THE WAY Summer Discipleship and Service Program

THE WAY Summer Program

THE WAY Summer Discipleship and Service Program is an exciting ministry for teenage students and college-age adults to grow in their relationship with God and make lifelong memories at LeTourneau Christian Camp. The goal of THE WAY Summer Program is to establish youth and young adults in their faith that Jesus really is “the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6). Every summer, we welcome about 20 students to join us for eight weeks of ministry and service. Each student will have daily opportunities for a deeper relationship with God through personal devotions, regular worship, and constant interaction with designated cabin leaders who will mentor and encourage them. Students will also find their cabinmates to be a great source of joy and encouragement as well as potential lifelong friends as they spend their summer serving and living together.

Summers at LeTourneau

Discipleship

This is a program about following Jesus! We have regularly scheduled teachings on the Bible, prayer meetings and cabin devotionals, along with numerous other opportunities for fellowship and growth. The God-focused environment at LeTourneau will provide students with the nourishment and challenge that they need to grow in Christ!

Service

All students will act as staff members in a designated department on camp and will cultivate an invaluable Christian work ethic while gaining new skills. Some of the jobs that students will serve in are kid’s camp, kitchen staff, dining hall, maintenance and grounds, lifeguarding, waterfront management, outdoor recreation, housekeeping, and more.

Joy

What can be more filled with joy than growing in Christ? In addition to investing the summer in follow Jesus, we make it an essential part of the summer that students also have adequate time to rest, swim, and enjoy our Monday activity nights. We play everything from paintball to Goose Chase and soccer! We also invite the family of all summer staff to enjoy our kayaks, paddle boards, and swim area every Sunday for a time of joyful rest!

A Look At Previous Summers at LeTourneau

Summer Staff

Job Description

The vast majority of our applicants are summer staff, meaning they serve in any department across campus from our maintenance team to the dining hall and occasionally in our summer camps. Students participate in all aspects of camp from serving our weekly guests, bonding as a summer staff, growing in our knowledge of the scripture, and enjoying camp life.

Qualifications

– Must be at least 14

– No previous camp experience required

Job Responsibilities

– Must commit to at least 4 weeks of service

– Learn to serve in one’s assigned department

– Participate in all devotions, evening teachings, and weekly staff nights (including our cardboard boat race, talent show, and many others!)

Counselor

Job Description

Counselors will act as primary team leaders for groups of 8-10 summer campers. They will lead teams throughout the summer Monday through Friday.

Qualifications

– Must be at least 17

– Prior camp experience is preferred

– Minimum commitment of at least six weeks throughout the summer

– Willingness to earn a lifeguarding certification is preferred

– Must attend summer camp training weekend unless there are extenuating circumstances such as school conflicts or long distance.

Job Responsibilities

– Lifeguarding

– Lead activities

– Primary Team Leader

– Lead small groups

– Fielding activity and agenda questions

– Responsible for safety and children on your team

Summer Intern

Job Description

Summer interns will be responsible for numerous parts of LeTourneau’s summer ministry season. Working primarily in our summer camp, interns will take primary leadership roles in planning and leading our daily activities as well as training counselors and CITs. Tasks for interns may include directing counselors to gather materials for activities, lead debriefing and prayer meetings, and teaching daily devotions as well as assisting the Discipleship Coordinator with leading THEWAY Summer Program Staff.

Qualifications

– Must be at least 18

– Prior camp experience strongly preferred

– Strong leadership skills

– Strong organizational skills

– Must be able to attend staff training weekend

Job Responsibilities

– 40 or more hours a week

– Primary activity leads

– Lead teams if needed

– Must be willing to learn and lead

– Primary summer staff cabin leaders

– Assist the Discipleship Coordinator and Program Director with Summer Camp and THEWAY Program planning

Application

To join us this summer, each student must fill out an application and commit to 8 weeks of missional-minded ministry. However, in the 2023 year we are giving students who are 14 years of age the option to commit to a 4-week program during the month of July. Once the application is collected, it will then be reviewed, and students may be offered one of the limited number of volunteer or paid positions. Accepted students must participate in our weekend training scheduled in June prior to committing for the entire summer. Applications can be accessed online through the link below.

