The lessons we learn at camp aren’t meant to stay at camp. They are meant to be lived in your everyday life—at home, school, and work. The community at camp is such a special thing, and bringing just a taste of that love, light, and hope to those around you can be such a life-changing experience. Why shouldn’t everyone get to experience what it means to live in the moment, grow in faith, explore nature, and be their authentic selves just like we do at camp? Here are just a few ways you live like camp at home.
Invite friends to your home for a meal. Food is such an integral part of the experience at camp. Some of the best parts of the day are when we gather together around the table to share stories, dreams, and laughter. We eat family style in the dining hall because we want each meal to feel like a big family dinner. So make a big pot of spaghetti and invite some friends to join you!
Get outside in nature. Explore a new place to hike in your city. Take a magnifying glass into the backyard and see how many bugs you can find. Collect fallen leaves and nuts to make a nature mobile or leaf rubbings. Find ways to connect with the natural world just like we do at camp! Even better, invite a friend to explore with you!
Open up the Bible and read! Consider a story book Bible or for older kids, “The Story” Bible and read books or stories you’ve never read before. Check out the “I AM” statements of Jesus that we learned about in Bible study this summer. Choose a verse or two to memorize as a family. Download a Bible reading plan from YouVersion and commit to a regular time of Bible reading, just like we do at camp!
Turn off your phones and devices for a certain time each day or each week and focus on living in the moment. Ride bikes, rent kayaks, play board games, build forts, or read a book. Be intentional about turning off the screens and tuning in to the people around you.
Do you have other ideas? How can you take your experiences from camp and use them to bless your friends, family, and world?
Technology at Camp