It was somewhat by a combination of circumstances that Emmanuel Schmied became the head of the KidsGames. It all started ten years ago, when he registered his children to take part in this week-long camp focused on spirituality and sport. If at first this father of two girls and a boy imagines that his offspring will only find themselves in a microcosm of people linked to the Church, it is quite the opposite that he will discover.
Although their roots are close to ecumenical circles, the KidsGames quickly transformed into a popular festival bringing together young people of all faiths every two years. “When I realized that there were lots of different families from Epalinges (VD), not necessarily committed to the Christian faith, I realized how unifying this initiative was”, comments Emmanuel Schmied, who joins quickly the committee of the Lausanne organization after noting this success.
Late conversion
A few years later, the volunteer swapped his carpenter-cabinetmaker’s apron for the deacon’s dalmatic. Passionate about issues of transmission of the faith, the Palinzard dares to take the plunge to cross the benches and serve the Reformed Church of the canton of Vaud (EERV). Having passed theological training successfully, Emmanuel Schmied officially took on his new role in 2013. A culmination for someone who has always been “immersed” in the Protestant Church since his birth. “Being a deacon means serving your neighbour. Hence my great pride in carrying out this activity. This does not mean that I have drawn a line under my past. I always say that I am an artisan deacon. Faith is something to build throughout your life,” he smiles, looking at his hands.
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Through his job, he has been coordinating the KidsGames for a year and a half throughout French-speaking Switzerland. Eighteen years after its debut in Switzerland, the event, which will be held from August 7 to 12, is still a great success. “We are expecting 2,500 young people at the 18 sites, divided between the cantons of Vaud, Valais, Neuchâtel, Friborg and Jura.” A group which will be supervised by 800 volunteers and 450 monitors, responsible for the teams.
In Epalinges, where he officiates, Emmanuel Schmied will be able to take advantage of the sports facilities of the Stade de la Croix-Blanche. The place is ideal for young people aged 7 to 14 to enjoy the scheduled activities. “We base ourselves on the Olympic spirit. A hymn is created each year so that children feel the values of sharing and competition. This year, the sports honored are the “Poull ball” – which sees two teams confronting each other having to knock down targets – the “Cours’agile” and the “Passemoil’ô”. “During each edition, we invent a “pass me something”. This year, the children will have to find the right understanding within the team to cross the course and bring water to a container.
Communion between sport and religion
Another innovation will be proposed at the beginning of the week: “Our challenge was to bring together the 18 participating regions during the opening ceremony, avoiding transport and potential health risks. So we imagined sharing our emotions by interposed screens to keep this friendly side. On this occasion, participants will be able to hear the testimonies of Zoé Claessens, European BMX champion, and singer Alexia Rabé, who took part in the third season of The Voice.
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Behind this sporting dynamic, the KidsGames remain above all a religious event. Founded in 1985 in the underprivileged neighborhoods of Spain, they aim above all to be hospitable and accessible to all budgets (70 fr. per week). “The idea is to offer a welcome week so that everyone can enjoy it. There is a time of biblical discovery, but we are not at all in a logic of proselytism”, assures Emmanuel Schmied, who does not want to take advantage of these camps to convert new believers.
“Our goal is to be able to introduce the riches of the Christian faith to young people who do not necessarily know religion. Children between 7 and 12 years old often have a good openness to spirituality. But the idea of KidsGames is not to recruit. Afterwards, we are always available to support participants who have questions about the topics covered.”
Four years without editing
The popular success of this great sports festival also gives a little hope to the religions of Christianity – united for the organization – which see the churches emptying little by little. Young people are also the first to no longer attend catechism or childhood worship evenings. “In Lausanne even more than in the countryside, we have a great drop in youth participation”, regrets the 47-year-old deacon, who is trying to understand the causes.
“First, leisure offers have continued to explode, he says. The place of faith is no longer a priority for parents. I also think that the Church bears the weight of its history and that some people have turned to new spiritualities, which emphasize personal development. One thing is certain: this must challenge us so that we make accessible the riches of the Christian faith. So we have to adapt the way we deliver the message.”
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After two years of scarcity due to the pandemic, the KidsGames will have the challenge of finding their place within the full offer of summer camps. For the time being, around 1,400 children have reserved their place, but the organizers intend to reach their initial objective of 2,500 participants.
Profile
1975 Born in Lausanne.
1994 Carpenter and cabinetmaker CFC.
1998 Departure with his wife for four years in Mexico.
2000 Birth of his eldest daughter, Léa. Liliana and Lionel will follow.
2013 He was appointed deacon of the Reformed Church of the canton of Vaud.
2016 First opening ceremony of the KidsGames romands.
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Party preparations: Emmanuel Schmied, sport at the service of spirituality