Camp Leadership (Team)

2014 PSR Camp Leadership Team & Executive Team

Have you thought about joining the camp leadership team?

In a month we'll be starting the application process and here is the preliminary list of positions that will be available (in no particular order):

1) Administrative Coordinator
2) Boys Village Coordinator
3) Girls Village Coordinator
4) PR & Media Coordinator
5) Program Assistant (female)
6) Program Assistant (male)
7) Activities Assistant

A lot of the work the leadership team does goes unseen by other employees. They create their own effective checklists, schedules, and programs which ensure things run smoothly at camp.

Here are a few of the qualities we're looking for in our camp supervisors.

Leadership Qualities
1) We're looking for people who have a heart for service. As a leader, you'll have plenty of opportunities to clean bathrooms at camp. You could ask (or tell) other employees to do it for you, but a servant leader will take these opportunities to work with your staff.

Some people think that being a supervisor means you don't have to get your hands soiled, but the reality is that moving up in the PSR hierarchy means you'll have even more opportunities to do the dirty work at camp.

2) Leaders who understand the value of balancing confidence and humility. The leadership team is comprised of people who usually aren't thinking of camp as a full-time career. This means that while they might have a history of camp experience, they aren't going to perfectly execute plans 100% of the time. A camp leader knows this, and also knows when to apologize and when to hold firm on principle.      

Usually, people don't offer an apology because it makes them feel like they are wrong. A leader knows that they will be wrong sometimes, and admitting they made a mistake is not a failure.    

3) Leaders who know how to place others before himself or herself. Leaders eat a lot of cold pizza, drink flat soda, and sometimes even go without when serving others. A leader doesn't mind eating the bag of chips no one else chooses in the variety pack (which, is inevitably Fritos) and doesn't complain about 'getting shafted' because the good food ran out.      

Food is just one example of putting others first, I'm sure we can think of others.

4) Finally, our team of supervisors makes a commitment to being Christian leaders. I could write a few pages about this subject, but it boils down to using Christ as our example in how we should act. Christ had the opportunity to play favorites (Matt. 20:23), discard his Father's work (Matt. 4:8-10), and associate with those who were popular in society.

Instead, He ministered to the poor, gentiles, harlots, tax collectors, lepers, etc.. equally.

What wonderful love.

So, if you feel inspired or called to camp ministry let us know by filling out an application next month.

We'll see you at camp,

-Jeremy

P.S. If you'd like a job description for any of the positions listed above, or just have questions please feel free to contact me.

On Being Sent...

2014 Summer Staff Photo

Have you ever been sent somewhere? 

I have. 

Usually it's to the store, to collect some grocery items for a family member or friend. Sound familiar? Once you are old enough to drive and have a car it's only a matter of time until you're heading some place to fulfill the wishes of someone who has the ability to compel you to do their bidding.

Wait, that sounded negative.

Once you are old enough to drive and have a car, it's only a matter of time until you are able to do things for the people that you care about.

Much better.

When you've been sent to do something, it usually involves having a very specific purpose.

Example:

   buzz, buzz <incoming text message>

   MOM: Need eggs.

   Reply: Just left store.

   MOM: Need eggs.

   Reply: ...

   MOM: Go back.

   Reply: OK

   MOM: THANK YOU

Also, when you're sent to do something, you probably have some good faith basis that the task is necessary. Let's imagine I arrived home only to find that their were plenty of eggs hiding behind the milk! The next time I am asked to pick-up anything from the grocery store you can imagine I'll ask, '...did you look behind the milk?'

Aside from this hypothetical situation, the reason I bring it up is because I have been reading a lot about people who were sent to do things in the Bible.

Examples:

Numerous OT prophets who were sent to warn the Hebrews and/or kings of Israel and Judah. 

