Written by: Pastor Joe Grimaldi | First Baptist Church | Akon, OH | Coach since 1995

The first thing I say to parents and young people when asked how to prepare for summer and whether Christian summer camp is worth it is this: go to camp. So many families have summer plans like sports leagues, vacations, and jobs for teens, and camp often becomes the easiest thing to drop. But over the years, I’ve seen incredible spiritual decisions made at camp. It removes young people from distractions: no electronics, no familiar environments, just preaching and godly influence.

That time away makes a difference, whether it’s one week or several. Especially for those who are 17, 18, or maybe 19 years old and heading into college, this may be your last chance to go as a camper. You’ll work the rest of your life, but you won’t be able to go back to camp.

That’s the first thing I’d say: go to camp.

Secondly, go with a prepared heart.

I got right with God at teen camp. I went two times. I didn’t get right with God until the last day of the first year. The following year, I came ready and had a far better experience. Christian young people need to learn how to pray and fast for life’s big decisions.

I got saved in 1974, graduated high school in ’76, went to college in ’77, and got married in ’79. The major decisions of my life were made during that six-year period, and it started at a teen camp.

To Parents: Stop Letting Kids Decide

When parents say, “I’ll let them decide if they go,” that is such a cop-out. When the family goes on vacation, everybody has to go. You don’t let them decide whether to brush their teeth, go to school, or watch R-rated movies. Why let them decide about spiritual priorities?

You can’t make spiritual decisions for them, but you can put them in the right place to hear from God. My mother and even my unsaved father made me do things that helped shape me. Your children wouldn’t need parents if they could make all their own decisions. They’ll be making their own decisions soon enough.

We need parents to step up in this weak-backbone generation and show some backbone. Say to your kid, “You’re going to camp. That’s it.”

To Teens: Make Smart Spiritual Choices

If you’re given the choice, make the right one. The first time I went to camp, I went for the wrong reasons. I had no idea what camp was about. I was a Sunday-morning-only Christian. Most of the kids reading this are probably far more spiritual than I was. But quite often, we get sidetracked, like I mentioned earlier, with all kinds of things.

I preach a sermon called “There’s Always a Boat Waiting.” When Jonah wanted to run from God’s will, there was a boat ready. The devil will always give you reasons to stay home: sports, work, other plans.

Step up. Man up. Make camp a spiritual priority, not an afterthought. We find time and money for what we really want. People say, “I can’t afford camp,” while carrying a smartphone and wearing an Apple Watch.

You have money for the things you want, but not for spiritual things?

What Should We Pray For?

Pray for the preachers, that God would give them the exact words you, or your child, needs to hear.

A few days ago, I preached at a youth rally. The main message was brand new to me. I was working on it feverishly, even the day of. And I’ll be honest—I didn’t like the message at all. I thought it was a dog. I laid an egg. Mid-message, I was just trying to figure out how to land the plane and finish. But during the invitation, six teens got saved, and the altar was full. Why?

Because someone in that church, not a pastor or staff member, sent me a prayer list of 60 teenagers registered for the conference. He said, “I’m going to be praying for these kids every day. I want to send it to you in case you want to as well.” So every day for a month, we read those names and prayed for them. The sermon wasn’t great, to say the least. But when I saw that invitation start, I knew exactly what had happened: people were praying.

So yes, pray for the message, but also pray for the teenagers. I don’t really remember much about the sermon that changed my life. The Holy Spirit works through the preacher, and sometimes in spite of him.

If you’re a pastor, pray by name for your teens. If you’re a parent, pray daily for your child. If you’re a teen, pray for your youth group and for yourself.

Peer pressure can be positive. I went to camp because another teen asked me, and I knew he and my youth director were praying for me.

Final Thought

Some of the most spiritual decisions I’ve seen in 45 years of ministry were made at camp. I’d do anything I could to get someone’s child to camp.

Because it’s worth it.