You’ve put in the hard work of building a great youth group. But now that it’s up and running, how do you make sure it stays on track? Here are some tips for keeping your church youth group out of trouble.
Keep communication lines open with parents.
Communication is key when it comes to keeping your church youth group out of trouble. When sending kids away to a church camp, it’s important to make sure that parents and guardians feel comfortable with their children being in an unfamiliar place. Keeping the lines of communication open will help alleviate any concerns they may have about their child’s safety and well-being while away from home.
Make sure your adult volunteers are properly trained and screened while at church camp
One of the most important aspects of running a successful church youth group is making sure all of your adult volunteers are well prepared. Whether they’re tasked with leading Bible studies, organizing activities, or providing support, it’s essential that your volunteers are properly screened, trained and knowledgeable about the topics you want to teach at camp. A simple training process for volunteers where everyone is briefed on the code of conduct expectations and safety rules will help ensure everyone has a fun, safe, and meaningful experience during the camp.
Have a Waiver Drafted for Parents to Sign
Protecting church youth groups and their participants is a priority, which is why enlisting the help of a church lawyer to draft waivers can provide peace of mind. Having parents or members of the youth group sign waivers outlining any liabilities or risks associated with church activities can ensure everyone is prepared for any unexpected events. A church lawyer will know exactly how to craft a waiver suitable for church-related activities that would be best suited to the church’s desired goals and interests.
Be aware of potential risks and manage them.
Youth group activities can create a lot of excitement and fun, but it’s important to be aware of potential risks that may arise during those events. Before each outing or activity, have a plan in place for how to manage those risks. Make sure all involved are informed about the plan ahead of time so if something out of the ordinary does happen there will already be a process in place to handle it safely and effectively. This awareness of potential risks will help you ensure your youth group activities are always positive experiences for participants.
Pray for wisdom and guidance in all that you do at youth group!
Leading a youth group can feel like a daunting experience – between attempting to engage with peers, facilitating discussion, and having to make important decisions, it’s no surprise that most of us could use a little bit of extra wisdom and guidance!
As a Children’s Minister, it is so important to keep communication lines open with parents, make sure your adult volunteers are properly trained and screened, have a church lawyer draft a waiver for parents to sign, be aware of potential risks, and have the plan to manage them, and pray for wisdom and guidance in all that you do! By incorporating these five tips into your ministry, you will help create a safe and fun environment for both the children and adults involved.