The information contained on this page is meant for the staff of the U.S. Teen Camp. While the principles on this page should generally apply to our other camps, please make sure to directly contact the appropriate staff for the camp you plan to serve for specific instructions regarding your role/responsibilities.

LYC STAFF CODE OF ETHICS:

As a LYC staff member, you agree to adhere to and support the mission and goals of the program, which includes the policies and rules which promote its success.

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

Do I need to be at orientation?

Yes. Staff should arrive two days prior to the arrival of the campers for orientation. These two days are vital to prepare you for the task at hand, to guide the youth in God’s Church and, as much as is in our power protect them from harm for the duration of camp. This is not something to be skipped, and it is assumed by your sending in an application that you understand that you are committing to being at orientation.

Staff with camper aged children should make travel arrangements elsewhere for their campers, so the staff member will be able to attend the entirety of the staff orientation.

What if I am brining campers with me to camp?

Staff who bring campers with them should be prepared to arrange accommodation at local hotels during the pre-camp period. It is also your responsibility to provide supervision for them.

How long are class periods?

In most cases classes are 60 minutes.

How many campers are there per class period?

That depends on the activity, those with one dorm will have anywhere from 12-18 campers, while two-dorm activities would have between 24-36 campers.

How should I correct a disruptive or disgruntled camper?

We should use discernment in how we address correcting campers. A High School Staff member may be more effective approaching campers as they would a younger sibling (1 Timothy 5:1-2). More experienced Adult Staff may find circumstances where they need to be more firm. In most cases the majority of campers will respond well to direct, gentle correction and patience (Galatians 6:1-2). Be sure to alert the camper’s counselor of the disruptive behavior, it may be something the counselor is already working on with the camper. If a camper simply refuses to participate, then you should alert the Admin Staff as well.

Are there any staff meetings during camp?

There are two all-staff meetings each day, except on the Sabbath. The first staff meeting takes places after breakfast. After the conclusion of the Counselor meeting, the Camp Director will return to the Dining Hall to conduct the morning all staff meeting. This will consist of a short talk from the Director or someone he selects, followed by any pertinent announces the Director receives from the Department Heads (who would stand and give their Department’s announcement to the whole group).

The second all staff meeting occurs after the campers have departed, following evening reflection. This meeting is conducted similarly to the all-staff meeting in the morning; the Director calls on Department Heads with pertinent announcements. After the meeting, the staff is dismissed to the “Leaning Elephant.”

Department Heads Staff Counselors & Counselors-in-Training High School Staff Camp Questions & Culture Classrooms

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To the Department Heads

As a member of the Adult Staff, the Department Head position is also one focused on service and mentorship. Along with the normal responsibilities of Adult Staff, those who hold this position have the opportunity to lead one of the listed Activity or Service Departments. Department Heads have additional responsibilities and opportunities as the leaders of their given area.

Department Head Responsibilities

Department Head Meetings

At lunch each day the Department Heads will meet with the Admin Staff to discuss items that are pertinent to other department heads.

SIDE NOTE: This is not the ideal time to discuss items that can be addressed with a one-on-one meeting with another individual Department Head.

Lending a Hand

We encourage departments to work together, especially in cases where there is considerable overlap – do not build “silos.” If we see a neighbor department in need, and it does not spread us or our team too thin, then we should lend a hand wherever it is needed.

Department Head Resources

Activity Head Lesson Plan Pointers

Keep Lesson Plans Simple

Overcomplicating lesson plans can lead to confusion with the staff serving under you, as well as with the campers. Be organized while also being clear and concise with your expectations and instructions.

Utilize Station Work

Break into smaller groups, called stations, and rotate the campers through each station to hone different skills. Using stations gives campers more “time on the ball” – meaning, less sitting and more hands-on learning.

Make Station Work Scalable (When Possible)

Making stations scalable means raising the difficulty of station work based on the group/individual you are working with. Examples of this would be allowing higher skilled ball players to pitch at softball or having a more skilled camper play quarterback at flag football.

