SUMMER STAFF ONBOARDING
CREATE A PLACE TO BELONG & BECOME
WELCOME TO THE TEAM!
This page is your all-in-one place for getting ready for your time serving at Camp Sonshine! Are you ready to create camp experiences for all to BELONG & BECOME? Are you ready for a summer that will change your life forever?!
STEP 1: COMPLETE ONBOARDING
There are a few things you need to do to prepare for your summer serving at Camp Sonshine!
A NOTE ABOUT J-1 VISA PROCESS
We’re thrilled to have you join us this summer! As you navigate the J-1 VISA process, we want to encourage you with three key reminders:
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Be Patient: The process can feel slow at times, but patience is part of the journey. Trust that each step is moving you closer to your destination.
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Practice “Hurry Up and Wait”: When you receive tasks or assignments from your placement agency, respond promptly. This helps keep everything on track, even when the next step requires waiting. Sometimes it can be tempting to check in with more emails, but this only bogs down their system. This is when we practice patience!
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Have Faith: God’s timing is perfect. While the process may have its challenges, remember that He is in control. Stay faithful, and trust that it will all come together as planned.
We’re praying for you as you prepare, and we can’t wait to see how God works through this season!
Blessings,
Adrianna
TO DO: SIGN & SEND BACK DOCUMENTS
- Please download your mininstry service agreement from your email and contract packet.
- Sign and send to Emma@CampSonshineMemories.org!
If you don’t have a cultural exchange agency already, we will send your information to an agency that will assist you in the process of getting your J-1 VISA! Be looking for an email with next steps from Odyssey International or CCUSA!
FORM: STAFF QUESTIONAIRE
This is a great way for our leadership team and adopt a counselor members to get to know you before you arrive! CLICK HERE TO FILL OUR QUESTIONNAIRE!
HEALTH HISTORY FORM
Your cultural exchange agency will have you fill out a Health History Form. When completed, please send to Emma@CampSonshineMemories.org
NOTE: Information on this form is gathered to assist the camp in identifying appropriate care, to ensure safe participation in camp activities, and to confirm the employee’s ability to perform the essential functions of the job. A staff member’ employment is not complete until Camp Sonshine receives a signed Health History Form.
TO DO: DOWNLOAD SLACK APP
We use this messaging app pre-summer and during the summer for connection and important announcements. A member of our recruiting team will send you a link to login in to our Camp Sonshine “Workspace.” DOWNLOAD SLACK!
TO DO: SIGN UP FOR ONBOARDING CALL
Each staff member is required to attend a pre-summer onboarding call.
In person or online, this time is designed for you to meet the directors, get pertinent information about summer, and get to know other staff members.
Click here to RSVP for a meeting! (COMING SOON!)
Staff currently in high school must attend with a parent. Let us know which meeting you will attend.
OTHER TIPS & INFORMATION (New Information Coming Soon!)
- Tips For Your Journey – Some tips to help you on your journey to Nebraska!
- Create WISE account – Best international bank account we’ve found to pay our international staff.
STEP 2: PREPARE FOR CAMP
There are a few things you need to do to prepare for your summer serving at Camp Sonshine!
WHEN YOU ARRIVE...
- We’ll pick you up from the Lincoln (LNK) or Omaha (OMA). Please fill out this form to tell us your travel itinerary or send your itinerary to Emma@CampSonshineMemories.org.
- Validate your VISA within 3 days. Your cultural exchange agency will have specific instructions on how to do this.
- We’ll have housing/food provided for you at camp! We suggest having some cash on hand if you’d like to buy any specific food or specific toiletries when you arrive.
TO DO: READ OUR STAFF HANDBOOK!
- Please read your staff handbook before you arrive to staff training.
- A hard copy will be sent to you before summer. Be sure to bring this one with you
IMPORTANT SUMMER DATES/TIMES (Orientation, Staff Training Week & Session Dates)
Mark your calendar (whether that’s online or on paper), these dates are VERY IMPORTANT to remember for this summer!
Target Arrival Date – Friday, May 23 (Please contact us if you are in need of a different arrival date.)
International Staff Orientation
- Saturday, May 24 | Time TBD
All Staff Orientation
- Sunday, May 26 at 5 PM at Solaris
- 2349 State Hwy Spur 34b, Firth, NE
- Please bring what you need for a two night stay at Solaris!
Training Week – Monday, May 25 – Saturday, May 31
- You’ll need closed toed shoes, comfy clothes, a water bottle, a backpack, notebook, pen & Bible each day for training!
Tentative Staff Training Schedule
- Sunday | 5 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. (staying overnight at Solaris)
- Monday | 9 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. (staying overnight at Solaris)
- Tuesday | 8 a.m. – 7:30 p.m.
- Wednesday | 8 a.m. – 7 p.m.
- Thursday | 8 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.
- Friday | 7 a.m. – 7:30 p.m.
- Saturday | 9 a.m. – Noon
Summer Sessions
- Session 1 | May 31 – June 7
- Session 2 | June 7 – 14
- Session 3 | June 14 – 21
- Session 4 | June 21 – 28
- Session 5 | June 28 – July 5
- Session 6 | July 5 – 12
- Session 7 | July 12 – 19
- Session 8 | July 19 – 26
- Session 9 | July 26 – Aug 2
- Session 10 | Aug 2 – 9
- Session Starts on Saturday Morning for Pre-Session Meeting
- Day Camp = Monday – Saturday Morning (Day Camp Counselor Day in The Life Video)
- Overnight Camp = Sunday – Friday OR Monday – Thursday (Overnight Camp Counselor Day in The Life Coming Soon!)
