Table Topics for when You're Stuck at Home

For better or for worse, I’m a huge fan of conversation-starter questions. Many a Head Staffer has decided they immediately need to take a trip to the salad bar when I start a “would you rather” question at the table. I know asking structured questions at the dinner table or on a Zoom call with friends can feel cheesy, but having conversations in the midst of the highs and lows of this wild season is more than just a good idea - it’s a necessity. Our camp community is a reminder that life works best when we work hard at our relationships and process through the good stuff AND the hard stuff in our lives.

With all of the craziness of this season - the noise, the headlines, the uncertainty - it stands true that one of the best gifts we can give is our full attention. To ask questions about how we’re really doing and then to truly listen - what an incredible bright spot in a stormy time!

With that, I’m giving you some table topics questions that I’ve found start the cumbersome, difficult conversation of “how are you doing?” Use them however you feel - over the phone, at the dinner table, on a FaceTime or Zoom call, or even in a letter!

• What’s been the best thing about having to slow down and stay at home?

• What’s been the worst thing about it?

• What is the best part of the routine you’ve developed?

• Is there anything you still haven’t done that you want to do while there’s nothing else going on? Could be learning a new skill, watching a new show, or trying a new recipe!

• Is there anything you’ve started doing or learned during this season that you want to bring into life when it goes back to normal?

• Are there ways that we can serve other people right now? How?

Okay, those are the serious ones…but if I can be honest, I LOVE a silly question, too. Here are a few of those:

• If you could take any character from a book or a movie to dinner, who would you take and where would you take them?

• If you could be the best in the world at a specific skill, what would it be?

• What’s your favorite part of living in your hometown?

• If you could change your name to something, what would you change your name to?

• What’s the best thing you’ve ever eaten?

Greystone girls, I’m sure there are TONS more great questions for this season that I didn’t touch on. I’d love to hear your best ideas - or your answers to these! We love y’all very much and are praying for you and your families. We can’t wait til the day we can see you all again in person!