Neighborhood Camp

Neighborhood day camps begin with questions.

Hosting a day camp in your neighborhood is a wonderful opportunity to begin new friendships. Has your leadership considered launching a neighborhood camp?

In this GC Podcast conversation, members of the GC Surrey Hills team share examples from the first year of their camp. Listen to the full episode here.

Whether you are in the “dream” stage or are in your fourth year of having camp, we hope the following take-aways from the episode will spark some ideas. (2-minute read)

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Begin by asking questions.

• • Where is Jesus already at work in our neighborhood?
  • What kind of camp would best serve our community and connect to the life of our church?
  • What would it look like to reimagine camp as a tool for long-term discipleship rather than a one-time event?
  • Where do our people already live, work, and go to school?
  • How would we need to structure our day camp to include most children? (e.g., do parents work 9-5 or 7-3?)

Ground the camp in familiar places.

Use spaces kids and parents already know and trust. Familiar, walkable spaces lower anxiety and increase participation.

• • Consider:
    • Local school gym
    • Community center
    • HOA pool or neighborhood park
  • Build on existing relationships:
    • Ask principals, HOA leaders, or park staff what’s possible.
    • Be willing to pay, but don’t be surprised when some costs are donated because of trust.

Make the last day a community celebration.

Let camp spill over into a public, joyful neighborhood event. Create a space where congregants, campers, kids, parents, and neighbors simply enjoy being together. For example:

• • • Kid performances (songs, skits, etc.)
    • Awards and affirmations
    • Cookout / food (free if possible)
    • Fun elements for the whole neighborhood:
      • • Bounce house
        • Inflatable obstacle course
        • Dunk tank
        • Yard games

Invite:

• • All campers and their families
  • The entire neighborhood
  • Church members who were unable to serve during the week

Treat Camp as a Launchpad, Not the Finish Line

Camp is a tool to open doors; keep walking through them throughout the year.

Plan follow-up, “come back” events before camp starts, such as:

• • Back-to-school party
  • Neighborhood pool party
  • Water balloon fight
  • Trunk or treat
  • Christmas event
  • Seasonal service project (backpack stuffing, park clean-up, etc.)

Check out these past camp curricula.