Train Your Staff

Prior to camp, it is ideal to meet virtually or over the phone with your staff. This will allow you to gauge the skill level of your staff and train them in advance. Also, be sure to review the lesson plans and your expectations of staff members prior to each class; setting expectations early, and reminding often, will result in less accidents and unrealized goals for the activity. If you would like to investigate any certifications, please discuss that with the Admin Staff prior to making any purchases.

Have a "Safety First" Mindset

We have a responsibility to prioritize camper safety at camp and we do this in a few ways. That is why every activity must have a Safety Plan, which outlines how to handle accidents (see the example on page 7-8). We can also help prevent injury/sickness through building water/rest breaks into our lesson plans.

Consider Counselor Participation

Communicate with the counselor regarding how you would like them to participate at the start of each class (they should not interfere in instruction). Also, communicate to them how you would like the dorm to enter exit the activity area. A final, vital point, counselors should only play if you request they do so.

Lesson and Safety Plan Templates

Lesson Plan Template

Emergency Action Plan (EAP) Template

Department Head Explainer Videos

Department Head Videos Introduction

Aquatics

Canoeing

Dance

Field Sports

First Aid (to be posted…stay tuned)

Gym Sports

Kitchen

Laundry

Life Roles (Men)

Life Roles (Women)

Logistics

Media (to be posted…stay tuned)

Minicamp

Music

Purchasing

S.E.P. (Scripture Education Program)

Speech

To the Staff

The Adult Staff position is one focused on service and mentorship. We are in search of individuals who will strive to understand and uphold the goals and values of the LYC program. That fundamental principle promotes the sustained success of the camp program. If someone ignores (or purposefully breaks) these principles, then there remains no basis on which we can work with such an individual. This is why it is incredibly important that the Adult Staff at camp believe in the vision of the LYC program.

Staff Responsibilities

While we may have family at camp (perhaps even one of the campers is our child or grandchild), this is a not a family vacation; staff attend camp to serve ALL of the campers. It is worth noting that this is a “teen” camp, not a “family” camp. The mission of the LYC Teen Camp is to bring teens together in a learning environment for the purpose of recapturing true values; and to further the creation of a culture of purity, honor, and respect among the youth within the Living Church of God and society as a whole.

Staff Resources

Guidance

Ask Your Department Head What He or She Expects of Your Role

Understanding the expectations of the individual you serve under will help you be able to accomplish what is required in order for the department to properly function.

Serve Beyond Expectations

After discussing what is expected of the role you are assigned, find ways to go beyond the bare expectations (Matthew 5:43-48). In doing this, you won’t just make camp function, you’ll be making camp exceed expectations. Discern when you need to ask before jumping into a task, but serve beyond simply what is expected.

Have a “Mentor First” Attitude

Sometimes, and perhaps most frequently one of the counselors and counselors-in-training, a “friend first” approach is taken with either younger staff or campers. While we should certainly befriend everyone at camp, be sure that it is not at the cost of the responsibility we have as hopefully more mature/experienced individuals. Contradicting camp rules in an attempt to be the “cool” staff member is both unacceptable and embarrassing. Seek instead to coach campers and less experienced staff up. While there are exceptions, most often campers strive to meet the expectations set at camp, so be sure to keep the standard high.

Promote the Program

Don’t just “get with the program,” actively promote the program! As mentioned, we expect that those who are accepted to fulfill this role have already caught the vision of the LYC program. So, to have a positive experience on Adult Staff, strive to hold onto and dive deeper into the vision of the Living Youth Program.

To the Counselors

Of all the staff at camp, no one has the level of contact or impact on a camper’s life as that of a Counselor. A Counselor lives with his or her campers, guiding and leading them every waking moment for the duration of camp. The success of the camp, to a large degree, is dependent upon the quality of its Counselors. All those you come in contact with should become better for having known you.

Yours is an awesome responsibility, one you cannot fulfill alone. You need the support of an assistant, the counsel of the camp administration, and the advice and support of the other staff. Don’t try to “go it alone.” We all need to work together as a team in order to give the campers the best possible camp experience. The Counselor and his or her Assistant should work together as a team. The two are to help one another by providing different perspectives as well as abilities. While the Counselor always has the final say in any decision, there should always be a “thinking out loud” process that the Counselor and his or her Assistant go through in order to know what each other is thinking. This avoids any “surprises.” With the two working together as a team, the dorm will respect both individuals while still being able to see the proper workings of government.

