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Summer
Mission Opportunities
Christian
Camping is a great way to spend your summer vacation! Camp is a special
place where a unique Christian community forms. As servant leaders,
staff form relationships that emphasize living our faith. They have
a positive influence on children by giving love and support in a Christ-like
way. They are a part of a vital mission in Alaska, with campers coming
from all over the state. At camp, you will be challenged as you relate
daily with staff and campers. Your faith will grow as you depend on
Christ and see how God uses you in ministry with and to others. You
will develop your leadership skills and have greater self-understanding.
You will experience lives changed by the grace of Jesus Christ ... maybe
even your own!
The
summer schedule runs for six weeks, from early June to mid-July, encompassing
seven camps which are 2 to 5 days long with campers aged 6-18.
All Program Staff
(counselors, deans, resource people) are volunteers. While a staff member
at Birchwood Camp, the camp provides all of your meals, housing, and
a day off each week. Volunteers are responsible for their own transportation
to Anchorage, Alaska and money to cover incidental expenses. Volunteers
may choose to pay their own expenses or to raise support in their community
for a stipend to cover transportation and other expenses. To thank you
for being on staff, one of your children may attend a camp for half
price. Please remember to register your child well before the deadline.
If you are
qualified for and interested in any of the following positions,
please write or
e-mail
the Camp with this information,
and a complete job description and
application will be US mailed to you. |
 your
name
full US
mailing address
job(s)
in which you are interested
time frame
during which you are available
your qualifications
for the job |
Camp begins with a staff orientation.
Characteristics of a staff member include a strong Christian faith,
maturity, flexibility, desire to live in close community, and love of
all children and the outdoors.
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Head
Cook
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one or more weeks,
June - July
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Volunteer
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The Head Cook
is responsible for meal planning and preparation for groups of 20 to
85 campers. This includes maintaining an appropriate inventory of food
and supplies, using resources effectively, and working with the Director-Manager
on special meals for cookouts, hikes, etc. The Head Cook is also responsible
for the cleanliness and order of the kitchen, kitchen equipment, and
for the appropriate storage of food. The Head Cook trains and
supervises the Cooks and other kitchen staff, who assist with food preparation,
serving, dishwashing, and kitchen cleanup.
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Head Cook Qualifications
include: Experience as cook a and/or assistant cook; Desire and ability
to work in a camp setting; Supervisory skills; Training and experience
in cooking for large groups; Ability to prepare foods for special
groups (i.e. diabetics, vegetarians) as needed; Knowledge of standards
of food preparation and serving and kitchen procedures; Good communication
and teamwork skills; Current tuberculosis test. Complete job description
and application available upon submission of e-mail/letter of interest. |
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Cook
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one or more weeks,
June - July
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Volunteer
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| A Cook assists the
Head Cook with the preparation, serving, and clean up of meals.
This includes washing and peeling vegetables, weighing and measuring
foods, using electrical and mechanical kitchen equipment safely,
following written and verbal instructions, carrying pans and pots, serving food, storing food
after use, operating the dish sanitizer, helping to clean and put
away kitchen equipment after use, and taking out trash. |
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Cook Qualifications
include: Ability to relate well to children, youth, and adults;
Ability to take direction from assigned supervisor; Ability to lift,
unload and move food and supplies; Ability to work independently
following instructions; Desire and ability to work in a camp setting;
Must be at least 14 years of age; Good
communication and teamwork skills; Current tuberculosis test. Complete
job description and application available upon submission of e-mail/letter
of interest.
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Camp
Counselor
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one or more weeks,
June - July
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Volunteer
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A Camp
Counselor is responsible for supervising campers throughout
the day, including meals, activities, rest hour, and going to
bed. Counselors sleep in the cabins with campers and provide
emotional support and spiritual leadership. Counselors teach
or assist in teaching activities, and set a good example for
others by participating enthusiastically in camp programs, sharing
in camp chores, showing good sportsmanship, and being on time.
Camp Counselor Qualifications
include:
Desire and ability to be in ministry with children and adults
in a camp setting; Good communication and teamwork skills; Enthusiasm,
flexibility, a Christ-like attitude, and self-control; Ability
to accept supervision and guidance; Must be at least two years,
preferably four years, older than oldest camper supervised.
Complete job description and application available upon submission
of e-mail/letter of interest.
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Health
Care Manager
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one or more weeks,
June - July
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Volunteer
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The Health Care Manager
supervises health and cleanliness standards at camp, works with the
Camp Deans and staff, and helps provide adequate physical health conditions
for all. The Health Care Manager sets up a health screening system for
arriving campers and staff, ensures that each staff member and camper
has on file the required Health Registration Form, maintains an appropriate
inventory of supplies, administers and documents daily medications,
checks and issues first-aid kits for day hikes, maintains the first-aid
kits in the swimming and boating areas, and follows appropriate medical
routines, including recordkeeping and disposal of medical waste.
