Registration
Animate tuition is all-inclusive and covers housing, meals, snacks, toolbox classes, concerts, special events, and a really cool T-shirt. Register early for the best price, and to secure your spot. Registration opens February 3, 2025!
| Registration Type | Begins | Ends | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Early Bird | February 3 | March 3 | $399 |
| Discounted | March 4 | April 14 | $475 |
| Full Price | April 15 | May 15 | $550 |
Groups of 4 or more students get $25 off per registration; groups of 10 or more students get $50 off per registration; adult group leaders come for FREE!
Theme
Animate 2025 focuses on the theme “Royal: Life in God’s Kingdom” based on 1 Peter 2:9, which emphasizes being part of God's royal priesthood. This concept highlights humanity’s calling to exercise royal authority and represent God’s kingdom. The term “kingdom” in the Bible refers to sovereign authority rather than a physical territory, suggesting an active role in spreading God’s reign. As priests, believers invite others to experience God’s kingdom, allowing Jesus to reign in their lives. This year, Animate will explore our role in God’s royal priesthood, reflecting on Jesus’ proclamation of the kingdom and the transformative message of the gospel that calls for a change of heart.
Guest Artists
Every year at Animate, we welcome a diverse group of guest preachers, worship leaders, spoken word artists, visual artists, and others to accompany us on our Animate journey.
Stay tuned for an upcoming announcement featuring the complete list of guest artists for Animate 2025!
Instructors & Staff
Toolbox Instructors
Toolbox classes are a unique component of Animate, designed for students to explore worship through their artistic expressions, including music, visual arts, dance, audio/visual technology, theatrical performance, or spoken word. Campers are guided and taught by our outstanding faculty, staff and local Christian leaders, alongside guest artists who are specialists in their fields. Keep an eye out for the complete list of instructors for 2025, coming soon!
Student Staff
Animate would not be possible without our incredible team of Samford student staffers who support us in various roles, including worship leading, small group facilitation, hospitality, logistics and much more. Stay tuned for a full list of our student staffers for Animate 2025!
Classes & Activities
Toolbox Classes
When registering for Animate, students will select an artistic track and toolbox classes. Taught by Samford faculty, staff, local Christian leaders, and visiting artists, toolbox classes are designed to equip campers with essential skills for artistic expression in the church. Each class adds a valuable skill to the students’ “worship toolbox” that they can use while leading worship at camp and in their home church. On Thursday of Animate, campers will put these skills into practice by planning and leading a worship service for the Festival of Worship.
- Worship through Music
- Worship through Word
- Worship through Technology
- Worship through Dance
- Worship through Visual Art
Worship Through Music
For those wanting to enhance music skills, learn basic notation, and explore music’s role in worship, these classes are designed for students who desire to lead others in musical worship grounded in a strong biblical and theological foundation. Classes include:
- Worship Leadership (Beginner and Advanced)
- Rehearsing and Leading a Band
- Drums
- Guitar
- Piano
- Voice
- Beginner Music Theory
- Advanced Music Theory
- Global Worship
Worship Through Word
For those wanting to use scripture, storytelling, and drama in worship, these classes are designed to support students in developing engaging and confident public expressions of faith. Classes include:
- Preparing a Sermon
- Practicing a Sermon
- Sharing Your Christian Testimony
- Performing Scripture
- Writing for Performance
- Improv
- Designing Christian Worship
Worship Through Technology
For those eager to use audio and visual tools to elevate worship experiences and facilitate worship services, these classes aim to provide students with a solid understanding of the essentials of sound systems, audio mixing, and lighting design. Classes include:
- Sound Technology
- Lighting and Projection
- Filmmaking and Videography
Worship Through Dance
For those looking to express their gifts of dance in worship, these classes are designed to equip students with a strong foundation in dance fundamentals, the role of dance in worship, and the significance of movement in the Christian life. Classes include:
- Dance in Worship
- Dance as Prayer
Worship Through Visual Art
For those passionate about connecting themselves and others to God through artistic expression, these classes are designed to help students sharpen artistic skills and explore the valuable role of visual arts in worship and church life. Classes include:
- Visual Art 1
- Visual Art 2
- Sculpting
- Graphic Design
Other Activities
- Worship Services
- Small Groups
- Animate Studios
- Animate Showcases
- Animate Late Night
- Festival of Worship
Worship Services
At Animate, we gather daily for a worship service where we sing and explore God’s word together. Our guest worship leaders and preachers will guide us, with support from our Animate student staff worship team, as they lead us in worship and share God's message focused on our weekly theme. Each day presents a chance to engage with a unique worship style, highlighting diverse artistic expressions of worshiping God, including music, preaching, spoken word, dance, and visual arts, among others.
Small Groups
Small groups provide an opportunity for students to make new friendships and build lasting memories. You’ll be guided by a Samford student and placed in a group of 8-12 individuals from different age groups and artistic backgrounds. Each day, you will engage with the lessons and discuss them with your group, which will also be the team you collaborate with to create your own service for the Festival of Worship.
Animate Studios
Animate studios offer a unique backstage pass into the creative minds of our incredible guest artists. This setting allows for a deeper engagement, where we can explore their artistic processes and gain valuable insights. These large group sessions are facilitated by both Animate guest artists and the CWA executive staff.
Animate Showcases
Animate Showcases are unique evening events focused on entertainment and enjoyment but are also designed to deepen students understanding of worship, theology, and the arts. An Animate showcase might include a concert, a visit to a museum, a unique worship service, or even an idea we have yet to explore!