- Session Ends on Saturday Morning for Session Debrief/Celebration!
- Staff Socials Every Saturday Evening
End of Summer Staff Celebration (YOU WILL NOT WANT TO MISS THIS!) – Saturday, August 9
Departure Date – Sunday, August 10
PRE SUMMER JOURNAL PROMPTS
- In what ways do you want to live out the love of God this summer?
- Is there one of Camp Sonshine’s core values that you are excited to live out this summer?
- Is there one of Camp Sonshine’s core values that might be more challenging for you? How can your team support you in this?
- What are some fears you might have coming into a summer at camp? There is power in naming those fears! Pray for God to meet you in those fears.
- What were some of the milestones of you coming to trust and believe in the gospel? How can you share your journey of faith with your campers?
Don’t forget to PRAY! There is power in prayer so here’s a list of things you can pray over before you come to Camp Sonshine!
- Pray that your heart and mind would be opened to new experiences and challenges.
- Pray for the team you will be a part of – that everyone would come together and be unified!
- Pray that the Lord would use you to build his Kingdom!
SUMMER THEME: COMING SOON!
COMING SOON!
SUMMER PACKING LIST
Some helpful tips and tricks for what to pack! CLICK HERE FOR PACKING LIST!
CAMP HOUSING GUIDELINES
If you are living in camp-provided housing this summer, please take time to read out guidelines! You will receive site-specific guidelines during training week. CLICK HERE FOR HOUSING GUIDELINES!
THE KIND OF PEOPLE WE WANT TO “BE”
Camp Sonshine Core Values
We’d love to spend some time before summer with you meditating on Camp Sonshine’s core values and what scripture has to say about some of the ideas presented below. We’d love to hear from you as you read and ponder these things!
Buying into and living out the core values of Camp Sonshine is not something that we hope our staff members will just accidently fall into. While certain values may manifest themselves more naturally in different people at different times, we recognize that adhering to these values and allowing them to formulate a grid by which to filter all actions and decisions is a choice that each person has to make on a daily basis. Therefore, at Camp Sonshine, we choose to: Belong, Become, Believe, & Go Beyond!
BELONG (COMMUNITY)
We strive to create and maintain a community where the love of God is experienced by all.
Although our programs are designed for the children and teens who attend camp, our desire is to minister to the entire family as well as to the various individuals who comprise the greater camp community. Each person has value because they are created and loved by God and as such will always find a place where they are accepted and belong. Everything we do is designed to create or maintain a community where the love of God is experienced by all.
- Romans 15:5-7 – May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.
- Matthew 18:20 – For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.
- Romans 12:4-5 – For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another
BECOME (TEACHABILITY)
We work to see each camper and staff member grow more into who God created them to be.
We want to see each camper and staff member become more of who God created them to be and to promote positive growth in all arenas of life: physical, emotional, social, spiritual, and intellectual. In order for those who are connected with camp to leave more in line with God’s plan for their life than when they arrived, it is imperative for all to live with a heart of teachability and openness to the lessons and challenges presented to us.
- Hebrews 10:24-25 – And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
- Proverbs 27:17 – Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.
- Colossians 1:9-10 – And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.
- Galatians – 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
- Other passages: 2 Timothy 3:16-17 , Psalm 1:1-3, Philippians 1:6
BELIEVE (POSITIVITY)
We infuse a positive and uplifting perspective into every relationship, circumstance and situation we experience.
God is always up to something good regardless of the circumstances we face. We believe the best about others and what God is up to all around us. This belief provides the foundation for the positivity that permeates our community through our attitudes and actions.
- John 16:33 – I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
- Romans 15:13May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.
- Isaiah 41:10 Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
- Philippians 2:3-4: “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others”
go BEYOND (INITIATIVE)
We initiate exceptional customer service and will not settle for the minimum standard or effort.
We seek to offer unbelievably amazing customer service. We believe that through exceeding expectations our ministry to staff and families will be enhanced. We do not settle for the minimum standard but with hearts of selflessness and servant leadership pursue the flourishing of our community and the benefits of its members regardless of the cost.
- 1 Peter 4:10 – Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.
- Ephesians 6:7-8 – Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people, because you know that the Lord will reward each one for whatever good they do, whether they are slave or free.
- Mark 10:45 – For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
- Ephesians 3:20 – 21 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
Year Round Staff Opportunities
Camp Sonshine International – Camp Sonshine works in partnership with ministries around the world to provide and train leaders who can provide life-changing camp experiences. Join our CSI teams who travel to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico or Zambia, Africa! Click here to apply!
Ministry Internship – Looking for practical ministry experience and a place to learn and develop your skill and abilities personally, spiritually and professionally? Apply to our internship program!
Year Round Events – Looking for a part time job during the school year? We provide year round camp events and would love to have you on our year round team and pay you hourly! Check out HOMEBASE for available shifts!
Follow Camp Sonshine on Social Media!