Leader's Hub — Everything you need in one place
Required reading and training for all camp leaders
Everything you need to prepare — read the written guide and complete the video training before camp
Required training for all leaders — please complete before camp
Individual topic resources, session materials, and reference files
Parent communication templates and information
Helpful resources to have on hand during camp
Key reminders for leading well at camp
Restricted access — requires authorized Google account
Room and cabin assignments for all campers and leaders
Access Cabin Arrangements →Watch both training videos in full before camp.
In many homes and buildings, you will find both a thermostat and a thermometer. A thermometer simply reads the temperature of the room. If the air around it heats up or cools down, it will let you know, but it cannot do anything about it. On the flip side, a thermostat regulates the temperature of a room or environment.
In other words, a thermometer can only read and reflect the temperature of a room; but a thermostat can change and control the atmosphere. Our desire is that each of us, as leaders, would be thermostats — that we would read the room and lead the room.
But keep in mind that a thermostat only works when it is plugged into a power source... which for us must be the Holy Spirit.
Gen Alpha · Ages 11–12 · Big Question: "Who will be with me?"
Crisis: Torn between being a kid and wanting independence. Experiencing new environments for the first time. Struggling with homesickness and emotional adjustment.
Faith Goal: Help them understand the value of belonging to a faith community.
Leader Practices: Be patient, warm, and consistent. Encourage participation. Expect shorter attention spans. Create a fun and safe environment.
Discipleship: Pray with them. Model faith through action. Teach simple spiritual habits. Show them that following Jesus is relational and joyful.
Gen Alpha · Ages 12–13 · Big Question: "Who am I?"
Crisis: Navigating puberty and peer pressure. Trying to fit in while figuring out who they are. More aware of how others see them.
Faith Goal: Help them discover their God-given identity.
Leader Practices: Be an encourager — affirmation sticks for years. Meet emotional ups and downs with humor and empathy. Create opportunities for self-expression.
Discipleship: Speak life and truth over their identity. Help them understand identity in Christ is more than popularity. Model vulnerability.
Gen Alpha/Early Gen Z · Ages 13–14 · Big Question: "What difference can I make?"
Crisis: Testing limits and independence. Developing empathy. Beginning to think abstractly about faith and justice.
Faith Goal: Help them see that faith is not just personal — it makes a difference in the world.
Leader Practices: Give them opportunities to lead. Set clear boundaries but explain the "why." Celebrate initiative and teamwork.
Discipleship: Encourage serving others as worship. Discuss how faith changes the way we treat people. Teach them to pray for others.
Gen Z · Ages 14–15 · Big Question: "Where do I belong?"
Crisis: Entering high school pressures and shifting friendships. Searching for belonging. Balancing identity, academics, and social groups.
Faith Goal: Help them build rootedness in community.
Leader Practices: Acknowledge their stress. Watch for loneliness and insecurity. Foster connection. Be present — listen and care deeply.
Discipleship: Pray intentionally with them. Encourage spiritual friendships. Talk about faith that withstands real pressure.
Gen Z · Ages 15–16 · Big Question: "Why can't I? Why should I?"
Crisis: Wrestling with independence, doubts, and emotional intensity. Facing stronger pressure. Testing beliefs and boundaries.
Faith Goal: Help them build a personal and resilient faith.
Leader Practices: Be a safe space for hard questions. Stay calm and grounded. Encourage healthy independence. Help them channel passion toward meaningful challenges.
Discipleship: Ask open-ended questions about beliefs and doubts. Guide them to explore Scripture themselves. Be present — consistency matters more than perfection.
Gen Z · Ages 16–17 · Big Question: "Who am I, and how can I matter?"
Crisis: Increased academic and future stress. Defining identity and purpose. Managing time between faith, academics, and relationships.
Faith Goal: Help them live out their identity in Christ with confidence and purpose.
Leader Practices: Prioritize meaningful experiences. Invite them to lead. Give them ownership. Encourage mentorship of younger students.
Discipleship: Deepen Bible engagement. Encourage "faith adventures." Connect calling with career, passion, and service.
Gen Z · Ages 17–18 · Big Questions: "What will I do? What's next?"
Crisis: Anxiety about the future. Wrestling with adult responsibilities and freedom. Preparing to leave their youth community.
Faith Goal: Prepare them for lifelong faith beyond youth ministry.
Leader Practices: Let them lead. Have deep conversations about life, purpose, and calling. Create closure and celebration. Encourage connection with a local church after graduation.
Discipleship: Talk about adult faith. Help them understand church community beyond youth group. Celebrate growth — commission them into their next chapter.
You'll be assigned to a bus with your entire cabin. Take time during the ride to get to know students. The bus ride could change a kid's life.
Sit with your students at meals. The dinner table is a great place to go deeper. Sit next to a different student at every meal.
Great time for fun, one-on-one conversations, or encouraging students as they participate in activities. This is your time to be with students.
When you sit with students, take notes, have fun — you understand more about what they need.
Don't miss the opportunity for spiritual conversations. Cabin time simulates a small group — some students will experience this for the first time. EVERYTHING is discipleship.
The most effective messages are unpacked, discussed, and personalized. Cabin time is just as important, if not more important, than the actual sermon.
Ask about their family and home life. Take them for a walk or grab some snacks. You'd be surprised how much you can learn.
Ask them Jesus questions. Ask if they've ever heard the Gospel. Can they share it with a friend?
Opening up about something in their life. H.A.B.I.T.S., Baptism, serving, leading, forgiveness. Ask what they think their next step should be.
God wants to speak to you this week too. Be ready to listen and respond. Meditate on God's Word daily. Prayer is essential.
We want camp to be the safest place for students to talk about ANYTHING: death of a loved one, terminal illness, divorce, bullying, insecurities, guilt/shame, temptation, abuse, depression, anxiety, self-harm, sexual identity, social media pressure.
When spending time one-on-one with students, meet in the center of camp or on the porch of your cabin. No one-on-ones at isolated areas.
When a student of the opposite gender wants to talk, pull in another leader with you.
You cannot be alone in your cabin with a student. There needs to be three or more students present, or your co-leader.
If a student asks you to keep a secret, your response is "no." You can keep things private, but if they're in harmful behavior, you must tell SSM Leadership and potentially their parents.