Tag Archives: Lakeview

So You’re Leading Worship for Church Camp?- My Packing List

April 28, 2010   Russell Martin   2 Comments

When you head off to camp it’s a good idea to have a list of items you will be needing. This will help to solve two problems.

1. You can make sure and take everything with you that you might need to camp

2. You can make sure and take everything home that you brought with you.

So what I decided to do was just to share my list based on my needs as a worship/program leader at camp.

Read through and then let me know what you would add to the list.

Here is my list:

Guitar- Strings, Picks, Extra Guitar, Amp, Cable

Keyboard- Stand, Pedal, Stool, Cable, Power Cord, Music Stands

Sound System- Microphones, Mic Cords, Instrument Cords, Mic Stands, Sound board, Speakers, Amps, Speaker Stands,

Projection- Computer, Projector, Monitor Cable, Power Cords, Printer, Correct Software, Screen

Other- Digital Camera, Video Camera, SD Cards, Batteries, Chargers, Wireless Router, Assortment of Cords, Extension Cords, Power Strips

Cabin- Sheets, Sleeping Bag, Pillow, Toiletries, Clothes, Extra Clothes, Shoes, Sunscreen, Sunglasses, Hat, Bath Mat, Fan, Towels, Alarm Clock/Radio, Phone Charger, Power Strip,

Fun- Baseball Glove, Frisbee, Disc Golf Discs, Fishing Tackle and Rod, Bocce Ball, Horse Shoes, Cards, Dominoes

What would you add?

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So You’re Leading Worship for Church Camp-Part 2-What Songs to Sing?

April 19, 2010   Russell Martin   No comments

After I sent out my last post in this series, Questions to Ask, I got a comment from fellow worship leader and blogger, Todd Wright.

”I usually try to dig pretty deep as to what songs these kids are singing. Unfortunately, I get a lot of “Oh, you know…whatever.” But with a few specific questions, I can at least get a sense of the genre or history of the music they dig.

The worst thing at a camp is a guy who shows up and sings stuff only he knows/likes/cares about. A little investment of time can ensure that your worship will connect with folks, even though you might be a new face.

Great advice- So how can you do this? Let me suggest a few ways.

1. Ask the leaders- When you get called for camp ask them what their kids are singing in worship. Ask what type of worship services they have at their church, what songs they use in those services, or what they listen to at youth.

2. Use internet to ask ahead- Does the camp have a facebook page? I have begun dialogue with those who will be attending camp directly this way. Just post and say, “Hey, I’m leading music and am asking for song requests.” Not only is this a great way to find out what direction to head musically, but also helps you build relationships before you even get to camp.

3. Request box or list at camp- I was first introduced to this idea at a college work camp. The program director took a shoe box, decorated it and wrote the word SUGGESTIONS across the top. At first I was kind of leery, but it turned out to be the best thing ever. We told the students to make suggestions about anything, including songs.

The first night I had about 10 song suggestions. Each night more came in. I tried to work in as many as possible that worked within our camp. Not only did this help everyone have input in the service, but I went a way with a list of songs to use, some I knew, and some new ones to learn. The new ones I learned I used later that summer.

4. Remember it’s not about you- Re-read Todd’s last paragraph at the top -

“The worst thing at a camp is a guy who shows up and sings stuff only he knows/likes/cares about. “

We all have our favorite songs, the ones we use, connect with, even have written ourselves. However leading music at camp is about allowing the campers to connect with God. Your purpose is to help them do that. By all means introduce new music, sing a new song, but keep in mind your congregation for the week. Sing songs because they connect with your campers, and that help them connect to God, not because they are your favorites, or originals.

These are just some of my suggestions. What ways do you use to find out what songs you should sing? Do you feel it is important?

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So You’re Leading Worship for Church Camp- Part 1- Questions to Ask

April 13, 2010   Russell Martin   3 Comments

So you are sitting in the bookstore, drinking coffee and your phone rings.

“Hey, I was wondering if you would be interested in leading music for camp this year?”, the cheery voice on the other end says. “Um, sure?”, you say “When is it?”.

After a promise to check your calendar you hear, “I’ll call you later with more details, Thanks!”

That’s only one of the ways I have ended up spending weeks at a time at what I would call one of the greatest opportunities in the world. A chance to share in the lives of youth; to hang out with them, and listen to them; and to lead them in worship.

That time is coming up and the phone calls will soon arrive. So I’d like to take several weeks to post a series of some tips, thoughts, questions and practical advice for you before you head out into the wild camp frontier.

And the first tip is.. Ask Questions!

The first thing you should do before you go, and even sometimes before you agree to go, is to ask lots of questions. This will help you to know what’s expected of you, what you can expect, what you need to bring etc…

I took a few minutes to write down just a few questions you should ask:

What age group am I leading for?
Will I get paid?
Will I be responsible for campers?
What other responsibilities will I have?
Can I bring merchandise to sell?
When do I need to be there?
Where do I need to be?
What equipment is provided?
What equipment do I need to bring?
Over the next few weeks we’ll talk about why some of these questions are important, and what to do. However I know that I haven’t touched on all of them so I ask you. What questions do you ask, or would you ask, when you are leading worship for a camp or a group?

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Big Event for 6th Graders

September 16, 2009   Russell Martin   No comments

This year I get another opportunity to lead worship for an amazing group of kids at a great weekend retreat. It’s called “The Big Event” and it’s our conference 6th grade retreat held November 6-8 at Lakeview Conference Center in Palestine Tx.

Please pray for me as I go, and for all those who will be coming. I am also looking forward to meeting Illusionist Jared Hall who will be there for the weekend.

Texas Conference Methodist Folk.. click here for all the info

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