Student Ministries Summer Retreats

Who ever came up with the idea that summer vacation means more free time, less activity, and more relaxation? If your family is like most, summer is just as jam-packed with commitments, trips, and events as the school year. So, in planning the summer calendar, the question then becomes…what is important? How do we decide what we commit ourselves to?

With the economy putting the squeeze on many families, cost quickly becomes a primary filter for evaluating what we can or can’t consider. So when a flyer for a $335 summer camp floats by, it’s easy to see why one might quickly shoot down the option simply because of “cost.” But let me throw another variable into this whole decision – the idea of investment.

Why would anyone spend over $300 to send their kid to a summer camp?  Top-notch facilities that include BMX tracks, zip-lines, climbing walls, a lake, a pool, and more? The possibility that the camp experience will allow their teenager to connect with other students and have a good time with friends?  Is that where the investment is found? …Maybe.

But let me be perfectly honest with you. The investment is more than facilities and friendships. The real investment is spending a week where we intentionally  pursue God and allow Him to speak into our lives.

Bottom line, the reason I’m  willing to drive 10 hours and ask families to shell out over $300 is because of the potential value of the ministry that takes place. It’s tough to quantify the significance of a week where young minds experience a week long emphasis on the greatness of God and the value of His word. And I’m not going to guarantee that camp will “work” with your teenager (whatever that means…). But I will guarantee that HE (God) will work! Seeing hundreds of teenagers from different churches worshipping Jesus, learning together and leaving with a burden to see their friends know Jesus is evidence that God is faithful to reveal Himself in ways that we can’t even begin to imagine.

So, as you plan your busy summer can I ask you to make an investment?

If you have any questions, or would like to sit down and talk about Student Ministries here at Crossroads, feel free to drop me an e-mail.

Brett Wagner

For details and registration information see the following links:

High School Summer Camp: June 21 – 27
Junior High Summer Camp: July 19 – 25