Boot Camp Thoughts

 I grew up attending summer camp. The church that I grew up in had these for all ages every summer. It involved the usual camp stuff including time in the big pool. Every evening we had a church service. I enjoyed camp until I go too old and then I was gone so I aged out of camp.

Pastor Mitchell let kids in Prescott attend church camp once. He did not seem to see the benefit of summer camp for teens. My wife went once. Pastor Mitchell let the Prescott church put on a boot camp a long time ago but that didn't last either. I guess pastor Mitchell was not a fan of summer camp.

Here in San Antonio boot camp is a big deal. A whole generation of young adults now spent time in boot camp. They promote boot camp as a spiritual encounter for teens. I don't see the big changes. I see young adults who are well behaved and involved. Is that because of boot camp?

I think one alternative to summer camp would be having a regular regimen of activities year round on  weekends. Camping, boating, fishing, hiking, etc. It would not be as expensive and it might be easier to get kids involved without taking a week off. We did this when I was a boy scout. It was fun.

I am not a big fan of summer camp for Fellowship teens. If they are not serving God day by day now,  a week of boot camp will not change that. But it is what we do and I support what we do even if I do not understand it.