Training

Senior Staff Training

All Senior Staff are required to complete a two-week training course prior to the summer season. We understand that our staff relies on each other throughout the summer as their encouragement and support. Because of this, we find it important to pack our staff training with lots of time for fellowship and building staff relations. Staff training consists of six main components.

  • Program/activity facilitation
  • Camper education, including management and camper/parent relations
  • Camp policies and procedures
  • Worship and devotions
  • Staff fellowship
  • Specialized training (CPR/AED/First Aid, etc.)

Senior Staff are also given the opportunity to be certified as a Lifeguard by the American Red Cross and / or as a Ropes Course Facilitator. Lifeguard training dates are the week before Senior Staff training. Ropes Course Facilitator training dates are also the week before Senior Staff training. Adventure Resource training dates are mixed into Senior Staff training and potentially during some weekends prior to the start of Senior Staff training. Other resource and support staff positions may require additional training. These trainings may take place over weekends prior to the official start of our Senior Staff training. Specific dates and times for these trainings are TBA and will be arranged through Camp Tekoa.

Staff Assistant Family Group Leader (SA FGL) Training

SA FGL training is a shortened version of the Senior Staff training. The SA FGL training is broad in scope, as we use our SA FGL's to fill many positions at Tekoa. SA FGL's will gain knowledge in five training component areas (these training components will focus on elementary and middle school age camp programs).

  • Program/activity facilitation
  • Camper education, including management and camper/parent relations
  • Camp policies and procedures
  • Worship and devotions
  • Staff fellowship
  • Specialized training (CPR/AED/First Aid, etc.)

Leader In Training (LIT)

Our LIT program is intended for learning and leading and is geared towards preparing our volunteers for working with children and youth in a Christian camp atmosphere. We focus on training our LITs in small and large group activities, nature programs, leading campfires, and personal growth. The first week of the LIT experience is training. Our LITs then may have subsequent weeks with experiences serving with day camp, being a 3rd in a group role, serving as support to FGLs, or floating in program responsibilities. 

Application Process

Tekoa has a hiring process that examines a number of personal qualities that each applicant must possess and requires them to complete a thorough application process.

Senior Staff (FGLs and Support Staff) must:

  • Complete an online application
  • Have 3 personal references submit online reference forms
  • Complete a personal interview (in-person or online)
  • Pass a national history background check

Returning Senior Staff (FGLs and Support Staff) must:

  • Complete an online application
  • Have 1 reference submit an online reference
  • Complete a personal interview (in-person or online)
  • Pass a national history background check

Staff Assistant Family Group Leaders (SA FGL):

  • Complete an online application
  • Have 3 personal references submit online reference forms
  • Complete a personal interview (in-person or online)
  • Pass a national history background check

Leaders In Training (LIT):

  • Complete an online application
  • Have 3 personal references submit online reference forms
  • Complete a personal interview (in-person or online)

All application and reference forms are on our Application Forms page.

What We Look For

The personal qualities and criteria we look for in our applicants:

  • A Christian, high school or college age student excited about Tekoa's mission of "Touching hearts, changing lives, sharing the light of Christ."
  • Show evidence that they enjoy interacting with children
  • Show excitement for working in the outdoors
  • Show signs of being a good listener
  • Able to think quickly and react positively to pressure situations
  • Good attitude and good character
  • Show evidence of working well with others
  • Ready to laugh, cry and smile along side their campers

 

Dates

Adventure Resource Training:

  • Dates TBD

Ropes Course Facilitator Training:

  • Saturday, May 11 - Tuesday, May 14
    • Saturday, May 11: In-House Orientation
    • Sunday, May 12 - Tuesday, May 14: Vendor Led Training

Lifeguard Training:

  • Wednesday, May 15 - Saturday, May 18
    • Prior to arrival: watch Red Cross Lifeguarding videos that will be sent out
    • Wednesday, May 15 - Friday, May 17: Vendor Led Training
    • Saturday, May 18: In-House Orientation

Senior Staff Training:

  • Sunday, May 19 - Friday, May 31

Staff Assistant Family Group Leaders (SA FGL) Training:

  • Sunday, June 2 - Saturday, June 8

Leaders In Training (LIT) Training Week Options:

  • Week Two: Sunday, June 9 - Saturday, June 15
    • OR
  •  Week Four: Sunday, June 23 - Saturday, June 29

Leaders In Training (LIT) Serving Week Options:

Must have completed one of the two training weeks prior to any of these serving weeks. After completing one of the two training weeks an LIT may serve one or up to seven of the remaining LIT serving weeks of the summer. 

  • Week Three: Sunday, June 16 - Saturday, June 22
  • Week Four: Sunday, June 23 - Saturday, June 29
  • Week Five: Sunday, June 30 - Saturday, July 6
  • Week Six: Sunday, July 7 - Saturday, July 13
  • Week Seven: Sunday, July 14 - Saturday, July 20
  • Week Eight: Sunday, July 21 - Saturday, July 27
  • Week Nine: Sunday, July 28 - Saturday, August 3

Camp Session Weeks:

  • Week One: Sunday, June 2 - Saturday, June 8
  • Week Two: Sunday, June 9 - Saturday, June 15
  • Week Three: Sunday, June 16 - Saturday, June 22
  • Week Four: Sunday, June 23 - Saturday, June 29
  • Week Five: Sunday, June 30 - Saturday, July 6
  • Week Six: Sunday, July 7 - Saturday, July 13
  • Week Seven: Sunday, July 14 - Saturday, July 20
  • Week Eight: Sunday, July 21 - Saturday, July 27
  • Week Nine: Sunday, July 28 - Saturday, August 3

 

SECONDARY TRAININGS:

Theses trainings are for those who hope to work during retreat season (August to May) and for those who hope to work the following summer so that they will already have these certifications by the time summer starts. 

Ropes Course Facilitator Training:

  • Saturday, August 4 - Tuesday, August 6

Lifeguard Training:

  • Wednesday, August 7 - Friday, August 9
    • Prior to arrival: watch Red Cross Lifeguarding videos that will be sent out
    • Wednesday, August 7 - Friday, August 9: Vendor Led Training

  All application and reference forms are on our Application Forms page.

 

Want To Know More? 

If you are interested in working at Camp Tekoa and would like to learn more, please complete this interest form: 

 Staff Interest Form