Virtual Junior Sports Camp Follow-Up

Focus on Sports

Each day, campers would choose one of two sports to concentrate on. After the four days, each camper learned about four sports (or more if they decided to check out the video for the other sport offered that day. The sports were lacrosse, football, soccer, tennis, baseball, basketball, softball, and volleyball. 

Once campers chose their sport for the day, they clicked on the corresponding video and were greeted by the emcees, learned practical tips about their sport, and heard a message about God’s call on their lives. Throughout the video, there were opportunities to pause and hone their skills on that sport as they watched demonstrations by athletes and coaches from around Minnesota.

Giving 100% to God

Following the sport, Pastor Maurice Staley, Southwest Minnesota FCA Field Ambassador, gave a message about what it means to give 100% to God in sacrifice, surrender, surround, and service. His challenging messages were full of encouragement and hope for the campers.

Sacrifice

The message on Day One went straight to the hearts of the campers. Pastor Staley shared John 3:16 and reminded them of Christ’s sacrifice for them. That sacrifice reconciles us to God, rescues us from sin, and saves us. Pastor Staley helped kids understand what it meant to sacrifice for Jesus and encouraged them to do that every day.

Surrender

The message on Day Two was one of surrender. Pastor Staley spoke to the power of surrender. Galatians 2:20 was the verse for the day: “I have been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer I who live but Christ who lives in me. And the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and delivered himself for me.” Pastor Staley taught the kids that we surrender when we allow Christ to live in us fully and when we give all areas of our lives to Him.

Surround

On Day 3, Pastor Staley shared from Philippians 2:2 which says, “Make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose.” He taught the campers about being committed teammates by modeling the mind and love of Christ and being of the same mind with their teammates. 

Service

Finally, Pastor Staley spoke again to the heart of the camper and asked them to consider what Jesus did for them. He reminded the campers that Jesus came to serve and that they should serve others as well at home and on the field. Whether taking out the garbage or helping a teammate who is struggling with a skill, serving others reflects Christ to others.

Finding the Silver Lining

The greatest challenge of holding a virtual camp is the lack of face-to-face interaction. Though in-person camps just weren’t possible in many places this summer, there were a couple wins in that area. Some kids won daily prizes, which were delivered in person and allowed for personal connections to be made in a safe way. 

Also, James held a backyard sports camp at the same time as his virtual sports camp. This took place in his own backyard with his kids and some of the neighbors (eleven kids in all). Each of the campers got a camp t-shirt and FCA Bible. The camp was a big hit with the campers who came. And who knows, maybe backyard FCA camps will become a regular part of the FCA camp season.

Always Thankful for Those who Give

In a season that has been hard for everyone, FCA staff worked diligently to ensure that kids had the opportunity to take part in a sports camp this summer. We are so grateful for those who served in the production of this virtual sports camp, from huddle leaders to video producers to script writers to speakers to coaches to our emcees and student helpers.

FCA ministry has looked very different in the past few months, but God is still moving in and through coaches and athletes in a time that has been so hard for so many.