How to use this resource
How to use this resource Introduction Organizing your program Week at a glance: Faith Alive Making use of this curriculum Nonviolence in the camp community Back-home activities Faith Life evaluation Clip art 3 4 6 7 13 15 17 18 Faith Alive Introduction to the theme Biblical Interpretation 22 25 Worship Large group worship Small group devotions 31 60 Bible studies Lower elementary/Day camp Upper elementary Junior high Senior high Adult 73 101 122 144 170 Theme-related activities Challenge course activities Crafts Environmental activities Games Faith Alive Outdoor Ministries Curriculum, © 2012 Lutheran Outdoor Ministries. May be reproduced for local use. 195 202 213 222 1 Faith Alive Outdoor Ministries Curriculum Prepared by Lutheran Outdoor Ministries. Contributing writers: Mariel Spengler (“Back-Home Activities,” “Lower Elementary/Day Camp”) Terry L. Bowes (“Nonviolence in the Camp Community”) Rebecca Ninke (“Introduction to the Theme,” “Biblical Interpretation”) Paul Frantsen (“Large Group Worship”) Kathy Haueisen (“Upper Elementary”) Kristin Rudd (“Junior High”) Rod Boriack (“Senior High”) Jeffrey Nelson (“Adult”) David Box (“Challenge Course Activities”) Ruth A.H. Thom, Paul Frantsen, Steve Jerbi (“Environmental Activities”) Editors: Mark B. Gardner Eileen Z. Engebretson Cover design and art: Brian Jensen This CD-ROM contains: •A complete camp curriculum, including Bible studies, environmental activities, worship experiences, games, challenge course activities, and craft ideas, all of which may be reproduced for use by individual counselors. •A PDF version ready to be printed and used. •Word and RTF versions for easy adaptation in your camp setting. •“Back-Home Activities” is included to aid in connecting camp and at-home experiences. Scripture quotations are from New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. Materials identified as ELW are from Evangelical Lutheran Worship, copyright © 2006 Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Quotations from Luther’s Small Catechism are from Evangelical Lutheran Worship, copyright © 2006 Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Copyright © 2012 Lutheran Outdoor Ministries. All rights reserved. Faith Alive Outdoor Ministries Curriculum, © 2012 Lutheran Outdoor Ministries. May be reproduced for local use. 2 How to use this resource Introduction •games for different age groups. Welcome to the exciting world of Christian camping! As the director or program director of a summer camping program, you already are engaged in ministry with children, youth, and adults. This resource, Faith Alive, is intended to be comprehensive in content, yet flexible in format. The material is adaptable to a variety of situations. As the person responsible for programming at your camp or for your day camp program, you will have the freedom to decide which activities from this resource are most appropriate and useful for your particular camper population, site, and staff this summer. Take time to read “Introduction to the Theme” (pages 22-24) and review the other sections of this resource. The resource has been designed to include: •activities for these age-level groupings: day camp (lower elementary), upper elementary, junior high, senior high, adult, and intergenerational. •initiative activities (including “Challenge Course Activities”) related to the theme. •common themes and Bible texts for each of five days. If you think the CD-ROM you have purchased is defective, please call Lutheran Outdoor Ministries (LOM) at 614-315-2340. •a week based on a total of five days of programming in a camp or congregation. •separate large group and small group worship experiences to assist staff and campers in planning worship. •craft activities for all age levels. •“Back-Home Activities” section for parents or caregivers of campers. •clip art. Faith Alive CD-ROM This curriculum is in PDF format on the Faith Alive CD-ROM. It has also been produced in Microsoft Word and Rich Text Format, and works on both Macintosh and Windows platforms. Technical support •one “Biblical Interpretation” section for the resource. •daily Bible studies for day camp (lower elementary), upper elementary, junior high, senior high, and adult campers. •environmental education activities that relate to the theme. Faith Alive Outdoor Ministries Curriculum, © 2012 Lutheran Outdoor Ministries. May be reproduced for local use. 3 Organizing your program Read through this resource in its entirety before deciding which components and activities you will use. Ask other members of your leadership team and the program committee of your camp board to assist you in this task. Keep in mind that this curriculum should be viewed as a basic framework or foundation for your summer camp program. You will, of course, want to supplement this material with some ideas of your own to help you meet the needs of your particular camper population. After reviewing this curriculum resource, decide which pages you will need to reproduce. Then print from the CD-ROM the necessary pages, making enough copies for each staff member. Additional pages can always be added at a later date. Finally, assemble the pages in a standard loose-leaf notebook for each member of your program staff. Set aside ample time during your staff training schedule to introduce the curriculum to staff, taking special care to cover the biblical and theological introduction to the theme. You might find it