There is a God, and He is wildly in LOVE with you!

Transcription

1 Highland Day Camp Summer Staff 2015 Orientation Manual There is a God, and He is wildly in LOVE with you! Welcome to Highland Day Camp Summer Staff 2015! We are so excited to have the opportunity to serve with you, and we re honored that you have chosen to spend your summer serving kids and showing them the love of Christ. Together we ll join in camp s mission: Engaging the heart and using high adventure to lead others into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ! Our goal this summer to give campers an adventure of a lifetime while showing them that God is real and wildly in love with them. Whether we re rock climbing, zip lining, swimming, playing adventure games, slip- sliding, or swinging through the air, everything we do is underscored with Biblical principles and teaching. Without hesitation or reservation, we will ask a lot from you. It will at times be very tiring, frustrating, and far from comfortable. At other times it will be exhilarating and incredibly fulfilling. We expect our staff to serve and love others relentlessly, reflecting the service and love that Jesus demonstrates towards us. A summer at camp is not easy, but the potential rewards are immeasurable. We anxiously look forward to seeing the lives of campers and staff alike irreversibly changed towards the image of Christ, as we grow in our relationship with the Father. 1

2 Some History About Camp Camp Highland traces its history back to Lula, Georgia, when in 1993, Bill Chapman began leading small groups on camping trips. As early as our first session, God made His purpose for Camp Highland clear: to lead others into a growing relationship with Him through high- adventure. Under Bill s and, eventually, the board of directors leadership, the path for Camp Highland s outreach began to take shape. Camp Highland grew and expanded its program offerings to schools, churches, and businesses, sharing the thrill of growing to know Christ through high- adventure. In the mid s, camp moved residence to what was then thought to be a very temporary location outside of Dahlonega. But temporary quickly turned into 5 years as the search for a permanent home continued. In those short years, God grew and molded the camp, its programs, and the faith of those involved. In 1999, Highland Day Camp made its debut. In its early years, day camp was held at Northpoint Community Church and Stonecreek Church. Today, in a partnership with Birmingham UMC in Alpharetta, Georgia, Highland Day Camp hosts hundreds of kids in its eight- week summer program. Day Camp offers a mini version of what s to come at the overnight camp, while providing younger kids with an environment to experience that God is real. Our overnight Wilderness Camp finally found permanent residence on Carters Lake in historic Ellijay, Georgia, in What was initially a pristine piece of property with only the most meager of roads to access the 220 beautiful acres of trees, hills and streams, our facilities now include both high and low ropes courses, beautiful log- built cabins and bathhouses, a gym and kitchen, a pavilion for meeting space, recreation facilities for volleyball, basketball, ultimate Frisbee, and many others. Today, things at Camp Highland are changing faster than ever. We re in an ambitious capital campaign to realize the Camp Highland master plan with new all- weather cabins. At Highland Day Camp, we re expanding our camper numbers and new elements are being added as well as plans to expand day camp locations. Camp Highland Overnight Camp and Day Camp continue to grow and expand in amazing ways! This summer, you will play a crucial role in the history and legacy of Camp Highland. You will have the opportunity to impact a camper s life and share with them the joy of living passionately for Christ. Irreversible life- change is the legacy that we re after, and we can t be more excited that you ve chosen to join us this summer in that pursuit. God has shown me through the kids what perfect love meant and how amazing it is that he has unconditional love for us. I loved the people and being able to work with children. The staff truly became a family, and when we came together as one, we made more of an impact on kids. It was awesome to be able to meet these life long friends and be able to live for God in doing it. God has shown me a family of believers and people on fire for the Lord that I aspire to be like. He has given me an outlet for who I want to be in Him! 2

