You may be shocked by the answer: Kids Camp. Yes, Kids Camp. Our children’s ministry had no make adult leaders for camp, and I drug my feet, hoping someone would step up. I love kids, I have kids, but kids are not my forte’. Granted, I am more childish than child like, but I still think in teen terms, which made the three days I spent with 9 boys very interesting.
Five of the kids were adopted/foster kids and new to our church. Four were church kids. It was an interesting dynamic. The four kids from the church will be coming into youth this year and that is where my passion button was pushed.
I saw how these kids interacted. I saw their need for conflict resolution skills. I saw how easily their feelings were hurt. I saw how they jocky’d for friendship position like a race car at Talledega. I saw life from a Jr. High perspective in a way I had not seen in a while and I live with a Jr. High student, my son, who was also part of this camp.
So, what am I going to do about it?
Months before, I was approached by a parent about focusing more on middle school and allowing them to meet separately. I blew it off because the incoming group was so small and mostly home schooled.
This shouldn’t matter, but my corporate brain took over. I was wrong and now I must re-evaluate. At this point, with our new 45 and 45 program mix (I’ll explain in another post) I am figuring out how to be more strategic with these middle school kid and families.
I am going to do a Middle School Boot Camp to help new and existing Middle School students adapt and overcome the new school year.
I plan on increasing face time with theses new students and their families.
I plan on being more strategic in my teaching.
How about you? Where is your passion for middle school right now? Do you have a Middle School plan for the fall?
Let’s collaborate and let the fire for middle school burn bright.