Seven tips for a powerful program wrap-up
by John Skaggs Ending With an Exclamation!
Jesus concluded his earthly ministry with an exclamation point. His final promises, challenges and unforgettable exit intentionally prepared the disciples for ministry aſter he leſt. Similarly, a camp activity or program should
never end with a simple, “Thanks for coming, bye.” Just as you never get a second chance to make a first impression, you don’t get a second chance to make a lasting final one. Campers remember how the week began, a climactic moment during the week and how it ended. End in a way that celebrates, prepares campers for life after camp and is memorable. Here are seven tips to inject energy and meaning into the final day of camp. Build anticipation. Give campers something
exciting to look forward to, like a lakeside luau or surprise event. Change the routine. Let them sleep in an extra hour and deliver donuts, fruit and orange juice to their cabins for breakfast in bed. Or create a playful twist where breakfast is “stolen” by counselors and hidden in a secret location campers must find.
Spread encouragement. Invite campers
and counselors to write meaningful notes for the future:
• Have campers write a letter to themselves, reminding their future selves to follow through with spiritual decisions and goals. Mail these out later in the year.
• Encourage campers to write thank-you notes to those who helped them attend camp (parents, pastors, youth leaders).
• Ask counselors to write an encouraging postcard to each camper, and mail it the following week.
Be bold at the last camp chapel. Summa-
rize the spiritual theme and key challenges from the week. Share the gospel boldly, invite campers to receive Christ and commit their lives to serving Him. Consider inviting campers to sign a spiritual commitment on a wall or board that everyone can see. Prepare them to return home. Focus the
last cabin devotion on spiritual growth. Invite groups to develop a plan for continued prayer, Bible study, service, witnessing and accounta- bility. (For more cabin closure ideas, download bonus content at
www.ccca.org/go/closure.)
get with the program Reflect and remember. Encourage campers
to reflect on key decisions, commitments, memories, highlights, victories and blessings from the week. Give each camper a small keep- sake or craft tied to the week’s theme, and, if possible, let them sign each other’s items. End the last night on a positive note. Share
a unique dessert or late-night snack or consider s’mores and a campfire testimony time. Lead a group cheer, chant or song to end on a high and unified note.
John Skaggs is the chair of the camping ministry major at Appalachian Bible College (
www.abc.edu). He has served for over 25 years in camp ministry and loves using the outdoors to teach biblical truth and to point people to the Creator.
November/December 2025
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