Planning Can Combat Summer Slump

The Sunday School Revolutionary, Darryl Wilson, writes an interesting post about this subject. You can read it here, but let me share some of his thoughts and some of my own.

Why a Slump?
The Sunday School Revolutionary suggests these:

vacations

family visits

children's summer sports leagues

recreational outings, such as a weekend at the lake

late Saturday evening activities

Add to that all the normal reasons that families have difficulty making it to Sunday School consistently (the lure of the mattress, going out for breakfast, split custody of children, and more) and the problem magnifies.

What Can You Do?
Mr. Wilson offers a great list of ideas for combating the slump:

Invite your absentees each week.

Implement Saturday night calling of every member, guest, and prospect.

Focus on inviting guests every week.

Have a class or Sunday School-wide photo Sunday and work to have the whole class present.

Conduct a contact contest during one month or the entire summer between two halves of your Sunday School.

Plan a meal and fellowship immediately after Sunday School and worship.

Have a teacher/worker appreciation Sunday and encourage members to bring appreciation gifts to teachers/workers.

Provide breakfast; food is a guaranteed attraction. 

What Should You Avoid?

Skipping the lesson is a no-no; teaching the Gospel is the reason for Sunday School, so don't fail to provide substance.

Pass on videos of talking vegetables who teach moralism instead of salvation.

Don't leave the parents without an attractive study alternative; if the parents come to Sunday School, so will the kids.

Don't focus on unsustainable activities; water games will be fun, but unless you are going to do it every week, you will wind up disappointing your attendees somewhere down the line (also see the first item in this category).

Here's the point in a nutshell: you know that summer will present challenges for your Sunday School. Plan now (okay, it's almost too late) to combat the forces of attrition by creating reasons for families, students, and staff to be excited about Sunday School all summer long. Whatever investment you make is bound to pay off in more opportunities to teach God's children His Word.

What are the most common reasons your members will miss Sunday School this summer?

How will you combat Sunday School slump this summer?