Every year at both kids and youth camp we write “warm fuzzies”, or affirmations. There was one year at a youth camp where I concluded that we didn’t need to do this. I figured that we do it every year and it normally involves me being up into the late hours finishing off my notes. But that year the campers revolted and organised it themselves!
Thus, we set up the station of envelopes, pens and coloured paper. We explain to the kids that they should try and think deeper than “you are funny/nice” and “I like your hair”. We ask them to be specific about the moments they have shared with each other and how their life has been made better from their interactions with another. We ask that they highlight the characteristic they have seen in another, and how they could articulate and foster that.
It is paying attention, across the whole camp, to where others have been a blessing.
On the last night the whole camp engaged in some outdoor night games, normally saved for the group known as night owls. Those who are ever so slightly older and thus allowed to stay up a whole 30 minutes later (and who would never think about complaining about the cold and the dark).
I was rushing the younger boys to brush their teeth before the final story time, but the littlest one was concerned. He needed to go and write a note, an affirmation.
My priority was on getting them off to bed, but he needed his affirmation to be included with all the others. He was appreciative, and he wanted to share that. So I told him he could dictate it to me, and I would make sure it got in the right envelope.
“Thank you for saving me when I was in jail.”
That was the whole purpose of the game, to try to steal the flags, get tagged and end up in jail. Another teammate would then come and release you, but he chose to see the generosity and kindness that had been shown in ensuring he got to continue to play, and not simply watch from jail.
This is the purpose of the warm fuzzies, to be attuned with the movement of God in every interaction.
Kass Unger
Children’s Minister, Australia Wide