Behind the Scenes

Since United Christian Youth Camp is a non-profit organization, they are highly dependent on the work done by volunteers and the generous donations from others. Over this last weekend of our middle school winter camp, we had six volunteers come up to help with the programming of the weekend. These volunteers came from Phoenix and Tucson to spend their time being involved in these kids lives. Each of these volunteers were members of the camp summer staff this past summer and were willing to commit to this winter camp event. I am so grateful for their desire and passion to travel far from their homes just so they can be a part of this life changing experience for these students.

Most of the volunteers at UCYC are people who have had some prior work history with the camp organization, but are now off working somewhere else. However, they have committed to spend time completing various facilities projects and help in whatever ways necessary. Most of the training that volunteers experience is hands-on/on-the-job training because it is entirely dependent on what tasks in which they are going to be involved. We do our best to motivate our volunteers through using encouragement notes, using words of affirmation, and serving them in different situations. Also, the organization is committed to help house and feed all of our volunteers. I believe that there is a very high emphasis on the work of volunteers at UCYC and I personally feel that they are highly valued and appreciated by all of the staff members.

Avalanche

It's interesting that the theme of our first camp is Avalanche, when your world comes crashing down upon you. During the last week, I have been stressed, and pushed to the edge mentally, physically, and spiritually. I am learning that I just need to take the leap into the unknown and work with what I have in my life today. As the weekend of our first winter camp approaches, I have been slowly preparing recreation games and activities for the middle school students. Meanwhile, I have been creating a summer staff manual and corresponding with youth pastors. I am trying to spend my off hours relaxing because of how hectic everything is within this youth camp profession.

The mission of this organization is to create a "life changing experience" for the visitors that come to the location. In order for us to create this unique experience, we must create recreation activites that are new, exciting, and effective in building relationships. My role as the program intern is to create these unique recreational activities. I have created several competition games that allow for students to compete in teams, which allows them to not only have fun in participating in the activities as a group, but also remove them from the possibly stressful atmospheres of school, family life, and work.

Everyday I learn how I am just a tool or piece of the complex puzzle that is the staff of United Christian Youth Camp. I remember everyday that this is a serving ministry that impacts the lives of others and anything that I can do to make someone else's experience more comfortable then I should do it. Since living in Prescott for the last few weeks, it has been hard to adjust to the new living situations and being away from known acquaintances, but I have quickly adapted by becoming involved in recreational activities, the surrounding community, and building friendships with other staff members.