One of the terms that we use frequently at CentriKid Camps is “debrief.” When I first heard someone at camp talk about a debrief, I immediately associated the word with interrogations, military operations, or national security. At camp, though, we use the word “debrief” with a slightly different meaning.
What is a CentriKid Debrief?
At CentriKid Camps, a debrief is a 2-3 minute conversation that our staff lead in order to connect games or activities to truths from God’s word.
Why Do We Debrief?
We love to have fun, but even more than that, we want to take advantage of every opportunity to connect with kids and share God’s truth. We know all kids are different. Some kids will “get it” in Bible study, and others (kinesthetic learners) will make a better connection after they’ve played a game or learned a skill that relates in some way to the Bible.
How do we Choose the Scripture?
Every debrief at camp is planned with a high degree of intentionality. We don’t simply flip open God’s word and try to relate our games to the first verse we see. Instead, we spend a lot of time figuring out how to make meaningful connections to our spiritual focus for the week. We strive to reinforce what kids have already learned in Bible study and set them up for what they will hear in worship.
Additional Tips for Debriefing Games
- Use your Bible – Kids need to see that Scripture is our authority. Instead of simply talking about the Bible, read from it.
- Get on their level – Position yourself on the same level as your kids
- Make eye contact
- Ask open-ended questions – Don’t simply ask, “Was this game fun?” Consider questions such as “What happened in this game if you lost your partner?”
- Let kids share – The more they verbalize, the more they will get it!
Debriefs can be a great way to meaningfully connect with kids. We invite you to come to Recreation or Track Times this summer to check out some of the debriefs we will share with campers.