southern california district children’s camp 2019 staff...
TRANSCRIPT
Mission Statement:
To invite every child to love Christ with all their heart, soul, body and mind
Southern California District
Children’s Camp 2019
Pine Valley Bible Conference Center • July 22– July 26
Staff Orientation
Handbook
Counselor registration: $100
*Church applications including a male and female counselor
receive $50 discount off second application until
May 31st 2019
Please take the time to read this entire document.
Send Completed Application, Covenant Agreement and $100 to:
Karisa May, Children’s Camp
3580 Guava Way, Oceanside CA 92058
or scan to [email protected]
Contact: Karisa May, Director • 442 264 7978 • [email protected]
COUNSELOR COVENANT (SAVE THIS COPY FOR REFERENCE)
1. Camp is sacred time and space. Nothing should impede God’s intended work, inhibit His movement,
or speak over His voice.
a. I will serve 24 hours each day. While my preference for service will be respected and every
effort will be made to ensure my choice of placement, I will joyfully serve any and all
children in whatever capacity I am called to for the sake of all the children collectively.
b. I will be Christ-like in my conduct and speech.
c. I will testify to the work of God in my life and will lead the children in my care to the same
end.
2. Children are innocent. Nothing should come into the hearing or presence of children that is improper
or impure. Holiness of conduct is the standard of camp life.
a. I will maintain a safe environment.
b. I will disallow frightening, cruel, or profane conduct or language.
c. I will be modest in dress at all times. (No cleavage, short/shorts, bikinis, speedos)
d. I will submit to a thorough background check according to my local church requirements. I
will complete Ministry Safe as prescribed.
e. My social media pages will be scrutinized. I understand that use of alcohol or tobacco and
behavior unbecoming a Christian may disqualify me from leadership.
3. Spiritual development is the priority of camp. I attest that by the grace of God I am qualified to lead
children. Christ is my righteousness and I am called unto holiness.
a. I am a saved, devoted follower of Jesus Christ.
b. I am an active member of a Nazarene Church.
c. I am ready and willing, at this moment, to lead a child to Christ.
d. I have served in children’s ministry or I have a plan to intern between February and July of
2019.
4. The care of children necessitates standards for conduct.
a. Dehydration is a dire concern at camp. I will drink water and ensure that campers have
access to water at all times. I will promote hydration and will be observant concerning signs
of heat related illness and dehydration. I will seek medical attention in case of concern prior
to emergency. I have completed CPR/First Aid as prescribed.
b. I will adhere to the rules for participation at camp as presented at orientation, in the
handbook, or through the camp leadership team.
c. Children are not permitted to use phones. I will not permit any cell phones or electronic
media in my cabin. I will restrict my usage to designated areas only.
d. I will wear a watch and will ensure that my campers are on time.
e. I will lead by example; participating and encouraging campers to participate.
f. I understand that the campgrounds are wilderness space and I will not leave children
unattended for any reason.
5. Camp is a grace community.
a. I will employ discipline that does not demean, humiliate, harm or unduly exclude any child. I
will seek assistance from camp leadership to employ or enforce discipline.
b. I will take advantage of daily meetings and the availability of leadership to resolve concerns
and will not involve others in disputes.
c. I will treat others in the way I hope to be treated, and this rule will guide my cabin and shape
my disposition.
Theme and Content:
Following are Key Points you may expect in 2019:
Super God: Discover His Power
With God's Power:
● I can experience transforming love (Peter on the beach)
● I can express my faith boldly (Peter at Pentecost)
● I can participate in power-full service (Peter and John heal)
● I can choose to imitate Christ (Peter reflects: Highs and lows – walking on water, eating
with Cornelius, becoming the Rock)
“For the spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us
power, love and self-discipline.” 2 Tim 1:7
*Consider these subjects before camp to be familiar with themes and content.
Watch for further postings concerning specific stories and passages.
