What to do with an unhappy camper at church camp?

It can be easy to see an unhappy camper as a problem to be solved rather than a person to be loved, but what would Jesus do?

Church camp goers come in all forms. Some have counted down the days to be there while others are counting the hours until they can go home. Emotional stress at camp can stem from changing friendships, changing hormones, faith crisis, physical or social exhaustion (introverts especially!), and a myriad of other things. Here are a few practical suggestions for anticipating and meeting the needs of stressed-out campers.

Before Camp:

• Train leaders — Do they know the signs of an overwhelmed camper?

• Communicate with campers — Do they know they'll be expected to participate, even if they bring other friends?

• Plan — Where will stressed-out campers be sent? To a nurse, a compassionate adult, or a calming area with quiet activities like art or music?

• Prepare — Are clear rules and policies in place for bullying and hazing?

At Camp:

• Remind leaders to be aware of campers in distress.

• Redirect overwhelmed campers to alternate activities (without guilting them for "non-participation").

• Allow campers to call home (or go home) if they ask.

• Check in with a brief leader meeting at the end of each day. What went well? Who needs extra care and attention?

After Camp:

• Ask for anonymous feedback — Leaders, chaperones, and campers can offer valuable feedback and insights on what can be improved next year.

• Follow up — After careful discussion and consideration, implement needed changes the next year.

  
  

So, what would Jesus do with a stressed-out camper?

When I think of that question, I picture Him stopping everything to comfort one sheep. For example, the experience one teen shared on the last night of camp. Earlier that day, she had become inexplicably overwhelmed during a blind-folded faith walk. When the Camp Director saw what was happening, she stopped the activity, pulled the girl aside, and comforted her.

In the many years I've helped plan and chaperon camp, I've witnessed a wide range of experiences. The best programs offer a wide range of activities ranging from physical and social activities to spiritual and intellectual ones with nothing feeling "forced." Acclimating hikes to slower hikers, allowing campers to call home with no questions asked, and intervening if there's bullying or hazing are crucial to healthy experiences for all. If a camper decides to go home after leaders have done their best to address concerns, that's okay! Space for decision-making makes it clear that people are more important than "plans." It can be easy to see an unhappy camper as a problem to be solved rather than a person to be loved, but what would Jesus do?

Helping a teen in faith crisis at camp

Sometimes, a camper is completely rejecting camp. After months of careful planning, this can be hard for adults. It’s easy to think, If you'd just trust me and participate, you'd see!

I picture God looking at us with the same thought. As leaders, we can help with accomplishing His work, but we must also trust. Jesus Christ is leading His sheep one step at a time. It doesn't depend on one camp, one devotional, or one spiritual experience—lasting conversion is usually the result of many experiences.

A few ideas for how to approach a youth who is struggling at camp:

“How’s it going? I thought I’d check in."

"What's your greatest concern right now—is there anything stressing you out?"

"Are you comfortable with this activity? Would you like another option?"

These are different than the “why are you/aren’t you…” type questions in that they reflect concern for the individual rather than desired outcomes.

Full participation in every activity at every camp isn’t the true measure of success—it’s how individuals are ministered to. When the ninety-nine are having a good time, they'll be fine for a bit while we minister to the one.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. —Galatians 5:22–2

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Quoted material from Barbara Johnson: "Never let a problem to be solved become more important than a person to be loved.”