Your First Time at Teen Camp

It was Wednesday morning at Camp Buckeye, and the G4 girls awoke to their last day of activities. They were in for a surprise, because the team of counselors, of which I was one, had changed the décor overnight. From the outset of camp, the dorm theme (and décor) had been caterpillars, but all the caterpillars had been exchanged for butterflies, symbolizing the girls’ graduation from the preteen camp program!

This summer, many of you will be attending teen camp for the first time. Whether you’re just old enough to attend, or whether you’re a bit older and this is your first time, camp is an exciting week unlike anything you’ve experienced before!

First Impressions

Whether it’s your first time at a United Youth Camp (UYC), or whether you’ve been to camp before, I recommend brushing up on the elements of “the Zone.” They are: structure, inclusiveness, positive relationships, support, fun, challenge and success. “The Zone” is an environment we all help to create so that we can share the best camp experience possible. In the simplest terms, it is God’s principles for living put into action.

If it’s your first time attending camp, you might consider asking others about their camp experiences. If you know someone who went to that particular camp last year, they might be able to give you feedback on what to expect. For instance, camp provides UYC shirts for campers to wear, but different camps have slightly different policies on when and how often to wear other shirts. You might also consider planning ahead for a special activity that is unique to that camp.

Remember, there will be others at camp for whom this is the first time, and while it might seem embarrassing to admit you don’t know something, it’s better to ask and be prepared! Proverbs 19:20 instructs us to “listen to counsel and receive instruction,” so going into an experience armed with wisdom from others is a smart approach.

Life at Camp

Campers at United Youth Camps are divided into dorms—groups who stay in the same cabin/lodge/campground, etc., and do activities together. The number of dorms and campers in each dorm varies by camp. Sometimes they’re selected by age, with B1 being the youngest guys’ dorm, and B4 the oldest. Other times, camps mix ages and create more of a team than an age group, such as giving each group a few 12-13, 14-15 and 16-18-year-olds.

Camp runs on a busy schedule. Although your counselors will help with this, it’s good to be aware of the scheduled activities for your dorm from day to day, so you wake up early enough to be ready for the day and pack the items you will need for the day’s activity in your backpack.

If you’re new to UYC, it might surprise you to learn that campers must turn in their smartphones and other electronic devices at check-in. The intent is that teens will be able to spend more time immersed in “the Zone,” without the distraction of outside influences. It’s easier to focus on daily Compass Check (a Christian living class that covers a portion of the camp’s theme) and participate wholeheartedly in new activities and building friendships when you can give them your full attention. Christ warned about how the “cares of this world” and “desires for other things” can choke out our spiritual growth if we’re not careful (Mark 4:19). Camp is a great opportunity to align our priorities toward God.

Group Dynamics

Within each dorm exist many personalities. Teens come from differing backgrounds and may interact in various ways with the group as a whole. Here are a few examples:

Natural Leaders

Some teens are confident in social settings and possess natural leadership skills, which place them easily at the center of their social circles. It can truly be a gift to be in this position, as you have tremendous capacity for being a good influence—but one must also be aware of how, when misused, this social gift can be a negative influence or cause a rift within the dorm dynamic.

If you’re a natural leader, remember to listen to the voices of others in your dorm. Many of the quieter individuals might be hesitant to voice their opinions or needs, especially if the majority is leaning toward a more popular decision. Stay attentive to who is doing most of the talking, and who consistently remains silent. Try to ask your quieter friends about their ideas or opinions when making a choice that affects the dorm as a whole.

Remember to respect the structure of camp. Your talent in setting the tone for your friend group can be used to set an example—of listening to your counselors, following instructions at activities and encouraging others to maintain a positive attitude. Sometimes you won’t agree with your counselors’ decisions, but they still deserve your respect. Instead of announcing to everyone in a dorm meeting that a counselor is wrong about something, it’s better to find a moment to talk to them privately, such as during an activity break (Matthew 18:15). Be sure to approach topics in a respectful manner.

Team Players

Many teens get along easily with others, though they prefer to provide support within the group rather than direction. Team players are often gifted at social interactions and getting along with others, but even these agreeable individuals can meet with issues when they don’t use discernment regarding the direction of the group.

Although we’d love to say that United Youth Camps are free of negative peer pressure, we have to remember that all people are human. “The Zone” is an environment we strive to create, not a force field that effectively blocks all problems from entering. Camp is full of opportunities to make decisions, and you have an opportunity to set a good example! Even if you think your voice will be drowned out by the majority, you still have a responsibility to speak up when you know something is wrong. (Read Ezekiel 33:3-9 for an example of our responsibility to warn others when we see something wrong.) Similarly, you don’t have to be the loudest voice in the room to show support for something good.

If you’re adept at interacting in a group, make an effort to look outside the group and find ways to draw others in. Some campers tend to sit by themselves or don’t interact with a lot of people. Try sitting next to them during lunch and engaging them in conversation. Or, if you see someone sitting by themselves during the dance, encourage them to join you in a line dance, helping them learn the steps if needed. Team players are valuable members of a group and can help set the pace for how it functions.

