The summer months can be a challenging time for LifeGroups. Vacations, camps for the kids, and family reunions can make it hard to fit your LifeGroup into the calendar! Is it even possible? The answer is, “Yes … if you plan ahead.”

So, how can you keep your group growing together over the summer? Here are seven tips many groups have found helpful at Life.Church.

1. Pull out a calendar. Compare vacation plans! It will be fun to find out what everyone has planned, and you may find several good meeting dates right in front of you!
2. Change up your gatherings. Think about meeting once for Bible study and once for fellowship. Think parks, baseball games, barbecues, and pools.
3. Bring groups together. LifeGroups may be lean with lots of people traveling, so pull a few together for a picnic. This is also a great opportunity to invite neighbors and friends to your group! You can talk with your local Community Team about groups similar to yours.
4. Get outside. There are so many fun activities your group can do together. You might go for a hike, visit a splash pad with your kids, or explore a local farmers market.
5. Plan a movie night. Try setting up a backyard projector, meeting at a local park, or hosting at somebody’s home. Make some popcorn, and have everyone bring their favorite movie treat to share. Check out this article with some family-friendly movie recommendations. 
6. Serve with a Local Partner. Finding a way to serve your community is a great way to stay connected! You can ask your local Community Team about organizations they would recommend.
7. Attend and serve together. Pick a time that works for most of your group to serve and attend church together. When you’re done, plan to share a meal, potluck style or at a restaurant. You could even use the weekly Talk It Over guide to talk about the weekend message.