Now this is the post that many initially seek when they hear the words follow-up. I will give you several ideas on ‘Things to Do’ to help you with all of the tips I gave in the previous posts. The reason I waited until part four to discuss these things should be understood simply by reading the previous posts. Doing one or even all of these things will not do your group justice in follow-up. It must be centered around the relationships that were formed and the connection that they will have in their parish.
Anyway, here are some things that I have heard of that I like or that I have tried and worked
Follow-Up Meeting
This is probably the most popular. Set up a time for the group to get together to and hang out. There are ton of things you can do with an evening like this to really keep the flame of the retreat going. Some ideas to help you figure out what to do:
- Set the date and time of the meeting before the retreat even happens
- Share a meal together. Include it in the budget of the program or have a potluck
- Invite parents to join in
- Share pictures and videos
- Put together a video slideshow, show it at the follow-up, give copies to everyone
- Hand out copies of your group picture
- Have the leader stand up and share about the trip generally
- Ask youth ahead of time to share and also invite others to share
- Give out door prizes for things from the retreat that bring good memories
- Pray together
Letters to Yourself
Many of you have probably heard of this as well. Have the youth write a letter to themselves either on the last day of the retreat or as they are heading home. Have the youth put the letter in the envelope, seal it, and address it to themselves or to a family member. Tell them that you will send it to them some time after the retreat is over. Two weeks to a month later, send the letter to them.
Networking
If you do not have some sort of networking with the youth set up, you need to. Whatever the kids are using, set up an account and share pictures, videos, and testimonies with each other. We set up a fan page on facebook and that funnels all events, but oftentimes kids will set up Facebook groups on their own. Be sure to get in the group and participate.
Pray Together
One of the simplest things you can do is say for the three or four weeks after the retreat you are going to go to the church and offer up a time of prayer. Tell the kids you will be doing this and invite them to join you. Oftentimes, things like this end up turning in to the THE group that kids start joining and being a part of. It’s an easy invite that the Holy Spirit will nudge them with in a week or two when things get really tough, they will be reminded of this time.
Present
In my experience there were always committees in the parish that were interested in hearing about the youth and the recent trips they just went on. Oftentimes they are blown away at the testimony of the youth and the great opportunities they have. This is a powerful follow-up tool and a call to leadership for many of the youth. I actually delegated many times to the upperclassmen and let them take charge. The committee then often donates a little to the youth group and you have gained prayers and support from many adults in the community.
These are some of the main follow-up ideas that I have heard of and experienced. If you have other youth ministry follow-up experiences that you have tried and loved, or even things you have tried and did not work, please share them in the comments section of this post!
Enjoy!
