NORTH FLORIDA BIBLE CAMP

2010

STAFF MANUAL

We are excited about OUR FIFTH YEAR for the North Florida Bible Camp. Thank you for being a part of the staff at NFBC. It has been an exciting time in the past few years as the camp has grown and we have seen the joy of interacting with so many young people. Touching the lives of these souls is such an important part of what we do. Each year has brought more growth and at present we plan to have camp at full capacity. This will bring about some changes for the staff and we know it will help to make our camp a better place to be. It is hoped that we can reach 120 campers this year and you can help us reach that goal. Here are some things you can do:

1. Over the next few months let everyone know about camp and how to sign up. Registration for campers begins February 1, 2010.
2. Direct them to our web site for all the information. www.northfloridabiblecamp.com
3. If someone does not have access to the web, we can print the information needed and mail it to them. After filling the paper work out we can fill in the internet registration.
4. Pray for the efforts of camp to be the blessing it can be for the campers and the staff.
5. Be excited about a week of thrilling adventure with a bunch of crazed and happy campers; along with a few very weird counselors and staff; or a lot of them.

Each year we build upon the previous year and your suggestions and comments over the last five years have helped tremendously. With each new year we try to bring in new ideas and ways to make camp more exciting and uplifting. There are many challenges each year to accomplish this. Some of the goals remain the same while others are being retooled to work better with the campers needs. As a staff member of North Florida Bible Camp your input is vital to our success.

• To find real joy in developing Christian association.
• To provide real spiritual experience
• To strengthen and mature their everyday faith.
• To develop self-confidence and trust in others.
• To help establish good habits of Christian living such as prayer, Bible reading, Bible study, personal devotions and sharing Christ.
• To have practical experience in leadership, service and application of spiritual truths to daily living.
• To develop the ability to get along with others unselfishly.
• To learn responsibility for one’s own decision and actions.

TO GROW IN THE GRACE AND KNOWLEDGE OF JESUS CHRIST

2 Peter 3:18

What It Means To Be A Staff Member At North Florida Bible Camp

“As camp rolls around each year I think of what God would want each of us to do to benefit the children. Jesus was nurtured under the watchful care of his parents and upheld this model in his ministry. He set a child amidst a group of self-important disciples, showing them the necessity of innocence in the kingdom (Matthew 18:2-4). He threatened those who would lead children away from him or cause them any harm (Luke 17:2). He insisted children were welcomed in the kingdom and were not to remain on the fringes of ministry (Matthew 18:5). If each of us, as counselors, keep these thoughts in our hearts, camp will surely continue to be a success.” [Suzanne Johnson]

As a counselor, you are charged with the great responsibility of leading, not driving your campers in a week of spiritual development. You can make this week never to be forgotten.

It is possible that you will lead some young soul to Christ. This is a serious charge and responsibility and you must set the example if it is to be done.

Take charge of your cabin at the start of each session. Know where your campers are at all times. Make sure your campers are at all assemblies, classes, meals, and other activities requiring their presence. Be aware of the condition of your campers, both physical and emotional.

Make sure your campers know and understand the camp rules.

The counselor should be conscious of the fact that tempers often get short as fatigue sets in and consequently steps should be taken to keep personal conflicts to a minimum. Whereas personal relationships are not forbidden, neither should they interfere in any way with counselor duties, or become overly apparent to the campers.

The counselor does not carry the final word in any issue (serious matters), consequently the counselors are encouraged to have open discussion about difficult issues in the daily staff meetings (4:30pm). Particular care should be taken to avoid “raids” or “wars” or “pranks” between cabins. Be firm about bedtime and getting up in the morning to get ready for the day.

On the whole, get involved and have a good time! If you are enthusiastic, the campers will be also, and you will have a good, tiring, thrilling, spiritual experience.

As a guide to what campers expect of you, remember the positive Christian values the campers need to see is:

• You are agreeable, friendly and approachable;
• You are strict and can maintain order;
• You participate in activities with the campers;
• You are sympathetic and understanding;
• You are fair and have no favorites;
• You are efficient in their assigned work in camp;
• You are not overbearing, bossy, conceited;
• You are not unnecessarily severe.

You can demonstrate your leadership at the North Florida Bible Camp by:

• Be optimistic in all kinds of weather. Never complain about the weather – hot or rainy. Point out to campers how much fun the rainy weather can be. Never grumble.
• Work hard, by yourself and with others. Camping is fun and pleasant, but it is not a holiday for you – it is work.
• Health and safety consciousness is most important. Be aware of the state of your camper’s health. Take all precautions to prevent an accident.
• Be courteous, unselfish, prompt, and reliable. Follow the daily schedule of all activities very carefully.
• Be friendly but never partial. It is easy to like the likeable, amusing, and talented campers.
• Be agreeable and firm, not bossy and ‘naggy’.
• Abide by all camp rules. Set the example for the campers – never complain about rules but follow them and see that your campers do the same.
• Help campers prevent homesickness by being cheerful and by keeping them busy.
• A Christian example at all times is indispensable – you may be the camper’s pattern; the person he admires and wants to be like some day.
• Enjoy your camping activities and let the campers see that Christian love and friendship is a way of LIFE.

The above also applies to those who are STAFF. We have the same opportunity to influence everyone at camp to be a better person.

North Florida Bible Camp has always enjoyed our precampers. These soon-to-be campers come to us courtesy of the necessity of some staff members to bring their children with them to camp due to family circumstances. There are some guidelines about precampers that are important:

1. Precampers are children of staff members who cannot find a place for the child to stay during camp.
2. Precampers are only from Grades 1-3.
3. Precampers must be able to stay without a parent in the precamper cabin. We have two wonderful counselors who will look after the precamper in their every need.
4. Staff parents are welcome to visit with their precamper but please do not take the child without notifying the precamper counselors.
5. Precampers will be included in as many activities and programs as can be safely conducted.
6. There is a limited space for precampers.

ALL clothing must cover the knee and cover the top. Dress has to take in to account seating posture as well as when one is standing or walking around. No sleeveless, no low cut shirts and no shorts above the knee are allowed. Staff will be required to follow the dress code each day as a model of North Florida Bible Camp.

Cabins 1-5: Girls                                       

Cabins 6-10: Boys

Cabin 5A: Groupies (girls)                    

Teacher Cabin: Groupies (boys)

Roberts Cabin: Precampers

Cooks Cabin: Men cabin

Arts & Crafts: Women cabin

Nurses Cabin: Nurse