Choosing A Camp Theme

Camp Planning can be overwhelming and seem full of so many small details. I've found that choosing an overall theme makes so the small details a lot easier. I hope the following helps you on your path to choosing a camp theme.

I know many who jump straight to Pinterest at this point, strolling for a cute camp theme. But to me any monkey can pick a theme off someone else's ideas. As a camp director or leader your job is to discern what's best for your campers in your area. Not just find a cute idea that printables abound on the interwebs. Staying away from the internet and starting with pondering helps me keep a focus on substance now and style later.

To plan camp with a purposeful camp theme, ask yourself some questions through study and prayer.

1. Are there any key issues or things we want to focus on at devotionals?  What kind of problems or issues are the campers encountering this year?
2. Are there any large events or social trends affecting them?
3.  Are there any recent talks or devotionals that are timely or relevant?
4. What were the recent themes (past 5 or so years), so that we don't overlap or repeat ourselves too much?
5. What is the Mutual theme for the coming year (usually announced in August or September for the next calendar year)?

I've seen camp themes come easily from these questions. Once you have an eye towards what you want to teach, look up key scriptures and church stories that relate to these topics. Or do some word association to ponder movies or imagery that relate to your teaching goal.

Divine Nature focus = Royalty and princess theme = Once Upon a Time
Personal revelation= Journeys and following Christ= Come Follow Me.
Strength and courage=Armor of God= Heroes or boot camp theme.

If there doesn't seem to be a huge need that needs to be addressed, I've found so many themes pop out of reading the scriptures:

• Flowers and plants
•  light
• sailing and journeys
• building and rocks 
• learning and schools
•  battles and heroes
• Trees and Fruit
• Treasure/money/gratitude

Once I have a few ideas, I like to look at how a camp theme could translate to camp details. 

If I can choose an overall Camp Theme with:

Hymn for the week

Scripture for the week

Doctrine I want to focus on (ie- Growth and Revelation)

Color Scheme and pattern or graphic imagery  (this is where pinterest comes in for me)

Then these things tend to come organically and in my opinion, by the youth leaders:

Devotionals 

Week long spiritual activity

Skits

Bishop's Visit

Camp Wide Physical activity

Decorations

T-shirts

Gifts and Thank you's

Crafts and Service Project

After I've mapped out some ideas for these details, I felt as though I've studied it out in my mind. And then I ask the Lord for help to see what I'm missing or if this is an acceptable direction for camp. Sometimes the answer comes to table an idea for another year, to focus on something different, or a new idea comes that develops that theme more fully.