Collateral Impact - Camp Huddle Leaders

High School and College Huddle Leaders

Tanner W., Tanner V., Jenna, Kylie, and Alexina are all middle, high school, and college students who served as huddle leaders at a recent sports camp. They have all been involved in their FCA groups at their schools. They have learned how to be more open in their faith with others, grow in leadership, and gain confidence. Gina, Telma, and Rachel are FCA summer interns who had varying degrees of FCA involvement in their teen years. 

Most of them agreed to help with camp because the camp director, Brent Voight, asked them to serve. They were all willing, able, and available. They had the skills needed to come alongside small groups of kids to help them play active games and stay organized. They served as positive role models for the campers, but they learned so much more. 

Leadership Growth Opportunities

They all developed greater patience over the weeks at camp. Campers were active and were often distracted during teaching time. The huddle leaders had to find creative ways to keep the kids engaged during that time, and sometimes even during the game times. Two hours is a long time for an elementary student to keep focused.

As they modeled great attitudes and sportsmanship, campers took notice and followed suit. Kylie mentioned, “How we act sometimes teaches kids more than the teaching.”  The leaders shared about Logan who is a great athlete but was intentional about passing the ball to all the kids who hadn’t had a chance to play. They were more accustomed to seeing star athletes serve as ball hogs rather than including others at the same level Logan did. 

Telma agreed with Kylie’s thoughts. “We hear it a lot at FCA camps – being intentional about everything you do – it’s a good reminder. This camp taught me a lot of patience because I’m so competitive and I had to hold it back. I was better today,” she said with a knowing smile at her fellow huddle leaders—whom she had beaten in nearly every game at the camp. “We need to set the example. A lot of kids really do watch what people do. It makes me ask myself what others see.”

Tanner W. witnessed the difference in FCA athletes while he was in high school. “The FCA athletes tended to be leaders. People looked to them for guidance. They were great people who others naturally wanted to follow.” Tanner strives to be that kind of model for the kids at sports camp. It is a high responsibility to know that you are impacting kids at an age when they are the most moldable. 

While these interns may not have taught out loud during the teaching times, they were intentional about being awesome role models for the campers in their huddles. They learned that they needed to be consistent and patient with their campers, and God grew each of them in this area.

Spiritual Growth Opportunities

Helping with camp creates plenty of spiritual growth opportunities for huddle leaders too. Alexina said, “The more camps I do, the more I want to grow closer to God and read my Bible and pray and serve more.” Others recognize their own growth through serving as well. Telma realized that the campers impact them far more than they realize. A camper sometimes says or does something seemingly insignificant, and it sticks with her. 

Gina agreed with Telma. She said it was sometimes silly things they say that really made her stop and think. One camper told her, “we can’t eat shrimp because Leviticus said so.” It was a funny statement, but it made her want to dig into her Bible so she could help him understand the context and purpose of the Old Testament rules. 

Even though the teaching time is geared toward younger kids, Jenna said, “We even learn things from the speaking and the discussion.”  They recognize that when they have to listen in order to help others understand, they pay more attention and work harder to make sure they understand so they can share with the kids.