3 Spring Activities to Do With Your Group

March 9, 2015 By Phil Davis Leave a Comment

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Now that Daylight Savings Time has arrived, the days are longer and Spring is just around the corner. Use this time of the year to gather with your group outside the normal Bible Study time. And what better way to spend time with your group than in the outdoors when the weather is beautiful and flowers and trees are blooming.
Here’s 3 activities to do with your group that allow you to enjoy the great outdoors and connect in new ways with your group members.
Visit a State Park
The state parks across our country offer a number of recreational activities that are often free or are extremely affordable. From hiking and canoeing to horseback riding and fishing, there are so many things your group can do. If you aren’t sure where to begin, start with a simple day trip that includes a picnic and a hike. A good distance to look at for most groups is about a mile, so consider trails in that range and don’t forget to factor in the return hike if the trail isn’t a loop. Visit StateParks.com or AmericasStateParks.org to find a park near you and discover the different activities available.
If you want to get more adventurous, consider planning a camping trip over a weekend. With the days being longer, you’ll have more daylight to setup tents and explore. If tent camping isn’t your idea of a fun time, many state parks also offer cabins. This is a great way to experience nature while still maintaining all the conveniences of home. A camping trip allows you to experience more of the activities the state park has to offer as well as more time together as a group. A trip like this can bond group members more quickly and deeply than almost anything else you could do.
Be sure to plan some time to get together and allow each group member to discuss what the group has meant to them. Ask them things like, what has been one thing they’ve learned over the past few months, how has the group ministered to their needs, how do they know Jesus in a way they didn’t before, etc. This time of sharing how the group has impacted their lives can be a special time for groups.
Attend a Sporting Event
Be it a professional, minor league, college, or local school team, there are sporting events of all sorts taking place in every town across the country. This can be a great way to spend a few hours outside without having to travel. If a group member has a child playing a sport, consider going as a group to support them and watch him or her play. Minor-league baseball is a favorite that many can enjoy at very reasonable prices. If your town doesn’t have a minor-league team, CLICK HERE to find a team that may be in your area. Whatever sport you choose, have some fun and get outside with your group!
Enter a 5K Walk/Run
Spring is a great time for many non-profits to host a fundraiser involving a 5K run. Most of these are very non-competitive and your group can enjoy them at their own pace. This is also a wonderful opportunity to support a local non-profit or ministry as a group and get a little more involved. You don’t need to do training for this, just show up as a group and walk. If you aren’t sure of what’s available, visit RunnersWorld.com to find a list of runs in your area.
For additional ideas on spring activities to do with your group, CLICK HERE.

Phil Davis has worked in small group ministry for the past eight years and is convinced that transformation occurs best within the context of authentic community. He is the Executive Director of Abba’s Way, a ministry that creates intentional and deep connection for fathers and their children. Follow Phil on Twitter@PhilBDavis.