Your greatest support comes from God. Don’t let counseling take you away from this most important relationship. The Counselor should sit down with his or her Assistant before the campers arrive and work out how each is going to have personal private time for prayer. Both the Counselor and the Assistant should make every effort to attend all Christian Living Classes, Friday evening Bible Studies, and Sabbath Services at their scheduled times throughout the camp session. In addition to these study times, take time to pray each day. You need God’s help – ask Him to guide you and help you to fulfill your responsibilities!

To the Counselors-in-Training (CIT)

Each Counselor will have an Assistant (18 years old minimum). Such individual is not a Counselor or Assistant Counselor. The Assistant’s role is to back up the Counselor in everything the Dorm does. He/she must reflect the same high standards and example the Counselor does. The Assistant is not an “alternative” to the Counselor, but a support.

The Assistant is in a training capacity and should be given the opportunity to lead the dorm in various situations. So, work as a team in fulfilling your responsibilities and accomplishing your goals.

One trap an Assistant can fall into is thinking he/she could run the dorm better than the Counselor. Campers are often not as intimidated by the Assistant as they are by the Counselor. And what may happen is the Counselor ends up playing “bad cop” while the Assistant plays “good cop.” Whether you think you can lead the dorm better than the Counselor is not as important as the message you send the campers by your support, or your lack of support. Do not harm the campers by exalting yourself. Be willing to fulfill your role and always support your Counselor. To do otherwise is self-centered and short-sighted. Resist flattery and don’t allow yourself to get into a popularity contest. Work together as an assistant to your Counselor for the good of the campers. And remember, you may be a Counselor next year and you will expect support from your Assistant. Instead of finding fault, try to understand why he or she handles each situation the way he or she does.

Counselor/CIT Resources

Guidance

Have a “Counselor First” Attitude

Use your time wisely.

Schedule a time for personal prayer and Bible study. Don’t burn out by trying to do it all yourself — you can’t. You need God’s help and must go to Him for that help daily.

Be sure to get adequate sleep.

Lack of sleep has traditionally been listed as the #1 problem experienced by staff members working summer camps. You must manage your time wisely, so that you stay in peak physical condition. Curtail the late hour “bull sessions” and routine counselings after lights out. Set the example of keeping curfew. You are no good to your Dorm half-asleep or “running on adrenaline.”

Avoid talking down to your Dorm.

Rather, teach them by talking with them when you sit in your dorm, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you
rise up. Then be sure you walk the talk! Be an everyday example of that way.

Respect the program.

It is imperative for you to show respect for the rules, policies, and traditions of LYP.
You need to be personally on board with these protocols and set the example.

To the High School Staff

The High School Staff position was created to provide a means of transitioning from camper to staff member for teenagers mature enough to handle such responsibility. You have been accepted to handle this position because we trust that you have bought into the goals of the LYC program and caught the vision of what we are trying to accomplish. We have high expectations of those who fulfill this role, and many who meet those expectations often return to camp as adult staff members. Part of the reason we have a High School Staff is to help you further develop into the camp program, which is steeped in service. This role also includes the opportunity to develop alongside your fellow High School staff members with unique activities designed for this group.

High School Staff Responsibilities

This position provides an opportunity to give back to the camp program. You have the responsibility of exemplifying the character we are trying to cultivate at camp, including developing a joy for service. You will have the opportunity to work and grow as a member of the staff and learn from the more experienced staff members.

High School Staff Resources

Guidance

Ask Your Department Head What He or She Expects of Your Role

Understanding the expectations of the individual you serve under will help you be able to accomplish what is required in order for the department to properly function.

Serve Beyond Expectations

After understanding what is expected of the role you are assigned, find ways to go beyond the bare expectations (Matthew 5:43-48). In doing this, you won’t just make camp function, you’ll be making camp exceed expectations. Discern when you need to ask before jumping into a task, but serve beyond simply what is expected.

