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As another school year comes to an end, our mindsets shift fully to summer. That means it’s time to go into full-on planning mode for summer camp, mission trips, VBS and more. 

For church leaders, specifically youth staff, to-do lists might include things like: creating group assignments, finding a few more volunteers, stocking up on sunscreen and aloe, grabbing a Costco case of energy drinks for your leaders, finalizing transportation details and buying game supplies. 

So much time and effort goes into pulling off a great summer experience! But often, we pour all our time and attention into the experience itself—and we don’t leave enough space to plan for what comes after.

So, how can church leaders follow up well with kids/students, families and the church as a whole once the summer experience ends?

Intentional follow-ups after summer events are important to sustaining spiritual growth, building lasting relationships and integrating students with their families. By thoughtfully engaging students, equipping parents/guardians and celebrating stories with the broader church community, church leaders can turn short-term summer experiences into long-term transformation.

Following Up with Students

Summer events are attended by both regulars and newcomers. So how do you meet them where they are and offer meaningful next steps?

Think about Follow Up on the Registration Form
As you build your registration form, include a simple way to distinguish new attendees from returning ones. This will help you know how to specifically follow-up.

Send them photos from the week
Did you have a photographer or team taking pictures? Students—especially in middle and high school—will want those professional shots. If they’re on social media, they may even tag your ministry when they post. Encourage it!

Handwritten Notes
You or your volunteers can write them a note inviting them to the following Sunday worship service, event, group, etc. A personal ask goes a long way.

Provide a Learning Resource
Is there a devotional, study, or book that builds on the week’s theme? Recommend it to your attendees.

Follow-up on Commitments Made
If someone got saved, make sure they have their own Bible. If not, get them one! Could you buy them a devotional to get started in their faith? If someone decides to get baptized, send them details of the next baptism opportunity. 

Connecting the Whole Family
Don’t miss the chance to invite the whole family into what happened. Build on the student’s experience and extend an invitation to your church community. 

Build off the momentum made at the summer experience and let it flow into your weekly ministry. Give them clear, simple next steps for them to take!

Supporting Parents

We’ve all seen it: the parent picks up their tired camper and asks, "So, how was the week?"

The answer? "Good."

End of conversation.

Parents often don’t know what to ask—and students don’t always know how to share. Here’s how you can set parents up to win spiritually when their child comes home.

Daily Updates
Send parents/guardians a mass text or email each day with the message's main point and a photo from the day. You can also share this information on your social media accounts.

Sample Questions
Schedule an email to go out the night before the last day with some suggested questions they could ask. (Who was in your small group? What was your leader's name? Who is a new friend you met? I heard the theme for the week was "The Fruit of the Spirit" - tell me more about that! What made you laugh the most?) 

Remind your parents that every question doesn't need to be answered on the night they get home. Questions can and should be asked in the following days and weeks.

Follow-up on Commitments 
If a kid/student made a salvation or baptism decision, loop parents/guardians in. They’ll want to know. And, they may want to celebrate or continue the conversation at home.

Plan a Party
Plan a party a few days (or a month) after you get home where families can hear stories about the week, they can meet their student's group leader, and families can worship together.

Send the Summer Fun Home 
Take a game that you played at camp and give the instructions to your families so they can play it at home. 
Send families the worship songs you sang or dances you had fun with during the week. 

How can you help families win spiritually after the summer experience?

You win when families win.

Sharing Stories with Your Church

How do you bring your whole church into what God did during the summer months?

Everyone in your church was involved—whether by attending, serving, praying or giving financially. Here are some ways to share the impact.

Share in Staff Meeting
Take a few minutes to share both funny and meaningful moments with your team.

Take over a Sunday Morning

• Show a photo or video slideshow before or after service.
• Have the Kids or Student Pastor share stories and cast vision.
• The worship team could sing the songs you sang during the week.
• Invite kids/students and volunteers to wear their event shirts.

Give a Recap in the Church Email
Similar to what you would share on a Sunday during service, share more than just numbers in the church email or newsletter. Give them a peak into how God moved.

Share Stories Digitally
Capture testimonies from volunteers and students. Post them throughout the summer—and again next year for promotion!

When you share the impact, you show your church family that their prayers, support and giving really does make a difference! 

Just like summer planning requires intentional effort, so does what happens after the last day. Following up with kids/students, supporting families and sharing stories with your church keeps the energy alive and the impact growing!