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Training and Experience

We love our staff at Camp VIP!  Former campers, LITs, staff, committee members, and parents are all a special part of the VIP family and play a large role in the development of leaders.  We have the advantage of having to train minimally for facility management as we are guests of several excellent locations but the disadvantage of having a short time together to develop the leadership community that is integral to our camper’s experience.  Pre-camp workbooks and packages keep staff informed of program plans and eases concerns around comfortable participation for newcomers.  Being a small community in number allows us to provide an introductory experience for many of all ages who are seeking to offer themselves to serve but may not have any previous training.

We encourage everyone to obtain Emergency First Aid Training and Food Safe Level 1, as these are the first building blocks of maintaining health and safety for our campers but endeavor to provide training materials in advance of entering camp that will support various levels of ability and experience.  The candidate who has only completed Babysitters Training is just as welcome as the missionary home on leave.  The Leaders in Training program begins that exploration of self and service, and finding where one’s strengths are and how to use them fruitfully.

The Presbyterian Church of Canada (PCC) and the Presbyterian Church Camp and Conference Association (PCCCA) are able to offer materials and actively share learning opportunities such as www.openingdoorstodiscipleship.com which offers both Teaching Skills and Basic Bible Sharing.  Camp Standard: Safe Start Education is an on-line provider of training materials for management and staff of residential camp programs.  Visit their site at www.campstandard.com to see samples of curriculum.  Both streams have useful material that Camp VIP is using to develop its own unique training package, which will meet the BCCA accreditation standards and set up a new model that fits our ministry first and our program second.

Presbyterian camps each maintain their own policy manuals and procedural structures and VIP is actively exploring what is happening in other camps, to provide the best combination of preparation and confident participation.  We look for candidates who have a heart for Christian camping, demonstrate willingness to be mentored, are positive team players, desire a deep connection with campers, and are builders of community and strong role models for the larger population.