3 What to Expect at Highland Day Camp A Day at Camp Campers arrive around 9:00 am and leave at 3:00 pm, Monday through Friday. Each day for staff begins a little earlier you ll arrive at 7:30 am. Once campers arrive, we ll start each day with worship and then break into your groups for Bible study. After small group Bible study, we ll be outside most of the day, doing high elements and low ropes, swimming, building forts, playing games, and having an awesome time with your campers. We ll close the day with a few more worship songs. Each group will consist of two counselors and about 10 kids, depending on how many kids are signed up for the week. Most importantly, we desire for our campers to learn about their Heavenly Father through their experience at camp. As a result, we re very intentional in making sure we talk through what truths we can pull out of all of our activities. We ll talk about how trusting Christ is often hard and is a daily decision, just like stepping off the zip- line platform, or how we ve seen the love of Jesus shining through in a counselor s care of another camper. Sometimes these lessons will be impromptu and unplanned; sometimes we ll draw them out through the use of initiatives - team games that are used for intended purposes. We might use initiatives as icebreakers, specific lesson- teachers, or maybe just plain time- killers, but we ll scatter these initiatives through the week and ask the campers to think through lessons involved. At the end of the week on Friday afternoon, we ll invite parents to come see what their child has learned and experienced throughout the week. Through you, we pray that life change will continue in our campers well beyond the grounds of camp. TAG and Bible Study You will start each day from 7:30 to 8:00 with TAG (time along with God). This is a time for you to get into the word, quiet your heart and mind, and pray for the day. We ll have a staff Bible Study Tuesday mornings. Time Off After campers leave around 3:00 pm, we ll all work together to clean up for the day. As soon as we re finished (around 4:00 pm), you ll be free to go home for the day. Plan to stay a little later on Fridays because we ll have a staff meeting/week debrief after cleaning up. Saturdays and Sundays are yours to relax and regroup for the coming week. The best experience will come from being at camp as many weeks as possible, but if you have a family or mission trip or some other reason that you ll have to miss a week or two, we ll work with your schedule. Just let us know the dates as soon as possible if you haven t already. Also, we encourage all our high school age counselors to attend Over Camp in Ellijay, so you can definitely have a week off if you re going to our overnight camp. In and Around Camp Highland Day Camp is a partnership with Birmingham UMC in Alpharetta, Georgia, which is an awesome facility for us to hold day camp. We ll be outside for most of the day on their 60 acres of property where all the low ropes challenges, rock wall, zip line, and other high elements are located. The only times we ll be inside are for lunch and breaks from the hear. Please remember to be respectful of their property and remind your campers of this as well. Communications and Technology During the camp day, we ask that you either leave your cell phones at home or turn them in to us, and you ll get it back at the end of the day. By minimizing our access to instant communications and technology, it ll result in a richer experience for all of us both personally and spiritually. Please give your parents the main number to camp ( ) to reach you during the day. Compensation Compensation for summer staff starts at $200 per week and is issued weekly. You will be on camp s normal payroll so typical employment taxes will be taken out of that number. Please fill out the direct deposit form on your CampInTouch Account before staff training starts. Prayer and Financial Support We consider all our staff missionaries and know that working at Camp Highland is a calling from the Lord. We ask our staff to build a support team of friends and family who will commit to partner with you while you serve. We would encourage you to ask your friends and family to support you especially in prayer, but as well financially. You are allowed to raise up to $200 additional per week for the summer, making your total available income $350 weekly. This can be a daunting and confusing task for some people, so we would love to help you compile your letter and offer direction if you would like some help. 3

