What does it mean to be a counselor?
Counseling at camp is a very different experience from participating as a staff member. While being a staff member is a summer-long paid position, counseling is volunteer-based and the responsibilities of the counselors last the duration of the camp with which they are working. While the staff members are under the direction of the Director of Camping and Youth to see that the needs of camp are met (meal preparation, facility upkeep, etc.), the counselors are additionally under the direction of the individual camp director to meet the needs of the camp programming.
How do I become a counselor?
Because counseling is based on the individual camp needs, anyone wanting to become a counselor must contact the individual camp directors to determine if more leaders are needed. Anyone wishing to counsel must be approved by the individual camp director as well as the Director of Camping and Youth.
Once approved by the camp director, the paperwork for the camp can be obtained including pastoral and general references and information for background checks.
Counselor Requirements
All counselors must meet the following requirements:
- Must be approved by camp director and Director of Camping and Youth
- Must be 16 years of age and at least four years older than the age range of the campers
- Must fill out and return all necessary paperwork two weeks prior to camp
- Must pass background check
- Must be committed to Jesus Christ and want to serve through the camp experience
- Must be an active worshiper in the WV Baptist Convention ministry
All counselors must also turn in up-to-date counselor forms (required for new counselors; renew for existing counselors every three years):
- Pastoral Reference
- 2 General References
- Voluntary Disclosure Form
- Counselor Covenant and Expectations
- Counselor Statement of Faith (form and write-up)