I remember hitting the last week of spring programming feeling like I had just finished a marathon. Exhausted and relieved I was ready to shut things down for the summer. The problem with that approach was that it would result in huge amounts of anxiety as the fall got closer. I felt unprepared and overwhelmed. Instead of enjoying my summers I started to resent them.
With Easter Sunday in the rearview mirror, it’s tempting to just go into shutdown mode. Yes, there are camp logistics to figure out, but outside of those tasks, it’s easy to feel like you are done for the school year. And even if you are still stressing about summer it’s hard to do much because it feels like everyone is checking out. While it can feel like summer is a season where nothing happens, it’s really a great opportunity to get stuff done.
To transition well into summer you need to:
Get off campus, find one of your favorite spots and put together a schedule that can serve a guide through the summer. On top of camps, and vacation markdown:
You don’t have to follow it verbatim, but it will help you create a healthy pace. It’s what you can go back to when you feel a little distracted or caught up in the summertime elusiveness.
I used to feel a sense of guilt asking people to meet with me over the summer. I used to believe that I was a disruption to their summertime bliss. The reality is that most of them were still working and keeping to their schedules just like me. Don’t let summer fly by without asking a few people to step up and get involved. List out the names, send them emails and get them on the calendar.
The same is true with your current team. Don’t assume that they need a break. Some of them are itching to stay involved. Keep them plugged in by giving them tasks (e.g. reviewing content) that could free up your schedule to take on more important initiatives. In fact, summer is a great time for people to give your ministry a try.
It’s easy to get distracted from investing in ourselves by getting overwhelmed by camp logistics and content curating. Take this season to set goals for the summer that deal with improving your ability to lead. Some of those goals could involve:
Don’t let your vacation be the only way that you refuel. Improve your leadership and you’ll be set for the fall. After you set goals to grow, make sure you share them with someone who could hold you accountable like a key volunteer, fellow youth worker or ministry coach.
Go into your summer strong by slowing things down and putting together a plan. You’ll not only be more prepared for the fall but get more out of those summer days.
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