Schedule and philosophy:
The schedule includes camp meetings, meals, rest, hiking, crafts, sports, photos, swimming, and
counselor events. Every activity is carefully planned and purposeful. PLEASE do not withdraw
from or omit any planned activity. PLAN to be on time. *Actual schedule may change and will be
provided.
Group Description Monday - Thursday Location
7:15 Wake Up Cabin
7:30 Staff Devotions Dining Hall outdoors
8:00 Breakfast Dining Hall
9:15 Missionary Chapel Worthington Hall
9:15 Counselor Briefing During Chapel
10:30 Cabin Hike/Reflection Outdoors
11:00 CommUnity Lawn Games Outside Fireside
11:30 Lunch Dining Hall
12:00 - 4:30 Rotations/Cool Down DP Pool/Field/Fireside/Game Room
5:00 Dinner Dining Hall
5:45 Fun Time Worthington Hall
8:00 Speaker Chapel Worthington Hall
9:00 Late Night Base Camp Fire Ring or Worthington Hall
10:15 Counselor Devotions Fireside Hall
10:30 Security Rounds Cabin
Our mission is “to invite every child to love Christ with all their heart, soul, body and mind.”
To offer a trustworthy invitation, we must be known to the children and we must know them. Such
relationship takes time. To move our leaders from time/task-oriented drivers, to fellows on a
journey, we have planned for a slow pace and created space to walk, and be present and to
reflect. Children crave the company of loving, invested adults. It’s why you have been called.
We are making every effort to make you available to that purpose.
Please note the travel times, and please make them intentional. Walk and talk. Move at the
children’s pace and invite them to notice beauty, silence, laughter...to remember and to consider
their place in God’s good and continuous work.
Devotions: “Contemplation is an act of rebellion against the world.”
Dear Counselor, We invite you to lead a rebellion. We have designed devotions as a conversational exercise. Simply
ask probing questions and encourage contemplative conversation. You don’t need to be an expert, just an attentive listener. Shhhh….
CHAPEL REFLECTION: ❖ Following morning Chapel, take a refreshment break then go on a walk/hike with your cabin.
❖ Explain the thoughtful purpose of the walk (To think about what the missionary just said!)
❖ Ask for physical space between the children, and relative quiet on the walk.
❖ Encourage children to notice their environment and share discoveries. Stop, look, listen.
❖ Walk slowly, wander…
o Ask children (and yourself) to consider what was said by the speaker
o Ask children (and yourself) to think about a word or phrase that stands out
❖ After 5-10 minutes of walking, find a gathering place.
❖ ALWAYS, model what you would like the children to do. Be vulnerable and transparent.
❖ Ask the children all of the following open-ended questions:
o What word or event stood out to you?
o What did it remind you of/make you think?
o How do you feel about what was said?
o What story in Scripture that reminds you of what was said?
o What do you want to do because of what was said?
❖ Receive all responses. Do not fear silence.
❖ End with prayer that God will effect in us these things that He has brought to mind.
*Not every day will be about WORDS. Invite children to find something in their surroundings that
explains how they feel (EX: A rock, because being Christian is hard; a flower, because I am
growing; water, because Jesus fills me up; a feather, because I am blown-away)
EVENING REFLECTION: Based on an ancient practice of glancing God-ward, being open to noticing God in the midst of
daily routine…
❖ Spend time looking back:
o When was I most open and loving toward God and others?
o When was I forgetful or closed to God’s love?
o For what moment am I most grateful?
o For what moment am I least grateful?
❖ Pray over the children
o That they might be comforted knowing that God has been with them today
o That they might be assured of God’s presence tomorrow
o That they might live tomorrow as though God is walking with them
o That they might show love as God loves through them
Guide the children, limit tangential story-telling. Limit your own commentary. Express your love.
