SS – Qualifications for Summer Staff

1. Sensitivity (Phil 2:4‑5): Compassion is to feel the need of others to the point that you do something about it. Biblical love is not passive ‑ it is always active. It reaches out, it empathises, and it is personal. Ask yourself, what would Christ do?
2. Cheerfulness (Phil 4:4): Campers need to laugh and see Christians having fun, enjoying the great things that God gives. They need to be around positive, upbeat people. Never be funny at the expense of others. Be an example even in your humour.
3. Confidentiality (James 3:5): It is imperative that we keep confidences confidential. If a young person, work crew team member, boss etc. confides in us we are absolutely duty bound to share the matter with no one. Be true in friendships.
4. Dependability (1 Cor. 4:2): The greatest ability is dependability. If you fulfil all your responsibilities to the best of your ability, we will see a camp that clicks and is effective. Don’t be the problem, be part of the solution.
5. Loyalty (John 13:35): If the Work Crew functions in harmony and genuine love, sharing takes place as a logical result. This means that we support one another, empathise with one another, and encourage one another. We esteem others better than ourselves.
6. Enthusiasm (Col. 3.23): Gloom and negativism are contagious ‑ so is enthusiasm! You must encourage campers, as well as one another, in everything; work, food, speaker, accommodations, programme, and of course the Lord. Get in the habit of saying “yes!”
7. Flexibility (1 Peter 3:15): This does not mean you do not have a plan or direction in your work. It just means that you will be involved in unstructured situations. Each day and each week is a different set of circumstances. Be willing and able to adapt.
8. Sincere love for each other (Rom 12:9): Not everyone at camp will be easy to get along with, pray for a sincere love for other Work Crew team members, Bosses, Cooks, and Campers. Nothing shows Christ’s love better than demonstrating that love to others.
9. Genuine love of Christ (2 Cor. 5:14): No other motivation is sufficient to carry you through the rigours of working on Work Crew no matter how you feel. Christ’s love gives and gives without expecting a response. You are working for the Lord, not for man.
10. Patience (Gal 6:9): A week in close contact with others is not easy. Sometimes things don’t happen the way you expect, or you don’t get to do what you want to do. Patience will help you not depend on your expectations.
11. Consistency of Spiritual Life (John 15:5): There is no way to be effective on Work Crew apart from a daily personal walk with Christ. Make time for prayer and Bible reading. Seek out someone with whom you can share your discoveries.
12. Friendliness Summer Staff can set the tone of the whole camp by their friendly attitude.
13. Criticism No you aren’t meant to be critical ‑ you need to be able to take constructive criticism from your Summer Staff boss. The only way to learn is if people love you enough to let you know when you are making mistakes.
14. Honesty with others and self

Remember: you go to camp for the camper’s sake, not yours. Do all that you have to do to ensure that they have the time of their lives. Let the love of Christ control you, not your love of self, or attention, or love of a good time.