Let the Poor Kids Sleep!
By Shawn Michael Shoup on January 05 2012
This may come off as a bit RANT-ish. You've been forewarned.
True story: go back a few years to the days when I was a teenager at a Christian summer camp somewhere in Minnesota. I was tall, super skinny, and liked to sleep a lot – as most teens tend to. One problem: my adult chaperone – or whatever they called adult camp volunteers back in the day – didn't value sleep as much as I did. At least, that's what his actions communicated.
This is what happened pretty much every night… The lights would go out. Some kid would fart… sorry, I mean “pass gas”. Laughter would ensue. Some kid would start talking. Others would join in. Some kid would go to the bathroom. Every other kid in the room would go to the bathroom. The leader may have yelled “Go to sleep!” or “Be quiet!” a time or two but – other than that – no real action was taken. I pretended like I was enjoying being needlessly “entertained” and extremely exhausted in lieu of said company. The next day I would find myself nodding my head in small groups and service times.
Come back forward a few years with me. Another true story: As a youth pastor, student event coordinator, and camp director over the past ten years, I've placed a high value on that little thing on the schedule called “lights out”. I communicate with leaders the importance of really having kids “present” in the times where the opportunities for ministry and spiritual impact are at their highest. That doesn't belittle relational things like boys laughing at the passing of gas and other such oddities. That can happen at any time of the day – and hopefully, when they are well-rested enough to actually enjoy it!
Is anyone with me? It seems like this is important for more than a couple reasons…
1. RESPECT - Respect for the kid at camp that really wants to pursue a deeper relationship with God. A few jokers staying up late and keeping everyone up ISN'T funny. Also, respect for the volunteer leader who has given up a week of their time to love God and love kids. They deserve a good nights sleep!
2. HEALTH - “Imagine a cure-all that helps prevent cancer, weight gain and heart disease; one that can improve memory and athletic performance and even fend off colds. Now suppose that this panacea is pleasurable. It's not a daily pill, painful injection or bizarre-tasting tonic.” - Patti Wolter of SELF magazine. It's SLEEP!
3. ABSORPTION - Studies have shown that a lack of sleep severely affects memory and attention span. Aren't we trying to MAKE memories?
4. ATTITUDE – Want generally better attitudes at your event? Provide space for adequate rest.
5. SAFETY - Typical camp activities such as rock wall climbing, ropes courses, and other physical challenges become more dangerous than they should be when kids aren't fully there because of a lack of sleep. In addition, that drive home with sleepy adult leaders is NO GOOD on any count.
As a NextGen leader, lets value our students and leaders by making sleep a higher priority than students' perceived need to stay-up-late. A few points of action to consider…
If staying-up-late is that important to you, do the smart thing and schedule accordingly. Plan for it ahead of time. If something happens in your schedule to keep students and leaders up later than planned, fix that by being flexible with your schedule the next day. Meaning: a later wake-up time. Educate your leaders and inform students ahead of time. Let them know your expectations. Be loving but firm with action and consequences for those keeping others up past lights out. It's not only affecting them; it's affecting everyone who's in their room. Don't let that happen.
So, what's your take? Am I just a wounded camper-boy taking out sweet revenge on unsuspecting campers or is there some value in all of this?
Comments
From Jeremy on January 05, 2012
Great point from a horrible experience as a camper and volunteer. Nothing is worse when people are falling asleep during devotion time. It is disturbing to all in the group. I think you covered the bases really well, but in my experience, the kids that are up late and disturbing others are the ones needing that attention/love. If they are constantly being reprimanded how are they getting what they need. I am not at all condoning their actions, just our response to them. Students will stay up late no matter what, but how we respond the them will make the biggest difference. Overall, I agree with the stipulation of how volunteers respond to the disturbers.
From Shawn Michael Shoup on January 06, 2012
@ Jeremy - “...the kids that are up late and disturbing others are the ones needing that attention/love.” - You are most likely right. And I agree with you that we need to respond in love.
I just take issue with “students will stay up late no matter what.” I disagree. If we set boundaries, lovingly correct, AND give them an excellent event where they can connect with God at the same, they’ll have a BETTER all-around experience.
I checked out your blog and followed you on Twitter. Good stuff! Thanks for commenting.
From Jack Schmitt on January 07, 2012
I couldn’t agree more with the author. I’ve wrestled with this subject for over 25 years as a youth pastor, firmly believing that to allow students to lose large amounts of sleep on retreats and at camps is a sure way to guarantee that many students will be mentally and spiritually AWOL, come your key closing service. Yes, it can put us youth leaders in the position of being seen as too strict, but in the long run, that certainly beats having our students miss out on a fantastic opportunity to be drawn closer to God.
From Reece Lemmon on January 12, 2012
Sorry, gotta disagree a little. I say be respectful of those who are sleeping, but if kids are up late joking, farting, laughing and talking with the adult leaders, do not stop. The devotional times, lessons and such will be forgotten, but the relationships that are built often last a lifetime. This is not to say that the lessons do not matter, just that the relationships give the lessons their staying power. It is the walking together with students through the years that helps to solidify faith. I know a lot about God, the Bible, the culture, etc, but presence/experience always trumps. I hope this makes sense. I understand what you are trying to say in light of what you do, yet as a youth pastor in the same church for the past 12 years I have seen over and over again that what is programmed has way less impact than what is not.
Keep Shining my friends,
Reeceout
From Shawn Michael Shoup on January 12, 2012
@ Reece - Thanks for commenting. I hope you heard my heart. I agree with you on the relationship and un-programmed elements of ministry. Relationship is core to fruitful ministry; I said as much in the post.
What I am challenging leaders with is making sure that kids are getting enough sleep. If you want to stay up late doing the relational stuff, that’s awesome. Just program it in so that students and/or leaders aren’t suffering unnecessary consequences the next day.
Much love and respect.
From Sarah on January 24, 2012
I don’t think I can agree with this strongly enough. If students and leaders aren’t getting adequate sleep, they’re going to miss much more than they gain and/or be miserable for the event. And “adequate” is different than ideal, of course! As a teenager I hated and avoided overnight youth events after one where I remember getting about 2 hours of sleep total one night… miserable. As a leader I’ve been fortunate enough to end up with students who also wanted to sleep and be able to function the next day. Leaders need to be respectful and take responsibility for ensuring that kids who want to sleep have the chance to. It makes for a better experience overall.