Jonah (Jonah 1-4; sent by God to speak to the people of Nineveh)

Saul/Paul (Acts 9:6; sent by God into Damascus) 

Paul (Acts 16:9-10; Paul sent/called to Macedonia)

Timothy (1 Corinthians 4:17; sent by Paul to the church in Corinth) 

Epaphroditus (Philippians 2:25; sent by Paul to the church in Philippi)

Onesimus (Philemon 1:12; sent by Paul back to his master)

Usually, the focus today is on the 'call' to ministry. When someone feels like God is preparing them to walk down the path that travels towards Christian leadership, or to a specific place (like a church/different church). It's such a powerful thing when someone feels like God wants them to do something, and people either answer the call or forgo it. 

I wonder, though, if there are people out there today who experience a Christian 'sending' verses a 'calling'. When someone we trust, or even God, takes us out of the situation we're in and places us somewhere else. I realize there are all sorts of freewill problems with this kind of thinking, but I can imagine a God, who, like a parent, intervenes in the world to rescue (and prosper) His children. 

Think about it: Would you, in faith and for a necessary purpose, accept a specific task from God or someone you trust?

I did forget to include one other great example of a sending: Jesus. (John 3:16-17) Probably the best example of a 'necessary purpose' and a 'specific task' in the Bible.  

Some people will feel called to ministry this summer at camp; it's an exciting and wonderful opportunity to serve others. What will keep me up at night (among other things) will be the idea that perhaps some people will be responding (maybe even against their own hearts) to a sending, where God or someone they trust tells them to join us at PSR for our 2015 season. 

Let us pray today that we'll all have the courage to accept the times we are 'called' or 'sent' to do God's will, and trust that He has a plan. 

We'll see you at camp! 

-Jeremy

CA Minimum Wage Laws Affect Summer Camp Employees

2014 Camp Staff @ Line Call

(Riverside, CA) Summer camp employees are amusement and recreational industry workers as defined by California state law. Employee salaries are based on a formula derived from the minimum wage, and compensation in the forms of meals and lodging are regulated by the California Department of Industrial Relations (DIR) using established figures.

CA/DIR Figures that establish 'fair value' of meals and lodging (Updated: July 2014)
       The value of a shared room per week in CA is: $34.94
       The value of meals per 6-day work week in CA is: $82.44
       The total amount that can be deducted for room and board (per week) in CA is: $117.38

CA Minimum Wage Requirements for Summer Camp Employees (Updated: July 2014)
    85% of minimum wage based on a 40 hour work week.
    [($9.00 x 40) x .85] - 117.38 = $188.62 (per week) minimum wage

   When the minimum wage was increased on July 1st, 2014 to $9.00 an hour the salary formula at Pine Springs Ranch Camp (PSR) was examined and set to exceed the mandatory minimum requirements.

PSR Summer Camp Employee Compensation (per week) for NEW EMPLOYEES
       $210 for student employees
       $225 for counselors & class instructors
       $240 for specialized/certified instructors
       $255 for head instructors
       $270 for leadership supervisors

   Beating the lowest prescribed salary is a long standing tradition at PSR since expectations for employees are high and because of our commitment to staff success. Most of our staff are college students who are participating in educational scholarships and their work at camp is viewed as a ministry that is accomplished with little financial benefit. However, most camp workers would agree that the intangible benefits (employment training, work experience, friendships with other staff, etc...) make a big difference in their lives.

   Employees who return to camp year after year earn automatic raises and often increasing responsibilities. We're always glad to retain great employees, but we are also proud of our staff members who decide to take other summer ministry opportunities or reach for personal success through education or promising careers.

   Often at the end of the camp season we're also able to provide a small (taxable) bonus for most of our workers as an extra 'thank you' for their service. In 2014 we awarded a total of $6,670 among our employees and we structured the bonus formula so that everyone was able to benefit. This exceeded the amount we spent on bonuses in 2013 and we hope to increase employee bonuses in 2015.

   Finally, during the summer season (and beyond) we often find special ways to do nice things for our seasonal employees. The annual Christmas party is just one example of a no-cost event for former staff and continues a tradition that has lasted many years.

