2008 Summer Staff Information and Paperwork
(May 22, 2008)

The full-time team here has been praying for you for several months.  We are looking forward to June 1 and the start of staff training.  We are trusting the Lord for ministry opportunities to clearly proclaim the gospel to the campers whom God will send. What an undeserved privilege it is to be used by God as His servants to proclaim His glory to every camper!  Are you excited about that?  I hope so.  What better way to spend the summer than using it to make Jesus famous at Marmon Valley.  As you prepare over these next few weeks I would encourage you to spend much time in prayer, self evaluation and repentance where its necessary.  Pursue holiness!  It is a sobering opportunity to be an example to children and an ambassador for Christ; one that none of us should take lightly.  Thankfully, its not about us, it about Christ and He will equip you with all the grace and power you need to do what He calls you to do.

Below is information that may help as you start packing and planning.  Please ask if your questions aren’t covered in this letter. 

1. The Next Step
   1. Review, correct, update employment contract, sign it and return it to me as soon as possible.  I will attempt to email this contract to you later today and/or snail mail it.
   2. Complete several forms: Climbing Waiver, Riding Waiver, background check and health form. Mail them back to me as soon as possible.
   3. Bring current certification cards for CPR, First Aid and Life Guarding if you happen to have the training already.  (This is not required; we will provide training for those that need it).
   4. Get a tetanus booster if yours isn’t current.  (They say this is a good idea when you work around horses).
   5. Give out your summer address to friends and family so they can write to you during the summer:

MARMON VALLEY MINISTRIES
7754 State Route 292
Zanesfield, OH   43360
Staff line: 937-599-5567
Summer Staff Email: staff@marmonvalley.com (This is a general account that you are welcome to use but filtered internet access will also be available so most web-based accounts should work as well.)

6. Contact us to arrange your arrival and departure dates. Your arrival date is officially June 1^st by 5:00PM, but you may choose to arrive anytime during that weekend if it is more convenient, just let me know when you expect to get in.  The end of the summer departure date can be as early as August 9^th in the evening unless other arrangements have already been made, but of course you can stay through the weekend or longer if you’d like. Please keep in mind that we do like to schedule an end of the summer party on that afternoon (August 9), so plan to stick around for that. 
7. Notify us of any needed days off due to prior commitments before you arrive, not after.  Please mark this on your contract when you prepare to sign and return it.
8. Maintain a good daily devotion time with the Lord and pray for your fellow staff members and for the hearts of the campers coming this summer.
    

2. Staff Training Arrival
   Plan to arrive for the first week of training by 5:00PM on Sunday, June 1^st if at all possible.  (I suggest either Saturday between 10:00AM and 5:00PM or Sunday from 1:00PM to 5:00PM). For those who can’t make it to the first week, as previously discussed, plan to be here Sunday afternoon of the following week and be ready to hit the ground running.  Be sure to confirm your arrival date with me so we know when to expect you.  You are more than welcome to arrive early to allow you time to settle in, but we are expecting you to be here on time unless other arrangements were made.   The first week of training will be a general Horsemanship Instructor Clinic and the second week will focus on preparing you for your summer ministry positions.
   1. Check-in at the office when you arrive.
      1. Get your room assignment
      2. Get your ID’s copied for our files
   2. You will need to bring the following forms of ID for employment eligibility verification:
      1. State issued drivers license or military card
                           AND
      2. Original Social Security Card OR birth certificate OR current INS 
          

3. Paperwork to complete/review:
   Please mail all forms to the Farm before you arrive. All forms are available by clicking on the links except the Out-of-State FBI Fingerprint card.  (Let me know if your sheriff’s office can’t supply this and I will send you one.)  Glance over the policy manual to better prepare yourself for a successful summer.

• Policy Manual: condensed version, including “dress code” information)
• Medical Form  
• W-4 Tax Form
• Payroll Form
• Background Check Information  
• Contract, which most of you will receive very soon
• Riding Waiver
• Climbing Waiver
• If you are under 18, need to have parents sign an Off Site Permission Form
• NEW Voluntary Disclosure Statement REQUIRED

 Let me know if you need can’t access any of these copies and I’ll snail mail them.   

4. Look for your CHA Manual (in the mail soon)
   We would like you to send a CHA (Certified Horsemanship Association) horsemanship manual to each of you to look over before your first week of staff training.  Please notify me if you are at a different address at this time.  Glance over the material as you have time and be sure to bring it when you come.  The first week of training is strictly a horsemanship instructor clinic for many of our staff.  (Kitchen and Maintenance may be training in their departments during this time.)  The CHA manual will begin to prepare you for learning how to teach horsemanship by building a basic foundation in horsemanship knowledge.  If you aren’t a horse person don’t be overwhelmed.  We have all summer to turn you into a cowhand! 
    

