Junior Staff Members (JSM)
Junior Staff Members are youth typically aged 15-17 years, who volunteer one or two weeks of their summer vacation to come and serve. Lots of things that happen at camp each week are made possible by these youth who are willing to serve God at camp each summer.
JSMs are given a schedule that includes time to help the counselors and care for the campers, time to help the handyman, time to offer their hands to help teach swimming lessons or hold a board for a camper to nail during hand crafts, and time to help out in the kitchen, serving and cleaning up one meal each day. They have time before dinner to study God’s word together during Junior Staff devotions. Junior Staff are encouraged to give one evening devotion for the campers in their cabin. They are also responsible for being in the cabin at night and in the early morning when the counselor will have to leave for staff devotions or to take care of other things.
If you are interested in being a Junior Staff Member at Camp Pattersonville, please contact Director Dan at [email protected] and he will send you an application.
If you are interested in being a Junior Staff Member at Camp Pattersonville, please contact Director Dan at [email protected] and he will send you an application. Junior Staff volunteer for one week sessions at camp and are encouraged to try to come to camp for 2 or 3 such sessions over the course of the summer season.
Full Time Staff Members
All full time staff members are employed for the duration of the summer season, which begins one week before the first camper week. Staff week will be a valuable training time, as the staff get to know each other, get to know the ins and outs of camp, and prepare mentally and spiritually for 6 weeks of service to the Lord. Full time staff are required to be present at Camp from 1:45pm on Sunday afternoon until 11:00am on Saturday morning each week. They are also expected to use their time off on Saturday, and Sunday morning, to rest and spiritually prepare for the following week by attending morning worship at the church of their choice on Sunday morning. All positions are paid, and applications can be obtained by emailing Director Dan at [email protected] or by contacting any other board member.
Counselors
A counselor at Camp Pattersonville must be a high school graduate, 18 years old or older, have experience in camping and a strong Christian testimony as a foundation to lead the campers. The counselor is responsible for caring for a group of campers from the time they arrive on Sunday until Saturday morning when they leave the grounds. The counselor will keep the campers on schedule and teach the memory verse during a morning lesson and prepare an appropriate evening devotion for their campers. The counselor will also teach an interest class (5 o’clock class) in the afternoon, help teach either swimming lessons or hand crafts as designated by the director on a weekly basis, and plan a camp activity for the cabin each morning. It is a big job, but it can be very rewarding to watch campers learn that their counselor loves them and that God really loves them, too, as they come to know their Savior for the first time.
Cooks
Camp Pattersonville employs two cooks for the summer. They are responsible for preparing all meals, which includes figuring out a menu and shopping for supplies, supervising Junior Staff in the kitchen, and maintaining the kitchen in accordance with the regulations of the State of NY. Your service to the campers will be rewarded when you hear them singing Thank You songs at the top of their lungs from their various tables, begging for seconds on dessert! Your demonstration of Christ’s love through the time you spend in the kitchen will not go unnoticed in eternity.
Health Director
Every camp needs a good “nurse.” Our Health Director fills that position for us. The Health Directors job is immense but very fulfilling as this person will get to care for the campers physical needs. The Health Director is responsible for all first aid administered at camp, maintaining first aid kits, administering medication, and caring for the occassional sick camper. The Health Director must also meet NY State requirements.
Aquatics Director
The Aquatics Director, or WSI, is in charge of the swimming pool and program. This person must maintain the pool chemistry and cleanliness, as well as lifeguard and ensure adequate lifeguards are on watch during all free swim periods. This individual, certified by the American Red Cross to administer swimming lessons, will oversee the swimming lesson program in the afternoons.
Handy Man
The Handyman is responsible for general maintenance and upkeep of the camp buildings and grounds during the camping season. The staff appreciates all the work the Handyman does, and the Handyman has an incredible opportunity to model Christ for campers in more ways than one might realize.
Directors
The Camp Directors are responsible for overseeing all the staff and Junior Staff, planning the program for the summer, and seeing to the daily operation of the camp. In addition, they lead Junior Staff and Staff devotions each day, assign campers to cabins and counselors, teach Lesson with Director each morning and Campfire each evening. Being Camp Directors is a very big job. Our Directors, Dan and Angie Lawry, have been at it for years; this summer will be their 16th, and they will tell you it is more than a full time job.