Trying to be hip and cool doesn’t help them grow in Christianity? Well, who could have foreseen this? Like, everyone?
The same reason it is hard to find real solid Christian faith in the pews of a Mega-Church.
Things we did in youth group was play baseball or football. The youth group this same church has today participates as helpers at Camp Barnabas, a camp for mentally afflicted folks. Many of these campers are in their 20s with groups like ours helping them for a week.
I do think many youth groups waste time on silly activities and it does depend on the leader of the group as to how much they learn spiritually.
I do not think 4 or 5 days of VBS per summer hurts any child. The youth group concept can cause peer dependency though, I think. We were taught to look up to our elders and I remember the deep prayers they offered during church and the leadership they provided. Of course, the 60s and the disrespect for authority or those older moved the goalposts even in the church I believe.
So, my conclusion is youth groups can be bad, public school is definitely bad with its herd mentality, and we are allowing all of it to happen. Satan is very happy.
I have found that to be an issue in churches both large and small.