-from-home experiences in a big way. Why not start at a time when most kids make a decision to follow Christ or begin to own their faith? Going strong for 10 years, CentriKid staff teams are made up of more and more college students who had their own lives changed through CentriKid!

Camp Basics

CentriKid camps provide a five-day, four-night camp for church groups with children who have completed grades 3 through 6. Churches bring kids and chaperones, but CentriKid staffers take care of all the preparation and programming. If your church has never brought a group, you can start with your own child and yourself. Most CentriKid sites are small college campuses or conference centers. Groups are separated by church into dorms, hotel-style rooms, or other campus housing. Each church makes their own rooming assignments.

A Typical Day

In the morning, kids are introduced to “Quiet Time” where they spend time alone with God. “I Can’t Wait!” kicks off the day, getting everyone up, moving, and ready for the day. Kids go straight to “Team Time,” where they experience creative presentations of biblical truths and play fun games.

In the afternoon, kids pick their favorite activities — pool games, archery, soccer, art, cooking, and more. After “Hang Time” and dinner, the entire camp worships together. Church groups have time to connect back with just their group. The day ends with a fun party – where campers compete to win games on stage. After the party, kids are wiped out from the day, and it is lights out! 

Chances are, your child will come home saying, “I wish I could have stayed another week!”

Adult Involvement

What about adults? Some call it a vacation! Adults get their share of late nights and early mornings, but they can focus on their main responsibility, investing in their kids. CentriKid even provides a refreshing time of Bible study and worship just for adults, called “Adult Gathering.”

CentriKid Promises

Consider four promises CentriKid is committed to provide.

• A safe place — physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Many parents say that safety is their biggest concern in sending a child to camp. At CentriKid, campers are supervised every hour of the day. Church groups sign off that all of their adults have completed background checks, and CentriKid staff complete a vigorous hiring process. Campers are encouraged to ask questions, share struggles, and begin to own their faith. 
• Age-specific teams. CentriKid Camps recognize that a third grader learns in a much different way than a sixth grader, and groups are planned accordingly. Campers are placed on teams with kids their own age and with staffers who are passionate about effectively teaching the Bible to kids!
• Ministry through relationships. Kids are bound to meet lots of friends and great role models at camp. The students who serve at camp embrace their role in building relationships with kids ... they learn kids’ names; hang out with them; and have conversations about sports, school, friends, and God!
• Kid-friendly programming. CentriKid embraces the latest technology, executes each piece of camp with excellence, and makes everything an experience for kids — because connecting with kids on their level is a top priority and a promise to parents.

Homesickness Tips

• Try a test run. Let your camper stay at a grandparent’s house or with a trusted friend. Having been away from home before, he is likely to do better at camp.
• Talk about the details. Go over the schedule and what you will be up to. Many kids do not want to miss what is happening back home!
• Set ground rules for calling. CentriKid recommends that campers call home once per day. Many churches have a “no call” policy except in case of emergency. In this case, parents call the church for updates from camp, and campers are not even tempted to call home.
• Encourage your camper. All too often, parents can cause homesickness without realizing it. Let go. Enjoy watching your child take one more step toward growing up.

5 Tips for Packing

1. Label each item that goes to camp — every shirt, sock, and sandal!
2. Expect clothes to come home dirty ... and some to not make it home at all.
3. Plan each day’s outfit. Pack each one in a labeled gallon-size bag. 
4. Kids love to have money for the camp store, snacks, and missions offering. CentriKid recommends $25.
5. Pack an easy-to-read Bible that your child will be comfortable reading and using in Bible study.

CentriKid Information

Visit www.lifeway.com/centrikid to see the 2011 camp locations, request more information, or register for camp! As a parent, you can even preview a day of camp as a guest of CentriKid at no cost to you. 

Do you have plans for your kids to attend a camp this summer?

Meredith Teasley works as a Camp Specialist for CentriKid Camps planning camp year-round. She and her husband, Nic, live in Nashville, Tennessee and are active members at Grace Community Church. They love volunteering with 3rd-6th graders. Meredith blogs at www.meredithteasley.com.

Photo used with permission of Flickr Creative Commons. Click on photo for source.