Planning Your Winter Conference
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By J I M S L E V E C O V E *
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Snow brings a special serenity to Yosemite Valley. It softens the outline, blankets the meadows and bows the trees. Here, are North Dome, Clouds Rest and Half Dome, from left to right.
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• Have some “ skit” ideas in mind for fun time. • See that your campers obey the policies of the camp and are on time to all meet ings and activities. Camp Leaders • If there is any doubt whether you will have snow, advertise camp as a “Winter Weekend” rather than “ Snow Camp.” This will avoid later disappointments. • Because of the possibility of dangerous weather and slippery road conditions, try to avoid night driving to and from camp. • Because there are many hazards in snow play, you should exert all precau tionary safety measures. (Accidents can be avoided if only two riders are allowed on the toboggan at one time.) • Have available indoor group games in case of bad weather. • Responsibilities are to be shared among the leaders. Various personnel should be in charge of recreation, music, kitchen help, flag raising and cabin clean-up. The camp dean should direct the staff and counselors with the program schedule. Program • The selection of speakers is most im portant. Much prayer and wisdom is re quired to make the right selection. Spare nothing to obtain those whom you believe can be used of the Holy Spirit to reach your campers. • Be careful not to overload your week end. A short keynote speaker on Friday night, two meetings Saturday morning, one Saturday night and one on Sunday morning should be sufficient. • Some camp directors prefer to hold the fireside meeting or victory circle on Sun day morning rather than Saturday night. This is beneficial because more time is al lowed to present Christ. This way the climax is reached at the end of camp. NEXT MONTH FOR THE KING’S BUSINESS JIM SLEVECOVE W ILL COVER ANOTHER PHASE OF THE IMPORTANT CHURCH ACTIVITIES AREA.
M ore than occasionally, it is at the weekend conference that a young person makes his life expend able for Christ. This decision comes about through the concentrated ef forts of pastors, Sunday school teach ers, youth leaders and parents who have given themselves to creating a spiritual atmosphere in which to pre sent the claims and commands of our Lord Jesus Christ. Results are often visible because the spiritual peak at tained in camp is seldom reached in any other type of service. Actually, the weekend is often equal to three months of regular attendance in the Sunday school and church. Everyone in the church has a vital part to play in developing a youth conference program. Listed are some specific suggestions. Parents • Encourage your children to go to camp. • Provide the finances or a plan, in which they can earn their own way. • See that they have ample clothing. Ex pensive snow suits are not necessary, but the following are: a heavy jacket, sweaters or sweatshirts, waterproof boots, plenty of warm sox, mittens, a cap, necessary bed ding and personal articles. Be sure a Bible,
flashlight and camera are also packed. • Remember them in prayer. Church Members • Share the enthusiasm for cafnp by pro viding funds for needy youngsters. This can be done through the Sunday School teachers. • Provide prize money so church leaders can create enthusiasm with a “W in Your Way to Camp” contest. © Help provide transportation. • Remember the young people in prayer. Ministers • Help publicize the value of camp. Allow space in church publications. Re serve time for announcements and special appeals for the conference. • Provide scholarships to worthy and needy youngsters. • Give campers the opportunity when they return to express to the congregation decisions and results from the camp. Campers • Anticipate a spiritual blessing and chal lenge. Allow the Holy Spirit to speak to your heart. • Invite your friends, especially non- Christians. • Be well packed but not over packed. (You may need skit ideas and costumes, so take them along.) Counselors • Allow sufficient time to get to camp early so that you can get well organized. • Realize that you hold an important key position of leadership in the camp. You must forget your “ free” time — this week end is not your own; you have come for a dedicated purpose. Whether you are with your campers or not, you must know where they are every hour of the day. The demands on you are great but the spiritual rewards are incomparable. • If the camp dean does not provide de votional suggestions, be prepared with helpful ideas for your cabin. • Take along several extra Bibles in case some one forgets his.
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*Jim Slevecove, graduate of The Bible Institute of Los Angeles, has been a leader in youth work for a number of years. He is presently serving with the Young Ru ssi ans Christians Asso ciation and the Hume Lake Bible Conference Asso-
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Mr. Slevecove
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JA N U A R Y , 1959
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