Christ Integration Camp

This blog picks up from the previous blog post titled The Journey of Belonging. You can read that blog here and then come back and then get “LOCKED-IN” with us.

A Night Designed for Belonging

The Christ Integration Camp Lock-In is crafted with care so students can experience belonging in ways that feel natural and relational. Instead of piecing together unrelated activities, the night follows a thoughtful progression that helps students connect with peers and leaders. Christ Integration Camp’s weekly rhythms include small groups, Scripture engagement, mentorship, and service opportunities, and the Lock-In gives students an early taste of these practices in a fun and memorable setting. It serves as an on‑ramp into the larger ministry, allowing students to build trust, form friendships, and understand what life in CIC looks like. The schedule that follows highlights how each moment is designed to support connection and create a strong foundation for the months ahead.

A lock-in only becomes meaningful when it is guided by purpose. A clear schedule helps students feel secure, know what to expect, and move through the night with a sense of shared direction. Structure also allows leaders to be intentional with every moment so nothing feels random or disconnected. When students can see the flow of the night and understand the rhythm of activities, they are more open to building relationships and engaging spiritually. The schedule below reflects that intentional design and shows how each part of the night works together to create an environment where belonging can grow.

The CIC Lock-In Schedule: Belonging Begins Here

• 6:00 PM – Check In and Welcome
  • Students arrive, meet leaders, receive name tags, and settle in. Music and snacks create a warm environment.
• 6:30 PM – Icebreaker Games
  • Simple, low-pressure games help students learn names and begin to feel comfortable.
    • Examples of Games:
      • Name and Motion – Students/Leaders say their name and add a motion. Everyone repeats the name and motion. The game continues until all participants have had an opportunity to say a name and a motion. This helps students learn names quickly and laugh together.
      • Would You Rather – Leaders call out fun “Would You Rather” questions. Students move to different sides of the room based on their answer. This gets them talking and discovering shared interests.
      • Human Bingo – Students receive a bingo card with prompts: has a pet, plays a sport, loves pizza, or has been to another state. Students walk around finding people, including leaders, who match the squares.
• 7:15 PM Pre-Game Meal
  • A shared meal gives students time to talk, connect, and build relationships. Leaders sit among students to listen and engage.
• 8:00 PM – Belonging Devotional
  • Teaching that introduces Romans 12:5 and Ephesians 2:19
  • Explanation of how belonging in Christ shapes belonging in community.
• 8:30 PM – Small Group Huddle
  • Students discuss what Belonging means and share experiences of feeling included or excluded.
• 9:15 PM – Large Group Game Block
  • High-energy, team-based games help students build shared memories and support one another.
    • Examples of Games:
      • Body of Christ Team Challenge – Students are divided into teams and must complete a series of challenges where each person has a different role. Examples could be-one person is blindfolded, one person gives directions, one person carries supplies, and one person solves a puzzle. This reinforces the idea from Romans 12 that everyone belongs and every part matters.
      • Light of the World Glow Challenge – In a darkened room with glow sticks, teams complete tasks like: forming a glowing cross. Or challenge teams to spell the word “BELONG.” Next, teams create a glowing path for another team to follow. This symbolizes how we shine brighter together than alone.
• 10:30 PM – Game Film Hour
  • A relaxed movie block allows students to unwind and enjoy time with new friends.
• 12:00 AM – Late Night Snack and Fellowship
  • Snacks and open conversation create space for informal connection.
• 12:45 AM – Prayer and Reflection
  • Students write one thing they hope God will do in their lives this year.
  • Reflection time of their views on Belonging
• 1:15 AM – Lights Out or Quiet Time
  • Students settle in for rest.
• 7:00 AM – Breakfast and Closing Prayer
  • A simple breakfast and final prayer send students home with a sense of blessing and belonging.
• 7:30 AM – Parent Pick Up

The lock-in is more than an event. It is the relational foundation for everything that follows in CIC. When students leave the Lock In feeling known, welcomed, and connected, they are ready to take the next step in their spiritual formation.

The Journey Continues

Belonging is the first movement in the CIC journey. It prepares students to notice God’s presence, respond to His voice, and grow with confidence. The journey continues in the next post, where we will explore the Journey of Awakening and how students begin to recognize God at work in their lives in ways that feel real, personal, and connected to the community they have just experienced at the Lock In.