Note: Some of the lesson ideas and software may be out of date, but the point of this post is to show you how we created a “Church Camp Themed” Sunday School experience in a small church that took our summer attendance from ZERO the previous summer to 12 to 14 each week at Camp Bible Wahoo!
The basic theme and concept can be used with many different Bible stories. “Camping” works because most churches can easily find such gear to create the fun learning sites.
A 9 Week “Church Camp” -themed Sunday School
3 Weeks on each of these 3 stories:
- Good Samaritan
- Journeys of Paul
- Daniel and the Lion’s Den
written by Neil MacQueen
I originally wrote Camp Bible Wahoo! in the summer of 2000 for my church. We needed to resurrect our Summer Sunday School and Camp Bible Wahoo! certainly did that. We went from ‘0’ the year before to an average of 14 “campers” a week. It was a small church, and the teachers believed that kids and parents wouldn’t support a summer program. In addition to the creative and highly visible campsites, we recruited families to teach specific workshops together. It was so successful, that the next year we launched a full-blown rotation model in that church.
While some of the software suggestions may be defunct, the general concept is timeless and fun.
We had 3 primary campsites (classrooms): Gospel Grove, Computer Camp-out, and Lake Bible Wahoo! Theater.
The Camping Theme was easy to assemble and a huge hit. We did it indoors, and yes, we really did create a real sand beach in one of our classrooms. This page consists of my OUTLINE which I discussed with our teachers. You can find a lot more Good Samaritan teaching ideas at www.rotation.org (a site where I post other lesson plans as well) .
The Computer Camp-out was taught in tents we erected in Fellowship Hall (for high visibility). We used our Life of Paul, Adventures with Daniel, and Good Sam the Samaritan. The lessons here also include songs and videos.
<>< Neil, www.sundaysoftware.com
Camp Bible Wahoo!
K -6th Summer Rotation-style Sunday School
Written Summer 2000 for Hilliard Presbyterian Church by Neil MacQueen
- Camp Bible Wahoo! consists of three different 3-Week “Campouts.”
- Each 3 week campout focuses on one story at a time. This is “Workshop Rotation” style.
- Each week begins with a 10 minute meeting in “Gospel Grove” for singing and review, and then the group splits in two, going either to the Computer Campsite or Lake Bible Wahoo! Theater.
- On the third week, the group assembles back at Gospel Grove for more songs specific to the story they’ve been learning, and a GAME review of the lessons. Those lessons are not included below (sorry).
- If you have more than two groups, add a campsite/lesson for each new group.
- Preschoolers can rotate too, but the following lessons don’t reflect that.
Our Camp Bible Wahoo! Summer Schedule:
10:00 …Worship in the Sanctuary (parents, teachers, kids)
10:20 …All Group Gathering at Gospel Grove Campsite (a song, prayer, and introduce the story)
10:35 …Kids split in two groups to go to either Computer Camp-out or Bible Wahoo! Theater
June Rotation:
Daniel and the Lion’s Den……..Being faithful isn’t always easy!
July Rotation:
On the Road with Paul…..How to Spread the Word
August Rotation:
Good Sam the Samaritan……..Do good unto others! (wwjd)
Decor and Staffing Notes:
Gospel Grove: Set up in corner of Fellowship Hall. A large carpet of grass, wooden benches sitting on large logs, a ‘fake’ campfire, a couple of Xmas trees for effects! ‘Smore snacks and bug juice.
Lake Bible Wahoo Theater: 12′ x 12′ wood frame on floor with canvas dropcloth covering it. Bordered by wooden fencing sections to keep kids in. Flimsy wooden gate with broom to brush off any excess sand. 10 bags of clean play sand. Beach chairs! Sand buckets, plastic shells, fish, blow-up pool toys hung on fence and walls. Several fake Xmas trees in corners.
Computer Camp-out: Two large camping tents with sleeping bags inside them. Computers sitting on floor. Yes, the kids really like computing this way! The cozy tent were a lot of fun. We put ours in a corner of Fellowship Hall where they attracted a lot of attention from visitors and members.
