Practical Ministry Helps : Equipping Leaders to Counsel Students at Camp

Summer camp is more than games, lake time, and late-night snacks—it’s often the setting where students hear God’s voice the loudest. As hearts soften and distractions fade, decisions are made that will shape a student’s life forever. Some will trust Christ for the first time. Others will open up about hidden pain they’ve carried for years. Still others will feel called to ministry, healed from bitterness, or stirred to live more boldly in their faith.

And when that moment comes—when a student turns to you, eyes brimming with emotion—will you be ready? Will your volunteers?

Here’s a guide to help you and your leaders step into these sacred moments with confidence, care, and clarity.

1. Stay Present, Stay Calm

Your presence matters more than your words. Whether a student is weeping over sin, opening up about abuse, or asking how to follow Jesus, your calm, compassionate presence sets the tone.

“Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep.” — Romans 12:15 (CSB)

You don’t need to have all the answers. You just need to be there. Listen. Nod. Pray silently as they talk.

Quick Tip for Leaders:

Coach your team to resist the urge to rush in with advice. The goal is to listen well before responding.

2. Leading a Student to Christ

There is no greater privilege than walking someone through salvation. When a student says they want to give their life to Jesus, here’s a simple way to guide them:

• Clarify: Ask what they understand about salvation. Make sure they know it’s not about trying harder, but trusting Jesus as Lord and Savior.
• Explain the Gospel Simply:
  • God made us to know Him.
  • REPENT: Our sin separates us from Him.
  • BELIEVE: Jesus died and rose to make a way back.
  • RECEIVE: We respond by turning from sin and trusting in Jesus.
• Romans Road:
  • Romans 3:23 – All have sinned.
  • Romans 6:23 – The wages of sin is death.
  • Romans 5:8 – Christ died for us.
  • Romans 10:9-10 – Confess and believe to be saved.
• Pray Together: Let them talk to God in their own words. It doesn’t have to be perfect.

Don’t forget to celebrate, affirm, and tell them: “This is the beginning, not the end.”

3. When Students Share Deep Emotional Pain

Some students will share experiences of abuse, depression, self-harm, or family trauma. These are moments that require sensitivity and wisdom.

What to Do:

• Listen First: Don’t interrupt. Let them talk.
• Believe Them: If a student shares about abuse, take it seriously.
• Be Clear About Confidentiality: Say something like, “I care about you and want to help. I may need to share this with someone who can help us take the next steps.”
• Report: If a student discloses abuse, you are legally and biblically responsible to report it to the appropriate authority or your camp director immediately.
• Don’t Counsel Alone: Bring in another trusted adult if needed. Always follow your camp and church’s child protection policy.

“Plans fail when there is no counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.” — Proverbs 15:22 (CSB)

4. Equip Your Volunteers

Not every volunteer will feel ready, but every volunteer can be equipped.

Here’s a simple pre-camp checklist to prepare your team:

• ✅ Train them on listening skills and spiritual conversations.
• ✅ Practice how to walk a student through salvation.
• ✅ Review how to handle a mandatory report of abuse.
• ✅ Give them a short response guide (printable card or phone note) to use when talking with students.
• ✅ Assign a point person (you or a trained adult) for any serious situations.

Encourage them that their role is not to fix, but to walk with students toward Jesus.

5. Plan for Follow-Up

Camp ends, but discipleship begins.

• Document Decisions: Keep track of each student’s spiritual decision or counseling moment.
• Tell Their Parents (as appropriate): Celebrate salvations, and sensitively loop in parents where needed.
• Connect Them to a Mentor: Pair students with a trusted adult for ongoing conversations.
• Publicly Celebrate (with permission): Baptism, testimony videos, or sharing at youth group helps solidify the decision.
• Keep Checking In: Plan a 2-week, 1-month, and 3-month follow-up for each student.

“Let us not get tired of doing good, for we will reap at the proper time if we don’t give up.” — Galatians 6:9 (CSB)

Final Encouragement:

Camp counseling isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about being faithful with the moment you’ve been given. Your quiet presence, your humble listening, and your Spirit-led response can lead to someone’s forever being changed.

So youth pastor, take a breath. Pray for wisdom. Train your team. And get ready.
God’s about to move—and He’s invited you to be part of the story.

I would love to hear some of the strategies you use to equip yourself and your volunteers for this moment at camp. Comment below.