THE OAKS Summer Staff Positions

Pay - From the first paycheck, we deduct a training fee of $50 and retain a $50 damage deposit for housing. We return the training fee as a bonus if you return for a second year of service and the damage deposit is returned at the end of the summer if housing is left in good order. Transportation costs are the responsibility of summer staff.

Support - Since summer camp is a very intense ministry and all of our campers depend on scholarship money to come to THE OAKS, we ask that all summer staff develop a prayer and financial support team of at least twenty people. If you do not have connections in the form of friends, family or churches, we will help you develop a list of people who might wish to support your ministry. You will be paid your salary regardless of what finances the Lord provides from your team. You may use excess donations to offset travel expenses. At your request, any funds remaining in your support account at the end of the summer can be given to you in the form of a school scholarship. World Impact sends out an introductory letter for you to help you raise your funds. Staff is encouraged to write thank you notes to those who give financially to them during the summer.

Length of Service - Counselor training begins the second week of June. The camp season goes through the first week of August. Call for specific dates or see the application cover letter. L.I.T. and Camp Leadership Staff arrive two weeks earlier at the end of May. Variations are possible. Please call the Summer Program Director or Assistant Director with any questions. • Orientation and Training - Our orientation is very thorough. All camp staff spends up to a week at one of our California city ministries learning general urban ministry principles. We then spend a week at camp learning the summer program, camp policies, and counseling skills. We also work very hard preparing the camp for the season. L.I.T. staff have intensive two-week training well as, as they visit all the local World Impact cities that have teens in the program.

Camp - We currently have five weeks of camp in which we minister to over 500 inner-city campers and 20 L.I.T. teens. The campers come from our five California ministries, at-risk groups, and other urban churches affiliated with World Impact. We have one week of first through third graders, two weeks of fourth through sixth graders, a week of junior high campers, and a week of senior high campers. The L.I.T. program has two weeks of training for the teens followed by three weeks of in-service training.

Hours and Time Off - The hours you work depend on your job. Everyone has a minimum of one 24-hour period off per week as determined by his or her supervisor. Generally, summer staff will be off from Friday dinner to Sunday lunch. During camp sessions, counselors receive at least an hour off each day with additional time as scheduling and staffing allow.

Community Life - We expect staff to be responsible, act wisely, and adhere to Biblical standards for all conduct. We are here for the campers first. See 1 Corinthians 7:32-35. In order to encourage spiritual health, we ask all staff to attend a weekly worship service of their choosing (Hebrews 10:25). We have a dress code and dating guidelines available for review.

Transportation - Staff must make arrangements and pay for transportation to and from THE OAKS. We will pick people up from the Greyhound station (Lancaster), train station (Lancaster/Bakersfield) or airport (Palmdale, Burbank, or LAX). Staff who brings a vehicle to camp for the summer must agree to abide by camp policies for all vehicles.

Housing and Food - Accommodations vary from carpeted cabins (with bathrooms attached) to hotel-style lodges. The lodge rooms each house four people, and, during camp, up to fourteen people share the same cabin. Laundry facilities are provided at no charge but you must supply your own detergent. Storage space is limited. Keep clothing and personal items to what will fit in two medium-sized suitcases. The food is incredible - no exaggeration. Staff is served three meals a day and help with minor clean up after each meal.

Location and Climate - THE OAKS is located 65 miles north of Los Angeles in the San Gabriel Mountains. The nearest town is Lake Hughes (pop. 500). Lancaster and Palmdale are the closest large cities, which are about 20 to 25 minutes away. The camp is at 3600 feet in a secluded valley containing a mixture of meadows, chaparral, and oak/pine forest. We border the Angeles National Forest and ranches. Summer temperatures vary from 40-70° at night and 70-110° during the day. There is no humidity, and it does not rain at all (well, maybe one sprinkle). It is sunny 97% of the time.