6. Engage on social media.
It’s a fact of life in the 21st century: Young travelers are going to be on their phones almost constantly throughout the course of a trip, and much of that time will be spent on social media platforms such as Instagram and Snapchat. Instead of trying to institute a futile electronics ban, join the young travelers online by creating fun hashtags and sharing photos, videos and other content from the trip in real time.
7. Adjust your expectations.
If you don’t frequently spend time with teenagers, the daily pace of traveling with a youth group might come as something of a shock. Forget about leisurely quiet time, fine food and plenty of time to sleep — teens have energy to burn, and they do so by being loud, boisterous and active all day long and through much of the night. To keep a good attitude throughout the trip, embrace the fact that your diet, sleep, accommodations and daily routine are going to be very different than when you travel with adults.
8. Be food smart.
Youth groups travelers aren’t likely to have the discriminating palates of adults, but that doesn’t mean you should feed them junk food for the entire trip. High-fat, high-sugar foods can be fun treats to include during a trip, but making sure the main meals are balanced and nutritious will help keep young travelers from getting sick or lethargic. Also, be on the lookout for food allergies or other dietary restrictions that might affect your meal planning.
9. Look out for loners.
In even the friendliest group of young people, there are likely to be some kids on the trip that don’t quite seem to fit in. A group trip can feel long, lonely and isolating for students who have a hard time making friends, so go out of your way to make them feel valued and included. You might even recruit some older, more mature youth group members to help.
10. Make time for God moments.
The goal of any youth group trip should be to help students get closer to God, so you should be intentional about creating opportunities for that to happen. Devotionals, prayer times, teaching sessions and group worship can all be parts of this equation, but don’t limit ministry moments to preplanned events. Spending time together can cause travelers to open up in unexpected ways, so always be ready to make the most of these opportunities when they present themselves.