helpful to use the adult Bible study to help with staff training. For help summarizing the daily themes and Bible texts, see the “Week at a Glance” chart on page 6. Also refer to “Staff Training,” pages 10-11, for more detailed suggestions about teaching the material to staff during staff training. You also might find it helpful to use pages 7-10, “Making Use of This Curriculum.” It is a summary of suggestions to effectively use the curriculum. Day camp One of the major differences between resident camp and day camp is the environment in which the program takes place. Resident camp is, in many ways, a very controlled and unfamiliar environment for campers. The day camp environment differs because it occurs on the “home turf ” of the camper. There tend to be, therefore, more distractions and less control over the program environment. Day camp staff members have to work especially hard at keeping campers’ interest focused on program activities. The key to a successful day camp is careful planning. Working with a local site committee will help you and your staff to identify program goals, safety and health concerns, and a plan for promoting the day camp in the community. The Bible studies included for day campers (K-3) are organized around the same five daily themes as the rest of the curriculum. Additional ideas for day campers are included in “Large Group Worship,” “Small Group Devotions,” “Challenge Course Activities,” “Crafts,” “Environmental Activities,” and “Games.” Age-level considerations During the course of your staff training week, help staff members to understand the differences between campers in various age levels and the different ways in which they learn and interact. There are six areas of growth to consider: physical, emotional, social, intellectual, moral, and faith development. While developmental theories should not be thought of as predictors of behavior, they are helpful in sensitizing staff to the needs of individual campers. The introduction to each age level’s Bible study includes helpful age-level information. Faith Alive Outdoor Ministries Curriculum, © 2012 Lutheran Outdoor Ministries. May be reproduced for local use. 4 Age-level coding An age-level designation appears with activities in the following sections: “Small Group Devotions,” “Crafts,” “Environmental Activities,” and “Games.” To find out which activities are best suited to your campers, use the following guide: L = Lower elementary U = Upper elementary J = Junior high S = Senior high A = Adult I = Intergenerational Note that some activities are recommended for use at more than one age level. Feel free to adapt any activity for use with particular groups of campers. Faith Alive Outdoor Ministries Curriculum, © 2012 Lutheran Outdoor Ministries. May be reproduced for local use. 5 6 Faith Alive Outdoor Ministries Curriculum, © 2012 Lutheran Outdoor Ministries. May be reproduced for local use. Acts 4:32-35 John 21:15-19 John 13:1-17 Micah 6:8 Isaiah 58:10 Matthew 25:31-46 5 Service Luke 10:25-37 9th Commandment • We consider all people our neighbors. (The good Samaritan) • We show our love for God by caring for others. • We care for others by responding to real-life needs. Matthew 6:5-13 Psalm 46:10 Romans 8:26 Mark 1:29-39 1 Peter 4:8–11 Colossians 3:12–17 Galatians 6:10 1 Corinthians 12:4-27 Hebrews 13:1-2 Matthew 5:9 • We are free to come to God in all things. • Jesus taught his disciples how to pray. • We pray as Jesus taught us to pray. 3 Prayer Luke 11:1-13 The Lord's (The Lord’s Prayer) Prayer Exodus 20:8 Psalm 51:10 Psalm 122 (Matthew 18:20) Isaiah 58:13-14 Colossians 3:16 Deuteronomy 6:4–9 Luke 24:13-35 Luke 4:16-30 Additional Bible text references 4 Hospitality Luke 14:7-14 8th Commandment • We practice hospitality as Jesus taught. (Jesus teaches • We welcome strangers. about hospitality) • We are challenged by our faith to live peacefully with one another. • We think about the world differently because of Jesus’ example. • As human beings we are weak, but the Spirit is here to help us. • The Spirit’s work includes praying for those who cannot even find words to pray for themselves. • As we are forgiven through the Spirit, we are called to forgive others. Focus points 2 Worship Matthew 26:17-30 Communion (The Last Supper) Catechism connection • We help each other understand the Bible. • Reading the Bible feeds our faith. • I find myself in the stories in the Bible. • The Bible is a source of God’s revelation, one place where we meet God. • We know that we are not alone when we struggle with doubt. Bible basis Let all that you do be done in love. 1 Corinthians 16:14 1 Bible Acts 8:26-40 Baptism (Phillip and the Ethiopian eunuch) Day Title Week at a glance: Faith Alive Making use of this curriculum I’ve got this huge packet…now what? 1 Before summer begins •Skim the curriculum, then read it thoroughly. •Wrestle with the content and concepts. If you don't understand something, ask for help. •Learn the flow of the theme and Bible studies. •Print from the CD-ROM the program materials and mail them to the camp staff prior to staff training. •Decide what will be necessary to copy for the summer camp staff and camp pastors. •Brief other staff, program committee members, or volunteers on the theme and goals. •Gather additional resources and ideas. 