IBSA camps prepare for summer

Streator seeks staff and volunteers

Despite the current weather forecast, summer is coming soon. Streator Baptist Camp is seeking staff members to serve during the busy season that will see hundreds of children and teens enjoy multiple weeks of disciple-making camps.

“We are prayerfully seeking workers to serve alongside us as we show the love of Jesus through camp ministry,” Streator Camp Manager Jacob Kimbrough said.

Summer workers are needed for ten weeks, beginning May 26. These paid positions will assist with recreation for visiting groups, facilities care, meal preparation, and more. The positions are for a five-day week, except for a few occasions when church groups are booked on a weekend.

Camp Cook will manage food service for groups of 30 to 150, organize kitchen staff, and keep the dining service running on schedule. Candidates must have a state food service manager’s license or obtain one before June. “We’re looking for someone who is kind and welcoming to our guests,” Kimbrough said. He’s also looking for a self-starter in this position.

Active SBC church membership is required for all staff. Candidates must pass a background check and take Ministry Safe Training on their first day of employment. Housing and meals are provided for summer staff.

New state DR director named

Arnold Ramage joined the IBSA staff as State Director of Illinois Baptist Disaster Relief in January. He will organize the work of volunteer teams on callouts, along with current Assistant State Directors Harold Booze, Dennis Felix, and John Lindeman. “Serving as director affords me the opportunity to share my enthusiasm and desire to help survivors during the worst days of their lives,” he said.

Ramage has served as DR chaplain and leads training for new DR workers. Ramage and his wife, Paula, have served in DR since their first callout when Hurricane Harvey hit East Texas in 2017.

“Disaster Relief volunteers are often asked why we wear yellow shirts from doorstep to doorstep, meaning from the time we leave home until we return,” Ramage said.

“On our most recent callout to Port Charlotte, Florida, our team stopped at a Love’s Truck Stop for fuel and refreshments.

Upon exiting our van, I noticed one of our volunteers in conversation with a lady. They were praying.

“After the lady returned to her car, our volunteer said the lady asked to pray for our team. If we had not worn yellow, this opportunity to witness our faith would not have existed.”

Retired from business leadership, Ramage is a member of Second Baptist Church of Marion.

In addition to the paid workers, Kimbrough said the camp would welcome longterm volunteers to work alongside kitchen staff, assist recreation, and facilities upkeep all summer. He also has short-term volunteer openings for one-to-five weeks in June and July.

Contact JacobKimbrough@IBSA.org

More information and applications are posted at StreatorBaptistCamp.org

In addition to the preparations at Streator, Lake Sallateeska Baptist Camp is leaning into summer ministry with multiple weeks of camps for children and teens. The theme for Summer 2023 is “I am a follower.” The full schedule and online registration for camp weeks at both IBSA facilities is available at IBSA.org/ministry-resources/kids/.