We’ve gone to the beach this week in June for years due to my husband’s work. For several years we have had “Beach Breakaway” groups stay at the same place. The past couple of years we’ve also a “Cheerleader Camp” going on simultaneously. I have noticed that the “Breakaway” groups are more rowdy and disruptive than the “Cheerleader” groups. Why?

• Is it because there are no males (thus naturally less rowdy behaviour) in the Cheerleader youth?
• There always seem to be more adults with the cheerleaders.
• Less free time with the Cheerleader Camp.
• The Cheerleader group doesn’t pair up into couples and or try to impress each other in Boy/Girl ways.
• My husband suggested – That the Cheerleaders were pre-organized into cheering squads before being lumped together in a large group. Thus more structure to begin with.

The Cheerleaders really work hard. They seem to always be out in the field cheering with very few free breaks compared to the “Breakaway” groups. Why aren’t the Breakaway groups working just as hard on Bible study, Prayer and Service to others as the Cheerleaders do on their cheers?

My children do not do youth group activities, even at our church. However, even if I did normally allow them to attend such activities I would be hesitant to allow them to go on a “Breakaway” trip. The Boy/Girl interactions are much more than I would be comfortable with. Adding to that, the girls are not very interested in dressing modestly and thus there is increased potential for problems. We have actually left the pool area before in order to not expose my children to the immodest and improper behaviour of the “Breakaway” Youth.

Surprisingly this year there was no “Beach Breakaway” here, first time in years. The difference was very noticeable. The cheerleaders were never a problem except when we were waiting on elevators at the same time (we fill up an elevator ourselves!). What do others think about our “Christian Youth Groups” when they behave worse than the secular groups?