Animate Late Night
Animate Late Night on the Quad offers the ideal chance to unwind, enjoy time with friends, and let off some steam after a hectic day! You'll find plenty of snacks, along with art supplies, music, games, and a variety of other fun activities. Get ready for some unforgettable sing-alongs and jam sessions, although you are welcome to opt for a game of volleyball or UNO instead.
Festival of Worship
The Animate program culminates in the Festival of Worship on Thursday. This all-day event is when each animate small group organizes and conducts a 15-minute worship service. Many campers often express that this day and activity is their absolute favorite part of the entire week at Animate!
Animate FAQ
- Is it necessary to bring a mentor to camp?
- Is Animate a residential camp or a day camp?
- Should I bring my art supplies and/or instruments?
- If I don’t have a musical talent, can I still be part of Animate?
- What does a typical day at Animate look like?
- Will I be with my friends at camp?
- What age group is eligible for the camp?
- Will I have the opportunity to select my Toolbox Classes?
- Is this camp limited to the Baptist denomination only?
- What is the theological foundation at Animate?
- What role will Adult Mentors play at camp?
Q: Is it necessary to bring a mentor to camp?
A: The simple answer is no. You are welcome to attend solo or with friends, with or without an adult mentor. However, we STRONGLY recommend having an adult mentor join you. Mentors play a crucial role in the growth of teenagers, and having their support can significantly assist in applying the skills learned at Animate once camp concludes and you return to your usual church environment.
Q: Is Animate a residential camp or a day camp?
A: Animate has returned to being a residential camp! We will provide accommodation and meals for our campers on Samford’s campus during the week. Campers should pack all their toiletries, bedding, towels, a water bottle, and any additional items they need for their daily routines. Download the complete packing list.
Q: Should I bring my art supplies and/or instruments?
A: Absolutely! While we may not offer classes for every possible instrument or artistic medium, we encourage you to bring your own instruments or art supplies to enhance the creative atmosphere of the camp. Many of our classes will be more enjoyable if you have what you need to practice your skills! Just a reminder: please leave weapons and open flames at home, as they are not permitted on campus.
Q: If I don’t have a musical talent, can I still be part of Animate?
A: God, as the Creator, is the ultimate artist, and we can honor Him by embracing the various ways He expresses creativity. Whether you are a visual artist, a theatrical performer, a preacher, a poet, a writer, or indeed a musician, there is a role for you in leading worship at Animate.
Q: What does a typical day at Animate look like?
A: A day at Animate is certainly busy! While not every day is identical, we generally begin after breakfast with a worship session, followed by time spent in our small groups. Next, a guest artist delivers a presentation before we break for lunch. Our afternoons are filled with toolbox classes, followed by an hour of free time before dinner. After dinner, we engage in a day-specific activity, followed by another small group meeting and Late Night on the Quad. Our typical schedule runs from around 8:00 am to 10:00 pm.
Q: Will I be with my friends at camp?
A: We do our best to accommodate roommate requests, allowing you to share a room with your friends while at camp. Additionally, we encourage you to spend time with your friends during Free Time and Late Night each day, as well as during Toolbox Classes, provided you are in the same class. However, during Small Group Sessions, Worship Services, and some other activities, we expect Small Groups to sit together, and we cannot ensure that friends will be in the same Small Group.
Q: What age group is eligible for the camp?
A: Animate happily welcomes middle and high school students aged 13 to 18. Additionally, we accept 12-year-olds from middle school if they are accompanied by an Adult Mentor.
Q: Will I have the opportunity to select my Toolbox Classes?
A: Absolutely! As long as you make your toolbox class selections during the camp registration and submit them on time, we will strive to place you in one of your top three choices while aligning the class with your artistic interests. Please note that all submissions are final.
Q: Is this camp limited to the Baptist denomination only?
A: No, it is not. Although Samford is a Baptist university, we, like Beeson Divinity School, adopt an ecumenical approach. This means we acknowledge that God can be experienced through various Christian denominations and traditions. Animate serves as a gathering place for Christians from diverse traditions to unite in worship and explore various leadership styles in worship. Previously, Animate camp has welcomed participants from Baptist, Methodist, Pentecostal, Anglican, Episcopal, non-denominational, and Eastern Orthodox backgrounds.
Q: What is the theological foundation at Animate?
A: Our goal is to ensure that Animate aligns closely with orthodox Christian beliefs, so we consciously steer clear of topics and issues that are divisive among different Christian denominations and traditions whenever possible. Our leadership team consists of individuals from various denominations, each with strong convictions, yet we collaborate to worship God together during camp. We encourage mentors to join campers to assist in navigating the new and diverse ideas that may emerge while worshipping alongside participants from different traditions at camp.
Q: What role will Adult Mentors play at camp
A: Adult mentors are invited to participate in all activities, including meals, worship, and small group sessions. They will have their own small group for like-minded mentors, creating an opportunity for connection and idea sharing. Furthermore, mentors are invited to join toolbox classes! We encourage them to closely observe the teenagers from their respective churches, identifying their unique gifts and talents in action. This will help in brainstorming effective strategies to support these teens when they return to their own church community.
Partnership Opportunities
We invite you to invest in the next generation. By investing in Animate, you'll connect with a dynamic group of aspiring artists aged 12-18, along with their adult mentors, parents, and home churches. Partner with us to help shape the future of worship and the arts in the church community. Discover partnership opportunities for Animate 2025.
“Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.”—1 Timothy 4:12
