Camp Outreach Adult Volunteer Application

CROS CAMPS

Camp Outreach is a one-week residential camp for children age nine to eleven from families classified as low income. This Christian camp gives children, who would otherwise be home alone, a safe and nurturing place to be in the summer time. The camp also gives children the opportunity to discover God’s unconditional love, while they enjoy a fun week of arts and crafts, recreation, swimming, nature exploration, praise & worship, and much more. The campers are referred to us by schoolteachers, counselors, foster parents, social workers, churches, and other caring people. There is no cost to the parents.

Camp Outreach 2009 will be held Monday, August 3rd through Friday, August 7th at the Camp Nocatee Girl Scout Camp in Clewiston, FL. Orientation for all counselors and adult volunteers will be held Sunday afternoon, August 2nd at 2 PM. This orientation is optional to adult volunteers who will be at camp for only a day or two. Adult volunteers, who will be at camp the entire week, are highly encouraged to attend orientation.

Camp Outreach gives adults the opportunity

to share God’s unconditional love through their gifts and talents.

Camp Outreach’s Adult Volunteers (24 years an older) may help in the kitchen and during meal times, set up daily activities, assist the camp director, and help lead daily camp activities. Adult volunteers will also assist with supervision of the camp counselors.

Adult Volunteers must be at least 24 years old and be actively participating in their congregation. The adult volunteer should have some experience working with children; be able to work in a group setting; and have a passion and compassion for underprivileged children. Background screening will be performed on all adult volunteers.

Applications are accepted on a first come first serve basis. Once the application is received, an interview will follow. You will be contacted by mail regarding your qualification status.

Camp Outreach is directed and supervised by Christians Reaching Out to Society, Inc. (C.R.O.S. Ministries); an ecumenical, interfaith ministry serving Palm Beach County. If you are interested in giving your love by serving as a an adult volunteer, please fill out the enclosed application carefully and return it by May 29, 2009 to:

CROS CAMPS

301 1st Avenue South

Lake Worth, FL 33460

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CROS CAMPS

A Program of Christians Reaching Out to Society, Inc.

Camp Outreach Adult Volunteer Application

Carefully read and answer all questions. Some of the requested information is necessary for background screening. Please print clearly or type your response. (Date of birth and social security number will only be use for background screening purposes.)

I. Personal Data

Name ______

First Middle Last

Nickname ______T-shirt Size: G S G M G Lg G X-Lg G XX-Lg G XXX-Lg

Sex: M G F G Date of Birth ______Social Security # ______Race ______

Address ______

Street City State Zip

Home phone______Cell phone ______Email ______

How long have you lived in Florida? ______Were did you live previously? ______

How did you find out about Camp Outreach? ______

II. Education/Employment/Experience: (as of January 1, 2009)

High School ______Year completed ______

College/University ______Year completed ______

Most Recent Employment:

Company ______Supervisor ______Phone ______

List any church, school or civic activities you have been involved in ______

______

List any experience you’ve had in the following areas:

Working with children ______

Children who have a mental or physical challenge ______

Camping ______

Choir/Music/Drama ______

Other ______

III. Health & Wellness

My health is: G Excellent G Good G Fair G Poor

Are you taking any medications? G Yes G No If yes, list ______

List any medication allergies ______

______

List any health problems or medical conditions that may affect your camping experience

______

What can be done to accommodate your limitation? ______

______

List any dietary needs and/or food allergies ______

______

IV. Skills, Talents, Interests, & Leadership

Please check the activities you are interested in leading and/or assisting:

G Bible study G Kitchen crew G Set up and break down

G Small group G Cabin supervisor G Swimming (certification required)

G Outdoor/Indoor games G Arts and crafts G Other ______

G Praise & Worship G Devotions ______

G Drama G First aid

Swimming Certification: G ARC G WST G Lifeguard Certification expiration date ______

List swimming skills______

Musical instrument(s) you play ______

List interests and/or skills in indoor and outdoor sports, games, etc. ______

______

Other talents, skills, or interests ______

______

V. The World Around You

I prefer to be with: G Myself G One friend G More than one friend G A group of people

List one problem or concern in the world today. Based on your belief system, how might you respond to this problem? ______

How do you feel about child sexual molestation? ______

What is an appropriate punishment for the abuser? ______

______

V. Personal Contribution

What can you contribute to Camp Outreach? ______

______

What are you expecting from Camp Outreach?

______

In a paragraph, explain your Christian commitment.

______

Additional Comments ______

______

VII. References

Completely fill out the following references. All references must be filled out completely with phone number and occupation. Applicants will not be considered if this section is incomplete.

