Memory Makers (Get with the Program)
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How to create and shape lasting impressions
A friend of mine used to work as a children's ministry consultant. She would
often ask people, "How many memories do you have of being a kid?" Most
people have only a handful of vivid childhood recollections (2 or 3 from before
the age of 5, and maybe another 10 or so from ages 5 to 10). Then she would
say, "Now, how many of them have to do with your church?"
A blank stare would give her the answer: none. Then she'd lean forward,
smile, and say, "At our church, we're going for all of 'em."
Insert the word camp or conference in the above conversation and you'll get
where I'm going with this. Our memories shape and influence us for a
lifetime, both in good ways and bad. How many memories are you helping to
make?
Memories are unpredictable and as elusive as fish swimming in a lake. They
hide beneath the surface and don't always come up when you want them to.
You have to lure them in, and even then they sometimes fight you the whole
way.
But the more lines and lures you use, the easier they are to catch. Help your
guests net positive memories by giving them as many ways as possible to lure
in their memories.
1. Create a memory page by having campers brainstorm meaningful words or
phrases from the week. Include jokes, names of activities, quotes,
nicknames, decisions, and song titles. Then copy the list and distribute it to
everyone.
2. Encourage your guests to keep a daily journal or write letters for the
future such as, "Why I want to get baptized" or "What Jesus means to me."
Have them seal the letters and take them home.
3. Hand out awards, emblems, bracelets, or imprinted scarves. Have children
sign T-shirts or bandanas with permanent markers. Make souvenirs
unforgettable, not just affordable.
4. Consider that people tend to remember the first and the last in a series of
events most clearly. For example, you can probably remember your first day
of college, but it's likely you don't recall your twenty-second day of college.
As you develop your camp program, strive to create positive first and last
impressions, such as exciting first-day programs and touching closing
ceremonies.
5. Photograph or videotape thrilling events like river rafting, as well as quiet
moments of reflection. Make the photos, videos, CDs, or DVDs available to
the guests at the end of the week or post the content on your website for
free downloading.
6. Create events, not just activities. Once I took a group of campers on a
hike around the property; we called it "Perimeter Patrol." We left at dawn
and finished before breakfast. I gave each hiker a certificate, and a simple
event became unique and memorable.
Try hosting a dinosaur egg hunt. During an adventurous hike to a hidden
corner of camp, kids will discover a huge nest (made out of hay and sticks)
filled with dinosaur eggs (that look and taste a lot like watermelons). Snack
time has become an event!
Think of your own unique ways to transform typical camp activities into
memorable events. Add skits, costumes, and music to announcements, go
for a star gazing night hike, eat lunch on the pontoon boat, or share a
twilight sail around the lake.
Doing normal activities at an unusual time or in an unusual way can turn
them into exciting events that will lure in long-lasting memories.
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By Steven James
Steven is an author and speaker from Tennessee. If you have your own
favorite indoor game, he'd love to hear from you. He can be reached at
storyguy@stevenjames.net.
This article first appeared in the Christian Camp & Conference Journal,
September/October, Vol. 8, No. 5
Copyright © 2004, Christian Camping International/USA |
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