It is spring and time to rehire/hire your staff for summer.  I know I pray for my staff throughout the year, but in recent years I've added some other strategies to provide spiritual leadership and support pre-season. Sometimes the young adults that serve on my staff are away from home, often involved in work and school on their own, and not always fully engaged in their spiritual life. They come to camp as excellent camp staff, disciples of Jesus Christ, but not always fully prepared spiritually for leadership in faith formation of our campers. Two years ago I started a way to better prepare my staff for their leadership role in guiding campers spiritually for the summer.

Here are a few ideas that have proven successful with my staff:

• Whatever you ask of your staff, don’t let it be complicated, time consuming, or seem like “homework.”  

• Virtual reunion of your staff is the best.  Find a social media platform that you and your staff can interact on.  I have a closed Facebook staff group that works, and while FB isn’t as popular with young adults,  my staff is willing to engage for the purpose of this preparedness exercise.  

• Some years I have used the YA Devotions on the Discipleship Ministries site.  www.umcyoungpeople.org  They are devotions written by young adults, with a question posed at the end. Staff can comment with their responses.

• I have also used our summer camp curriculum as a preparation guide, using the daily themes and verses and some of the actual questions that they will be leading their small group through at camp.

• In the beginning I ask some very basic questions like “How is it with your soul?”,  “What does it mean to stay in love with God?”

• I always leave the option to private message me if they have questions they don’t want to post with the group.  

• I do follow-up immediately with the group; young adults today are used to instant information.

• We also incorporate spiritual follow-up during staff training; discussing their thoughts and feelings, questions and concerns about the summer ahead.

• I  accept a “thumbs up” or “smile” as a response, so even if they’re not engaging online in a deep way, I know they are present. I find most have at least read the devotion post.

Kelly Peterson-Cruse has trained many summer staff teams over the years as a former Camp Director/Owner, and in her role as Director of Camping and Young People's Ministries in the Cal-Nevada Conference. Her ministry is fueled by good coffee, the energy of young people, and the love of Jesus.