Each year one of the biggest questions people ask is “how do I raise money for my children and students to go to camp?”  This is a great question and while many Christian Camps are doing their best to hold expenses down the truth is running a quality program for young people does cost money.  So what can you as a Youth Pastor or Leader do to help offset those costs?  I’ve listed a few suggestions below that I hope you’ll find helpful.

1. Present the Need to your Church:

This seems basic, but you would be surprised how many people are willing to give in your Church if they just know there’s a need.  If you have access to video equipment record a couple of testimonies from students you know made a significant spiritual decision at camp, not too long 1-2 minutes tops and play them during  one of the services.  If not, then have them come up and give a testimony during the service.  I’ve learned over the last few years that there’s nothing more powerful than the testimony of a life that’s been changed.

2. Have a Goal:

No one likes to give to a “black hole” so set a goal and stick to it!  This might mean actually sitting down and figuring out how many students you’re planning on taking to camp.  Don’t shoot from the hip on this, the bottom line is important.

3. Plan Fund Raising Events Early:

It seems to me that fund raising is just a little too late, so start early.  You should start having events toward the end of January, 1^st of February so that you have plenty of time to get the word out about camp.

4. Try Different Ideas:

If what you’ve been doing works than stick with it, if not, send it packing!  Let’s be honest times have changed and there are a lot of things you could be doing that might raise more awareness and more money toward your goal so be willing to say “see ya” to your old ideas.

5. Suggestions to Get You Started:

*Dessert Fellowship-  I’ve seen this work very effectively.  Approach one or 2 people about buying the supplies for the Fellowship, strawberries, ice cream, short cake, chocolate syrup, ok I’m getting hungry.  Anyway, after Church on a Sunday night invite everyone to come and take a $3-4 donation per dish.  Do a sign up ahead of time so you know how many to expect.

*Rent A Student-  This one’s a little old school, but what I like about it is that is shows the students are willing to work for the money they need to go to camp.  There is an attitude out there about youth ministry that we want to avoid (don’t act like you don’t know what I’m talking about).  Do a sign up over the course of a few weeks and have people rent there student or students for a Saturday.  Pick one day to get all the work done so you can build up some “buzz” about it and also so it doesn’t drag on forever.  If it’s successful plan one monthly.  You’ll be surprised how many people will save up work for the students to do just so they can help pay for camp.  I would suggest a flat rate of pay based on how many students and how long it will take.

*Garage Sale- This idea takes a lot of work, but it’s very effective.  Everyone has junk, I mean stuff they want to give away and you’d be surprised how much of it your Church has.  Start announcing it early and make sure you have a place to store it all as it comes in, pod, container, etc.  Set the date for early Spring and make it an annual event.  Once again you’ll start seeing people save up their stuff so you can sell it for scholarships.  One word of caution is that sometimes large items are given and in the event that takes place you should price it right and if no one buys it, sell it on Craigslist.  Don’t give it away!  Be good stewards of what is given.

These are just a few ideas to get you started and if you’ve tried something else in your ministry to raise money (that’s actually worked) please comment about it here so the rest of us can steal your ideas.