The summer holidays are nearly upon us again. After a term of lockdown restrictions slowly being peeled away, you may be having mixed feelings about the six-week break. It may feel unwanted after a few weeks of meeting back together in person. However, it’s not like we’ve all just gone back to “normal” – it’s taken work to put together sessions that fit within the government guidelines and meet the young people where they’re at.
Your usual group meetings may be pausing over the summer, but that doesn’t mean all communication has to stop. You can still build on the momentum that may have started over the last few weeks, and help young people create moments and memories that will stay with them for life.
Jesus will not stop meeting with us just because we are not at our usual group sessions, or because we’re still in a pandemic. He loves each and every one of the young people in your group, and has placed you as a leader to help lead them closer to Him this summer.
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Here are seven ways to savour the summer of 2021…
While it may be difficult getting the whole group together over the summer, you can make the most of the more casual summer weeks by arranging meetups in twos and threes. What’s great about smaller gatherings is that you can go much deeper relationally than you may be able to in a big group. You can also make a point of spending time with those young people that need an extra bit of love and care. It’s not been the easiest of seasons for any of us, so I’m sure there are young people in your group who’d just love to hang out and chat face-to-face over the summer.
For some young people in your group, the start of summer will be bittersweet as they move out of your group and into an older age group. Others may be heading off to higher education, apprentices, or gap years. Do not miss this opportunity to show your leavers how much you value them and have appreciated their contribution. Depending on how many are in this category, you could organize a barbeque or a garden party (as restrictions allow), to say a proper goodbye. You can also use these summer weeks to offer your support for their next stage. Why not organize a “University Prep” session or pair up leavers with leaders to continue their discipleship journey beyond the group?
We all know how it feels to be the “new person”. The summer weeks are an ideal time to get in touch with young people who you know will be joining your group in the new term. This contact will help them to become familiar with you before they arrive, so their first session may be less daunting. Invite them along to any casual socials you’re organising, too, so that they can meet other members of the group before you start back officially.
It’s disappointing not to be going on our usual camps this year, but it doesn’t mean we have to miss out altogether. Many camps will be offering something online, so you could still get together and recreate some of the camp experience on a smaller scale. Think morning devotionals, afternoon water fights and an evening campfire – maybe even finishing off with a night sleeping in tents!
More information about UK Summer camps:
If the last year has taught us anything, I think we’ve all learned to appreciate what’s available in our immediate surroundings. Are there any hidden gems to explore in your area? Attractions that would be fun to visit? Or perhaps there’s a great countryside walk nearby? Arranging a trip like this is not only fun but doesn’t require too much preparation.
Even with the easing of lockdown, summer 2021 is still looking different to a “normal” holiday season. Not everyone will be going away, and young people may find themselves with more time on their hands than in other years. A book club is a great way to help your young people feel connected to the group, while also providing them with an activity they can do from home. You could choose a book that’s along a similar theme to what you’ve been learning as a group, or let the young people decide! Which leads nicely to number seven…
A book club is just one of many possible ways in which you can invite members of your group to innovate and participate in leadership over the summer. What is your group passionate about? Where do you see leaders emerging? Whether it’s social action, filmmaking, sports or something else, encourage members of your group to organise a club or event for the summer.
Check out more ideas in our article 7 Ways to Raise Young Leaders.
While these are all good ideas, the goal is not to achieve them all! Chat together with your leaders at the start of the summer and see what is feasible for you all, making sure to factor in plenty of time for rest and rejuvenation.
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