“Solo” Campers

Although camp is not a solo adventure, each dorm tends to have one or two campers who more or less keep to themselves, sometimes standing on the outskirts of the group circle, or sitting quietly by themselves while others are socializing. If this describes you, you’re not alone! The challenge is if you keep to yourself during camp, you may miss out on the opportunity to share your God-given gifts with your dorm.

When you come to camp, remember why you’re here. You help create “the Zone” with your contributions to the group. If you find the constant social 
interaction overwhelming, look for ways to serve and contribute, rather than simply withdrawing. For instance, you could go the extra mile to help with dorm inspection or bring a craft item to share with others during downtime.

Keep in mind that camp only lasts for a week, and sometimes it’s good for us to stretch our comfort zones so that we can grow. When you reach outside yourself, even if it’s a little bit uncomfortable, you gain valuable experiences, and even if you end up not liking an activity, you can use that experience to move forward. For instance, even if you don’t like a field sport, challenge yourself to learn a new aspect of it next time, such as switching between defense/offense or being the goalkeeper. “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might” (Ecclesiastes 9:10).

Invest in Relationships

No matter where you fall in the social dynamic at camp, I encourage you to invest in friendships. There are several types of friends you’ll want to make at camp—so take this opportunity to get to know them!

Relationship with God

It goes without saying that you should put your relationship with God first (Mark 12:30)! Camp is busy, and it’s hard to find spare time between camp and social activities, but make time to talk to God and meditate on His Word. Maybe you can’t pray a long prayer each day as you might at home, but you can still find opportunities to talk to God throughout your day. Similarly, look for moments when you can review a scripture you covered in Compass Check. God loves to hear from and talk to His children, so keep the lines of communication open!

Friendships within your dorm

Forming friendships with those in your dorm isn’t too difficult, since you’re around them nearly 24/7. But, I want to encourage you to look beyond your initial impression and give friendship a chance, even with those you don’t immediately connect with. Remember, we have a God who sees our hearts (1 Samuel 16:7), and He knows what each of us is dealing with long before we show up at camp.

Nearly every year I went to camp, there were a handful of girls in my dorm who didn’t seem particularly interested in being my friend. However, as the years went by, I often learned that the reason was nothing personal. One girl I met at preteen camp (who is now among my close friends) admitted that she was shy about meeting new people that year because she was self-conscious about her appearance. Another time, someone got me and another camper confused. At the time, I thought she was annoyed to be mistaken for me, but years later, I got to know her at a young adult event and realized that she is actually a very sweet and friendly person. In fact, she didn’t mind that people still got the two of us mixed up from time to time! Don’t let your fears and potential misunderstandings prevent you from connecting with others—be ready to give friendship a chance!

Friendships with Counselors

It’s easy to overlook building friendships with your counselors, but remember that many of them are not that much older than you. They can provide a valuable older brother/sister perspective that enhances what you learn from your other mentors, such as your parents and teachers. They’ve gone through similar experiences to the ones you face, and those experiences are still fresh in their minds.

The first year I went to teen camp, 
I remember getting to know a counselor who shared several of my interests. Though we didn’t see much of one another after camp, the connection we built turned out to be the foundation for excellent teamwork when, several years down the road, we served together as counselors at Camp Cotubic!

Friendships with the Opposite Gender

You’ve probably heard plenty of people mention how they met their spouse at camp. That’s great! But consider that a week isn’t a very long time to get to know someone. I’m not saying that the cute guy or girl you meet at camp isn’t someone you might wind up dating, just that now is not the best time to make a long-term decision.

When you come to camp, view campers of the opposite gender as friends. A healthy relationship is also a friendship, so start there, and let God lead you toward the right person when the time is right. For now, in the week that is camp, focus on sharing an enjoyable time with this person in a group, making multiple friends, and connecting with many brothers and sisters in Christ. “Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor” (Romans 12:10, English Standard Version).

Connections across camp

Camp dorms work well for organizing activities with a manageable-sized group, but when it comes to making friends, don’t limit yourself to your dorm. Several years ago, one teen camp implemented a brother/sister-type system where older campers were paired with younger campers. This encouraged them to look out for one another because, beyond simply gaining a mentor, younger “siblings” brought a new perspective on familiar activities, and provided older siblings with insight into the group they would be serving when they returned later as staff.

Some camps also allow teens to switch tables for meals. If yours does, take this opportunity to meet people who are not in your dorm! If it seems overwhelming to leave the familiarity of your established friendships, try taking a friend with you and sharing the challenge!

In Summary

As camp comes to a close and you find you are no longer a new camper, prepare to be the camper who welcomes others next year, especially if you’re going to more than one camp, or to Winter Camp later in the year. Either way, always remember your experiences, so that you will be better equipped to help others. It’s a big part of what camp is all about! See you at camp!