WyldLife Camp: Leading Cabin Time for Middle Schoolers
Club is over and you’re headed back to the cabin with a group of middle school friends. What does cabin time look like at WyldLife camp and how can you make the most effective use of that time?
Meaningful Expectations
WyldLife leaders sometimes have low expectations for cabin time, but let’s understand that it will be meaningful, helpful, and important to kids. Even kids who don’t speak in cabin time often say “It’s my favorite part of the week!” Cabin time may be short, but that doesn’t mean it didn’t go well. Kids do process what they hear, but they may not verbalize their thoughts, especially early in the week.
Every Kid Can Get an “A”
After each leader meeting at camp, review the cabin time questions provided by the speaker. Make sure there is a question that “every kid can get an ‘A’ on” so that everyone has an opportunity to speak. Be prepared with extra questions and different ways to ask the speaker’s questions.
Small Victories
Look for small victories in cabin time:
- staying on subject for a few minutes
- every kid speaking
- one kid giving an honest answer
Check-in with your fellow leaders frequently during the week to celebrate those victories together
Affirmation
Kids need to know you care about what they say. Affirmation is one of your biggest roles during cabin time. Most WyldLife kids will speak directly to their leader rather than the group so even facial expressions are important. Pay attention to what kids say rather than worrying about the next question. Say “thank you” or “Wow! That’s a great story!” when a kid speaks.
Trust
Bottom line… we need to pray and then let what happens, happen. WyldLife cabin time looks different every time, but as one veteran WyldLife leader said, “It’s a good cabin time when we know that kids felt heard and that what they say matters.”
