Staff Application

General Requirements for Youth Camp Staff

1. Must be 15 years of age for Elementary Camp workers, 16 years of age for Middle School Camp workers, and 19 years of age for High School Camp workers.  Persons 14 and under need not apply
2. Any student under 18 who wishes to work at Kids Camp must be a camper at Middle School or High School camp.
3. Must be a regular attendee of a local church.
4. Must submit a completed application.
5. Must have a confidential endorsement of your local pastor.

Those who are 18+ and are new applicants will be requested to authorize for a background check. If you have previously worked camp and it has been more than 1 year since you've had a background check, you will be requested to authorize for one. 

Applicants are not required to provide information which is prohibited by Federal, State or Local law. This application is given every consideration, but its receipt does not imply that the applicant has been accepted as a camp worker. Applicants are accepted on a “trial basis” and if in the judgment of the camp officials, it is found that the applicant/staff worker is not adaptable to the assignment and cannot be reassigned, or that information given has been misrepresented, the acceptance of this application can be terminated without other cause or reason.

In addition, investigation will be made as to your character, general reputation, personal characteristics and adaptability to the particular position to be assigned. All applicants are required to undergo training and orientation provided by the Youth Director’s office and under the supervision of the Youth Board on the opening day of Youth Camp.

In case of an accident or a serious illness, you have my permission to secure proper medical treatment.  (If under 18, parental signature is required)

I have read and answered all the questions.  I understand the importance of each statement.

Statement of Reservation
While no one is rejected to work or attend Church of God Youth Camp based on race, color, or creed, the Regional Director of Youth and Discipleship does reserve the right to accept or reject an application for volunteer work at Church of God Youth Camps after review of the said application reveals that the services of the applicant would or would not be in the best interest and success of the camp.

Applicant's Statement

The information in this application is correct to the best of my knowledge. I authorize any references listed in this application to give you any information (including opinions) that they may have regarding my character or fitness for children or youth work. In consideration of the receipt and evaluation of this application by the Church of God, I hereby release any individual, church, youth organization, charity, employer, reference, or any other person or organization, including record custodians, both collectively and individually, from any and all liability for damage of whatever kind or nature which may at any time result to me, my heirs, or family, on account of compliance or any attempts to comply, with this authorization. I waive any right that I may have to inspect any information provided about me by any person or organization identified by me in this application. Should my application be accepted, I agree to be bound by the Bylaws and policies of the Church of God and to refrain from unscriptural conduct in the performance of my services on behalf of the church.

I further state that I HAVE CAREFULLY READ THE PRECEDING RELEASE AND KNOW THE CONTENTS THEREOF, AND I SIGN THIS RELEASE AS MY FREE ACT.  This is a legally binding agreement which I have read and understand.

Personal Consent and Permission Form
By signing below, you are granting permission for this application to be released by the State Youth & Discipleship director to those he deems necessary in processing your application.  “I certify to the best of my knowledge and ability, the information provided in this Application Form is true, correct, and complete.  I authorize investigation of all statements contained in this application, including the conducting of a national criminal background check.  I release any and all parties from any and all liability for any damage that may result from furnishing such information to the Church of God.”

Acknowledgement of risk related to Covid-19
By entering onto any property owned or rented by the Illinois Church of God or participating in any Illinois Church of God programs or events, I, (on behalf of myself and my family members) acknowledge and agree with the following: The novel coronavirus, COVID-19, has been declared a worldwide pandemic by the World Health Organization and is reported to be extremely contagious. The state of medical knowledge is, of course, ever-evolving, but the virus is believed to spread from person-to-person contact and/or by contact with contaminated surfaces and objects, and even in the air. People reportedly can be infected and show no symptoms and therefore spread the disease. The exact methods of spread and contraction are unknown, and there is no known cure for COVID-19. Evidence has shown that COVID-19 can cause serious and potentially life-threatening illness and even death. Illinois Church of God cannot prevent me or my family members from becoming exposed to, contracting, or spreading COVID-19 while on any property of Illinois Church of God or when participating in Midlands Region Church of God programs or events. Therefore, by entering a Illinois Church of God facility or participating in one of its programs, I acknowledge that I may be exposing myself and my family members to and/or increasing my/our risk of contracting or spreading COVID-19. I expressly assume that risk, on behalf of myself and my family. I (on behalf of myself and my family members), hereby forever release and waive my right to bring suit against IllinoisChurch of God or any of its affiliates, officers, directors, employees or other representatives related to any of the foregoing.

STATEMENT AND POLICY REGARDING TRANSGENDER STUDENTS/CAMPERS
1. Each Church of God Youth Camp will promote Church of God doctrine, theology, and religious beliefs. However, control, supervision, and direction of each particular
state/regional/territorial youth camp shall be under the auspices of that particular
state/region/territory and its director. All Church of God state/regional/territorial youth camps are private, church-run camps, and are not open to the public.
2. State/regional/territorial youth camps are not “places of public accommodation” but are instead ministries of that particular state/region/territory, conducted for the
purpose of the growth and development of the Kingdom of God and the Church of God in each state/region/territory.
3. Each state/regional/territorial youth camp director, with his leadership, hereby reserves the authority, discretion, and right to remove any camper from the camp, at the camper’s expense, for any reason, all within the discretion of the camp director and leadership.
4. Regarding campers who present themselves as transgender students at youth camp:
a. Church of God already has an established policy regarding transgender
restrooms, passed at the 2016 International General Assembly. A copy of
the “Resolution on Transgender Restrooms” is attached hereto.
This policy is applicable to all facilities at youth camps.
b. Church of God's position on transgender restrooms and LGBTQ+ rights is based on our sincerely held biblical/religious beliefs, which have been long held and promulgated in Church of God. Our position on this matter is based on our interpretation of Holy Scripture. This position also relates to our biblical beliefs
regarding same sex attraction and relationships.
c. While we hold these strongly held religious beliefs, Church of God also promotes a policy and spirit of love and encouragement for all campers/students, and young persons who are participating in our ministry. We do not wish to espouse a position of hatred toward any person or persons.
5. Any camper/student who participates in a state/regional/territorial youth camp in Church of God must be housed in the facilities reserved for that person’s sex, as set out on his/her birth certificate. In addition, campers must be dressed in conformance with one’s biological sex. Any camper/student who will not comply with this policy may be dismissed from that particular camp, under the discretion of the youth director and camp leadership.