2 3 4 During staff training •Present an overview of the curriculum theme and goals at the start of training. •Work through one Bible study per day as a staff. •Brainstorm additional program ideas and activities. •Experience and do activities from each section of the curriculum (“Large Group Worship,” “Small Group Devotions,” “Challenge Course Activities,” “Crafts,” “Environmental Activities,” and “Games”). During summer camp •Work the theme into the camp day and week (meals, worship, games, challenge course activities, songs, and crafts). •Create banners and art to support the theme. •Try to use a few new program activities each week. After summer camp •Send an evaluation form and a “great-to-see-you-at-camp” letter to each camper along with a “Back-Home Activities” flyer to parents or caregivers. •Evaluate the camp program and curriculum with the summer camp staff. •Modify and use the curriculum for retreat and lock-in programs. Faith Alive Outdoor Ministries Curriculum, © 2012 Lutheran Outdoor Ministries. May be reproduced for local use. 7 Adapting for special needs Many camping programs serve campers who are challenged mentally or physically. In some programs, these campers are mainstreamed into regular cabin groups. In other programs, opportunities are provided for separate programs that take into account the special needs and requirements of these persons. In either case, with appropriate modifications, this basic curriculum resource can be used as a guide for most daily activities. Here are some suggestions to choose from as you plan the day camp and upper elementary activities. •Establish and follow a daily routine. •Provide opportunities for campers to use as many of their senses as possible. •Simplify the learning experience to avoid too many facts or directions. •Teach basic concepts of the faith through drama and music. •Give frequent and positive reinforcement; be liberal with praise. •Base new learnings on familiar experiences. •Give campers opportunities to verbalize their faith. •Use several short learning periods rather than one long one. •Provide for repetition, but vary the manner in which it occurs. •Encourage appropriate socializing skills. •Avoid making assumptions about campers’ abilities and limitations. Any camping program that plans to serve campers who are challenged mentally or physically must take time during staff training to sensitize the staff to such special needs. Consider having one or more persons on the camp staff who are trained or certified as special education teachers. “Back-home activities” The “Back-Home Activities” flyer is on pages 15-16. It provides a way for parents and caregivers to reinforce the camp experience when campers return home. Reproduce enough copies (photocopied back to back) for distribution to parents and caregivers following each camp week or to send with registration information. Confirmation camping Confirmation camping brings together the ministry of camping and the educational ministry of a local congregation. Many camps provide weeklong experiences for confirmation leaders and campers. Leaders will need to adapt and supplement these program materials for use with the particular ages of confirmation campers. Review this definition of confirmation: Confirmation is a pastoral (defined as “caring”) and educational ministry of the church that helps the baptized child through Word and Sacrament to identify more deeply with the Christian community and participate more fully in its mission. The camp setting is an ideal place to provide confirmation instruction that allows for unique learning opportunities. The activities at camp are designed to meet the needs and perceptions of confirmation youth and provide a powerful setting for developing Christian identity and encouraging mission. Though there are numerous models for confirmation camp, a few important distinctions differentiate confirmation camping from general youth camping. Camps are wise to carefully define confirmation camping for those congregations that want to participate. Confirmation camping is done in cooperation with the ministry of congregations. Although many confirmation students attend youth camps, a church is involved in the planning and implementation of confirmation camps. It is a mutual ministry. •Confirmation camping involves the leadership of local congregations in active teaching and counseling roles at camp. Along with the camp counselors and other camp staff, local pastors, catechists, and lay leaders become an important part of the camp community. •Confirmation camping affirms the importance of Word and Sacrament in the midst of those who gather. •Confirmation camping is a process that continues throughout the year. Camp leaders become aware of congregational programs and seek ways of augmenting and encouraging what takes place at home. It involves joint planning by camp and congregation. Faith Alive Outdoor Ministries Curriculum, © 2012 Lutheran Outdoor Ministries. May be reproduced for local use. 8 Models for confirmation camping A number of models for confirmation camps have developed over the years. By far the most common model is the conference model. Church leaders gather a group of confirmation youth from their churches and attend camp together. At camp, counselors join church leaders to serve as Bible study leaders, working in cooperation with church groups. Although it is common that the actual Bible study groups are formed by individual churches, campers mix together in a wide variety of camp activities throughout the day. Special events at camp may include both staff and church leaders. The