Last year, hundreds of staff members devoted their time and energy to insure the success of our eight regional United Youth Camps. With God's blessing and this devoted group of volunteers, our camps truly were the best yet. Our hope and prayer is that camp improves every year. For this to happen, a capable, qualified, and dedicated staff is essential.

Why volunteer at camp

Serving at camp offers a golden opportunity for young adults to stay actively engaged in church activities. Most of our camps are staffed by three to five dozen volunteers. For several days, you will be able to work side-by-side with parents, pastors and their wives, as well as adults of all ages. Many, if not most, have looked back at their camp staff experience and compared it to the fall festival. Camp can and should be another foretaste of God's coming kingdom on earth.

Another reason to volunteer for the staff is to give back a little of what you have received. Hundreds of church youth have attended a United Youth Camp. At that time, dozens of staff members invested their time and energy so campers could enjoy a safe and meaningful camp experience. God's living law teaches the principle of giving back to others a little of what has been given to you. (Luke 12:48). Serving at camp involves a lot of work, time, and effort. Staff members are on call 24 hours per day during camp. Yet the rewards are rich as we experience the reciprocity of God's law: the more we give, the more blessings God sends back in return. (2 Cor. 9:6).

Preparing to serve

Many of our camp activities necessitate credentials that demonstrate a certain level of competence. These include lifeguarding, riflery, archery, trap shooting, rock climbing, outdoor living skills, ropes course, first aid, CPR, and other activities that are camp specific. Contact the camp's director for more information about his staff needs. Credentials can be acquired through the Red Cross, YMCA, and local community colleges. Local camps may offer training programs to those who are interested. Many times, camp training takes place in the spring of the year before the summer camp season commences.

If you are interested in serving on the sports staff, prepare in advance by practicing your skills. You could seek experience in coaching or training as a referee of a sport. Valuable experience can be gained by volunteering to serve on the staff at one of our pre-teen camps. For those interested in serving on the counseling staff, camp directors can recommend valuable reading materials.

The application process

Necessary application forms can be downloaded here from the UCGIA Web page. On the following page you will be asked for some basic information and will then be able to select the camp for which you want an application packet. You will then be able to download the package in PDF format. It will be one file with all the forms included.

The application process involves filling in the three forms in the packet-an application, a Health History and Examination Form and an application supplement. You can either print out the blank forms and fill them in by hand or you can fill in the forms using the free Adobe Acrobat Reader program and then print them. Please note that you cannot save your data, but you can print it. It is a function of the Acrobat Reader program that once you close the file the data will be lost. After signing and dating the application and supplement, send them (along with a current photograph) to the camp director. Along with these forms, or as soon as possible, send the director the four-page Health History and Examination form. If you have worked previously at a United Youth Camp, be sure to include the details with your application. Names of camp directors, head counselors, or program directors you served under will be extremely valuable in the application process.

Part of the application process involves asking your local UCGIA pastor to provide his ministerial evaluation of your ability to serve on a camp staff. Your local pastor would appreciate knowing in advance that a particular camp director will be contacting him about your application.

What we look for

Camp directors and other acceptance personnel look for volunteers who will support the spiritual focus of our camps. We also seek those with cheerful, enthusiastic, serving attitudes. God loves a cheerful giver, and so do we. The camp program needs volunteers who are willing to sacrifice in order to give a quality camp experience to dozens of campers. People skills are essential. For some staff positions, proficiency credentials are mandatory. In all positions, experience, love, and ability are preferred.

Come help us build it

Years ago in the movie "Field of Dreams" the phrase was repeatedly stated, "If you build it, they will come." The camp administrative staff cannot build camp on their own. Many hands make the load light. If you want to be a part of God's work by helping to build one of our United Youth Camps, begin making plans now to serve on our staff.

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