Helpful Stuff

Safety First | Norms | Bible Reflections | Writing Prayers | Sexual Misconduct Training
Mission Opprotunities | Permission Slip (pdf)

Safety

Always attend to safety. Think ahead

permission slips

leave itinerary with the church

have clear directions/map

first-aid kit

have an emergency plan with the adult sponsors

make sure your activities meet the skill level of participants

be aware of environmental conditions

training in first-aid and CPR are good things to have

Remember almost all injuries are minor

Stay calm

Be confident

Attend to safety

Know what you know and what you don't know

Life or Death? Five threats to life

Airway: Look in the mouth and clear obstructions

Breathing: Look, listen and feel for breath.

Circulation: Look for bleeding. Assess, control and treat for shock.

Disability : Spinal injury? Broken bones? Stabilize.

Environmental: Make sure you are in a safe place.

Training in first-aid and CPR are good things to have

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Norms
What are norms? As a community is being built, rules of behavior are developed. Youth groups need special rules of behavior. Youth groups are not exactly like school or church; some of the norms of each of those settings might apply, others don't. It is important for the community to have clearly stated rules or normal ways of behaving.

Do it together. Writing norms and expectations should be one of the first things a group does together. It should be done at the beginning of the year, as well as for each overnight or special event. Setting the norms lets each person voice their feelings about how the group acts together. While some of the safety issues may be on the leaderŐs mind, feelings will be more important to the youth. They want to be heard. They want to know that they can trust each other, and they want to know what is expected of them.

Some common norms are:

Only one person speaks at a time

No one has "dumb" ideas

Every voice counts

Everyone stays to clean up

No "purpling" *

No one has to "share" more than they are ready to (not everyone is ready to share their faith story).

*If blue is for boys and pink is for girls, in the sleeping areas there is no togetherness or "purpling."

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Bible Reflections
In some places this is the "African Bible Study" or "Native American" in others. This method of looking at scripture allows for all levels of understanding. While it is important that the leader have some background and history of what is going on in the passage, it is just as important for the group to hear from everyone. Having enough Bibles for everyone is nice, but having a couple of different translations is more informative.

The scripture passage is read through three times, by three different readers. It is best if you can alternate male and female, so that different qualities are heard. After each read through, one of the following questions is asked:

1st time

What words or sentences stand out to you and why? What did you like or dislike?

2nd time

What does this passage say to you?

3rd time

What is this passage calling us to do?

The questions can be modified for different scripture or circumstances. This format can also be used to examine prayer or different creeds.

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Writing Prayers
Writing prayers with a group of youth is one of my favorite activities. It does take some practice, mostly to get over the feeling that we can't or shouldnŐt take on such important work. The truth is, soon you will feel you must do it. My preferred form for writing prayers is the collect. It is a tried and true form we borrowed from the Hebrew prayers.

Episcopalians like to have form, and this lets the youth create prayers and own the form (something about liturgy). Make sure after you have written prayers that you use them again in some way, either at the beginning and end of your meetings or for a Youth Sunday. Here is Collect 46, for the care of children, which follows the basic pattern:

Who are you praying to?

Almighty God, Heavenly Father

What do you thank God for?

You have blessed us with the joy and care of children

What do you hope for?

(three or more petitions)

Give us calm strength and patient wisdom as we bring them up, that we may teach them to love whatever is just and true and good,

Who is God?

"In the name of the Creator, Redeemer, Sustainer"

Following the example of our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen