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Jump to: Job Description 8 Big Reasons to Work at Camp Bethel Also see our big list of Parent Info
YES, you should serve at Camp Bethel this summer!
· An active, enriching, authentic summer in the out-of-doors?
· Relational ministry and service to children and youth?
· Meeting new people and making life-long friends?
· Hikes, swimming, camp-outs, cook-outs, creek-exploring, singing, crafts, canoe trips, horseback riding, challenge course, high ropes course, nature study, tons of group games, silly skits, whitewater rafting, caving, worship, Bible study, campfires, Home-in-the-Woods, and much more?
Camp Counseling is a GREAT summer job!
· “This summer… wins as the best summer of my life.” -John
· “Camp, over these years, has shaped me into the person I am.” -Brennan
· “This place becomes a home you never want to leave.”- Nicole
· “Camp Bethel is an awesome location; you will find Christ.” - Jon
· “You can be yourself; everyone accepts you in Christian love.” – Sarah H.
· “It’s the perfect summer job. The people will bring me back.” –Darryl
· “It’s the most rewarding and beneficial thing I have ever done”- Sarah G.
· “I keep coming back to camp because it rejuvenates me for the rest of the year. I feel stronger this year than any other.” - Julie
· “It’s a life changing experience.” – Tyler
FREQUENTLY ASKED STAFF QUESTIONS:
Q: Where is Camp Bethel?
A: Fincastle, Virginia, about 10 miles north of Roanoke in Botetourt County off I-81 and VA Route 11. Our 470 acres border the vast Jefferson Nat’l Forest and the Appalachian Trail. We’re 6 miles from the James River. We also say we're, "Off VA Route 11 half-way between Troutville and Buchanan."
Q: Are you ever mistaken for the other Camp Bethel?
A: Sometimes. “Camp Bethel Ministries,” located in Wise, VA (far southwest) is a ministry of The Bible Mission of Southwest VA. Our Camp Bethel (Fincastle, VA), began at our present location in 1927 and is the camp ministry of the Virlina District Church of the Brethren.
Q: Who are the Church of the Brethren?
A: The Church of the Brethren is a Christian church similar to other mainstream Protestant groups such as Methodists, Baptists and Presbyterians. We base our practices and beliefs on Jesus’ life and teachings and the New Testament. We practice peace (Matthew 5:44), simple living (Romans 12:2), service (Luke 22:27), feet-washing during Communion worship service (John 13), and baptism by choice (Acts 2:37-39). We view all people as children of God. Learn more at www.brethren.org.
Q: What is Small-Group Camping?
A: Based on 1 Corinthians 12, in small groups of 10 campers and 2 counselors, campers experience living in a co-ed Christian community as the Body of Christ. “Family units” plan their schedule together on the Program Board and experience all the activities together as a group. This high level of group engagement builds focused relationships and develops true empathy, compassion and cooperation. Campers learn discipleship by experience (living and doing), supported by Bible study, worship, and our site-specific camp curriculum. This approach is successful because it recognizes each group’s different learning styles and activates all your developmental skills. Within each family unit, personal relationships and activities are the foundations of camp Christian education. Counselors and Bible study leaders use real-time examples, tangible metaphor and constantly seek the “teachable moment.”
Q: Is Camp Bethel ACA Accredited?
A: YES! Accreditation is VERY important! We comply with ACA’s 300+ safety-health-program standards to ensure the highest level of care and professionalism for campers and staff. Learn more about ACA at www.acacamps.org.
Q: What’s your pay & work dates for 2008?
A: Senior Counselors = June 1 (Sun) through August 2 (Sat). $1575 base salary for ages 18+.
Adventure Counselors = June 1 (Sun) through August 9 (Sat). $1800 base salary for ages 19+.
We provide weekly and weekend housing, meals, supplies and laundry facilities.
Bonuses: $100 = lifeguard certification, $100 = tenure, and $100 = recruiting a senior counselor whom we hire.
Q: What are the activities at Camp Bethel?
A: Our resident camp activities include group games, nature lessons, crafts, music and singing, campfires, wagon ride, swimming, polar bear swims, low-ropes challenge course, creek-exploration, Home-in-the-Woods camping skills, hiking the camp trails and a singing hike to Horseshoe Bend, Bible study, special all-camp activities and worship, a day on the high ropes course. On Tuesday or Wednesday family units cookout in their Home-in-the-Woods and have one or more overnight camp-outs. Our adventure camp activities include canoeing, white-water rafting, horseback riding, rock climbing, caving, biking, backpacking, float-fishing and advanced high ropes course challenges.
Q: What’s the weekly work schedule?
A: Sunday 1:00pm through Friday 8:00pm. Weekends off. The campers arrive Sunday at 4:00pm stay through Friday at 6:30pm.
Q: How big is the summer staff? Diversity?
A: Our co-ed summer camp staff includes about 40 persons, including 24 senior counselors, 4 adventure counselors, and about 12 program support staff (crafts, trips, naturalist, 2 high ropes, 2 pool staff, music & worship, 3 program coordinators). A: We hire persons of all ethnicities and Christian denominations (Brethren, Baptists, Methodists, Presbyterians, Episcopalians, Catholics, Lutherans, Non-denominational, “seekers”, UCCs, Mennonites, Quakers, etc.). Our 800+ campers are about 60% Church of the Brethren and 40% other denominations.
