08 Jul We’ve Launched Base Camp – FINALLY!
Life App: 3 Basic Truths – Wisdom, Faith, & Friendship
Theme: Base Camp
Date: Summer 2013
Late to the Dance
It feels like we are really late to the dance! 252 Basics Facebook Page displayed so many amazing photos of what people were doing for Base Camp back in June. Because we chose to use Base Camp as our Summer XP, and the school year in Maryland puts summer vacation during July and August, we just launched Base Camp this past weekend. So, while this post might not be helpful for creating a Base Camp environment at this stage of the game, it might be helpful to see materials and processes that could be used as you create future sets and environments.
Thank YOU!
In addition, we’ve got some great photos from other churches of the terrific work they did in creating their Base Camp Environments. Launching later than most of you allowed us to learn from (okay copy) some of your super-creative ideas. Thanks so much for being willing to share. I’m amazed at the collaboration that can happen through the internet! Be sure to check back here on Wednesday to see a showcase of Base Camp Environments from various churches across the country. Also, check out the Base Camp Photo Album on 252 Basics Facebook Page.
Our Finished Product
At first, I was not thrilled with our finished product. It felt very cluttered in our environment with tents, signage, coverings, and a set that had a lot going on. I like clean lines and simplicity, so it was a lot for me to take in. I also wondered if we had that “WOW FACTOR” we usually try to achieve. I wasn’t sure if we had one because there was so much going on. I changed my mind as kids began entering our environment. It was fun to hear their reactions. It was sweet to see them sitting in tents with small group leaders and playing games. And let’s face it, what kid doesn’t love video games? You could have a TV with nothing surrounding it and a video game going and the WOW FACTOR is there, environment decor or not. We use video games in our summer environment each year, as a station kids can go to prior to large group. They are a favorite every summer!
Win?
We did have one little guy tell us he never wanted to go to large group again. He wanted to stay at Base Camp forever. While I’m not sure that’s a win for our large group team, I was grateful that he loved the preliminary environment we created for him. I think we won him over once large group started with Pirates of the Caribbean theme music and a Yeti showed up on stage! All in all, it was a good launch and I’m looking forward to the rest of Base Camp.
How is your summer programming going?