A word about
Wednesdays…
There is a rhythm to camp. This is important to know. It goes like this:
Boys Girls
Monday Establish pecking order;
dominance; who’s in who’s out
Distrust everybody, hide everything, generalized fear and
need; apparent instant intense relationships
Tuesday Specific bonding; increase of
early unresolved tension
Choose friends/allies with some basis; reject others;
begin to share
Wednesday Tired, dirty; forget most
internal tensions; build bonds
outside cabin group; wander off
Melt down; hypersensitivity; expressing every hurt;
crying over various abandonments; wishing to go home
Thursday Making the most of the last day;
planning/plotting water fights
and long adventures
Openness/vulnerability; Love everybody, never want to
go home; crying because it’s almost over. Nudity
(seriously…)
Friday Telling grossest story on the way
home
Telling worst experience on the way home
To mitigate the roller-coaster effects of camp life, know the signs and plan ahead.
● Insist that everyone learn names and use them. This assigns value to individuals.
● Build a community of equity. Have a system for leadership that recognizes and
rewards effort and growth.
● Engender trust. Give opportunities for children to succeed at tasks and challenges.
● ALWAYS begin and end your day in prayer. Be open and honest in asking God for
peace and direction and help.
● Help children to censor themselves. Too much transparency can be overwhelming and
information mishandled. Seek executive staff help for deeper counseling issues
● Get plenty of rest. Listen to and respond to the physical needs of the children
● Help children make reasonable food and snack choices. No caffeine, limited sugar
● Rehearse the STORY SANDWICH the children will tell on the ride home: Tell how you met your new best friend
Re-tell the best camp-fire Bible story
Tell one weird/wild/funny/gross story. Sure,
there’s a place for that one, but, see, it’s just not that
important by comparison
Sing a line from a camp song…loudly!
Explain what God expects you to do all next week…
Friends don’t let friends counsel angry…
Expectation Reality Feeling
Counselor My campers will
love me!
Some campers are hurt,
broken children who can’t
give or receive love.
Some are actually mean
Hurt
Counselor I will lead children
to Jesus
Some campers will reject your
teaching
Frustration, fear
(of failure)
Counselor Camp is life changing Some campers resist God’s
overtures…all week
Frustration, fear
(of failure)
Counselor My cabin will be clean
Some campers have never
known a standard for
cleanliness like yours and can’t
adapt in a week
Hurt, frustration
Camper I want my counselor to
like me My counselor has clear favorites Hurt, fear
Camper I will have 10 new friends Only one kid in my cabin even
talks to me Hurt, fear
Camper My parents want camp to
fix me
We don’t even know what’s
wrong. God help this one. Frustration, fear
Camper I am supposed to get
saved
I still don’t know what God even
sounds like Frustration, fear
PREPARING FOR CAMP LIFE
❖ Your life as a counselor begins prior to your application. Pray about your participation and then,
daily, for your campers, the staff, and the movement of the Spirit.
❖ Conduct a parent meeting at your local church to discuss expectations, packing, medications
(original packaging, clear instructions), *mail, carpools, distinctions between children’s camp
and mid-high camp, etc.
*Encourage parents to write and mail letters beginning mid-week PRIOR to camp. Letters
should include encouragements, prayers, and positively framed questions, but should not
suggest parent loneliness. Letters should be brief and parents should not expect return
mail unless the camper packs addressed, stamped stationery.
❖ Pine Valley is a mid-altitude hot, dry, dusty campground. You will sleep in a bunk with 11
children and may share non-adjoining restroom/shower facilities with beetles and campers. You
will be on duty 24 hours for five days. You may have a 30 minute break each day during
swimming. Due to space restrictions, it is PROBABLE that you will serve without a partner in
your cabin. Daily activities require brisk walks between locations and nightly activities involve
fire, smoke, and dirt. Children may cry, fight, and defy you. Camp is hard work…and children
are worth it; the rewards are innumerable and eternal, and there is no higher calling than to
serve such as these. God works at camp, and you will be a witness. Expect surprises and be
prepared.
Counselor packing: Follow the guidelines for campers included with camper registration.
