The following are the seven core values of camping/theological foundation statements for United Methodist Camps and Retreat Centers:
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Provide Sacred Places Apart
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Nurture Christian Faith and Discipleship
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Teaching Creation Care and Appreciation
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Partner with United Methodist Churches and Agencies
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Extend Christian Hospitality and Community
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Developing Principled Spiritual Leaders
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Inspire and Equip Lives for Love and Justice
Summer Staff
Our summer staff hiring process goes like this: First, we recruit awesome college students to apply. Then they send an application, background check information, and three references: one from a spiritual leader, one from a teacher, and one from their choosing. They finally have an interview with the Cedar Crest Program Director and if they are hired they participate in staff training. This includes safety/safe sanctuary procedures, CPR/First-Aid for the Professional Rescuer, child behavior through different stages of development, faith formation benchmarks, learning the summer schedule, and how to be the best counselor ever.
Summer Staff Team Positions include:
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Counselors- A summer counselor is a young adult who has finished at least one year of college or other training, and will work directly with youth & children.
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Junior Counselors- Students who have finished their senior year in high school are welcome to apply to be a Junior Counselor. Junior counselors serve during the summer between completing high school and beginning college and receive half the pay full counselors receive throughout the summer.
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CITs- Applications to become a counselor in training, or a CIT, are open to students who have just finished their junior year of high school. Though a volunteer position, this staff role is one that affords a willing high school student the opportunity to serve Cedar Crest by being an active staff member with the campers while learning from the counselors.
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Program Staff- These team members serve as leadership who support the camp program, summer staff members, and campers. Program staff roles include waterfront director, ropes director, summer nurse, and chaplain.