http://www.youthmissionsinsider.com/2009/11/the-others/ what we've learned about youth mission trips Wed, 18 Aug 2010 19:24:08 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 http://www.youthmissionsinsider.com/2009/11/the-others/#comment-3 Don Malec Mon, 23 Nov 2009 21:23:10 +0000 http://www.youthmissioninsider.com/2009/11/the-others/#comment-3 Sometimes an adult problem can surface at camp but there IS something one can do - SHARE the problem with the camp Director. I think too often, events take place at camps that don't get communicated to the Director until the last day of camp and that is simply too late. Whenever a community of people come together mixing adults with youth, you are bound to get a few adults that "don't get it." I know that I didn't. At my first camp I really thought it was about the work. I try to share my story at all the camps I direct to convey the message that as adults, we really need to understand our purpose and our roles. Adults are not the boss. Adults are not there to do all the work. Adults are there to help youth grow in their faith. The work is simply the mechanism that allows that to happen. Sometimes the camp Director needs to intervene and engage an adult in a teaching moment. Most of the time it works. If a problem is identified, we can pull our team together to work out solutions. We call those problems, "opportunities." Site coaches, Directors, MC's, Summer Staff, and other red shirt staff are always willing to help by visting sites, spending times at certain sites, or even working on sites to ensure that situations as described are corrected if they come up. Another thing, we as a team will always do, is seek assistance from God through prayer. Each night we have a staff meeting to address issues and it always amazes me how the power of prayer works to help resolve some of the issues we face at camp. As a last resort, we can make a reassignment, if necessary, to ensure that youth have a great camp experience. I believe that every adult that comes to Workcamp has good intentions. Sometimes their methodology simply needs a little tweaking - especially if they do not understand their roles or do not work with youth regularly. I hope this helps. Sometimes an adult problem can surface at camp but there IS something one can do – SHARE the problem with the camp Director. I think too often, events take place at camps that don’t get communicated to the Director until the last day of camp and that is simply too late. Whenever a community of people come together mixing adults with youth, you are bound to get a few adults that “don’t get it.” I know that I didn’t. At my first camp I really thought it was about the work. I try to share my story at all the camps I direct to convey the message that as adults, we really need to understand our purpose and our roles. Adults are not the boss. Adults are not there to do all the work. Adults are there to help youth grow in their faith. The work is simply the mechanism that allows that to happen. Sometimes the camp Director needs to intervene and engage an adult in a teaching moment. Most of the time it works. If a problem is identified, we can pull our team together to work out solutions. We call those problems, “opportunities.” Site coaches, Directors, MC’s, Summer Staff, and other red shirt staff are always willing to help by visting sites, spending times at certain sites, or even working on sites to ensure that situations as described are corrected if they come up. Another thing, we as a team will always do, is seek assistance from God through prayer. Each night we have a staff meeting to address issues and it always amazes me how the power of prayer works to help resolve some of the issues we face at camp. As a last resort, we can make a reassignment, if necessary, to ensure that youth have a great camp experience. I believe that every adult that comes to Workcamp has good intentions. Sometimes their methodology simply needs a little tweaking – especially if they do not understand their roles or do not work with youth regularly. I hope this helps.

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