There’s nothing more deflating than bad weather. You pack all your things, say your goodbyes, and head off to a brand new place, pumped for a great experience- and then it rains. Or snows. Anything less than sunshine seems to throw a wrench in all your hopes and dreams.
But bad camp weather doesn’t have to ruin your experience; rain or shine, the ultimate reason you’re there is to grow closer to God and to make great memories with others. Don’t let the gray skies outside prevent you from doing just that from the comfort of your cabin.
Here are 3 of the simplest ways to make the best of bad camp weather:
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Play an indoor game
You don’t have to be outside to have fun. In fact, there’s a variety of great games that you could play to pass the time as you wait out the storm. At every camp, there’s always someone who brings a deck of cards. You’ll likely have an assortment of board games at your disposal, as well. You and your friends may even invent a new game so engaging that before you know it, the bad weather will have completely passed. After all, time flies when you’re having fun.
Have a devotional
Bad weather is usually associated with grumbling, complaining, and general moping. But why not use it as an opportunity to praise God instead of cursing Him? You don’t have to have a formal lesson plan. All you need is a Bible and a topic that you and your group can decide on. When you look to the Word for guidance, you will always find nuggets of truth that you may never have considered before. In Matthew 24:35, Jesus says, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.” Reading and talking about scripture in stormy weather may just encourage you to start doing it more in good weather.
Sing a song (or two)
Some people bring musical instruments with them to camp; guitar is often a popular choice. But even if you have no musical instruments, you can still enjoy a good song- acapella style. Nothing lifts the spirits more than lifting your voice to God in song, no matter how terrible you think you sound. Your level of musical expertise is irrelevant if your heart is in the right place, for God looks upon your intentions, not your appearance. And no matter what the weather may be, God is worthy of our praise. Hebrews 13:8 says, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” He is the same before, during, and after the storm. So why not praise Him in every situation? Bad weather does not equate to a bad camp experience, and it certainly does not equate to a bad spiritual life.
Special thanks to Camp Aldersgate for sponsoring this article!