Summer Program Survey Results
This post is to share with you the results of the 2021 Summer Program Survey through We Servants.
First, I want to thank everyone who filled out the survey. We got SO many wonderful responses. I'm really very, very grateful to everyone who took the time to share their experience, and I know all of you will be, too, as you read through the results.
If you have ideas to add, fill out the survey or add a comment below!
I start with the statistics, so if you’re looking for inspiration first, scroll down—it’s there!
Types of Programs
Let's talk about types of programs. I was really curious which churches did full-time daily programs, which did a one-week VBS intensive, and which did what we do, a few days every week of the summer.
Of those responding, 47% have a weekly program like ours, meeting a few days a week but not every day. For daily full-time programs, the result 17% of churches, and for one week VBS, it was 10%.
Other churches did some kind of hybrid with a daily program that also included a VBS intensive (or perhaps ran a different VBS each week).
While 6% of churches were undecided about their summer plans, 12% of those responding said that due to covid-related restrictions they had nothing planned for the summer (either nothing planned yet or perhaps not at all).
Participation of the Kids
While 40% of those responding had 50% or fewer Sunday School kids participating in the Summer Program, 60% had more than half the kids participating, including over 20% that had nearly full attendance.
Activities
All Churches include Spiritual/Biblical teaching and nearly all include some kind of Coptic and/or hymns.
Nearly 70% include some kind of sports program, over 50% include a social aspect, over 50% include outings, and 18% do some kind of overnight or retreat for the kids.
Of those responding, 10% do something academic. Several churches noted they also do cooking, arts and crafts, a media and theater program, and games.
Resources for Materials
I wanted to ask where people got materials for their Summer Camp to see if we’re all working from the same materials or if there are amazing resources yet to be revealed.
I was excited to see that MANY churches use more than one resource to put together their Summer Camp! Over 70% of churches said they use the St. Mark Festival materials (either from the Southern Diocese or their own diocese). Half of the churches responding said they put together their own materials from scratch—which just speaks to how incredibly talented resourceful Coptic servants are!!
Ten percent take existing Protestant VBS materials and “baptize them,” so to speak, removing theologically incorrect aspects and adding our own church doctrine, including the saints and the sacraments. And 6% use the VBS or other materials provided through the Coptic Orthodox-led Bridges to Orthodoxy (of which I am an advisor).
I also want to note a new resource for those trying to serve kids virtually: Rooted in Prayer. This small program is newly available from Ancient Faith Publishing and designed for virtual consumption. It might be a great resource and might also inspire further creativity in your own program! I haven’t looked at yet, but I’m very curious, and it looks promising.
The Ideal Summer Program
Now we get to the juicy part for me! This part is all pure inspiration! Thank you again to all those who took the time to write out their hearts.
Here are some of my favorite ideas from those who responded to what a DREAM program would be like:
"The one that the kids cry about when it’s over. The one where they bring their friends who don’t belong to church along. The one they talk about for years after. The one where they get closer to God because they have felt and enjoyed His company!"
Oh, this comment really lit a fire under me, and I hope it does the same for you. Yes, I want them to cry when it's over, bring their friends, and talk about it for years. "Remember when..." they'll say. Those are the kinds of experiences my husband had growing up in his home church, and those are the kinds of experiences I want for our kids.
"I would love to see a 1 week overnight program implemented in a setting where our kids can connect with one another, with nature and admire God's wonderful natural creation."
“A two-week summer camp, God, games and everything in between. Not in the traditional sit-down lecture format.”
“Outdoors - fun - useful - social”
Can you imagine if it was an actual summer camp--where the kids of one church got away to somewhere adventurous? I'm grateful that we live just a short distance from the St. Stephen Retreat Center, so our kids CAN attend conventions with other churches, as they begin again slowly post-covid. It would be so lovely if we could also have our own personal "camping" adventure.
"A place where kids will truly benefit and engage not only get theoretical knowledge and get bored"
"Engaging and lively"
So often we get stuck in the rut of knowledge and learning that we forget that children really value fun and engagement--being made the center of the program instead of just "attending" it.
"A National Mahragan"
One of those commenting noted that St. Mark Festival doesn't work in the U.S.
While I believe it’s a great initial resource and works for elementary age kids especially (our kids are reading Coptic and loving the hymns), I do believe we’re ready for a serious upgrade. A National Mahragan would be incredible. How wonderful would it be to have our own country-specific (or at least western-based) committee to create materials!
"I wish we could help kids discover their talents and help them grow their talents."
I don’t know if you all remember the St. Mark Festival when it first began. There was a big emphasis on helping kids discover their talents and use them. It's time to return to that concept--making room for the talents of the kids to be trained, tested, and grown.
"To include few days in a monastery"
"Retreats"
"For kids to draw near God, see and taste Him."
I loved reading these ideas because they remind us what summer camp should really be about—learning to love God, as well as the Church. In our program, I see a lot of time devoted to learning about the Church, but not as much in developing that personal relationship with God. Retreats and monastery trips would help balance that greatly!
The comment below was one of my favorite comments because I believe it vividly encompasses all the elements of the Summer Camp we want so deeply:
"My ideal program would be headed by the kids themselves. (I teach high school) They would find volunteering events in the community they wanna help out with and we would go. We would learn about Bible and spiritual topics, but it would involve the kids doing their own guided research and activities that they can learn from. There would be no tests nor traditional lessons, and no room for passive attendance. No pressure for them to learn a certain amount of information, just getting to see that loving Jesus is a good time. There would be some kind of grand finale, where they present what they learned in a way they can be proud of. It would also involve a retreat to the convent or monastery where they learn how to spend time alone with God."
If this was your comment, we should be friends. It was my mistake not to ask for names because I could talk about this vision forever and spin-off ideas for hours.
The idea that the kids present their in the end is so important! Whatever kind of program your church is running, try to include a finale where they present their efforts, not to a testing committee, but to the congregation itself or even to the wider community. Make the summer count. Make the summer matter!
Ideas from Brainstorming Session
Here are some ideas from our brainstorming session to get you started!
Barbecue/Picnic
Puppet Show
Group Mural
Art Exhibit
Magazine of Kids' Writing
Play
Costume Day
Bouncy Houses
Ice Cream Truck
Ice Cream Sundae Bar
Scavenger Hunt
Escape Room
Water Balloon Fight
Capture the Flag
Clean Up the Church Competition
Petting Zoo
Photo Shoot/Booth
Volunteering
Sports Tournaments: Soccer, Basketball, Ping-Pong, Chess
Musical Instruments
Face Painting
Choir
Hymns Presentations