resource model is a simple variation of the conference model. Here church leaders and volunteers work together to provide a variety of workshops and learning opportunities at camp. Youth may attend Bible study, discussion forums, and small group activities with adult leaders and resource persons from other churches. Together, pastors, lay leaders, and camp staff provide a variety of activities centering on the basic themes presented for each day. In both the conference and resource models, pastors and catechists are actively engaged in teaching and learning with campers. They do not take over the role of the counselor, but often make large group presentations, answer questions, and engage in dialogue with both campers and staff. The counselor’s role as small group leader is still preserved. In fact, the counselor’s role is enhanced as youth sense the cooperative spirit between leaders and camp staff. Confirmation leaders also participate in activities throughout the day. Other models also exist. The small group decentralized model is often used by pastors and church leaders who seek a high degree of community building and trust development among the campers. Here a pastor, lay leader, or catechist might serve as a resource person on a small group adventure-based trip such as a canoe trip, bike trek, or backpack journey. Using this model requires a defined role for both the congregation (through its leaders) and the camp staff (through its counselors). In this model, contact with other church groups is minimal, and the informality of the event itself lends to a sense of community among participants. The retreat model may also be used by church groups. Here the materials in this resource can be adapted for concentrated use during a weekend retreat or a series of retreats at your camp. Effort should be made to take seriously the role of camp staff when using the retreat model. The retreat is enhanced through active camp involvement, enabling the confirmands to be engaged in activities and learning events that may be limited in the congregational setting. Organizing resources Consider the following elements as you organize resources for confirmation camping. Worship Developing worship themes for each day and planning special worship events is important. Details can be left to camp staff, but church leaders need to know about the worship life of the camp community so they can plan learning activities that augment worship. Review the ideas in this curriculum packet with church leaders. Ask for suggestions of resources, including people and activities, that can be included. The use of the Lord’s Supper should carefully be considered by church leaders in advance of camp. Bible study Gather confirmation planning groups and show them the materials in this curriculum packet. Pastors and lay leaders will need to supplement this curriculum with catechetical material. For some help with this, point out “Catechism Connection,” part of each day’s junior high Bible study. Spiritual formation Camp is a time when many young people learn the joy of daily devotion and prayer life. Pastors and lay leaders can play a significant role in the lives of young people if they are in touch with this developmental theme. Personal visits can be planned with each camper to discuss the implications of daily prayer and devotion and to encourage its practice. Faith Alive Outdoor Ministries Curriculum, © 2012 Lutheran Outdoor Ministries. May be reproduced for local use. 9 Environmental awareness Camp is an important place in which youth can consider their role as caretaker and creature of God’s earth. Church leaders should participate freely with campers and counselors in learning more about the environment. Community development Camp and confirmation leaders will want to develop numerous ways to encourage the development of Christian community together. This is done not only in Bible study and worship, but in campfires, canoe or hiking trips, arts and crafts, discussion groups, ropes courses, and so on. Skill enhancement Confirmation leaders and camp staff can together teach many skills and interests that enhance the self-esteem of confirmation campers. Encourage confirmation leaders to bring their hobbies and interests to camp and serve as helpers while teaching camp skills. This can result in a positive relationship with lasting effect. Vocational imagination Camp is also a time to reflect upon one’s vision for life. Create opportunities for campers to think about the role of discipleship in society. Through discussion groups, guest speakers, and conversations, explore ways in which faith makes a connection in daily life. Confirmation camping at its best provides both youth and adults with an adventure in a ministry of caring and education. Most of all, it provides the opportunity for young people to identify with a Christian community that appears to represent their interests and hopes. It encourages them to return home ready to participate more fully in the ministry of the congregation. Staff training Ask young campers what they like best about your outdoor ministries program and you will most likely get a response that mentions making new friends, swimming, or hiking. Ask parents or pastors why they send children to camp or why they attend your outdoor ministries program and you will probably hear that they value the opportunity for faith development and Bible study. Can these two audiences agree on what is