Teachers -and kids- should wear camping gear and clothes.
Staffing:
Families will be recruited to ‘staff’ each workshops. The moms/dad and their children take responsibility for parts of the lesson plan.
We’ll teach each of three Bible stories for three weeks in a row, for a total of 9 weeks of Camp Bible Wahoo! Each week begins with an all-group gathering at ‘Gospel Grove’ for 10 minutes of song and a skit or storytelling about the Bible story we’re studying. The MacQueen family will lead the third week: Gospel Grove gathering sing/skit. Neil and various teachers will do the opening each week.
Camp Bible Wahoo! Good Samaritan
Key Ideas: How do you know the right thing to do? -ie- WWJD (Remember: Saying it, without doing it isn’t good enough). This is voiced by the Good Samaritan in his video in the Good Sam CD.
Life Application for the Kids: Help them identify two or three things they could be doing to help another -but are making excuses not to help. Help them to identify people who are different from them but may be serving God well.
Remember: The ‘twist’ in the Samaritan Parable is that a member of a DESPISED and REJECTED group is cast as the hero. The Lawyer, who is part of the ‘in-group’ is told by Jesus to go act like the Good but Rejected Man. The story isn’t just about ‘doing good.’ It’s about how we view others and the kind of people God favors.
Computer Camp-out:
The Good Sam the Samaritan software is your lesson plan. It has the scripture, background, activities and reflection built into it. (www.sundaysoftware.com).
We went right through the CD (it’s laid out just like a lesson plan) starting at Luke 10, pausing to briefly discuss the study note “TWISTS.” Then we went into SAM CAM and viewed/discussed some of the video interviews. The older kids did well with the lady innkeeper and lawyer, but we only used the Priest and “the Good Samaritan” interview with the younger kids. We then viewed the music video and discussed why there were people in need, bread and cup in the images. Lastly, we went into the “Who Wants to Be a Samaritan” gameshow. Older kids after the gameshow were encouraged to go into the Good Sam Land Map, but it was too much for the younger ones.
Lake Bible Wahoo! Theater:
We used the Good Samaritan video from Nest Entertainment, www.sundayresources.net/biblevideos
The video will take much of our short class time. After it is over, discuss the issue of how Jesus’ listeners felt about the ‘despised Samaritans.’ Here are two study notes that get at the reasons why many of them didn’t like the Samaritans:
In the time of Jesus, the term ‘Samaritan’ described a Jewish religious group based in the town and region of Samaria. They believed they were the true descendants of the people of Israel (not the Jewish Priests or Levites). They also believed that the true center of the faith was the Temple they had built on Mt. Gerizim, not the one on Mt. Moriah in Jerusalem. According to a recent census, there are fewer than 200 ethnic Samaritans left in the world.
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- What new meaning does Jesus give to the term ‘Samaritan?’
Samaritans spoke a slightly different version of Aramaic (the language of Jesus’ day) and also had slightly different collections of scriptures than the Jews. The two groups disagreed over which group had the more ‘pure’ Israelite bloodline. Jews claimed Samaritans were of mixed-blood and religion. Samaritans claimed they were the true keepers of the Hebrew faith. To all but a Samaritan or Jew, their clothing and religious practices would have appeared nearly identical.
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- Why do some groups not like others? Do you know of any groups in your school or city/world like that?
- What do you think Jesus would say to them about their differences?
A map of Israel might be helpful for both the Computer Camp-out and Lake Bible Wahoo Theater lessons. The Jews and Samaritans keep themselves separated in different towns. Their two capitals were only 42 miles apart.
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- What groups in your church, community, city, nation, world keep apart from each other? What would Jesus says about keeping apart like that?
