Home Youth Leaders Articles for Youth Leaders 3 Reminders Before Planning Your Summer

3 Reminders Before Planning Your Summer

The snow is melting at a rapid rate and the temperature is finally manageable. You can almost taste summer, and that means summer camps, volunteer training and content planning are on the horizon.

While summer’s official start is still a few months away, it’s important to start preparing now. If you can get ahead of the curve, you can maximize your time and be better prepared for the juggernaut that fall brings.

To approach the summer correctly, you need to:

CREATE A TIMELINE

Summer will fly by. In order to keep pace, you need to know what’s ahead of you. Gather your team and ask the following questions:

  • What are we trying to improve for next year?
  • What obligations do we already have this summer?
  • What challenges will hold us back from being productive this summer?
  • What are our first steps?
  • Who needs to do what?

Ask these questions now so that you are actively answering them in the summer. Be flexible, knowing that life will happen and your plans might change.

COMMUNICATE EARLY

Anything from meetings to changes you make need to be communicated super early and frequently. The reason you want to get the word out now is because people check out during the summer.

Get on people’s calendars and radars. The event doesn’t have to be perfectly planned. But if you don’t get on their calendars, something else will and you’ll have a hard time getting people in and on board.

COLLABORATE WITH OTHERS

Do not plan summer on your own. In fact, build a team who is going to help you communicate and prioritize. The summer will get busy and in a different way from the rest of the year.

If you are afraid of burning out your current team, form one just for summers. Ask them to focus on keeping you accountable. Use them to help you keep your goals.

Summer isn’t a time to just dial back and go into vacation mode. It’s good to get a break, it’s good to take time off, but don’t shut it down completely. If you really want to enjoy summer, you need a plan, and now is the time to start working on it.