Important Skills For Church Camp Leaders
- Patience
- Stamina
- Problem Solving
- Communication
- Team Building
Church camps, whether they take place over spring break or during the summer, is a time for both campers and leaders to come together over a shared interest in living more in line with their religious ideals. It is a time for campers to learn more about their faith as well as an opportunity for camp leaders to grow their leadership skills. These skills, some of which are listed below, are important because they provide a basis for leading a group through the programs and events offered by the camp. Let’s look at what these skills are and why they are crucial for camp leaders to possess.
1. Patience
This may seem somewhat obvious, but patience is a skill needed at church camps. Depending on how old the campers are, camp leaders may find that they oversee a group of energetic and enthusiastic campers that will need to be led. The best way to lead young campers is with patience, which can take time to develop, especially since conflicts between campers are commonplace. Patience is a virtue in the eyes of all religions and is one of a trio of skills, which includes compassion and empathy, that can help a leader defuse a situation and help those involved in the conflict understand the other party’s perspective.
2. Stamina
Stamina is incredibly important for church camp leaders. Church camps have a variety of different events and experiences and most leaders are tasked with bringing campers to each event and overseeing the event, including setting up and breaking down everything. This means that camp leaders must have a great deal of stamina; without it, they would become too tired to take on the different roles they must embody over the course of the camp program.
3. Problem Solving
Problems inevitably arise at church camps; Bibles are misplaced, campers have conflicts, the weather changes enough that outdoor activities must be canceled, and more. When problems arise, it is the church camp leader that steps in to handle the situation. This means that they must be able to solve problems in a patient and upbeat manner. It does not mean that they must have all the answers; a good leader will know when to ask for help to resolve a problem or when they do not know the answer to a problem that is presented. While this skill can take time to develop, a camp leader will find that the more they engage the skill, the stronger it will become, enabling them to solve problems faster.
4. Communication
Communication skills are crucial for any camp leader, regardless if they are at a church camp or not. The ability to communicate with campers, fellow camp leaders and parents is of the utmost importance. Being able to communicate effectively and with compassion will make the camp experience more pleasant for everyone involved. It is also worth mentioning that camp leaders are not perfect, and they do make mistakes; being able to communicate those mistakes and seek forgiveness is the hallmark of a true leader.
5. Team Building
Church camp is about building fellowship with fellow campers and camp leaders. It is a time to come together and understand how being part of a community is integral. Camp leaders are the first place campers look to for help with their own team building skills and these leaders act as a great example of how to do that in a sincere and authentic way. Team building skills will also help camp leaders work with each other, even through conflict, to ensure that everyone at the camp is having a good time.
Related Resource: 50 Best Christian Colleges and Universities
Church camps, like most summer camps, are places where leadership thrives. According to the Huffington Post, these skills are the ones that can translate into the workplace or at home, making the camp leaders more successful and happier in their lives. While this list is by no means exhaustive, it serves to point out important skills that help camp leaders both in their religious and personal lives.