best? Will campers ever say that they liked learning about the Bible and felt they grew in understanding of God? They might! This is the main reason why a major goal of staff training should be to assist staff in being inspiring, creative Bible study leaders. Preparing Bible study leaders As you design staff training, select a format that will enable staff members to grow in their own faith lives. Daily themes and the flow of the biblical resources can be incorporated into staff training. Provide ample time for the faith development of staff, including Bible study and worship. The best Bible study leaders are those with a strong personal faith and commitment that allows them to be mentors or facilitators of others. No matter what model you choose for incorporating Bible study material (see the following section, “Bible Study Models”), there are some givens you should consider when planning: • Teach the Bible study material as you want it to be taught. If you provide only lectures on biblical content, staff members may grow in biblical knowledge, but they may also tend to lecture to campers. Use an experiential, hands-on approach that allows staff to use biblical themes and resources in a variety of ways. • Offer solid theological background and grounding. You will most likely have staff with a variety of theological backgrounds and understanding. Help them understand how to use the scriptures. Provide a theological overview of each of the daily themes. An adequate understanding of the biblical passages used in the Bible study material is extremely important to assist staff members in leading Bible studies with confidence. Because young adults are sometimes exposed to a variety of new ways of thinking and are at a stage in their own faith development where they are seeking a personal understanding of theology, incorporate into training an overview of basic theology. This will strengthen their ability as staff to facilitate Bible study and worship. Faith Alive Outdoor Ministries Curriculum, © 2012 Lutheran Outdoor Ministries. May be reproduced for local use. 10 • In your staff training design, provide opportunities for staff to be leaders so they gain a comfort level in using Bible study materials. Learning to teach is different from simply learning content. Experience in conducting activities and discussions allows staff to grow in confidence. Feedback from experienced leaders and theologians can assist staff in successfully presenting materials. • An important part of leading Bible studies is understanding the participants. Offer staff members input and insight into the campers you serve. This may include age-level differences, personal and social differences, and levels of faith development. You may cover these areas in general, but be sure to link them to suggestions for teaching. A common saying in education is that we teach people, not content, and this means taking into account the variety of people we serve. • Perhaps the most important aspect of helping staff to be effective Bible study leaders is to help them capture the positive nature of delving into the Bible. If you suspect that they have a feeling of “oh, no, it’s time for Bible study” during staff training, you can bet that your outdoor ministries program will be haunted by that feeling all summer! However, if Bible study is appealing, staff will infuse their campers with a positive response to Bible study. Leaders during staff training need to be enthusiastic, and activities need to draw people in with elements of excitement. The activities presented in this curriculum provide ample resources for this, including opportunities for personal reflection, sharing with others, creative expression, and using the outdoor setting. Bible study models Several models for learning and teaching Bible study materials are offered here. Mix and match ideas that best suit your staff training schedule. Consider all of the variables in your outdoor ministries program in adapting or modifying these models: the size of your staff, the age of campers you work with, your program style, and your site. Model 1 Use one Bible study each day during staff training. Establish the pattern that Bible study is an element during each day of camp. Use trained leaders to facilitate it. Role-play how each study is to be led, using the staff in the role of campers. At the end of each study ask staff members to lead one activity from the materials to give them experience in leadership. If you use this model, you may need to vary the age levels of study each day of staff training, depending on the age levels you serve. Model 2 Form teams of three or four staff members and ask each team to choose one study and lead it with the rest of the staff. You might assign different age levels to each team. This model will give all staff members an opportunity to be in a leadership role and still expose them to each of the daily studies. A key to this model is to use a skilled theologian and a good educator (these may or may not be the same person) to help in debriefing and reflecting on staff leadership. Model 3 Use a mixed model where some of the training is led by an experienced leader and some of it is led by staff. A theologian may facilitate activities related to biblical background. Staff members may facilitate additional activities. Model 4 Use staff as specialists. Help them gain confidence in certain areas of the Bible study materials. This will work best if