Gospel Grove Song for the Good Samaritan Rotation:
The songs: Lean On Me, and… Lend a Helping Hand (from Good Sam software, see the lyrics and chords in Good Sam’s teaching guide )
Paul’s Journeys
Key Idea: Paul was unafraid to share his faith with others. Sometimes it was risky then. Sometimes it is risky or hard NOW. What gave him strength? His love of God. What gives you strength? How and where do you share God’s message?
Life Application: What is hard about sharing your faith with others? How can you? (How do you do it without ‘preaching’?) Who needs to hear the Good News from YOU?
Computer Camp-out:
We used the Life of Paul CD from Sunday Software, www.sundaysoftware.com. We’ll also take a quick look at the Paul’s journey map in Life of Christ CD.
On the CD’s description page you’ll see a link to the teacher’s outline. Print and use it.
Lesson Outline:
1) Ask the kids to tell you what they know about Paul. Introduce Paul as ‘another brave follower of God like Daniel whom we just studied.” Ask them to review ‘what makes someone able to be strong in their faith (like Daniel) and then tell them to be on the look-out for those same traits in Paul.
2) Take a quick look at the New Testament world map in Life of Christ (maps are up on bookshelf in main menu). Paul travelled the Roman Empire and many kids will have no conception of where, how far, the varieties of countries and languages, or the dangers.
3) Next…pop in the Life of Paul CD and go into the Bible Time Theater. View all three clips telling them we’ll first be bringing everyone up to speed on ‘who is Paul’ by looking at his conversion experience, healing miracle and then….the shipwreck video clip. Pay special attention to the shipwreck video. Discuss it in the context of the dangers Paul encountered while traveling. Considering how far and dangerous his travels were, what do you suppose motivated Paul?
4) Then…we’ll pay special attention to the following study notes found in the Discover the Bible Section of the CD:
Heroes and Villains: Stephen, staying strong in your faith.
I Wonder: “What is the Good News?”
Do the Right Thing: How to make it through tough times.
Sticky Situations: Success and suffering rejection.
Amazing Facts: Paul suffered through these many things….and still gave thanks.
5) Finish up with the whole group together. Summarize what’s important to know about Paul and his bravery.
Then…..Ask them to identify one or two people in their family or among friends who they need to talk to about God (the importance of learning about God, going to church, etc.). Have them write this person’s name on a sheet of paper as someone to invite to Sunday School and worship next week.
Lake Wahoo! Theater:
The Ministry of Paul video from Nest Entertainment. www.sundayresources.net/biblevideos
This video overviews many episodes in the life of Paul, including shipwrecks and being put in jail for his preaching. After the video, (you won’t have much time in our 35 minute class this summer), discuss the following:
- What was the source or reason for Paul’s willingness to travel and speak about Jesus in dangerous places?
- Make a list of places it might be scary places to go and share your faith in Jesus (foreign land, prison, mall, etc.) Ask kids what they would tell others about Jesus? (ie..what’s the Good News worth sharing with others).
Gospel Grove activities for PAUL:
Week One: Storytelling of Paul in a prison. (Each kid gets chain around ankle to remember story). Song: Our God Reigns (by Leonard Smith) …’how lovely are the feet of him who brings good news…’ I Will Follow (by Jack Walker) or I Have Decided to Follow Jesus ( a rousing version of the traditional). All three can be found in various songbooks, including the ubiquitous Songs and Creation)
***The Camp Bible Wahoo Theme Song is located at the bottom of this page. It has verses for Daniel and Paul.
Daniel and The Lion’s Den
Scripture: Daniel 6…King Darius is tricked into outlawing prayer to anyone but himself, not realizing Daniel, his favorite advisor, will be forced to break the law and thus be punished in the Lion’s Den. Daniel decides his belief in God is more important than his life. God miraculously saves Daniel and the King abolishes the law.
Background: Daniel grew up in Babylon, in the King’s house and has faithfully served as an advisor to both King Darius and his predecessor -Nebuchadnezzar. Jealous of his stature, other advisors fool Darius into outlawing prayer to anyone but the King, -knowing Daniel, an Israelite, is a worshipper of the one true God! It’s a test of faith for Daniel and an opportunity to show his faith as well. Daniel’s people had been conquered and taken to captivity during the 6th Century B.C.
