17/06/2022

We’ve got your summer camp material sorted! 


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We interviewed two churches, Harper Church Glasgow and St James Muswell Hill about their experience and challenges of running Epic Explorers, our course for children looking at the Gospel of Mark, to encourage and help those thinking of running it over the summer! 

First, we heard from Will at Harper Church in Glasgow: 

What context are you serving in? 

The church is a multicultural church in the centre of Glasgow. The team that ran Epic Explorers included those that normally serve in our kids’ church ministry.
 

In what format did you run it?

We ran Epic Explorers as an online format during the Easter holiday period, since it was during the recent lockdowns. We found that children and parents were not as engaged with Zoom as with YouTube.  Therefore, we streamed the videos each day, using a service that enabled us to stream prerecorded videos. To support these videos, we posted the children a parcel of craft supplies and encouraged them to send pictures and video clips of them doing the challenges. These video clips and pictures were displayed on the following Sunday morning. 
 

What did you value about the material? 

The material is easily accessible and introduces children to the gospel message.  It was helpful to have all of the graphics found on the Leader’s Area that we could use to make props and to advertise the week.
 

Were there any challenges you encountered when Epic Explorers? 

Due to the lockdown and lack of access to schools, we had to work quite hard to find enough children. It was worth it, but more children may have attended during non-lockdown conditions.
 

Any advice you would give to churches/groups who are thinking of running it? 

It is important to spend some time forming a character that connects with the children and works with the Epic Explorers material. For example, a hat or shirt or some props can help the children to focus on the message that is presented. It is good to change activities before the children lose interest.

 

Next, we spoke to Ashley who was at St James Muswell Hill when they ran Epic Explorers: 

What context are you serving in? 

            Large conservative Evangelical Anglican church in North London.
 

In what format did you run it?

            In person at a four-day holiday club. 
 

What did you value about the material? 

It was really useful having most of the creative thinking already done for you. 
 

Were there any challenges you encountered when Epic Explorers? 

The challenges are usually interpreting the material and then the work of creating the resources needed and finding the team.
 

Any advice you would give to churches/groups who are thinking of running it? 

Just go for it. Consider running it as a group of gospel partnership churches so you can share the cost and resource preparation. You could rotate around the churches so one runs it at Easter, another May half, another at the start of the summer and another at the end and so on, with all the materials and props going from church to church.

 



Are you up for an adventure? Of course you are! So sail with us to the island, scamper with us round the dens, help us search the cave and discover the most exciting news you'll ever hear!

Find out more about Epic Explorers… 

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