5. Packing List
   Keep in mind that we want to give our guests a positive impression.   Therefore, do not bring immodest, excessively sloppy or torn clothing.  This packing list only highlights certain items.  You’ll have to remember to pack socks on your own:

1.     Important Items to Bring:
___          Comfortable outdoor clothing suitable for farm life
___          4 pair of jeans...no holes, Low rise pants do not make good riding attire,
                 so please don’t bring them.
___          5 button-down shirts or polo shirts for working in the horse area
                 (something that can be tucked in)
___          Riding boots with heel (You can buy or borrow these at the Farm)
___          Sweatshirt for cool nights
___          Modest shorts and T-shirts
___          Modest 1 piece swim suit & towel   
___          Sleep wear that you can wear to the bathhouse
 ___         Rain coat and light jacket
___          Laundry bag and detergent  (We provide washer/dryers free of charge).
___          Sheets and pillow   
___          Sleeping bag      
___          Sun block, bug spray
___          Towels, wash cloth, shower shoes  
___          Church clothes and shoes   
___          Pocket knife and belt
___          Flashlight & batteries
___          Envelopes & paper
___          Pens & pencils, notebook
___          Chap stick 
___          Personal ID’s
___          Camera
___          Bible, devotional material   
___          Athletic shoes
___          Water bottle
___          Baseball cap?
___          Sunglasses?
___          Bring your CHA Manual with you (You will receive it from us soon)
___          Cell phone or Calling Card  (Cell phones can not be used while on duty
                except for emergencies)
___         Musical instruments Optional (if you play one) especially guitars
___         If you are CPR/ 1st Aid certified, bring your certification cards so that
               you can use  those skills here, if needed
___        Bring any skit costumes and room decorations (posters etc.) that you
               would like. These things make it fun for the campers and nicer for you.

2.      Items to avoid if you can live without them
                     _____            Blow dryers, curling irons, (we blow fuses when 25 of these are
                       running.), excessive jewelry, lots of cash or valuables, secular
                       music. 

3.      Do Not Bring:
                  ______            Firearms, pets, immodest clothing, drugs, alcohol, tobacco, etc.

6. Background Checks
   Ohio requires all “camp staff” to have a criminal background before working with kids.  If possible do this before you arrive onsite.  If that cannot be arranged we’ll get you in to town to do it here. 

 If you not an Ohio resident you will need an FBI federal background check.    
If you are from Ohio you only need a State of Ohio finger scan check. 

Either way this process is typically a hassle that produces a lot of questions.  Ohio finger scan locations are available at several locations throughout the state.  Check the link below for a location near you.

      WebCheck Link: http://www.webcheck.ag.state.oh.us/webcheckcommunity.htm

National Web Check for non Ohioans (only a few locations exist, who knows, maybe one is near you: Call Bureau of Criminal Investigation if you want info - 740-845-2000.    

7. Note to the Musically Gifted
   If you play a musical instrument please bring it with you. (maybe not your piano!)   We would love to let you share your musical gifts in staff worship and camp songs! Start practicing your singing in the shower; we are always looking for enthusiastic song leaders.   A music ministry team will be assembled once you arrive. 
   
    

8. Summer Theme. “STAMPEDE, charge like crazy after Christ!” We are still completing the summer curriculum based on the theme Stampede.  The material is being adapted by a very good booklet by Jim Elliff entitled Pursuing God.  Mr Elliff has given us permission to adapt and reproduce this very helpful work for our campers.  The study is a very clear and detailed explanation of the gospel.  When God awakens a sinner to his/her desperate condition before Him he/she will do the only sensible thing… run like crazy for refuge and joy in Jesus.  Psalm 63 makes it clear that this desperate pursuit of Christ isn’t a one time event, but a persistent passion to have Christ.  For unbelieving campers this study will bring them uncomfortable close to the gospel and in no uncertain terms call them to repentance.  For believers Stampede is a call to “press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.”  Philippians 3:12.  If we get the material produced in time I’ll send a copy to you to review.
    
9. Church Attendance Preparations
   Time off during the summer consists of Saturday at noon to Sunday at 2:00PM.  For your spiritual well-being and for the sake of obedience to the Word we expect out staff to worship in a local church on Sunday mornings.  Many of you live within an hour or two of the farm and may wish to be at your home church for the weekend, that’s great.  Others who are a long way off we would invite you to join our full time staff at a church in this area.  Grace Chapel in West Liberty would especially like to welcome you to join them as often as you are able.  They have been a big support and encouragement to our camping ministry for many years.  In fact, Pastor Justin Erickson from Grace will be speaking several times during our staff training chapels.  Additionally, I teach a college-age Sunday school class at Grace Chapel that specifically has you in mind.  I invite you to be a part of that study and worship with the church body at Grace Chapel during your summer stay.

As always let me know if you have any questions! 
 I’m so glad to have each of you serving here this summer.  I and the rest of the full time leadership staff wish to be a spiritual encouragement to you throughout the summer as we serve Christ together.  Also, for any of you that wish to receive college credit for the summer, I will be forwarding an email from Pilgrimage Educational Resources, (www.immersedlearning.com) a branch a Baptist Bible College that can outfit you with an internship that will transfer to almost any school.   It’s a good, cheap way to get some credit hours taken care of while having fun at camp!

Because Christ is so worthy,

Kyle Augsburger
Camp Administrator
Marmon Valley Ministries
www.marmonvalley.com
kyle@marmonvalley.com
Office: 937-593-8000
Cell: 937-539-1225