Ministry leaders everywhere are fueling up on caffeine and resting as they plan and prepare for the summer ahead! Summer ministry brings longer days full of connection, laughter and gospel conversations with the next generation at places like youth mission trips, Vacation Bible School and sleepaway camps.
It also brings significantly higher risks for the most vulnerable in the church.
As we leave April, National Child Abuse Prevention Month, it’s a timely reminder that while summer ministry is full of fun (and chaos), it also comes with responsibility. The reality is that most abuse happens in everyday environments with trusted individuals, which means our churches have an opportunity and a responsibility to be places of intentional protection.
During summer ministry, schedules are different, environments are less controlled and new volunteers are eager to help. In the middle of the fun, it can be easy to assume, “We’ve got this covered.”
More than good intentions
But protecting the vulnerable doesn’t happen simply by good intentions. It happens on purpose.
As you prepare for a full summer of ministry, here are five simple but essential steps to help ensure every experience is not only meaningful but also safe.
1. Don’t skip the screening — even for ‘short-term’ volunteers.
It can be tempting to fast-track someone who’s “just helping for VBS” or “only going to camp once.” Don’t. Background checks, applications, interviews and references are indicators to your community that your church values the safety of the most vulnerable. Abusers often look for low-barrier opportunities, such as one-time events and seek to fill volunteer needs when churches are most desperate for help. If they’re serving with minors, they should be fully screened. Every time.
2. Reinforce the two-adult rule (everywhere, not just classrooms).
Most churches have this policy, but summer is where it gets stretched. Think beyond the classroom:
- Bus/van rides
- Cabins at camp
- Bathroom trips
- Hallways and transitions
No adult should ever be alone with a child or student in any setting. It takes planning and reinforcement, but it’s worth it for everyone involved.
3. Set clear boundaries for overnight and off-site events.
Camps and mission trips introduce new risks because they remove kids from their normal environments, and because “figuring it out when we get there” tends to feel a lot less fun at 11:30 p.m. in a cabin full of middle schoolers. Before your first event, make sure every volunteer knows:
- Sleeping arrangements and supervision ratios
- Shower and changing guidelines
- Who is allowed in cabins/rooms and when
- Transportation expectations
When expectations are clear, confusion (and risk) is minimized.
4. Train your team to recognize and respond.
Policies are only as strong as the people who carry them out. Before your first event, make sure every volunteer knows:
- What grooming behavior can look like
- What interactions are appropriate (and inappropriate)
- How to respond if a child discloses abuse
- Who to report concerns to and when
Awareness and education can turn hesitation into action.
5. Have a plan for communication and follow-up.
Summer doesn’t end when the last day of VBS or camp wraps up. Have a plan for:
- Incident documentation (even “small” concerns should be documented)
- Communicating appropriately with parents
- Following up if something feels off
And don’t forget that healthy communication boundaries matter too! All digital communication with students should be transparent, of appropriate topics, and at appropriate times of the day. Any direct digital communication with students should be approved by parents.
Building trust
Creating a safe environment builds trust with your community and the parents of those in your ministry. When kids feel safe, they’re free to engage, connect and hear the gospel without distraction.
And when parents know your church takes safety seriously, that trust opens the doors for deeper ministry.
Make this summer unforgettable for all the right reasons: safe kids, strong leaders and stories worth celebrating.
For more information on summer camp safety, download the Evangelical Council for Abuse Prevention’s Summer Camp Guide.
EDITOR’S NOTE — This story was written by Kris Buckman and originally published by the Baptist Convention of Maryland/Delaware.