   As many Californians are aware, the minimum wage is increasing January 1st, 2016 and we will once again be re-evaluating our camp pay scale to make sure that our weekly salary compensation is beating the minimum requirement for our employees.

   Please always feel free to contact us if you have any questions regarding camp wages and/or compensation.

~Jeremy Cruz
Assistant Director

Help Wanted: Do you have a heart for camp ministry?

We're currently seeking a part-time worker (19/hrs per week) who is interested in summer camp ministry & programming.

The main workplace location for this employee would be the Southeastern CA Conference Office in Riverside (near La Sierra University) and you can request the job description and application via email or with the SECC Human Resources Department. It's been awhile since we've had a part-time assistant during the off-season, but 2015 is going to bring unique challenges and opportunities that will require extra hands and feet from day one. 

Feel free to pass this information along to a friend if you know someone who might be interested.

~Jeremy Cruz

Jeremy.Cruz@seccsda.org

2014 - 2015 PSR Summer Camp Calendar

2014 - 2015 PSR Summer Camp Calendar

FALL QUARTER 

December 4-7: AACP Meetings @ Camp Kalaqua
December 9: Leadership Team Applications become available online
December 28: Alumni Christmas Party
December 30: Staff & Kitchen Applications become available online

WINTER QUARTER 
January 5-8: La Sierra University Recruitment 
January 8: Summer Camp Registration Begins
January 21: Probable Last Day to Submit Leadership Applications
February 17: Probable First Round of Hiring
March 17: Probable Second Round of Hiring

SPRING QUARTER
March 20-23: Leadership Retreat
March 30: Contracts for First & Second round hires.
April 21: Probable Third Round of Hiring 
May 19: Probable Final Round of Hiring/Late Hires

SUMMER CAMP
June 15-24: Staff Training Week
June 24-28: Pathfinder & Adventurer Family Camp
June 28 – July 5: Discovery Camp
July 5-12: Junior Camp #1
July 12-19: Junior Camp #2
July 19-26: Tween Camp
July 26 – August 2: Teen Camp
August 4: Probable final day of contract


*Please note: Recruitment dates for Pacific Union College have not yet been added but will probably be in January.

Friday: Teen Week

Greetings Readers,

   Sorry about the inconsistencies in the posting this week. No one has complained, but it's been more difficult than ever to post updates during teen camp. Either the upload speed is to slow or my laptop would throw a tantrum and decide to stop working entirely.  I will try to get a better computer by next summer.

   I hope you've enjoyed the photos so far, and I will post the rest of the photos and some additional information as soon as I can. This blog was an experiment this summer in getting out general information to parents of campers, parents of staff, and friends of camp. I have enough feedback to make some improvements next summer, and I hope it was useful to all of you who spent time following it.

   A lot of you asked for video clips, and that's a suggestion I will take to heart for our 2015 season.

   Teen camp has been a real blessing this year to me; and half of the reason is because we missed out on having teen week last year. Campers aged 13-17 often have some of the most difficult issues to deal with and camp is a great place to leave those things behind and just enjoy being teenagers. I know those issues don't just vanish, and today I watched as campers opened up about their personal lives to each other and their counselor during afterglow (which is right after our camp pageant).

   There was laughter, tears, prayers and hugs shared among so many of them, it's amazing that less than a week ago most of them were strangers to each other. I found myself wondering how many of those 16 & 17 year old's will fill out an application to work here next summer.

   I know our parents send their campers to PSR for so many different reasons, but I hope that your child (camper or staff member) was someone who encountered the transformative power of camp.

   We'll be in transition back down the mountain from tomorrow night until Thursday, so pardon our dust as we get ready to head back down the mountain... it may take a little longer to get to our email, messages, and phones but we'll be doing our best.

   God Bless!

~Jeremy

Wednesday: Teen Week

Lined Up

Exiting the Pit

Good to go

On Track

Finished the race

Enjoy these photos from our 'day away' trip (for our small engine racing class)!

~Jeremy