PINES YOUTH CAMP STAFF MANUAL


STANDARDS OF CONDUCT

1. Staff training will be one of the most vital parts of your summer. We want to do everything possible to equip you, not only for the summer, but also for your life and future ministry.
2. Integrity, loyalty, and honesty: you will be happy to be a part of a ministry where all the members are loyal to each other. This means that if there is a problem between you and another staff member, you are expected to go to that person openly and honestly to work it out rather than tear them up behind their back. Problems that cannot be solved between the two of you should be brought to the director for prayerful consideration and help.
3. Our staff does not teach, condone, or personally use drugs, tobacco, or alcohol either on duty or off duty. We ask for and expect complete commitment on this. "If any one of you should cause one of the least of these to stumble, it would be better for you to be cast into a river with a millstone around your neck." Luke 17:2.2.
4. We teach that pre-marital sex and homosexual activity is wrong and in violation of God's Word. Can you represent this (by your words and lifestyle) to the kids?
5. Camp is for the campers, and the staff is here to help the campers. Any misuse or abuse of a camper (verbal, emotional, physical, or sexual) is grounds for immediate dismissal.
6. Each summer staff member receives room, and board. The only staff considered for payed positions are: Cook, Director and Wranger.
7. There shall be No discharge of firearms
8. Staff members should have "easy to care -easy to wear" casual clothes. Jeans, durable tennis shoes, riding boots, hiking boots and sandals are suggested.
   Modest, full-cut swim wear is the acceptable standard. Light jackets are a must for cool evenings.
   Staff members should have: sleeping bag, pillow, towels, toiletries, flashlight, watch, Bible, notebook, pen, pencils, rain gear, ...

PRAIRIE FELLOWSHIP / PINES YOUTH CAMP recognizes and stresses the importance of the local churches. We feel that we are a service organization that is functioning as an extension of the church. In no way do we desire to depart from or be in competition with the local churches.

In practical application, : Groups from local churches are encouraged to use the camp.
If requested, reports may be sent back to pastors of the local churches concerning each camper's attendance at camp.
Care is taken to not be in conflict with programs of the local churches.

1. Separation from our usual environment for spiritual growth and development
   • Abraham out of Ur - Genesis 12:1
   • Moses out of Egypt into wilderness - Exodus 2:15
   • Christ into mountains to pray - Luke 6:22
   • Disciples leave nets to follow - Matthew 4:18-20
2. Rest and refreshment
   • "Come apart and rest awhile" - Mark 6:31
   • Escape the "rat race" of our day
3. Quietness
   • Be still and know that I am God - Psalms 46:10
4. Witness of Nature
   • "The heavens declare the glory of God" - Psalm 19:1
   • "Go to the ant, thou sluggard" - Proverbs 6:6
   • "Consider the lilies of the field" - Matthew 6:28
5. Study of the Word
   • "He went up into a mountain . . . and he taught them" Matthew 5:1-2
   • "He bringeth them into an high mountain apart" Matthew 17:1
6. Christian principles in life settings
   • "As thou settest in thine house and when thou walkest by the way" - Deuteronomy 6:7
   • "Come and see" - John 1:38-39
7. Balanced life
   • All of life is to be spiritual
   • "Jesus increases in
     • Wisdom - intellectual
     • Stature - physical
     • Favor with God - spiritual
     • Favor with man - social
8. Principle of the small group
   • "He chose twelve" - Luke 6:13
9. Value of the individual
   • Woman at the well - John 4:7
   • Nicodemus - John 3:1
   • Zacchaeus - Luke 19:2

"To take each camper and move him forward in every area (spiritually, physically, emotionally, mentally, and socially) of his lifeLuke 2:52

1. Definition
   • Must be personal
   • Must be reachable
   • Must be measurable
2. Reasons for goals
   • "Aim at nothing and you'll hit it!"
   • Unified purpose - everyone pulls together
   • Evaluation -Did we make it?
3. Goals in every area
   • Spiritually
     • Salvation
     • Growth
       1. Quiet-time
       2. Scripture memory
       3. Attitude and habit changes
     • Dedication and discipleship
     • Serving
       1. Witnessing
       2. Committing your life
   • Physically
     • Learning new skills
     • Improving old skills
     • Exercising for health
     • Practicing safety,
     • Enjoying activities
   • Emotionally
     • Self-acceptance
     • Friendship
     • Love
     • Someone to listen to them
   • Mentally
     • New facts and information
     • Encourage thinking and reasoning ability
   • Socially -. to develop good relationships to others
     • Boys to boys
     • Girls to boys
     • Girls to girls
     • Youth to adults
     • Pastors to youth

1. Enjoyment
   "If fun doesn't permeate every aspect of camp, sooner or later you'll close your doors."
2. Balance
   • Meet spiritual needs
   • Meet physical needs
   • Meet social needs
   • Meet emotional needs
3. Accomplishment
   "Look what I .
   • Learned
   • Made
   • Got
   • Won at Camp"
4. Individual attention
5. Reality
6. Variety One activity per ten campers
7. Quality
   • Program
   • Personnel
   • Place
   • Plate (food)
   • Presentation of the Word - "It's a sin to bore a kid with the Gospel".
8. Trained counselors on a small camper/counselor ratio.

1. Combines all forms of witness
   • Witness of the Word of God - John 5:39
   • Witness of nature Romans 1:20
   • Witness of word of mouth - Acts 1:8
   • Witness of a life - I Peter 3:1-2
2. Allows the Holy Spirit to work in a life by:
   • Separation from a hostile environment (learn to live without "worldly" TV, radio, etc.)
   • The build up of messages
   • Observation of real Christians in life situations
3. Gives Opportunity for in-depth counseling (one-on-one)
4. Gives Opportunity to teach real Christian living in social settings (anger, frustration, social contacts)
5. Gives an opportunity to show real love (especially to the unlovely)
6. Presents a balanced life
   • All aspects
   • Don't take away without adding
7. Make use of the potential of the outdoors for:
   • Witness of creation to feel Close to God
   • Relaxation and renewal
   • Education
   • Develop character and leadership
8. Gives the church another aspect of its total Christian Education program
   • Camp - summer
   • Retreats - winter
9. Gives Opportunity to make new Christian friends from other areas
10. Gives an air of expectancy
11. Builds sound habits of Christian life
    • Quiet time
    • Prayer
    • Bible study
12. Give an opportunity for making a decision for Christ

I'm out of breath, Lord,... from going the extra mile, so often, for so many, My capacity to give feels drained, washed out, expended, dried up. I'm tired and I feel cheated. I guess I want a chance to bask in praise, recognition, appreciation, even acclaim. Forgive selfish introspection, Lord, and needless self pity, misdirected, unjustified grudges, and my complaining spirit. Remind me that I, too, make mistakes, let people down, act on selfish whim. Give me the strength to keep on giving,, and loving, and caring, and serving, when no reward is in sight, and when no one is there to say thanks. Let my joy be in doing the unrecognized job. Amen.