Blog
Yesterday I was on a webinar/teleconference with Mark Oestreicher, President of Youth Specialties, and Greg Fields, Director of Education and Field Services, for the Christian Camp and Conference Association. About 50 people joined us for the call and it was a good discussion (at least I think so; I had a bit of a headache so I wasn’t at my most perceptive).
We started talking about how camps could allow space for kids to deal with some of their deepest hurts. Too often it seems that camps rely on “programs” to help kids grow when lots of times, kids need some slowness, space, and time to simply be real with God.
Looking back, I hope Marko and I didn’t communicate that we think camp shouldn’t be fun. I think camp – complete with zip lines, crafts, and outdoor activities – should be fun. But I think there’s a difference between fun and a few other things that we’ve mistaken for fun.
Like fun vs. competition. The worst camp experience I ever had as a youth worker was a camp that so emphasized team competition that kids felt worse about themselves after the camp than before the camp. Honestly, I’ve never been back to that camp.
Or fun vs. structured hype from the stage. Kids want to have fun when they are gathered together, but they are getting more and more wary of someone yelling on a mike from the stage, trying to get the kids to do something somewhat silly.
I like fun. And I want kids to know that the people of God can have fun. I just think adults (including me at times) misunderstand what fun means to kids today.
Trackback URL: http://fulleryouthinstitute.org/2009/04/fun-versus/trackback/
April 1st, 2009 at 2:12 pm
“I just think adults (including me at times) misunderstand what fun means to kids today.”
Say it ain’t so! The “real” Kara Powell never misunderstands kids.
April 2nd, 2009 at 6:34 am
You’re right, Jeremy. That was the “fake” Kara Powell who said she misunderstands kids every once in a while…