How To Help Rising 6th Graders Make The Transition Into Your Programs

I will never forget those first few days of middle school. It was a new building, a different type of schedule than 5th grade, and the 8th graders seemed like giants roaming the halls. It was intimidating and exciting at the same time. While I loved the adventures that lay ahead, I couldn’t help but wonder, “Would I survive?”

Many of your rising 6th graders are feeling the same way about your ministry. They are done with children’s faith formation and looking forward to a world of youth ministry. At the same time, they know they are going to be the newbies, and like most teens, they are desperate to fit in.

As youth ministers and catechetical leaders, we need to help ease the tension by maintaining the preteens (and their families) get ready for the year ahead. It’ll not only cut down on nervousness but give your ministry the momentum it needs to get the year started right. So before fall programming hits, you need to:

GET STARTED WITH A PROPER INTRODUCTION

Don’t wait for people to register before you encounter them. Even if schools have just let out make sure the rising 6th graders and their families know who you are and what’s in store for them. While shooting an email is easy, taking it up, a notch will create a great first impression. For your rising 6th graders and their parents you could:

• Create a welcome video with highlights from your program
• Send a welcome gift with SWAG that gets them pumped for the fall ahead
• Design a flyer with what they need to know and do before they get started

Let them know that you are thinking of them and it’ll help them knock down any nerves that they are feeling. Remember it’s a significant event for most of them.

GIVE TEENS AND FAMILIES A SAMPLE OF THE EXPERIENCE

Just like their first day of middle school, many of them are going to walk into your program with a whole set of nerves. Even though they won’t be alone, everyone else is going to seem like they know what they are doing. This experience can be intimidating for them and even dampen their experience.

Create a night where teens can pop in, and get a taste of the ministry before the rising 7th and 8th graders join them. Invite all your leaders so that those relationships can begin to form and have fun. Make sure they feel special and are ready to take on the year. It’s creating a first impression that will last for the long term.

PREP YOUR TEAM FOR PRETEENS

The rising 6th graders aren’t the only ones nervous. Your leaders are probably filled with a mixture of emotions, as well. While it’s more comfortable to throw them in the mix with your more seasoned volunteers giving them some extra attention is a great idea. You’ll need to make sure they know:

• Names matter so get to know them first
• Focus on the relational before you get into the content
• It’s a journey so don’t worry if you haven’t captured their attention right away
• Reach out to the parents, introduce yourself and invest in that relationship

Make sure they feel like they can ask any questions. If possible, give them a veteran volunteer that they can go to with questions. If your leaders enter into the year with confidence, then the teens will walk in at ease.

Entering into middle school is a big deal for a lot of people, and as a church, we have to be mindful of that. If you help your teens and their families make the transition, you’ll already have a solid foundation before the year begins. This summer block out some time to plan and encounter your future middle school students and get the year going with a BANG!

How do you help teens transition into your programs? What have you found successful?