How to Run a Great Youth Camp: Creating an Environment Where Young People Thrive
Running a great youth camp doesn’t happen by accident. The camps that young people talk about years later—the ones that shape friendships, faith, and character—are carefully thought through, well led, and intentionally structured. Whether you’re running a church youth camp or a community-based one, the principles are largely the same: clarity, energy, presence, and purpose.
Below are some key principles that can help turn a good camp into a great one.
1. Keep Them Busy (in the Right Way)
One of the most practical lessons in youth work is this: idle time is rarely your friend. A well-run camp should leave young people pleasantly exhausted by the end of the day.
This isn’t about running them into the ground for the sake of it, but about providing a full, engaging programme. When young people have long stretches of unstructured free time, tensions can rise, arguments can happen, and small issues can quickly become big ones. Keeping them busy helps reduce conflict and creates a positive atmosphere.
That doesn’t mean eliminating social time altogether. Instead, facilitate how they socialise. Games, team challenges, group activities, shared meals, and structured downtime all allow young people to connect in healthy ways, under the care and guidance of leaders. When social interaction is purposeful, it becomes a strength rather than a risk.
2. Start Strong with Great Icebreakers
First impressions matter—especially at camp.
Great icebreakers at the beginning of a camp can completely change its trajectory. The sooner the ice is broken, the sooner young people relax, laugh, and begin forming friendships. Awkwardness is normal, but it doesn’t have to last long.
Invest time and creativity into your opening sessions. Use games that get people moving, laughing, and interacting beyond their usual friendship groups. When young people feel safe and included early on, they open themselves up to experiences and relationships that can become lifelong memories.
A camp that starts well is far more likely to finish well.
3. Keep the Main Thing the Main Thing
If you’re running a Christian youth camp, this is absolutely crucial: keep Jesus at the centre.
The meetings shouldn’t feel like interruptions to the “real” fun of camp—they should be the highlight. That means planning them well, praying over them, and making sure they are engaging, relevant, and Spirit-filled.
Have leaders who are genuinely excited about opening the Bible and speaking about Jesus. Young people are incredibly perceptive; they can tell when leaders truly believe what they’re saying. Passion is contagious, and the enthusiasm of leaders will shape the culture of the entire camp more than you might realise.
Games and activities create memories, but it’s often the moments around God’s Word that leave the deepest, longest-lasting impact.
4. Be With the Young People, Not Above Them
One of the most powerful things a leader can do at camp is simply be present.
Get to know the young people properly. Eat meals with them. Sit where they sit. Help with washing up. Walk alongside them between activities. These small, ordinary moments are often where trust is built.
Youth don’t need leaders who hover at a distance; they need adults who are willing to be among them. When young people feel known and valued, they are far more likely to engage, open up, and respect boundaries.
Presence speaks louder than authority ever could.
5. Give Older Young People Responsibility
For older youth, camp can be an ideal place to develop leadership and responsibility. Giving them age-appropriate roles—helping with activities, supporting younger campers, or assisting leaders—can be incredibly empowering.
Responsibility communicates trust. It helps older young people feel invested in the success of the camp rather than just consumers of it. Often, these moments become the first steps toward future leadership in youth ministry or the wider community.
Of course, responsibility should always come with support and clear expectations, but when done well, it benefits everyone.
Final Thoughts
A great youth camp doesn’t rely on flashy resources or a perfect schedule. It’s built through intentional planning, passionate leadership, and genuine relationships. Keep young people engaged, break the ice early, stay centred on what truly matters, and walk alongside them throughout the experience.
When these elements come together, camp becomes more than just a few days away—it becomes a formative moment that young people carry with them long after the bags are unpacked and the tiredness wears off.
If you get it right, the impact can last a lifetime.