Coming up with a theme for any retreat is difficult enough, but perhaps the trickiest type of event to plan for is youth camp. Teenagers are the future of our society; so it’s absolutely essential that they have a solid foundation in Christ.
If that enormous truth is causing you to stumble in planning, check out this helpful list to find the best youth camp theme this year for you:
1. Recharge
Despite all the attention that adulthood gets for being hectic, stressful, and exhausting, the teenage years can actually be just as strenuous, if not more. Teens are expected to balance school, work, and their social lives, all while planning for their futures. So it’s inevitable that every once and a while, they will need to take a break and simply recharge.
Matthew 11:28 says, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Jesus promises that all who come to Him will be given rest – and that is exactly what so many teens need. This theme is meant to ease the burdens of young people and focus their minds on peace in Christ.
2. Be the Change
We live in a world that is spiraling faster and faster downward. Sin and darkness are becoming increasingly common, and no one is stopping it. We need people – young people – who will rise up and speak the truth of Christ. But today’s youth are being attacked from all sides, and many aren’t sure what they’re supposed to believe or who they’re supposed to be.
“Be the Change” is a highly relevant youth camp theme that will teach teens how to stand up for Jesus and empower them to be the strong, faithful Christian leaders that we so desperately need in our society.
3. Bent, but not Broken
Teenagers go through far more than we can see on the surface. Abuse, addiction, depression, and sexual impurity are just a few issues that face this generation. All of these things can take a toll on teens, but what they need to know is this: they are never too broken to be saved by Jesus.
An excellent youth camp theme verse would be 2 Corinthians 4:8-9: “We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed.” Through this theme, you can show teens that no matter what they go through, God can restore them and use them in ways they could’ve never imagined.
4. #Selfless
Let’s face it: our culture is obsessed with selfies. While selfies themselves aren’t inherently bad, they do draw attention to our physical appearance. Far too many teens become obsessed with how they look and how others see them.
The “#Selfless” youth camp theme is meant to challenge teens to think outside of themselves and focus on loving others, instead. There are people all around us in need of the gospel, and they may never be saved if we are too busy building up how good or attractive we are.