Spend “Down” Time Wisely

You will have some down time throughout camp, and it will be tempting to utilize the majority of that time fellowshipping with other H.S. Staff; be sure not to neglect prayer, Bible study, and rest. Also, keep in mind the previous point (Serve Beyond Expectations), as there may be n opportunity to help out elsewhere.

Do Not Pair Off

You are setting an example, one that some campers will emulate. We ask that you help create an atmosphere of inclusiveness, which in part means you do not pair off (couple up, date, whatever vernacular you choose…) at camp. If you are practicing the above pointers, then you won’t have time to pair off. We ask that you set an example of getting to know as many people as possible while at camp, which means pairing off is not an option. It should go without saying that pairing off with campers is absolutely unacceptable and will not be tolerated.

Hold Onto the LYC Vision

As mentioned, we expect that those who are accepted to fulfill this role have already caught the vision of the LYC program. So, to have a positive experience on H.S. Staff, strive to hold onto and dive deeper into that vision.

FAQs

Do I need to be at orientation?

Staff with camper aged children should make travel arrangements elsewhere for their campers, so the staff member will be able to attend the entirety of the staff orientation.

What if I am brining campers with me to camp?

Staff who bring campers with them should be prepared to arrange accommodation at local hotels during the pre-camp period. It is also your responsibility to provide supervision for them.

How long are class periods?

In most cases classes are 60 minutes.

How many campers are there per class period?

That depends on the activity, those with one dorm will have anywhere from 12-18 campers, while two-dorm activities would have between 24-36 campers.

How should I correct a disruptive or disgruntled camper?

Are there any staff meetings during camp?

LYC Phrasebook

(A glossary of LYC terms that helps define the desired culture for the program, which is ultimately the culture of God’s Church)

All things done decently, in order and without confusion.

At LYC we strive to implement a Millennial atmosphere…that all things are done “Decently, in order and without confusion” (1 Corinthians 14:40, 33).

Be on time.

Being on time means being prepared in advance for whatever activity/lesson we will be helping with in advance of the class beginning. The dining hall clock is time on which the camp runs (Ephesians 5:15-16).

Courtesy begins at the table.

We set an example of manners at the table. The men should take the ladies’ trays after each meal, saying please and thank you to the Kitchen Staff as they serve us our food are just a couple of examples of how we show courtesy at the table (1 Peter 3:8-9).

Don‘t hurt things, don’t hurt others and don’t hurt yourself.

While the world can be a destructive place, at camp we want to create a constructive atmosphere, one that protects everyone’s health and wellbeing. This also extends to the “things” with which we come into contact; strive to leave things better than you found them (Matthew 7:12).

I’ll do anything ("IDA").

“I’ll Do Anything” (or “IDA” for short) is a phrase expressing an attitude to serve wherever needed. This is especially true when one department may be in need of extra assistance; if we recognize a situation where we can help without neglecting or normal duties, then we should do so (James 4:17).

Keep the little things little.

Little things can become big things in a hurry. Deal with issues when they are still small, and they often don’t escalate (Proverbs 22:28 & Luke 16:10).

Look sharp, feel sharp, be sharp.

This means having a well kempt appearance. As staff, we should set an example of cleanliness, orderliness and decency, which, among many other ways, is reflected in the way we present ourselves (Romans 12:2).

No one gets left out.

Everyone is encouraged to mix and mingle. If we see someone standing alone or approaching the conversation, we approach them and bring them into the circle. create an environment where cliques of “popular kids” are replaced by the encouragement to meet and talk with everyone (Philippians 2:3).

Put first things first.

At LYC we want to teach keeping right priorities. One example of this is having Christian Living class at the beginning of each day (Matthew 6:33).

Recapturing true values.

This is a main goal of the LYC program, which means establishing right habits and ways of interacting with others, while also combating the wrong values found in the world today (Matthew 6:33 & James 1:27).

The "Leaning Elephant."

Not an elephant at all, but instead the place where staff (who are the proverbial leaning elephants, which consistently apply positive pressure to guide campers in the right direction) congregate before heading to bed.

Time on the ball.

This means giving every camper every possible moment in every class to learn and develop the skills that are taught at camp—whether on the basketball court, the archery range, or in the Life Roles class (we can gain understanding in what is good by doing, see Psalm 111:10).