your staff works in teams when they are conducting activities with campers. For example, staff teams may specialize in working with specific age groups. Or they may specialize in certain aspects of the study, such as environmental activities, games, Bible studies, or crafts. They can prepare their area and then facilitate it with the rest of the staff. This model may be most helpful if your program is limited in staff training time. Use staff in their area of strength, such as seminarians or pastors leading the Bible studies and people with artistic skills leading creative activities. Model 5 An intensive method of training is to spend a solid chunk of time—one or two complete days— immersed in the Bible study. Facilitate themerelated biblical and theological reflection, activities, and age-group variations. Do this early in staff training so all other activities are grounded in the biblical understandings that will permeate your program. This method establishes a tone that all of the camp experiences flow from the biblical themes you are using. Faith Alive Outdoor Ministries Curriculum, © 2012 Lutheran Outdoor Ministries. May be reproduced for local use. 11 As you adapt a model to your setting, remember your goals for this portion of staff training. This will help you to include adequate time for staff to gain confidence as leaders, for their own faith development, and for solid theological and biblical grounding. Allow time for staff members to brainstorm and develop additional ideas, especially ones that make good use of your insight and their skills. You might consider working with a local congregation to give staff experience in trying the Bible study materials with campers. This may mean traveling to a congregation or inviting a group of children and/or adults to camp for a trial run. If your outdoor ministries program lasts more than a few weeks, revisit the Bible studies midway through the camping season. Encourage creativity and new ideas throughout the season. Fresh theological insights or more advanced training can help staff mature in their leadership style. When the midseason doldrums hit, it is refreshing to have new activities and new ideas to spark up the Bible study. Faith Alive Outdoor Ministries Curriculum, © 2012 Lutheran Outdoor Ministries. May be reproduced for local use. 12 Nonviolence in the camp community Theologian Rita Nakashimi Brock gives one definition of sin as “that damage done to us, from which we have not healed, that we do to others.” Nowhere is that self-perpetuating sinfulness more clear than in situations of violence, abuse, and bullying. Nowhere do we have a clearer call and greater opportunity to address the sin of cruelty than in the village that is the Christian camp community. As Christians, we know that the sin that separates us from one another also separates us from God. In the wake of the tragedy at Columbine High School and other school shootings, there is a new awareness of the causes and effects of bullying. A common thread in recent school violence is that the shooter had been a victim of bullying and discrimination and shed the blood of others in a twisted attempt to overcome that lack of acceptance. How can the Christian camp community give everyone, especially each individual child and young adult, the tools to avoid becoming either a bully or a victim and become a constructive leader instead? Jane Klatch, author of Under Deadman’s Skin: Discovering the Meaning of Children’s Violent Play (Beacon Press, 2001), says that children need to develop three abilities to become nonviolent leaders: empathy, the ability to control impulsive behavior, and the ability to articulate their feelings. Empathy Empathy, the compassion to understand someone else’s situation and feelings, is central to Jesus’ ministry on earth. Encourage empathy during Bible studies by asking questions about the characters in the biblical accounts. Word the questions to fit the situations you are studying. •How do you suppose he/she/they felt about what happened? • What makes you think that? • What did he/she/they do or say as a result of how he/she/they were feeling? • How would you feel if that happened to you? • What would you do or say? Controlling impulsive behavior Controlling impulsive behavior is best encouraged by the good examples found in camp counselors, chaperones, and other camp leaders. Camp leaders and campers together should establish group norms of behavior at the beginning of the camp experience. Games and language should be nonviolent. Cruelty in any form should not be allowed. One way to help control impulsive behavior that is hurtful to others is to picture Jesus standing between me and the person I want to hurt physically or with my words. In order to follow up on my impulses, I must first hurt Jesus. Articulating feelings This vital ability does not come naturally to everyone, especially very young or shy people or people who experience language difficulties. Small children may have no verbal definition of the words peace or conflict resolution, but they know that violence hurts and that anger can be destructive. Asking the “empathy” questions (above) will help everyone learn to articulate her or his own feelings. You may also wish to encourage campers to create stick figure drawings of situations and feelings or role-play situations. There are many ways to articulate feelings besides verbal expressions. Watch campers for body language that