Note footwear requirements. (No open-toed shoes. Bring water shoes. Wear a watch.)
❖ Bring a “cabin box” containing most or all of the following:
Night light, alarm clock, Frisbee, jump rope, poster board, construction paper, masking
tape, markers, scissors, clothespins, laundry line, plastic hangers, nerf balls, water toys,
thematic décor, art supplies, toys, etc. flashlight, first aid kit, sunscreen, bug spray,
group bandana or identifying marker, extra sleeping bag, “clean-up”/accident kit, air
freshener…
❖ Plan a system for cabin management. Explain to your campers how camp works: showers,
meals, pool, and chapel are some of the things to cover. The rules can be few and simple:
▪ Nothing scary, nothing mean, no pranks.
▪ Campers must be under the supervision of an adult at all times.
▪ No camper media electronics, period.
▪ No open-toed footwear.
▪ Love the Lord and love your neighbors.
▪ Treat others the way you would have them treat you.
❖ Come to camp ready to have fun for the week. For cabin décor, remember the title of our camp
this year is “Super God: Discover His Power” (think God’s creation and his call on our lives).
With that we are learning 2 Tim 1:7. Children should be encouraged to explore themes of
God-given power, brotherly love and self-discipline along with devotion, relationship and
service.
Ask questions. Feel free to contact camp staff at any time prior to camp and during
your stay. We are here to facilitate and serve. Check for ideas posted at So Cal Naz Kids
Camp on Facebook.
MONDAY 8AM – 10AM (NEED TO KNOW…)
❖ Camp opens to counselors (without children) 8am.
❖ *Do not drive beyond parking lots. Do not leave unattended vehicles in unmarked areas.
❖ Begin drinking water ON ARRIVAL.
❖ Camper care provided beginning 9am
❖ Mandatory, all hands counselor meeting 9am Monday adjacent to parking lot.
Receive camper lists, daily schedules, medication forms, instructions
❖ Registration begins 10am. Send one adult church representative only. Distribute wrist
bands.
❖ Counselors open cabins to campers and remain in cabins 10-11am.
*See counselor box ideas.
Plan get-to-know-you and name-game activities. Learn camper names before dinner.
Decorate. Set rules. Collect meds, money, electronics, banned items into envelopes or
bags provided.
MONDAY 10AM – 1PM (WRITTEN REMINDERS OF WHAT WAS SAID @ 9AM)
Cabin Assignments
Ensure your assigned campers have registered and that the information on your cabin list is
correct. Contact the Camp Registrar immediately if there is a problem. Learn names now!
Address concerns during your rotation to camp orientation.
Personal Money
The large envelope you received is your cabin’s money packet and contains envelopes to be
used for your campers’ money. As campers arrive on Monday, collect all of their money.
Explain that this is so their money will not be lost or stolen. Let them see you put their
money in separate envelopes and put their names and the amount on the outside. The
money packet with the envelopes is then to be given to SECURITY, for safekeeping.
Counselors please put the entire amount in the envelope and please do not make change.
Mark the envelope and the staff will take care of it.
Money packets are available daily from 12:30-4 at the camp store.
On Friday morning you will pick up your cabin’s money packet from Camp Security. Return
to the camper any money remaining. Bring money envelopes to orientation @ 11
Medicines
Campers and staff are not allowed to have medicines with them. All medicines are to be
given to the Camp Nurse upon arrival with names and instructions for use.
Medications must be in original packaging with clear instructions and
identification. Deliver all medications to nurse before 11
Cell Phones: Please NO cell phones at camp.
Collect camper phones and turn in to security at orientation @ 11
Orientation
Attend all camp opening event promptly at 11am in Worthington Hall. Not optional.
Lunch at 11:30
Daily rotations
Activities begin at 12:30. Dress for activities prior to lunch. Open-toed shoes are NOT
permitted on campus except in showers. Do not “opt out” of any activities planned for the
children.