Health Care Manager
Qualifications include:
Ability to originate,
update, and/or monitor health care, maintain records, and implement
the health care plan found in the Health Care Policy and Procedure Manual;
Desire to work and live in a camp community; Ability to get to all areas
of camp quickly; Experience with children and young adults is desirable.
In addition, the Health Care Manager should
meet one of the following accreditations:
...licensed in the State of Alaska
as a registered nurse
...a graduate of an accredited school of nursing with an Associate Degree/Diploma/or BSN
...an Emergency Medical Technician or Paramedic in good standing
...have current First Aid and Community CPR certifications and be supervised
by a RN or MD.
Complete
job description and application available upon submission of e-mail/letter
of interest.
| Life
Guard/Maintenance/Resource Person |
June - August
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Paid
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The Lifeguard/Maintenance/Resource
Assistant plans, directs and supervises the Camp's waterfront
program and assists with maintenance and small group leadership
as needed. Lifeguard duties include: Pre-season and end-of
season setup/closeup as well as daily checks of the waterfront;
Provide pre-Camp Waterfront orientation and training for Summer
Camp Staff; Be present to supervise all Summer Camp waterfront
activities, i.e. boating, swimming, special waterfront games,
etc. (afternoon and evenings); Be present as needed to supervise
waterfront activities for Birchwood Camp guests whenever Lifeguard
services are scheduled with the Director-Manager; Enforce Birchwood
Camp's Boating and Waterfront Regulations and have the necessary
equipment on hand in case of an emergency. Complete
job description and application available upon submission of e-mail/letter
of interest.
Maintenance duties may include:
Be available for cleanup of lodge, cabins, bathrooms and grounds
at close of each Summer Camp; Be available to supervise checkout
of all other clients during the summer as needed by the Director-Manager;
Take direction and then complete maintenance projects as assigned
(e.g. mowing grass, painting).
Resource Assistant duties may
include: Lead groups of campers in various activities, such as
crafts, and games; Help lead small groups as needed; Help develop
other activities as needed.
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Lifeguard/Maintenance/Resource
Assistant Qualifications include: Must be at least 21 years old;
Insight and interest in children, youth and adults; Enthusiasm, sense
of humor, patience and self-control; Ability to work independently in
accordance with camp policies and procedures; Visual, auditory and physical
ability to identify, respond to and/or rescue a child, youth or adult
in distress in the swimming or boating areas of the lake; Boating familiarity
and experience in lake or river life guarding; Experience in simple maintenance
as may be required in repair and maintenance of waterfront equipment;
Experience with games, crafts, small group leadership, and nature hikes.
Applicants must supply references and documentation regarding previous
experience.
Required Certifications
The Lifeguard/Maintenance/Resource
Assistant must hold a lifeguard certification as well as American Red
Cross (or similar) Standard First Aid and CPR certifications. (A list
of approved certification sources is in the complete job description.)
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Summer Staff
/Program Assistant |
6-8 weeks
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Internship
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The Program Assistant is
responsible for planning and leading program activities, serving as
a Counselor (see above) and as a Camp Dean, which involves supervising
staff, planning and leading a camp program. The Program Assistant performs
administrative tasks relating to these positions as well as being available
to assist the Director Manager with hosting guests.
The Program Assistant is essentially
an Assistant to the Director Manager, somewhat like a management trainee.
The Program Assistant assumes leadership and administrative responsibilities
for different camps. This can be an enriching experience for persons
with energy and enthusiasm who are seeking a career in management, in
a camp or other setting.
Program Assistant Qualifications
include: Previous camp experience; Desire and ability to be in ministry
with children and adults in a camp setting; Enthusiasm, flexibility,
Christ-like attitude, and self-control; Ability to creatively and prayerfully
plan, organize, and carry out daily and special programs; Ability to
supervise staff and campers; Strength and endurance to maintain constant
supervision of campers. Good communication and teamwork skills. Must
be at least 21 years old. Complete
job description and application available upon submission of e-mail/letter
of interest.
Birchwood
Camp Philosophy
Birchwood
Camp exists
to provide every camper with an experience of Christian love
through belonging to an accepting, caring community which recognizes
its dependence on God. The camp is an equipping ground, an experiment
in Christian living. Here we practice the relationships which
our faith encourages, such as communication, responsibility,
caring, problem solving, and learning. The camping experience
is a time of growth in cooperation rather than competition with
others.
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We encourage the use
of different forms of worship and the utilization of the beautiful outdoor
setting to increase our awareness of God as revealed through our Creator's
natural world, through Jesus Christ, and through other campers. Persons
are given the opportunity to find life direction and to grow toward
their fullest Christian potential.
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