The story’s meaning is multi-faceted: Daniel faces a First Commandment issue of worshipping only the Lord his God. There’s also the freedom to pray issue. Daniel’s prayer relationship with his God is important enough to Daniel to risk losing his life over. There is the story’s miraculous ending which leans towards God’s rescue of people from injustice. Then there’s the general sense that being faithful isn’t always easy! The older your students, the more of these facet’s they will be able to see.
The Life Application for Kids:
It takes strength and guts to believe in God and obey God’s commands and be a role model to others. Believing one thing and doing another is wrong. Being two-faced or hypocritical is wrong. Saying you love God but not obeying God is wrong.
I’m sure Daniel thought about giving-in and hiding the fact that he was a follower of God. But Daniel decided to stand up for his belief in God, even if it meant death. There are times when even a kid has to stand up for their beliefs. When they see someone treating another badly. When they hear gossip. When they have the tough choice of sleeping in or going to church. When it’s time to pray and they’d rather play. When others say speak negatively about church. When there are things distracting them away from worshiping God. Distractions and Lion’s come in all shapes and sizes !
Lesson Outline for Daniel Computer Camp-out:
The point: Is it possible to say you love and follow God but not obey God? How can you be an example to others?
Use Adventures with Daniel CD from Kids Interactive Bible series. Link to Adventures with Daniel outline at Neil’s software website. It has ready made questions.
1. Greet students and discuss the plan for the class and how you expect them to share the computers.
2. Tell them exactly what parts of the Daniel CD you will be visiting today:
The Main Story, The two video clips in the Bible Time Theater, and the Discover the Bible section where you’ll read several of the study notes found among the Daniel 6 scriptures.
3. Begin by posing these questions in a short discussion:
If someone said, “stop praying and worshiping your God or I’ll throw you in prison,” would you stop praying? Would you ‘fake it’ to save your skin? Or would you stand up and be a role model to others?
4. Begin with the Main Story in the CD and follow up with the two video clips in the Bible Time Theater.
Ask: Is prayer worth it to end up in prison or be killed? Can you be faithful to God without praying to God? (Possible answer: How can you say you love God and believe in God’s commandments but not follow them or evertalk to God? Can you love someone and never talk to them? Can you love a boy or girlfriend but go around in public saying you love another girl/boy?)
5. View the two video clips in the Bible Time Theater.
Ask: Why didn’t Daniel ‘fake it’ and act like he was praying to King Darius ?? What’s so important about praying only to God? (Possible answers: Daniel knew he was an example, a leader to others. Daniel felt his faith in God was too important to lie about it.)
How did Daniel’s faith become an example to others?
6. Browse through the ‘Kids Application Study Notes’ associated with Daniel 6 in the Discover the Bible section. Read and talk about the one where the boy is asked to do something wrong to join a club.
**The study note tucked away in Daniel 12 about the reasons for Daniel’s bravery is GREAT discussion fodder.
Note: Younger children will probably not be able to get through all the notes and they are not read-aloud on the CD. Some first graders should be able to read them and will take great pride in trying! If your class time is really short, zero in on the one or two notes of your choice.
**See the complete Daniel CD outline linked on the CD’s description page at www.sundaysoftware.com
6. Save time to finish with the ideas found in the CHART associated with Daniel Chapter 12:9. This chart is a great list of ‘answers to important questions which helped Daniel be brave.
Lesson Outline for Lake Bible Wahoo! Theater:
Using the Daniel Video from Nest Entertainment.
(To read about this video and order it, go to www.sundayresources.net/biblevideos
1. Begin by asking the students to vote on the following questions:
- If sharing your faith in Jesus meant going to prison, how many of you would be scared to share your faith?
- If the President and Congress outlawed prayer, how many of you would obey that law?