indicates hostility, withdrawal, or sadness. Conflict resolution Even in groups committed to nonviolence and peace, disagreements will arise. The following creation of a “Peace Table” is adapted from the resource Peace in the Preschool: A Resource Manual for Directors and Teachers, which is available from the Evangelical Lutheran Education Association (1-800-500-7644). It is appropriate for all ages, including adults. Create a permanent “Peace Table” at camp. Anything can serve as a Peace Table. Designate a spot such as a table, a rock, or a log to be the Peace Table. Use the Peace Table as a place to resolve conflict within the group. Establish guidelines for negotiations around the Peace Table, such as the following: Faith Alive Outdoor Ministries, © 2012 Lutheran Outdoor Ministries. May be reproduced for local use. 13 • Those involved in a conflict come to the Peace Table and tell what happened from their points of view. • To speak, each person, including camp leaders, must touch the Peace Table. • The camp leader acts as the clarifier. • Anyone in the group may add to the presentation of the problem. • A fter the problem has been stated from all points of view, the group is asked to give alternatives on how the problem could be solved. • The leader/clarifier restates the various alternatives but never dictates what to do or declares which option to take. • The leader/clarifier never directs anyone to say he or she is sorry or forces adult solutions on him or her. • When a decision has been reached, the group should celebrate being peacemakers. Create an environment for peace Make use of all five senses to experience the camp environment around you as an expression of God’s will for peace in God’s creation. Become acutely aware of sights, including other people; smells; the sounds of birds, water, voices; the feel of the air, dirt, the bark of trees; the taste of food and water. Being nonviolent includes an awareness and concern for all of God’s creation. Recycle. Make use of music that encourages peacemaking and avoid songs with militaristic images. You may wish to have available recordings such as Red Grammar’s Teaching Peace to play in the background during quiet activities. Primarily, remember that you are the best role model for peace for campers. Be loving, patient, and cooperative with the campers and with other camp leaders. Hang on to your sense of humor, especially when you are tired and frustrated. Express your own feelings appropriately: “I am so embarrassed that I spilled that ketchup!” Bear in mind and remind campers that the world is a big and wonderful place full of diverse people and ways of life. Pray that God will use us all to bring peace to places in the world that we may never see but whose people are just as important to God as we are. Faith Alive Outdoor Ministries, © 2012 Lutheran Outdoor Ministries. May be reproduced for local use. 14 15 Faith Alive Outdoor Ministries Curriculum, © 2012 Lutheran Outdoor Ministries. May be reproduced for local use. In this passage, we hear another one of the parables of Jesus. A parable is a short story that is meant to teach us something. In the parable of the good Samaritan we hear how someone who was not considered a believer helped someone in need when two religious leaders did not. Read Luke 10:25-37 together. What are your initial reactions to the story? Why didn’t the first two men help? What do you think they were afraid of? Was there anything unexpected in the way that the Samaritan helped? What do you think you would have done in that situation? What keeps us from helping others sometimes? Has there ever been a time when you knew someone needed help but you didn’t know what to do? Brainstorm ways that your family could help others together. Perhaps you could collect food to donate to a food closet or volunteer together at a soup kitchen. Ask at your local church or look online to find ways that your family could help others and then do it together. Luke 10:25-37 (The good Samaritan) Day 5: Service In today’s story, we hear about how Philip was given an unexpected opportunity to spread God’s word and how reading the Bible changed another man’s life. Too often, we think of the Bible as something that is serious and boring. Here is a way to make reading the Bible fun! Read Acts 8:26-40 together and talk about the story. What part of the story makes the most impact on you? Do you think that Philip wanted to take the time to read with the Ethiopian? How do you think Philip felt when the other man wanted to be baptized? This story is a great example of how we can all learn from each Acts 8:26-40 (Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch) Day 1: Bible Camp can be a life-changing experience. Being at camp gives youth an opportunity to be themselves and to nurture gifts that they may not have known that they had. Because a week at camp is intense, the relationships formed there can be intense as well. Camp friends have been allowed to see your camper as he or she really is and to struggle with him or her as he or she talks about matters of faith. Sharing worship and service experiences with these new friends can make it difficult to for campers to go back home, but it may also give them the confidence to let others see the person that they really are. These activities are meant to give you a glimpse of the kind of things that your child experienced at camp and to assist you in helping her or him connect those