Using Camps and Activities to Motivate Young Men (and Their Fathers!)

February 2007 - Monthly Message from the Major

In my life God has used various methods to motivate me to “love and good deeds” as we are encouraged to do with one another in Hebrews 10:24. Take Scripture memory as a prime example. In the first Bible study I ever attended we were asked to memorize one Scripture verse per week. And, we were going to be asked to recite it to another member of the group! My motivation to memorize was simply to not be embarrassed in front of another person. Granted, it was not the right motivation, but it was an effective one until the proper motivation of understanding the benefits of hiding God’s Word in my heart took over!

The ALERT Cadet camps, activities, rank, and awards are all designed to spur young men, and their fathers, on to love and good deeds. In a nutshell they are created and developed to encourage proper motivation to achieve, while fully recognizing that a baser motivation may be at work. For some they may want to have 15 ribbons on their rack (the base motivation), but to accomplish this they must serve others, memorize Scripture, and learn new skills (the love and good deeds). The additional stripe of a Cadet First Class on the sleeve of a young man (the base motivation) is surely noticed by all other young men in the squad and is recognition of that young man’s character development (the love and good deeds).

In my home I have used attendance at camps to encourage my two sons (and me) to make progress in their handbooks. We selected a camp, such as the high adventure camp in Colorado, and set a goal to be achieved before the camp, such as completion of the last two phase manuals in the Pilgrim Handbook. Those who completed the task were “blessed” with fully paid attendance at the camp; and those who did not were “cursed” with a special work project at home during the camp week. (Don’t react too strongly to the words bless and curse as God uses them quite often with the nation of Israel to describe what He would do in response to their obedience or lack thereof; more on this in a future Major’s Message.) I had, therefore, set a choice before my young men: a base motivation to avoid the work project and a love and good deeds motivation to attend camp and have a special time with dad. It was now each son’s choice as to which he would do.

I’d like to encourage you to view the ALERT Cadet program as a tool that a father can use to assist in the raising of his young men. You will find a list of upcoming camps and activities on the ALERT Cadet website at http://www.alertcadet.org/events/. There you will also find detailed schedules and packing lists for the various events as they are finalized. Utilize these events and activities as a way to motivate your young men to develop the godly character and skills you would like to see in them.

If we at ALERT Cadet can be of further assistance in any way, please do not hesitate to call (903-636-9228), e-mail (cadets@alertacademy.com), or write us.

Yours for raising sons who are “Strong to Overcome”,

Major Roger D. Farr

ALERT Cadet Program Director and Commanding Officer