Tell the kids about Daniel’s time in history: The Israelites were in captivity in Babylon and there were those who wanted them to stop worshiping their God in their strange ways.
2. Then show the video.
Pause at several points to see if the kids, particularly younger one, know who’s who in the video and understand the story. Ask them to summarize the story ‘thus far’ before finishing the tape.
Discuss the following after the videotape:
- Do you think it was easy for Daniel to stick to his beliefs?
- What would you have done? …or do if prayer to Jesus was outlawed? (is it somewhere in the world today?)
- How hard is it to be a Christian? To pray every day? To always try to do what’s right? To stand up for your beliefs when maybe it isn’t the cool or safe thing to do?
- Have each person name 1 thing which pull you away from doing what’s right, going to church, prayer, worship, helping others, being a better person.
- How could God help you to be strong in your faith like Daniel?
Conclude with a prayer for courage and finish by passing a firm ‘pass the courage to follow God’ handgrip around the circle of students holding hands.
Gospel Grove Gathering Time
Suggested Songs: Standing in the Need of Prayer, and Camp Bible Wahoo to the tune of Pharoah, Pharoah.
The Camp Bible Wahoo! song that will be used and added to all summer long. It’s the song Louie, Louie, a.k.a. “Pharoah, Pharoah, O Baby Let my people go”) but with new words: “Camp Bible Wahoo, O Baby, Summer Sunday School, uh, yeah, yeah, yeah.” The first verse is about going to Sunday School. The second verse is about the Good Sam story; the third verse about Paul; the fourth about Daniel. They were added at the beginning of each new 3-week rotation.
The Camp Bible Wahoo! Theme Song
(sung to the tune of “Pharaoh, Pharoah, O Baby, let my people go”)
Here are the lyrics we wrote for Daniel and Paul Rotations to the tune of Pharoah, Pharoah (aka Louie Louie). The Pharaoh tune/chords are found in many Christian youth song books, including the popular Songs and Creations songbook.
Chorus:
Camp Bible Wahoo oh baby summer Sunday school -uh! wahoo wahoo
Camp Bible Wahoo oh baby summer Sunday school -uh! wahoo wahoo
verse1:
Well I heard a little story just the other day
a king told his people that to him they must pray
but a guy name of Daniel said that God was his friend
so the king threw him in to the lion’s den
Chorus
Camp Bible Wahoo oh baby summer Sunday school -uh wahoo wahoo
Camp Bible Wahoo oh baby summer Sunday school -uh wahoo wahoo
verse 2
Well you may think the lions ripped him up in shreds
but the Lord closed their mouths -sent them all to bed
in the morning when the king found him safe and sound
he said “Daniel you can pray to anyone as long as I’m around.”
Chorus
Camp Bible Wahoo oh baby summer Sunday school -uh wahoo wahoo
Camp Bible Wahoo oh baby summer Sunday school -uh wahoo wahoo
verse 3:
Well I heard a little story about a guy named Paul
who travelled through the Empire sharing Good News with all
Not everybody liked him, not everybody cared
But he told of God’s love as far as he dared
Chorus
Camp Bible Wahoo oh baby summer Sunday school -uh wahoo wahoo
Camp Bible Wahoo oh baby summer Sunday school -uh wahoo wahoo
verse 4
Well you might have a friend, you might have a foe
but it doesn’t really matter, about God they must know
How lovely are you toes and your hairy feet *
when you shuffle off to scary lands to the Gospel beat
Chorus
Camp Bible Wahoo oh baby summer Sunday school -uh wahoo wahoo
Camp Bible Wahoo oh baby summer Sunday school -uh wahoo wahoo
*Hairy feet? We also sang Our God Reigns during the Paul Rotation which has the line: How lovely are the feet of those who bring Good News.
All the material on this page is the copyrighted property of Neil MacQueen. It may be copied and used for non-commercial teaching uses only. For more information, email Neil MacQueen at neil@sundaysoftware.com