experiences to life at home. Introduction Back-home activities Faith Alive Outdoor Ministries Curriculum, © 2012 Lutheran Outdoor Ministries. May be reproduced for local use. 16 In this lesson, Jesus’ disciples ask him how they should pray and he tells them. In this passage you will find the basis for the Lord’s Prayer, one of the most well known prayers that has been used for ages. Read Luke 11:1-13 together. What kinds of things do you notice Jesus praying about in this prayer? How can this prayer be a reminder to us about the things that we should be praying about? What else does Jesus say about Luke 11:1-13 (The Lord’s Prayer) Day 3: Prayer In this passage we hear about Jesus’ last meal with his disciples, often called the Last Supper. You may have heard some of these words before. Read Matthew 26:17-30 together. How do you think Jesus was feeling, since he knew this would be his last meal with his friends? Why does Jesus say to drink the wine? Why do you think forgiveness is important? Make flat bread together. Mix 1½ cups (.36l) white flour and ½ cup (.12l) wheat flour together. Add 1 tsp. (5ml) salt, ¾ tsp. (.375ml) soda and stir. Cut in 2 Tbs. (30ml) shortening until the mixture is crumbly. Add ½ cup (.12l) water and 1½ tsp. (7.5ml) honey. Stir the mixture until well mixed and starts to form a ball. Divide into four parts and knead. Roll each ball into a circle and place on a lightly greased baking sheet. Poke small holes into the top, being careful not to cut through the entire piece. Bake at 350° F (175° C) for 10 minutes. Poke any bubbles that form while baking with a fork. This passage from the Gospel of Luke really turns things upside down! In this parable, Jesus tells us not to invite the people that we normally would invite to a banquet, but to invite those who do not have those opportunities, such as those who are poor, blind, or lame. Read Luke 14:7-14 together. What do you think the people that Jesus was talking to thought about this story? What does this story say to us about hospitality? Talk about hospitality. Why is it important? How do we make others feel welcome? Talk about this passage as if it were happening at school or work. What would happen then? Acting this story out in a school or work setting may help you all to see. What are ways that we can all make others to feel welcome in our lives (at school, at work, and at home)? How would things be different if everyone was concerned about hospitality? Planning a meal for someone is a great way to think about hospitality. Put this into practice, getting your whole family involved. Your kids may think of ways to be hospitable that you didn’t! Luke 14:7-14 (Jesus teaches about hospitality) Day 4: Hospitality Matthew 26: 17-30 (The Last Supper) Day 2: Worship prayer in the last part of this passage? Sometimes it can feel like we just don’t have the words to pray to God. At other times, there is so much going on in the world that it is difficult to know where to begin. Find a newspaper or go to an internet news site together and look at the major news headlines. Begin a prayer together and take turns praying for the people mentioned in different headlines. “Praying the headlines” can be a great way to connect our faith with what is happening in the world around us and can be done wherever we are. other by reading the Bible together. Make sure your kids understand that you do not have all of the answers—we all have something to contribute when talking about what we read in God’s word! Pick a couple of well known Bible stories, write them on slips of paper, and play Bible charades together. Just because we are reading the Bible doesn’t mean we can’t be silly! Faith Alive evaluation To help in the development of new curriculum, please provide an evaluation of your experience with this resource. Photocopy this form for those in your setting who might provide helpful suggestions. Add additional comments and suggestions on a separate page. Thank you! Check all sections used in your setting: Mail completed evaluation to: Lutheran Outdoor Ministries (LOM) 1218 W Addison Street Chicago, IL 60613 U.S.A. What was most helpful about this curriculum? ___ Biblical interpretation/Introduction to the theme ___ Lower elementary/Day camp Bible studies ___ Upper elementary Bible studies ___ Junior high Bible studies ___ Junior high take-along ___ Senior high Bible studies ___ Senior high take-along ___ Adult Bible studies ___ Environmental activities What would make this resource more effective for use in your setting? ___ Games ___ Challenge course activities ___ Large group worship ___ Small group devotions ___ Crafts ___ Back-home activities flyer ___ Clip art ___ Please send me writer information. I am interested in participating as a contributing writer for future curriculum. Name: Address: E-mail: Faith Alive Outdoor Ministries Curriculum, © 2012 Lutheran Outdoor Ministries. May be reproduced for local use. 17 Clip art Faith Alive Outdoor Ministries Curriculum, © 2012 Lutheran Outdoor Ministries. May be reproduced for local use. 18 Faith Alive Outdoor Ministries Curriculum, © 2012 Lutheran Outdoor Ministries. May be reproduced for local use. 19 Faith Alive Outdoor Ministries Curriculum, © 2012 Lutheran Outdoor Ministries. May be reproduced for local use. 20 Faith Alive Outdoor Ministries Curriculum, © 2012 Lutheran Outdoor Ministries. May be reproduced for local use. 21
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