 

Since we offer THE WAY Summer Discipleship Program completely free to our students and provide them with a small weekly stipend, we do ask that each student raise support by sending out 20 letters and praying for God’s provision (please see an example of support letters in the application – camp will mail the letters at no cost to the students). The goal for each student is to raise $175 a week. These funds will help to pay for the students’ financial stipend (between $75-$100), meals, lodging, training, discipleship materials, and special activities each week. Those unable to raise the $175 will still be invited to camp!

 

To guarantee every student has the opportunity to participate in THE WAY program, LeTourneau has established the Avis & Gerri Fund, which is funded by LeTourneau supporters. For those not requesting financial compensation, we do accept volunteers. For more information about volunteering for the summer, or at any other time of the year please see our volunteering page!

Applications for Fall 2024 coming soon

THE WAY School of Discipleship

Are you interested in something more than just a single summer? LeTourneau also offers a One-Year Discipleship School for those 18 and older interested in pursuing the Lord!

Frequently Asked Questions

How old do I have to be to apply?

To live on campus and serve at LeTourneau, students must be at least 14 years old. For financial compensation, students must also have a work permit in accordance with THE WAY summer application. Applicants 18 years and older are equally as welcome as there are a number of jobs that require that age limit, so don’t hesitate to apply!

When does THE WAY Summer Program begin and end?

THE WAY Summer Program is an eight week program that runs from late June to early August every year.  A four week commitment is available for 14 year olds only.

Do students in THE WAY Summer Program receive any financial compensation?

Since we offer THE WAY Summer Discipleship Program completely free, we do ask that each student raise support by sending out 20 letters and praying for God’s provision (please see an example of support letters in the application – camp will mail the letters at no cost to the students). Our students are given a small stipend if they send out support letters to 20 people. The stipend will be $115 for students ages 14-15, $150 for 16-17 +CIT, $200 for 18+, $225 for 18+ interns and support staff all depending on their experience in camp ministry and position during the summer. There will also be an additional $5/week for each previous year of service (14-17 only). The goal for each student is to raise $150 a week. These funds will help to pay for the financial stipend ($75-100), meals, lodging, training, discipleship materials, and special activities each week. Those unable to raise the $150 will still be invited to camp!

Where do summer students serve?

Students serve on campus in a variety of jobs. Some of the jobs that students will serve in are kid’s camp, kitchen staff, dining hall, maintenance and grounds, lifeguarding, waterfront management, outdoor recreation, and more! If you have skills that you think would be best applied to a specific location, then please indicate that on your application.

Do students get any days off?

Yes! Students get regularly scheduled days off each week although the specific date (whether it is Friday, Saturday, or some other day) is subject to change and will be determined by their age.

What is an average day like for a student in the Summer Program?

Students in our program work beside us as co-laborer’s, beginning their day with breakfast at 7AM and a morning staff meeting and devotional. After we address the needs for the day, students will head into their department to serve for the work day. During the evenings, we will have activity nights, devotionals,  and other time to be free and rest! With that said, the schedule changes regularly during the summer so students’ official days off each week will be determined that specific week.

Where do students in THE WAY Program live?

All of our students live on campus in cabins with designated cabin leaders and LeTourneau staff.

Kyle Navratil

Discipleship Coordinator

Kyle is the Discipleship Coordinator at LeTourneau and leads THE WAY School of Discipleship, teaching and working with students to build them into disciple-makers. He began serving at LeTourneau in the Summer of 2020, co-leading a Bible study in THE WAY Summer Program and helping our maintenance team. He then enrolled in our One-Year Discipleship Program during his final year of college at SUNY Geneseo and in August 2021, he was offered a full-time position at our ministry which he gladly accepted!
 
Beyond LeTourneau, Kyle enjoys his evenings (and mornings) studying Greek and Latin. He is also studying for a Master’s degree in Linguistics at Syracuse University. Kyle is always looking for new ways to volunteer in church communities and at other ministries with the students! He is eager to build up the body of Christ through THE WAY School of Discipleship and to see God move in the hearts and minds of the young Christians that he feels called to disciple.
 
For more information about Discipleship at LeTourneau, you can reach Kyle by email or phone:
 

Phone: 585-354-1877 

Email: knavratil@letcc.org