Staff Training- Devos

[lifer]

Anyone have any good ideas for devos to use during staff training ?

Every year we usually do the same things-- like reading a short inspirational story or something. I really like to do more interactive type devos, but I'm running low on ideas !

[collissimon]

Sorry, but what are devos?

[lifer]

Sorry.... devos, or devotionals, are just nice little closing thoughts we put on the end of each day. A lot of times devos involve prayer, but ours don't. Our staff devos are kind of similar to the cabin 'vespers' or 'cabin chats' that have been discussed in another thread recently.

Our staff devos are usually motivational readings- little things to get the staff excited and help them realize how important their job will be. "The Boy Under the Tree" and the starfish poem are two examples of stories we usually read to our staff, but I was hoping to get some ideas for more interactive devos, as opposed to just readings.

[collissimon]

Kind of little activities to get staff thinking as a team?

My Unit Leader last year did a lot of outdoor activities, and knew quite a few. One we do during orientation is to get everyone in a circle, and get them to grab a hand, then you've got to try and undo the knot and get back into a circle of linked hands, which symbolises how you all rely on each other, even though sometimes it can feel a bit 'knotty'.

For our end of year staff do, we had the ropes course. One person was attached to a rope, which the rest of the team pulled up in the air, showing how much you need to trust other people (I was pooping my pants! ;))

Is that the kind of thing you're after?

[lifer]

Emm.... not quite, but thanks for the input anyway !
I guess I'm not doing a very good job of explaining what I'm after-- does anyone know what I'm talking about ?

Our devos are done inside, at the end of the training day, and they usually last about 5 minutes. The purpose is team building, inspiration, motivation, etc....

[CAMPFRIEND]

The giving tree is a great one. You can use it for staff and then they can use it when the kids get their. I am big on playing songs during devo times. Time of your life is a great one. It helps people think about how much fun they want to have at camp. I have used that one for the last night of camp. Also I have used Friends by Michael W. Smith. Just a few ideas. I will keep thinking!

[Melk]

The giving tree is a great one. You can use it for staff and then they can use it when the kids get their. I am big on playing songs during devo times. Time of your life is a great one. It helps people think about how much fun they want to have at camp. I have used that one for the last night of camp. Also I have used Friends by Michael W. Smith. Just a few ideas. I will keep thinking!


Ohhhh Michael W. Smith. I think every one who went to camp when you were there has My Place in This World on their MP3 players. I know I do.

[Campy Measius]

hmmm what about You've Got a Friend by James Taylor? A song that always reminds me of camp.

[Campy Measius]

I don't know if these are what you're looking for... they're not interactive. but they have to do with team building and are inspirational I think.

Can I Make A Difference?
"Tell me the weight of a snowflake", a Coalmouse asked a Wild Dove.
"Nothing more than nothing", was the answer. "In that case, I must tell you a marvellous story", the Coalmouse said.

"I sat on the branch of a fir, close to the trunk, when it began to snow. Not heavily, not in a raging blizzard-- no, just like a dream, withouth a violence. Since I didn't have anything better to do, I counted the snowflakes settling on the twigs and needles of my branch. The number was exactly 3, 741, 952. Then, when the last snowflake dropped onto the branch-- nothing more than nothing as you say-- the branch broke off". Having said that, the Coalmouse flew away.

[Campy Measius]

I like this one better than the coalmouse story... it's all about teamwork.

The Goose Story
Next fall, when you see geese heading south for the winter, flying along in "V" formation, think about what science has learned about why they fly that way. As each bird flaps it's wings, it creates uplift for the bird immediately following it. By flying in a "V" formation, the whole flock can fly at least 71% farther than if each bird flew on it's own. Perhaps people who share a common direction can get where they are going quicker and easier if they cooperate.
Whenever a goose falls out of formation, it feels the resistance of trying to go it alone, and quickly gets back into formation to take advantage of flying with the flock. If we have as much sense as a goose, we will work with others who are going the same way as we are. When the lead goose gets tired, he rotates back in the wing and another goose flies on the point. It pays to take turns doing hard jobs for our group. The geese honk from behind to encourage those up front to keep up their speed.
Finally, (get this!) when a goose weakens or is wounded and falls out of formation, two geese fall out and follow him down to help and protect him. They stay with him until he is either able to fly or until he is dead, and they then set out on their own or with another formation until they catch up with the group. If we had the sense of a goose, we would stand by each other like that.

Even if it's not what you were looking for.. it's kind of neat anyway eh!?

[Campy Measius]

And what about "Chlidren learn what they live?" or "Anyway"? If you haven't heard them just let me know and I'll post em... but I don't want to post em now... I'm gettin out of control with my posts! lol

[CAMPFRIEND]

Ohhhh Michael W. Smith. I think every one who went to camp when you were there has My Place in This World on their MP3 players. I know I do.

What a great song. I used to play that the last night at my old camp. I can't wait to get back into overnight camp!

[campnerd99]

We've used 'Ariels' by System of a Down and "This is Your Life" by Switchfoot There was two entire C.E.'s planned around them but I can't remember what we did for the interactive part.

[Melk]

What a great song. I used to play that the last night at my old camp. I can't wait to get back into overnight camp!

I kept on suggesting to play it the last night of the sessions this summer but no one listened to me.