Step 5: Develop Curriculum for Programs

Sport Camp Curriculum

If hosting a sports camp, it is helpful to develop a theme for the week or month. This theme will guide the development of Bible study curriculum, t-shirts, and banners. Rather than creating from scratch, consider adapting VBS materials.

Coaches and individuals with sports expertise from the church can design activities that strengthen sports skills and allows the students to have fun playing the sport.

Additionally, sports camps can include water games, crafts, and snack. Students can be broken down into groups and rotate “VBS style.” A sports camp should include the following components:

  • Large Group Welcome: Review camp expectations, review camp theme, review memory verse, stretches, fun activities such as music, dance, skits, or games.

  • Sports Skills: Students are led by coaches to strengthen skills through sports drills and games

  • Snack: Students are given a healthy snack. Coaches and volunteers take time to visit with students.

  • Bible study: Students participate in Bible study and the memory verse for the day or week is taught. To incentivize memorization, coaches can provide a small gift to each student for memorizing the verse by the end of the day or week.

  • Water games or fun recreation activities: cool off in the summer with fun water games.

  • Sports Game: Students play the sport.

  • Large Group Closing: A camp pastor teaches a Bible study that emphasizes the camp theme and presents the gospel in accessible, age-appropriate ways.

(Resources Available Below: Sample Bible Study Curriculum and Sample Schedule. Both were developed for a four-week sports camp which took place four days a week from 9 AM-12 PM).

After School Curriculum

  • After School programs should consider having the following components:

  • Snack: Students are provided a healthy snack.

  • Play: Students are given an opportunity to relax and have free-play

  • Homework Help: Students are provided assistance with homework

  • Targeted Tutoring: Provide additional one-on-one assistance to students with specific challenges. Consider utilizing Arise2Read to help students with literacy.

  • Enrichment: Students are provided opportunities to learn or enjoy subject areas or activities they may not encounter in school. Consider mobilizing volunteers who are passionate about specific hobbies or activities to provide enriching activities for students.

  • Bible Study: Students participate in age-appropriate Bible study. Consider utilizing Bible storying to walk with students through the entire Bible.

Comprehensive Strategies

A sports program does not only teach sports and an after school program does not only complete homework. To be effective and holistic, programs must develop strategies and curriculum for the following:

  • Behavior Strategies

  • Peacemaking Strategies

  • Mentoring

  • Goal Setting

(Resources Available Below: Teaching Behavior, Peacemaking, Mentoring, Goal Setting. Many of these resources have supporting materials available. Contact us for additional resources.)

Resources

**Sample resource materials are branded with Graffiti 2 Community Ministries’ logo and location-specific information. These materials can be reproduced or serve as a starting point in developing materials specific for the local ministry or church**

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