NLBC-One on Ones

One on Ones
What are they?
- They are an opportunity to show genuine love for and interest in a camper’s life on an individual level, truly take this time to care for them!
- One on one’s happen when you and a camper can have a focused conversation with the goal of getting a feel for where he is at spiritually, and offering spiritual insight- they are an opportunity to get a pulse
- Opportunity to get rid of your assumptions (family life good, family life bad, Christian family, non-Christian family)
- Opportunity to answer questions of any kind- life, spiritual, family etc.
- Opportunity to clarify gospel

When should they happen?
- Spontaneously throughout the day: walking back and forth from things, ask the camper to help clean up after a skill, on the way to the nurse, while waiting for the nurse etc.
- Planned: free time- most opportune time, after chapel, or during Flat Happy

How should they happen?
o Not behind closed doors
o Not with huge distractions
o Ask the camper if they want to go for a one on one, take them for 20-30 minutes.
o Talk about how camp is going, family, interests, if they go to church, which church, do you have any questions about bible study/chapel, what do you think about the story of salvation? Do they understand what a Christian is (in words they understand)? Don’t be afraid to ask these direct questions. Be in prayer for confidence and courage in where God wants you to take the conversation.
o A less intimidating way to ask is by using the camper’s name when asking them personal questions for ex. “What’s Ashley’s home life like?”
o Your Goal is to know where the Child is spiritually, and to clarify anything that has been foggy over the week, truly care for them!
o Have the kids bring their Bible, so you can bookmark and highlight things that you are telling them! Lead to God out of their Bible, not you’re head!
o Do not use this time to convince them, convict them, or put pressure on them to become a Christian- allow the Holy Spirit to work in their heart! Be in prayer and be intentional in your questions.
o Think of this time as being for them- a time they can ask you questions, a time where you are focused on them and who they are and can speak truth into their lives.
o Ask the child if you can pray for them right then and there. Pray for something they struggle with- fighting with a sibling, or for understanding if they are at a point where they want to believe but don’t quite understand, or for strength for them to share what they have learned at Camp with their friends and family.
o Underline verses in their Bible that speak to what they are struggling
with, or write out verses especially for them

Who should do them?
- Every Camper should have the opportunity
- Leaders and LIT’s should each take half of their kids – Communicate!
- First priority, if you’ve connected with a kid, you should take them
- Second priority, if you know a kid will be tough, leaders should take them.

Where should they happen?
- In an open location, free from accusation of abuse.
- Focused, undistracted, initiated attention
- In a canoe, on the dock, at a picnic table, in a paddle boat
- – use an object to lessen awkwardness- ex. Sharing a bag of chips, sit side by side on the dock, or side by side in front of the fire
- Use their name
- Be real, Be yourself!
- Your relationship with your campers is a product of your relationship with Christ. Integrity in your relationship with Christ will correspond with how unconditionally you will be able to love your campers. Trust is a product of time spent in relationship. Kids will listen to a voice that they trust, and trust in a voice that demonstrates love.

Things that come up
- Christian or non – Christian: Non – Christian, explain the gospel completely- Christian, encourage them in their walk. Review what a Christian is, talk about church, prayer, reading the Bible, telling others about God. Encourage them where you feel they are gifted…
- Past sins – bring up the power of forgiveness and love
- Complacency – faith and works
- Secrets – make sure the camper knows that if something is bad for them, you will try and stop it. You’ll need to report abuse if they mention it and it has not been dealt with.
- Repentance –

Practice – Pair up with someone you know a bit and trust
1) Practice listening skills- have the other person tell you about one thing that was hard this year- practice following along, conveying understanding, and really listening to what they are saying- switch partners and do the same
2) Practice how you might go about starting a one on one with a child- do this with both partners
3) Practice answering a tough question that you may get this summer- Be honest with what you don’t know, be committed to searching for more information for them.