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Member of your local church who has known you for at least one year

Name______Phone ______Occupation ______

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Close Family member

Name______Phone ______Occupation ______

Friend who has known you for at least five years

Name______Phone ______Occupation ______

VIII. Church Relationship (A Pastor’s signature will be required at the end of the application)

Church name ______Pastor’s name ______

Church Address ______Street City State Zip

Church Phone ______Church email ______Youth Leader ______

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IX. Adult Volunteer Agreement

 I give consent to C.R.O.S. Ministries to perform a background check. G Yes G No

 I agree to meet with the Camp Director for an interview. G Yes G No

 I agree to follow the Camp Outreach Guidelines included with this application. G Yes G No

 I can give additional time before camp begins. G Yes G No

I understand that ALL applicable signatures are required. Failure to provide required signatures will result in a delay in my application process. In the event that misrepresentation of information is used on this form, I understand that I will be dismissed from the program.

I have read and understand the guidelines included with this application. I agree to follow and comply with these guidelines. Should I have questions in regards to these guidelines, I know that the Camp Director is available to answer any questions that I may have.

By participating as a camp counselor I understand that I am making a commitment of service. My primary goal is to share God’s love with the campers. I will always put the campers before myself. I will not intentionally do something that will jeopardize the safety of the campers or self.

I will not hold Christians Reaching Out to Society, Inc. (C.R.O.S. Ministries), St. Peter’s United Methodist Church, Camp Nocatee, or any other sponsoring or participating organization, church, or individual responsible for any injury or illness that I incur to and from camp and while at camp.

Adult volunteer’s signature ______Date______

X. Pastor’s Acknowledgement

Ask your pastor, youth leader, or Sunday school teacher to sign below. Applications without this signature will not be processed and the application will be returned to the applicant.

The following statement is for the pastor, youth leader, or Sunday school teacher to read prior to signing below.

The applicant will be volunteering as an adult volunteer at CROS CAMPS overnight camp, a one-week residential camp in Clewiston, FL. CROS CAMPS overnight camp is directed and supervised by Christians Reaching Out to Society, Inc. (C.R.O.S. Ministries); an ecumenical, interfaith ministry serving Palm Beach County. The applicant will be in contact with elementary age children. He/she will help in the kitchen and during meal times, set up daily activities, fill in for or helping other counselors, and help lead daily camp activities. In addition, the applicant may be responsible for sleeping in a cabin with camp counselors, supervising the counselor at night time. The applicant will give the counselors support. This is a special time in which the applicant has the opportunity to share God’s unconditional love on a one-on-one basis.

I, ______, have read the above statement and fully understand what the applicant’s role is in the program. I acknowledge that the applicant is an active member in my congregation/youth group/Sunday school class and would highly recommend him/her for the counselor position.

Pastor’s signature ______Date______

CROS CAMPS

A Program of Christians Reaching Out to Society, Inc.

Camp Outreach Counselor Guidelines

Thank you for your willingness to help at Camp Outreach. You are a key component in providing a safe and nurturing environment for the campers and counselors. The following guidelines have been designed for your safety and the safety of the children and youth. These guidelines provide an outline of what is expected of you while at camp.

1. Ensure the safety of the campers and counselors at all times.

· It is inappropriate for a camper or counselor to sit on your lap.

· Piggy back rides or carrying a camper or fellow counselor is inappropriate.

· When giving a camper or counselor a hug, avoid bear hugs.

· It is inappropriate to have sexual relations, boyfriend/girlfriend relationships with campers and counselors during camp and outside of the camp setting.

2. Be an example of God’s love

· Do not swear, name call or make fun of fellow counselors, adult volunteers, or campers.

· Profanity, smoking, drinking, guns (real, paintball, BB, pellet, play guns, etc.), use of illegal substances or controlled substances without a prescription, knifes, and sexual misconduct is prohibited.

· Physical discipline (hitting, yelling, belittle, etc.) is not a method of disciplinary action as will not be tolerated.

3. Dress policy:

· Wear comfortable closed toe shoes at all times.

· Although you are encouraged to wear shorts and tank tops, avoid wearing provocative clothing items.

· Wear bathing suits that are non-provocative.

4. CROS CAMPS will not be responsible for any jewelry, money, or valuables brought to camp.

5. Be patient, flexible, and understanding.

· Work closely with the camp director and fellow adult volunteers.

· All concerns are to be directed to site director immediately.

6. It is highly discouraged that you contact campers and/or counselors once camp is over.

Have a memorable time being Jesus’ hands and feet. This week will be life changing. One child at a time, you will change the world!

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