Q: How many campers on site per week? Ages?
A: Our enrollment ranges from 80 to 130 campers per week. This means we have anywhere from 8 to 13 family units per week. A: Different age groups come for different camp weeks. We offer 3-day/2-night “mini” camps for rising 1st-3rd graders. Elementary camps for rising 4th-6th graders; Junior High camps for rising 7th-9th graders; Senior High camps for rising 10th-12th grades; and many mixed camps and day camps.
What is Camp Bethel?
An ACA accredited camp, Camp Bethel is the outdoor ministry of the Virlina District of the Church of the Brethren. Campers and staff from various denominational backgrounds come to live, work and play together in this beautiful, rustic, natural 470 acre setting in the “hills of old Virginia.” Excellent meals; Camp Bethel has been in constant operation since 1927; 2007 marks our 80th year of outdoor ministry.
Where is Camp Bethel?
We are located near historic Fincastle, ten miles north of Roanoke, Virginia (in Botetourt County). Accessible from route 11 and interstate 81, we are along the old Blue Ridge Turnpike, the 19th century main road between Bedford and Fincastle. The camp borders the Jefferson Nat’l Forest, the Appalachian Trail, the Blue Ridge Parkway, the Trans-Continental Bike Trail, and it’s just “up the hollow” from the James River. All the water flowing through Camp Bethel travels a few more miles to excellent canoeing on the James, a Chesapeake Bay watershed river.
What is small group camping?
A small group consists of 2 cabins of 5-6 boys with their male counselors and 5-6 girls with their female counselors. Each “family unit” plans and does most of their week’s activities together, including family-style meals. The family unit grows and lives as “The Body of Christ” as described in 1st Corinthians 12. A small group insures that every camper has constant supervision and individual attention. The group becomes close-knit, and lasting Christian relationships form.
SALARY:
9 or 10 weeks food, housing, laundry & equipment. Free 2-week training.
Senior Counselor: $1575.00-$1800.00 (or minimum $225+ per week)
Junior Counselor: $770.00-$880.00 (or minimum $110+ per week)
+$100 for LG, WFA, and other certifications. Also +$100 for recruiting another Senior Counselor!
Residential Summer Camp Counselor Position Description 2011
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8 Big Reasons to Work at Camp Bethel:
1. High Standards: Camp Bethel is accredited by the American Camp Association, excellence that only one in every four camps earns. Camp Bethel is the only ACA accredited Christian camp in our region of Virginia. To earn accreditation, our camp complies with over 300 health, safety, and program quality standards. Our ACA accreditation is solid proof of our professionalism and commitment to safety. www.campparents.org
2. Just the Right Size: We’re a medium-sized Christian camp. Our summer staff is about 40 persons, evenly co-ed, denominationally and ethnically diverse, aged 18-25. We host 80-130 campers per week over 7 weeks of camp, totaling about 850+ campers per summer. You’ll know everyone on site, you’ll make life-long friends, and this will become your “second home.”
3. Excellent Food: Camp Bethel serves 16 FULL meals from Sunday dinner through Friday dinner. Our meals are not typical “camp food” or “school food.” Our Food Services Director cooks from scratch, uses organics and fresh produce, and avoids pre-packaged, over-processed items as much as possible. Our family-style meals are nutritious, delicious and plentiful with vegetarian/vegan options, fruit, sandwich and salad bars, and several side options at each meal.
4. Cool Traditional Activities & Great Adventures: We offer the same great activities and adventures as camps charging thousands per week. Plus, because of our great location, Camp Bethel offers dozens of unique activities and programs you won’t find at other camps. See program descriptions for activity lists.
5. Experienced Leadership: Jenny Steinbach (Assistant Director) brings a lifetime of summer camp staff experience to Camp Bethel. Camp Director, Barry LeNoir (his 9th year at Bethel) has 23 years of camp leadership experience (and 10 years’ experience as a school teacher). Excellent 2-week staff training! 60% summer staff return rate proves we’re doing something right.
6. Music that stirs the soul: Great musicians (including you?) leading great songs. No cheesy, overdone praise tunes here. It’s authentic for God or we won’t sing it. And before we sound too serious: we’ve got the world’s best collection of kids’ silly songs to bring out the happy, bumbling fool in each of us.
7. Modern Cabins & Dining Hall: Each cabin has electric lights and outlets; all cabins are near a bathhouse; some have bathrooms inside. Our Ark Dining Hall is air-conditioned, so you can enjoy table fellowship in a cool reprieve from the summer heat.
8. “Christian Communion of Clean Hearts and Minds”: Campers and staff experience MUCH MORE than just a fun week at camp. Every activity, procedure, lesson and method is centered on our guiding philosophy of Living as the Body of Christ in an intentional Christian community. Our 2011 theme, “Got SPIRIT?" Will "Open our eyes to God” will open our eyes to God through wonder, gratitude, hospitality, generosity, worship and loving service. Personal relationships and activities are the foundations of the campers’ Christian education. This is Christian camping with purpose, with mission, with guiding philosophy, with soul.
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since 12.02.10