4 What We Expect Much is expected from the Highland Day Camp staff, and rightly so, we are serving the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. God gave us His very best when He sent His Son to bear our punishment. It is fitting that we give Him our very best. Paul says that offering up our life to Him is a reasonable act of worship. With that in mind, we ve set some guidelines for the purpose of creating the space and structure we believe will allow us to do just that. Relationships During the summer, spending extensive amount of time with one another can create an environment to cultivate many great relationships. At the same time, we realize that in an environment like camp, where you are constantly on the move and easily drained emotionally and spiritually, it is easy to get frustrated at other staff members and allow circumstance to dictate how we respond to one another. Confrontations and all potentially tense situations need to be dealt with in a Christ- like manner. We expect you to treat your fellow staff as brothers and sisters in Christ at all times. Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification. Romans 14:19 Any issues of conflict must be first brought to the Lord humbly in prayer, then to the person whom it concerns in private. If the issue is still not resolved, please pull aside one of the Highland Day Camp staff. There can be no gossip about other staff members or campers at any time. Dating and Romantic Relationships Sharing extensive time in ministry and activities often brings people together. We will even venture to guess that there will be at least a couple people that will develop an interest in another staff member over the coming months. However, Highland Day Camp does not allow the intentional or unintentional development of an exclusive relationship in any way between summer staff during your time of service. Healthy relationships form at an appropriate time and place camp is neither. The very nature of these relationships necessitates a shift in focus from your investment in kids and commitment to team unity as a whole, to the pursuit of the interest of another individual. These relationships in the past, without exception, have been a distraction to the team and can also be a distraction to the campers both of which hinder our goal of leading kids to Jesus. We are asking you to enter into a relational fast. Commit yourself wholly to the Lord this summer. Conduct in Speech You need to watch what you say around staff, campers, and people you will meet outside of camp. Choose your words wisely. Each of you will be off campground in the evenings and weekends. We ask you to remember that you are ambassadors not only for camp, but also for Christ. You are constantly setting an example for others. We ask you to be aware of this and to set a good example for Christ and Highland Day Camp. We are therefore Christ s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ s behalf. Be reconciled to God. 2 Corinthians 5:20 Spiritual Gifts We acknowledge the essential role of the Holy Spirit in the believer s life (John 15:5-15) as well as the reality and importance of spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 12:12-31 and Ephesians 4:11-13). God has sovereignly given believers different spiritual gifts for the glory of God and mutual edification (1 Corinthians 12:4-6). We believe that these gifts are granted by the Holy Spirit and confirmed in the body of Christ. It is necessary to set guidelines that encourage using these gifts for the common good of others (1 Corinthians 12:7), particularly in regard to the sign gifts. Therefore, all Highland Day Camp staff should: 1. Respect the authority of the local churches you will attend. 2. Dialog about these issues in a way that builds the Body and brings each of us more in line with Scripture. 3. Exercise spiritual gifts in careful submission to the guidelines of Scripture. In order to meet these guidelines during you time with Camp Highland, we require the following. 1. If you speak in tongues, it should be limited to private worship 2. Healing, prophecy, words of knowledge, etc, should be used cautiously, not offending teammates or churches, and only by permission of your leaders Conduct with Campers We consider it of highest priority to be above reproach in all things, including the care and oversight of our campers. As a result: 1. Never, at any time, are we allowed to be alone with a camper. You must always be with at least one other staff member, or a 4

5 minimum of three campers, at any given time when campers are around. 2. Campers are never to be left alone, even if they are with other campers. Alcohol/Tobacco If you re under- aged, follow the law. If you re of age, we ask that you refrain from drinking any alcoholic beverages and smoking in public, or around any fellow staff members, campers, or parents, at any time for the duration of the summer. These strict guidelines may result in a complete abstention of smoking/drinking for the summer, but that is, quite honestly, the goal. Many denominations and individual believers have vastly different views on smoking and the consumption of alcohol, and we don t want it to be a distraction to our mission and goals for the summer. Final Notes about Staff Policies Policies will always fall flat and fail without the under- girding of strong relationships. The last thing we want is for you to follow rules for the sake of following the rules. Actually, probably the last thing we want in this area is for you to completely ignore the rules. But that aside, the Lord has given us guidelines in life that we joyfully follow because of our relationship with Him. Without a relationship with Him, those same guidelines imposed on our lives would cause us to feel restricted and oppressed. Please let us know if you have any questions or concerns about anything listed here or even about decisions that leadership makes through the summer. We are keenly aware of our imperfection and welcome conversation! The following is a list of goals and should give a good idea of what kind of staff we re striving to be: 1. Live Godly lives. Make your life a living sacrifice to God. Be committed to spending time daily with Jesus through personal worship, Bible study, and prayer. Make it your highest priority to imitate Jesus. 2. Love fellow staff. Value each other. Serve each other. Work diligently at maintaining good relationships. 3. Carry out job descriptions with an attitude of excellence. Don't settle for a half- hearted attempt. Guard yourself from adopting a complaining spirit. 4. Put the needs of campers above your own convenience and comfort. Consider it an honor to serve them. 5. Talk openly with each other concerning differences or frustrations. Be willing to admit it when you have wronged someone and seek his or her forgiveness. Forgive those who have wronged you. Be quick to reconcile and slow to harbor bitterness. 6. Be a team player. Have a high regard for other staff. Value their skills and abilities. Build each other up in the eyes of others and don't talk about each other behind each other's back. Be willing to go the extra mile. Be on time. 7. Be a learner. Don't adopt the attitude of a "know- it- all". Be open to trying new ideas. Be willing to listen to others, even campers. Strive to improve yourself by reading, asking questions, and seeking the help of others. 8. Take initiative. Be an observant servant. If you see something that needs to be done, don't wait to be asked, do it! 5

