Sumatanga offers Christian Hospitality to all for Spiritual Renewal, Recreation, and Fellowship

Being a leader at Sumatanga Summer Camps…

Very few individuals get the opportunity, but all who do gain the experience of a lifetime….to lead campers through a week of camp at Sumatanga. It is hard work, 90 degrees in the shade, little pay (or none for volunteers), chiggers and mosquitoes, away from friends and family, and always with a group of energetic kids looking to you for leadership. There are far more comfortable and easier summer jobs out there.

But if these things would keep some individuals away, then that is exactly why so many others have found it such a spiritually rewarding experience for over the past 50 years. Counselors and summer staffers for years have connected with God through serving children and youths through our summer camping programs. God is working in our camping ministry. Our leaders are used by God to reach young people at critical points in their spiritual development and through the fun and meaningful experiences our staff provides, thousands of campers have left camp as members of a stronger Christian community and with a deeper relationship with God. Lives are changed at Sumatanga!

Applications

If you have never worked at Sumatanga fill out this application to apply for a position. If you are a returning Summer Staffer or Volunteer, fill out this application to apply for a position at camp in 2008.

Along the way, our staff and volunteers learn more about themselves. There are rewards that cannot be added up in wages, food, or lodging. The leadership developed, the personal growth, and the bonds of friendship last a lifetime. Many of our leaders have gone on to change majors, discover a different career path, answer a call to the ministry, and some have even met their spouse at Sumatanga!

Do you have what it takes? Very few individuals get the opportunity. Are you up to the challenge that you will find as a summer camp leader at Sumatanga? This is your chance to be part of a dynamic ministry team, to serve God by serving others, to grow as a Christian and as a member of the Christian community. If you think you’ve got what it takes, fill out an application and get ready for a life-changing experience.

Sumatanga Summer Camp Leadership Positions:

Volunteer Counselors

If you have never worked at Sumatanga or if you cannot commit to an extended period of employment then this is the position for you. The volunteer counselors are the backbone of our camp experience and have been so as long as there has been a Camp Sumatanga. These generous leaders spend a week, without pay, caring for a family group or cabin of campers and bring their unique talents to their week of camp. Some volunteers who exhibited exemplary skills at being team players, leading campers, and working well with their week’s directors have gone on to become scholarship counselors or staff members the next summer. The best counselors find a way to make the campers the focus of the week.

To volunteer, you must fill out an application, provide references, undergo a background check and be at least 18 years of age and at least 5 years older than the oldest child or youth under your direct supervision. Directors of each camp session choose the volunteers for their specific week.

Elementary Camp Volunteers

Junior High Camp Volunteers

Senior High Camp Volunteers

Scholarship Counselors

These individuals lead a family group or cabin of campers for a half or full summer experience. They have previously proven their ability to be team players, lead campers, and work well with directors as volunteer counselors. They must be guardian, friend, protector, buddy, teammate, spiritual guide, prayer partner, and teacher to their campers while also empowering, supporting, and mentoring their volunteer co-counselors. Some successful scholarship counselors move on to become staff members or camp week directors as they mature. The best counselors find a way to make the campers the focus of the week.

To be a scholarship counselor, you must fill out an application, provide references, undergo a background check, complete an interview, and attend a mandatory training event. The same age requirement applies to scholarship counselors as applies to volunteers. Scholarship counselors are assigned to weekly directors as needed.

Elementary Staff

The elementary staff sets up each week of elementary camp to be a success. They create family groups and make room assignments before the campers arrive. They lead activities such as crafts, songs, hikes, and campfires. When not doing their primary job responsibility, they are behind the scenes completing any task that supports the work of the directors and counselors for that week, from walking the halls at night to putting together dynamic multimedia worship resources. The best staffers find ways to make the campers the focus of the week.

To be an elementary staff member, you must fill out an application, provide references, undergo a background check, complete an interview, and attend a mandatory training weekend. Staff members must be at least 18 years old, available for all six weeks of elementary camp, and attend a mandatory training event.

Junior/Senior High Team

The junior/senior high team sets up each week of junior high and senior high camp to be a success. They provide the resources for programs, lead activities, and facilitate the daily schedule of events. They lead activities such as crafts, games, skits, and folk-dancing. They also have many behind the scenes responsibilities that support the work of the directors and counselors, such as assisting the camp nurse and putting together dynamic multimedia worship resources. The best team members find ways to make the campers the focus of the week.

To be a junior/senior high team member, you must fill out an application, provide references, undergo a background check, complete an interview, and attend a mandatory training weekend. Team members must be at least 18 years old, available for all six weeks of junior and senior high camp, and attend a mandatory training event.

