2020 JAM Camp Xenia Lessons Learned

Strengths and Successes

Athletics

• Basketball clinic and leadership session with Aaron Craft and Dallas Lauderdale was highly impactful.
• Labs were executed effectively and provided meaningful athletic development opportunities.

Community and Relationships

• Strong support from Reynoldsburg Nazarene students and mentor Larry Taylor.
• Participation from students representing Houston added diversity and strengthened the camp experience.
• Pool party hosted by the Dendinger family provided a valuable relationship-building opportunity for students from Houston and Louisville.

Operations and Environment

• Food service received positive feedback regarding variety, quality, and cafeteria flow.
• Use of guidons and individual/team awards enhanced team identity and engagement.

Manhood Development

• Improved integration of the Manhood theme throughout camp activities and discussions.
• Detention Center tour provided a powerful life-impacting experience and reinforced key character lessons.

Areas for Improvement

Schedule and Program Structure

• Extend the overall camp schedule. (A fourth day was added for the 2020 JAM Camp.)
• Provide additional processing and free time for students.
• Add a dedicated team-building event.
• Increase opportunities for students to spend time developing skills within their specific sport.
• Schedule lighter physical activity on the day preceding the S.P.E.C.I.A.L.
• Include structured warm-up periods before all labs.

S.P.E.C.I.A.L.

• Original recommendation was to conduct S.P.E.C.I.A.L. in one day.
• However, per Athletes in Action trainers and risk management guidance, S.P.E.C.I.A.L. must continue to be conducted over two days.

Teaching and Content Delivery

• Ensure adequate time is reserved for the Relationship Talk.
• Make relationship discussions a higher priority within the schedule.
• Consider adding a panel discussion format to enhance engagement and practical application.
• Better prepare staff and mentors regarding expectations for both Labs and the S.P.E.C.I.A.L.

Student Care and Accountability

• Assign mentors to the same dorms as their campers whenever possible.
• Require mentors to account for all campers before every session.
• Maintain 100% camper accountability throughout the camp experience.

Registration and Logistics

• Improve the professionalism and organization of registration and check-in procedures.
• Strengthen coordination between registration staff and athletic trainers.

Theme Integration and Priorities

• Continue clarifying the balance and integration of the three JAM Camp themes:

1. Jesus
2. Athletics
3. Manhood

• The primary emphasis of JAM Camp should remain on Jesus and the Gospel message.
• Athletics and Manhood should serve as supporting pathways that reinforce spiritual growth and Christ-centered leadership.

Key Recommendation Moving Forward

Maintain a clear camp philosophy:

Jesus is the foundation. Athletics is the platform. Manhood is the outcome.

Every activity, lesson, competition, lab, and mentoring relationship should support the mission of helping young men grow as Christ-centered leaders.