6 I just wanted to tell you my girls had a WONDERFUL first day. It was very obvious when last night's prayers went something like this... Thank you for a camp Highland Day Camp. Thank you for all the fun we had. Thank you for our counselors who were nice and talked to us about You... Thank you and your staff for leaving a great first impression! My daughter just attended your day camp and LOVED it. She came out of her shell more than we have witnessed before. Even my friends commented on how she seemed to bloom. Gage LOVES Camp Highland! He is having so much fun! He tells me all the activities he does, the awards he got (a ribbon for not being afraid J), and how much he loves his counselors. Thank you the staff for another great summer at Highland Day Camp! The impact you have on these children is awesome. Answer to FAQs What is the training schedule? Saturday, May 23rd: CPR Training ($45) from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm (if you are already certified then you don t need to come) at Birmingham UMC Sunday, May 24th - Tuesday, May 26th: Ellijay Retreat (meet at church at 8:00 am Sunday morning and return Tuesday evening); bring a lunch for Sunday all other meals will be provided Wednesday, May 27th Friday, May 29th: 8:00 am to 4:00 pm at Birmingham UMC (bring a lunch) What should I bring to staff training in Ellijay? Since we ll be heading up to the Overnight Camp for part of staff training, you ll need to be sure to pack the following items. For those you have never been before, you ll be staying in beautiful, semi- open, wood cabins. Bible and Journal not optional. Chacos and/or Keens or other shoes with backs (for rafting) Small backpack Tennis shoes Rain gear Headlamp or flashlight Old shorts and T- shirts (lacking rips and holes) Sleeping bag and/or sheets Pillow Towel and washrag Sunscreen Bug spray Swimsuit (one piece for women, no Speedos for men sorry.) Water bottle Pair of jeans and a sweatshirt (or some sort of fleece) Toiletries 6

7 Do I get anything for free when I arrive? Absolutely! You ll get a couple of Highland Day Camp t- shirts, a welcome packet, and possibly some other goodies. What should I bring to camp each day? Bible and journal, training manual and curriculum, lunch, water bottle, swimsuit and towel, sunscreen and bug spray, any snacks you might want throughout the day, and a backpack. Is there a dress code? We ask that you dress conservatively and use good judgment when choosing what to wear. Girls, we ll ask you not to wear short shorts, spaghetti strap shirts or little tops. We d also like you to wear one- piece bathing suits with swim shorts. Guys, we re guessing that short shorts won t be an issue, but the content of your t- shirts should be in good taste (no graphic images or foul language) and in no way controversial, political statements and social causes included. What s the schedule for the summer? 5/23/2014 CPR Training 6/29 7/3 Day Camp Week 5 5/24 5/29 Staff Training 7/6 7/10 Day Camp Week 6 6/1 6/5 Day Camp Week 1 7/13 7/17 Day Camp Week 7 6/8 6/12 Day Camp Week 2 7/20 7/24 Day Camp Week 8 6/15 6/19 Day Camp Week 3 7/27 7/31 Day Camp Week 9 6/22 6/26 NO CAMP Forms to Fill Out in Your CampInTouch Account Please be sure to fill out these before staff training! Web Forms: 1. Covenant to Serve: just lets us know that you re committed and on board for the summer! 2. Health History: your personal health history and status, so we know how to best care for you in the event of an emergency Paper Forms: need to be downloaded, filled out, and re- uploaded 1. Direct Deposit Form: for your bank account information. We do not give out paper checks so we ll need your bank account information to be able to direct- deposit funds into your account. If you do not have a bank account, now is a great time to open one. If this is legitimately a problem, let us know asp. 2. First Aid/CPR certification: scan and upload, If you are getting your certification with camp, don t worry about this. 3. Lifeguard Certification: if you re one of our lifeguards, we also need your lifeguard certification card. 4. G4: Georgia Income Tax Form 5. W4: Federal Income Tax Form Forms to bring to staff training: 1. I9: verifies eligibility for employment. Do not forget to read through the documents that we ll need to see in order to complete it. 7