Sumatanga Summer Staff

These individuals make all the “camp things” at Sumatanga happen. They watch the pool, direct the ropes course, and serve as canoe instructors. They also serve behind the scenes by cleaning facilities, staffing canteen, breaking down and setting up for different events, and anything else that absolutely, positively has to get done to make camp a smooth experience for the campers. This position is for folks who know that somebody’s got to do the heavy lifting and don’t mind getting their hands dirty. Summer staffers have private living quarters and often must find their own solutions to keep camp running smoothly.

To be a Sumatanga Summer Staffer, you must fill out an application, provide references, undergo a background check, complete an interview, and attend a mandatory training event. As these individuals are not responsible for night-time supervision of campers, they may be 17 years of age. Staffers are assigned primary responsibilities based on their individual qualifications and on the needs of the staff.

Specific Positions on Summer Staff, Elementary Staff, and Junior/Senior High Team

  1. Lifeguard: Responsible for overseeing all swimming activities, communicating and enforcing pool and swimming area regulations, maintaining proper water chemical levels, and cleaning the pool/deck area. Persons with certificates valid at interview will receive priority consideration over those with course work not yet completed.
  2. Ropes Course Instructor: Oversees all activities on the low-element ropes course, directs small group ropes course participation, and maintains the course to ensure safety and cleanliness.
  3. Canoe Instructor: Oversees all aquatic activities at the lake, supervises the use of canoes, instructs the campers on the proper use of the equipment, and maintains the quality and cleanliness of all equipment, the boathouse and the waterfront area.
  4. Operations Assistant: Serves the camp leadership team in providing the leg work necessary to set up the auxiliary needs of the camp. These duties can include transportation, setting up for events, merchandising, inventory and general trouble-shooting.
  5. Elementary Camp Coordinator: The glue that holds our elementary camps together. This person coordinates the efforts of summer staff, office staff, kitchen staff, directors, counselors, and elementary staff tmake the weeks run as smooth as possible. The coordinator must work closely with the director of summer camping programs to implement their plan for the camps. A high degree of maturity, experience, and leadership is required.
  6. Junior/Senior Camp Coordinator: The glue that holds our junior and senior high camps together. This person coordinates the efforts of summer staff, office staff, kitchen staff, directors, counselors, and the junior/senior high team to make the weeks run as smooth as possible. The coordinator must work closely with the director of summer camping programs to implement their plan for the camps. A high degree of maturity, experience, and leadership is required.
  7. Music Resource Person (ElemStaff only): A capable song leader to all our elementary camps. Leads music at gatherings and worship and also leads a daily scheduled music activity. Applicant should have a demonstrated knowledge of Christian and age-appropriate music, the ability to lead large groups in song, and knowledge of a musical instrument (preferred).
  8. Crafts Resource Person (ElemStaff and J/S Team positions): Oversees all activity at the Craft Hut, instructs campers in the proper methods for making crafts, orders/maintains an inventory of supplies, accounts for any money paid for crafts by campers, maintains craft equipment, and keeps hut clean and organized.
  9. Recreation Resource Person (ElemStaff and J/S Team positions): Leads camp recreational activities and group games as scheduled, oversees the use of all recreational equipment, and plans recreational activity periods, including both competitive and cooperative activities.
  10. Outdoor Resource Person (ElemStaff only): Leads campers in nature activities and hikes. Applicant should demonstrate a sensitivity/appreciation for the outdoors and our environment. The development/facilitation of structured activities that guide children into an experience of nature is a must.
  11. Media Resource Person (ElemStaff and J/S Team positions): Works behind the scenes to provide the camp leadership team with the technological means to enhance the camping program. Creates videos, slide shows, handouts, and images using cameras, computers, sound equipment, and LCD projectors. Must be a problem-solver and able to complete tasks within a short time frame with varying input from others.
  12. Worship Resource Person (J/S Team only): Works with the camp leadership team to provide creative and meaningful worship experiences for the campers. Assists directors and speakers in planning and leading morning watch, vespers, communion, and daily programs. Must be able to communicate concepts such as faith and grace in an appropriate manner for our campers. May be called on to lead specific worship experiences.
  13. Programs Resource Person (J/S Team only): Works with the camp leadership team to provide creative and meaningful activities and programs for the campers. Assists directors and small group leaders in planning and leading discussions groups, curriculum activities, large group activities, etc. May be called on to lead specific parts of programs.

Important: All positions carry responsibilities in addition to directing the specific activities listed above. Responsibilities for worship, supervision of campers, preparation for each week, assisting with check-in/check-out, and clean-up duties are necessary for all positions. The successful leader will aid in all of these functions and more.