It’s getting to be that season again. Christian summer camp directors across the country are seeking individuals to lead worship for a week or so. I believe it’s beneficial for every worship leader to utilize their gifts by leading worship at a summer camp for a week or a weekend each year. It’s a different environment. There is time for relationships. You invest time in the next generation. It’s real ministry and makes a huge difference.
Summer camp worship leading is unique. You typically don’t know all the students or participants, and you don’t have a clear idea of their worship style or background. In a camp or conference setting, there is always a wide spectrum of people.
I have been leading music at camps for years. Here are five things I think about:
You are a thermostat, not a thermometer.
At times, it takes a bit for students to make a connection. Begin confidently, knowing that the connection will grow throughout the event. Don’t get bent out of shape about any of the organizational details on the first evening – camps are always a bit chaotic as they begin. Camp affords some great opportunities to interact with the congregation. Call up students who know the song well or know motions to a fun type of song. Worship leaders at camp can also help teach kids how to worship. Invest time in instruction, teaching them what scripture says about worship, how they can worship, and an invitation to worship freely. Help set the tone for the week with humility and energy. Be a thermostat.
Sing the song in people’s hearts.
Help people respond through music. This can be accomplished by having several songs prepared in advance. You can also take some time to determine the direction of the speaker’s message and line up, as best as possible, a song that may fit. If you see that people are connecting with a song, keep circulating it throughout the camp. Pray beforehand and during to be in step with God’s Spirit as you lead the camp.
Relationships enhance the worship and music times.
Be involved in the overall camp and event. Have meals with students in the dining hall. Spend time in recreation. Hang out, be visible, visit the snack shack, and learn the kids’ names. As relationships form, connections in worship times will begin to flourish. One significant benefit of serving as a worship leader for a special one-time summer event is the opportunity to invest time in relationships.
Use song repetition to your advantage.
We want students to catch on to songs, hum them all week, and sing them on the way home. We aim to teach people songs and encourage them to sing confidently, both in worship and in response, as the camp week progresses. Often, for a week-long camp, we select approximately 18-22 songs and mix and match them, singing four to seven songs during each worship time slot.
Do the basics well.
Camp is more informal, but worship leaders should still put in 100%! As the worship leader or worship team for camp, you are responsible for maintaining the worship area – please keep it clean and tidy. Welcome people to worship energetically. Don’t tune up and bang on instruments as the congregation enters for worship; have some pre-recorded music playing. Ensure that participants can see the lyrics to the songs as they are projected. Pray before each worship session. Double-check the worship flow with the camp pastors and directors. Be prepared to fill in the time if needed. Plan out the worship set list during the day before worship. Be on time and adequately prepped. Do the basics well – shake the attitude that it’s “good enough for camp.” Make it great!
