Spring 2024 Vol 37, Issue 1 News for the Friends of Lutherans Outdoors in SD
LUTHERANS OUTDOORS BUILDS LEADERS “Working at camp has lasting career and personal impact. Camp staff outcomes align remarkably well with the top skills
, including teamwork, communication skills, leadership, and problem-solving.”
employers identify as most important for the 21st century workforce
-Sacred Playgrounds / #campbuilds BY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
, PAUL HANSON
Lutherans Outdoors is the middle of one of the most crucial yearly endeavors it faces
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recruiting summer staff to work at the three camp sites
,
,
,
,
.
,
Counselors lifeguards food service maintenance leadership staff plus
.
many more positions The high quality of a camp program depends on hiring
.
wonderful people for all of these positions But it is not an easy task in
’
today s world
.
.
I followed my girlfriend to camp when I was 20 years old She thought it would be a great idea to work together during the summer in this place that
.
had been so important to her I never went to camp in my youth so I had no
.
idea what I was getting into Little did I know it would change my life
.
My girlfriend was diagnosed with vocal cord nodules three weeks into the
,
summer and needed to go home and not talk for a month as her singing
.
voice was very important in her life goals Now what do I do
.
? !
What I did was lean into this counselor job And I thrived at it This gig at
,
,
.
camp ended up to be what I feel the place where I blossomed And looking
,
,
back at those three years as a counselor not only did my faith grow but I
,
,
learned how to be a leader how to speak in front of a group how to
,
,
,
organize how to work with others as a team how to be confident and so much more
.
,
And it led me to have my career in Outdoor Ministry to make sure others blossom also
.
Thirty years ago there were more applicants than positions available making
.
,
the recruitment and hiring process relatively easy Today Camp Directors lose sleep with the worry of not finding enough quality staff for the number of campers
.
Sacred Playgrounds has done some incredible research as to working at
.
camp It has proven that the camp experience does indeed provide tools for
’
one s future and provides memories and friendships of a lifetime
,
.
Though they would love to work at camp there are a variety of realities that
-
,
make it tough for college age students to commit whether it be continued expenses or needing an internship
Why should they work at camp
?
.
Because they can receive the same benefits
.
and life lessons I received that will stay with them forever Resume building
.
skills and experiences that employers are looking for A strengthened faith
.
Lifelong friendships The list is long
.
.
Lutherans Outdoors needs your help in recruiting these incredible women
!
and men Please share the importance of a position like this with the women
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and men you know of Share with them how it can be an incredible
.
experience for them not only now but in the years ahead Share with them
.
how it can lead to future success in their career Share with them that the
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faith building and life
.
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changing that will happen to them will be felt ALL of
’
their life Share with them the importance they can be in a camper s life
.
.
Send them to our website at losd org/employment for application information
FYI
…
.
I did marry that girlfriend and we know working at camp has made our
.
marriage strong One more benefit
!
Lutherans Outdoors in South Dakota welcomes all to explore and experience Christ’s love in community and creation.
~ Mission Statement