7 Ways Working at Camp Prepares You for Your Future
A Note from our Executive Director, Phil Berry
As executive director of Ridgecrest Summer Camps, I want to tell you
that a job here is anything but your typical summer job and, and to be
honest, it's not for everyone. Listed below are some expectations of our
staff. If you find that you are not able of meeting these expectations,
please do not apply.
This is a ministry, and those who choose employment here do so for eternal rewards. This
job includes working long hours. You will be "on-duty" 24 hours a day
in a cabin setting. During this time, you will be a solid Christian
example for your campers and fellow staff. You will have two full days
off and one night off per two-week session. When you are not off, you
will be readily available and accessible to those children under your
direct care, and any other duties your supervisors may ask you to do.
We
want you to have a genuine love for children, a creative spirit, the
ability to be flexible when needed, and lots of patience. While
this may be the best summer of your life so far, there will be times
when you are "worn thin" from your workload. You need to be able to pace
yourself, know when you need sleep, and work as consistently at the end
of the summer as in the beginning. You will need to make your own time
for physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual renewal. However, your
supervisors and the rest of the staff will make every effort to assist
you, support you, and encourage you. We are a team.
We want you to be a deeply committed Christian who has a strong relationship with Jesus Christ.
Our parents and our campers are looking for role models who are
believers who stand for the Truth, found in Jesus Christ. We want staff
members who can show, by their example and the way they love others,
what it means to be a Christian. Our staff get to share their faith
freely and openly with their campers.
We want your number one priority in coming to work with us to be caring for campers and their needs.
If offered a position, you will share the weight of responsibility for
our campers. Our staff members are responsible for the lives and growth
of young people. Sometimes staff members join us at camp for the wrong
reasons. Some examples include: to continue the "fun" times that they
experienced as campers; to be with old friends who will also be on
staff; to have a vacation away from school. If your first and main
priority is not for the children, please do not apply.
In return
for your hard work, you will be rewarded beyond belief by the difference
that you will make in the lives of your campers this summer. Your
fellow summer staff will likely be lifelong friends. You will experience
true Christian community. God will teach you about Himself and He will
grow you into a more mature follower of Jesus. Camp may be the only
place that will intentionally speak into the lives of some of these
children. Your relationship with them may be their clearest opportunity
to experience the love of Jesus. When they leave at the end of their
stay, wrap their arms around you, tell you they love you, and that
because of God working through you they now have a relationship with
Jesus Christ, there is simply no greater reward. Please prayerfully
consider this opportunity and these expectations before applying for a
position with Ridgecrest Summer Camps.
In Christ,
Phil Berry