Rotations AND all Freetime must be conducted WITH counselors.
Children are NOT permitted to hike or explore anywhere without counselors present.
ALL children must be in the direct care of a counselor at all times.
Places where things are expected to happen
Crafts Fireside Hall
Chapel Worthington Hall
Sports Field
Fun Time Worthington Hall
Counselor lounge Fireside Hall
CommUnity Lawn Games Outside Fireside
Cool Down Dance Party Announced Daily
Every Last Word…
Testimony is talking about our experiences of God. It helps us to
develop and practice a vocabulary for our faith. Throughout the
week, as you journey with your campers, NOTICE and NAME
God-moments. Refuse to treat Jesus like an embarrassing relative!
Be passionate and open and fluent with your own God-speak and
story. STOP and do a DANCE if a camper spots God in the things of
camp. REALLY, dance like David did!
Every night, during reflection, listen for God-sightings spoken by
campers. Celebrate campers’ awareness of the authentic. Share
your own precious moments. Real men and women love Jesus with
abandon and don’t care who knows it!
On Thursday, speak your formal “last word” over each camper. After chapel, pack for departure,
set out the next day’s clothes and a toothbrush, then settle in for final devotions and your last (and
lasting) remarks. Tell each child specific ways you have valued them. Name your hopes for them.
Affirm their identity in Christ as you have witnessed it played out. Let your last, memorable
remarks be encouraging!
After modeling “the last word,” ask each child to speak one word over others in the cabin. Provide
a word bank to prompt appropriate language, to minimize thoughtless repetition, and to avoid
silliness:
Helpful Smart Thoughtful Practical Kind Loving Joy-filled Peacemaker
Good Gentle Self-controlled Leader Friendly Servant Generous Supportive
Creative Funny Important Strong Brave Ethical Trustworthy Hard-working
Bold Polite Confident Comforting Hopeful Prayerful Gracious Persistent
Patient Needed Humble Faithful … … … …
This is an opportunity to right wrongs, mend fences, solidify deep friendships, create lasting bonds,
reframe circumstances, and re-label people. Do not neglect this last moment together…make it a
priority, make it thoughtful, and really make it count!
Pray together.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Finally, by way of bedtime conversation, ask the following:
o When did you feel closest to God, this week?
o If you were < > this far from God on Monday, where are you now?
o What happened that compelled you to respond; to move nearer to God?
o What commitment did you make this week in response to God’s love for you?
DINING HALL PROCEDURES:
Each camper is issued a wristband for the meals throughout the week. Campers are to have
their wristbands on at all times and they are checked at the door of the dining hall.
Before each meal, campers will wait outside the dining hall until the doors are opened. When
the doors open, campers walk in, collect their meal and sit at their tables near their counselors.
Tables are not reserved and your cabin may not all fit together at the same space.
Cabin assistants are to sit with their cabins and counselors during meal times.
All other assistants are to be available to help by being spread out throughout the dining hall.
Help counselors and cabin assistants by pouring beverages and getting campers situated.
Everyone works together to make mealtimes work.
Arrive on time: The camp is fined for late arrival to meals.
Campers manage their own plates and silverware. Please take note whether children are eating
sufficiently. Contact the nurse with eating concerns.
When campers are finished eating, each table is responsible for their cleanup per the kitchen
staff’s instruction. After the table is cleared and campers are seated, Camp Security or
Executive Staff will dismiss tables.
Please direct any and all questions or concerns about the dining hall and food to our Kitchen
Liaison, Karisa or Lindsay and not the dining hall employees.
MEDICAL
All medical supplies and medicines are handled by the Camp Nurse. All campers’ medicines will
be dispensed by the Camp Nurse.
All medical decisions will be made by the Camp Nurse, please contact her with any concerns
and questions.
CAMP MAIL
Mail will be distributed to cabin groups after Fun Time
LOST AND FOUND
Please turn all lost-and-found items to Worthington Hall for display throughout the week.
