How to Have a Summer that Counts
by Lacey Arocha
Plan Ahead. Don't wait for the first day of summer to make plans for the summer. Sit down with your teen and calendar the big things ahead of time. Not only will this give them some occasions to look forward to, it will help them realize how quickly the summer will be gone.
Set summer goals. What is the win or reward for your teen this summer? What will they have to accomplish in order for them to be proud of themselves at the end of the summer?
Make memories. Commit to making your house a memory machine for your student. Communicate that your home is a place where you want your teen and their friends to be as often as they'd like over the summer.
Say yes to youth group! While so many teens check out, have your teen check in to their summer student ministry activities. Summer affords the time for real spiritual growth and building community with like-minded peers and mentors. Don't miss it!
Set a spiritual challenge. Challenge your teen to produce some tangible evidence of their growth in Christ this summer. Memorize 30 verses of Scripture or mentor a younger student once a week. Make it a summer of spiritual growth.