CONSIDER DOING A “GROUP” VACATION
But one person needs to have the final say after each person in the group has weighed in. One person should also be responsible for each of the details before the trip. The point person thinks through things like: • What time should everyone arrive? • What meals will be group meals or individual family meals? • What activities are group activities? • What location will be chosen and what date makes the most sense for the entire group? KEEP THE SCHEDULE LOOSE AND LOW-KEY Have one or two planned group activities (like the water-fight and potluck as mentioned earlier) but then leave families free to have their own time together as well. When you have a group of people with something in common, (attending the same church) you will naturally fall in together at the organized activities and run into each other as you make memories around the facility. Letting people bump into each other is the best way for relationships to deepen organically instead of trying to manufacture depth. There will naturally be late night fireside conversations, talks on the beach, and funny interactions at the pool when you leave room for people to relax and not feel forced into it. It’s a beautiful balance of seeing familiar faces while also not having the pressure of being around each other all the time. TAKE CARE OF EACH OTHER Be on the lookout for ways to serve each other. Whether it’s letting someone borrow something they forgot, everyone helping everyone else unpack and set up, or letting a couple of extra kids tag along with yours to the playground so the parents can have some alone time, caring for each other is key.
In the group mentioned above, there were some times when rain put a serious damper on the trip. People were sleeping in cars instead of their tents because the downpour was so intense everyone and everything got wet. But instead of calling it quits, everyone woke up the next morning with the will to stick it out and help each other. People hung clotheslines to hang things up to dry, shared dry socks, and laughed about the memories they were making. Sometimes the best bonding happens at the most unexpected times, but only if everyone has the mindset of caring for each other. It’s this very serving and caring that brings a “togetherness” that almost can’t be replicated anywhere else. You’ll not only have the vacation of a lifetime, but you’ll also be developing friendships and relationships that will last forever. When you start to plan your vacation with a purpose, take some time to seriously consider inviting a group of other people with you from your church or small group. It might just change your life. WORD OF LIFE PINES Word of Life owns and operates a family camping facility called The Pines. It’s an amazing place for families to gather for a vacation with a purpose. Each summer we see families meet for the first time and becomes lifetime friends. Summer after summer they meet again choosing to schedule their time at the Word of Life Pines together to get the same kind of togetherness and group vacation we’re talking about here. It’s a great place to meet other families who love God and want to grow closer to Him in a fun and relaxing environment.
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