GOING TO TOWN
There will be periodic runs to town. If anything is needed, we will obtain it for you. You are
not to leave the campus. Please stay on the campground all week. It is important for the safety
of our camp that you allow someone else to run errands for you. Please contact any of the
camp executive staff if you need something.
FRIDAY MORNING CHECK-OUT
7:15 AM Rise and Shine
Pack & Clean out your cabin and shower area completely!
(Sweep & empty cabin trash cans into large trash cans outside)
Pick up all trash in the immediate area.
All luggage and “stuff” stacked OUTSIDE your cabin during initial cleaning.
Luggage will be taken by the campers from their cabin to the Fireside Hall walkway to
be sorted by church for pickup.
(Please try to group luggage according to the church)
After luggage is moved, take your cabin to your assigned areas and
clean assigned campground area of all paper scraps.
Boys – All around the boy cabins, playgrounds, restrooms and fields
Girls- All around the girl cabins, playgrounds, restrooms and fields
9:00 AM Breakfast.
After breakfast, campers and staff will be directed to any areas that need to
have additional attention.
10:00 AM Camp Closing at Worthington Hall.
10:30 AM Campers will be released from the Hall when their transportation arrives. Counselors
should stay with their campers until the last one is picked up.
COUNSELOR COVENANT (Send this copy to Camp Director)
1. Camp is sacred time and space. Nothing should impede God’s intended work, inhibit His movement,
or speak over His voice.
a. I will serve 24 hours each day. While my preference for service will be respected and every
effort will be made to ensure my choice of placement, I will joyfully serve any and all
children in whatever capacity I am called to for the sake of all the children collectively.
b. I will be Christ-like in my conduct and speech.
c. I will testify to the work of God in my life and will lead the children in my care to the same
end.
2. Children are innocent. Nothing should come into the hearing or presence of children that is improper
or impure. Holiness of conduct is the standard of camp life.
a. I will maintain a safe environment.
b. I will disallow frightening, cruel, or profane conduct or language.
c. I will be modest in dress at all times. (No cleavage, short/shorts, bikinis, speedos)
d. I will submit to a thorough background check according to my local church requirements. I
will complete Ministry Safe as prescribed.
e. My social media pages will be scrutinized. I understand that use of alcohol or tobacco and
behavior unbecoming a Christian may disqualify me from leadership.
3. Spiritual development is the priority of camp. I attest that by the grace of God I am qualified to lead
children. Christ is my righteousness and I am called unto holiness.
a. I am a saved, devoted follower of Jesus Christ.
b. I am an active member of a Nazarene Church.
c. I am ready and willing, at this moment, to lead a child to Christ.
d. I have served in children’s ministry or I have a plan to intern between February and July of
2019.
4. The care of children necessitates standards for conduct.
a. Dehydration is a dire concern at camp. I will drink water and ensure that campers have
access to water at all times. I will promote hydration and will be observant concerning signs
of heat related illness and dehydration. I will seek medical attention in case of concern prior
to emergency. I have completed CPR/First Aid as prescribed.
b. I will adhere to the rules for participation at camp as presented at orientation, in the
handbook, or through the camp leadership team.
c. Children are not permitted to use phones. I will not permit any cell phones or electronic
media in my cabin. I will restrict my usage to designated areas only.
d. I will wear a watch and will ensure that my campers are on time.
e. I will lead by example; participating and encouraging campers to participate.
f. I understand that the camp grounds are wilderness space and I will not leave children
unattended for any reason.
5. Camp is a grace community.
a. I will employ discipline that does not demean, humiliate, harm or unduly exclude any child. I
will seek assistance from camp leadership to employ or enforce discipline.
b. I will take advantage of daily meetings and the availability of leadership to resolve concerns
and will not involve others in disputes.
c. I will treat others in the way I hope to be treated, and this rule will guide my cabin and shape
my disposition.
Sign and date: ______________________________________________________________________________