TASK FORCE
PROGRAM
SERVE.
Task Force (formerly known as Secret Service) is a servant leadership over the summer for young people ages 14-17 who are interested in serving behind the scenes at summer camp. It is a FREE program, allowing our future leaders to get some hands-on experience working at camp before they would graduate into a paid position, like counselor or program staff. Young people who would like to participate in this program need to fill out an application online and demonstrate an openness to learn, grow in Christ, and serve during key parts of the day. Task Force members will receive 40 volunteer work hours for every week they are assigned to work.
The primary service that Task Force accomplishes is preparing, serving, and cleaning up for meals. The cleanliness of the dining area is their responsibility, under the leadership of three adult leaders who will work with them in both the kitchen and dining hall. The second service that they will accomplish is serving in "The Refuge," which is our "Snack Shack." Task Force will be trained in how to use the equipment in the kitchen and how to work in "The Refuge." Between these two primary jobs, Members will be working about a 40 hour work week.
Though Task Force works hard, they also have the opportunity to play hard. All camp activities are open to them during the summer. They are encouraged to interact with the campers during these activity times, knowing well that the campers look up to them. Everyday at camp, members of Task Force will have the ability to go swimming, attend both activity periods, and even more, have specific night games that are only available to them. Ask any former Task Force member - the program is a lot of work, but it is also a TON of fun.
What we at Camp Grace want to do is raise up our next generation of leaders during this program. We believe wholeheartedly that a good leader must first learn how to serve, but we also want to develop them in other ways. We want our Secret Service to understand the "SCOPE" of what they were made for. Scope stands for this:
Strengthen their resolve to chase after Jesus
Connect them with mission opportunities to give them a global view of missions
Outfit them with new and transferable skills
Pattern a work ethic for them that will assure their success in any career
Educate them in how to share their testimony and what it looks to follow Jesus
When the summer is over, we want our members of Task Force to be excited about serving the Lord and ready to bring their skills and passion back into their community.
GENERAL SCHEDULE
Starting this summer Task Force members will work 1 to 3 weeks. In the application process they will let us know what weeks of summer camp they cannot work and then select their top 3 week they want to work. Once an application is processed they will be offered weeks based on this information. We cannot guarantee weeks but will work to give weeks desired as much as possible.
Summer 2025 Schedule
Elementary Week 1: June 15th - June 20th
Teen Week 1: June 22nd - June 27th
Day Camp: June 30th - July 4th
Teen Week 2: July 6th - July 11th
Middle School Week 1: July 13th - July 18th
Elementary Week 2: July 20th - July 25th
Middle School Week 2: July 27th - August 1st
Start and End Time: During normal overnight weeks, camp opens at 2:00 pm and begins for staff at 3:00pm on Sundays in the Dining Hall for our "first meeting." Staff are expected to begin at 3:00, so please ensure that Secret Service are moved in and ready to serve at that time. At the end of the week after the campers leave, the staff cleans the camp in preparation for the next week. Task Force members are expected to serve until 5:30.
Task Force members must return home on Fridays.
T
WHAT TO PACK
If accepted into the program, Task Force members need to pack the same things they would if they were a camper.
Kitchen Requirements: For the job, Task Force must bring a comfortable pair of closed-toe shoes to wear at all times when they are working in the kitchen. This does not include crocs with holes over the top of the foot. Members with long hair must tie their hair back when serving food; it is highly recommended to wear a hat during meal prep and service. The camp will not provide hair restraints, so please come prepared with hair ties and a hat. There will be times when they are working with cleaning chemicals and difficult messes, so having clothes that they don't mind getting dirty is always helpful.
Electronics: Task Force is allowed to bring phones and other electronics, but they must remain stowed at the staff lounge and used only during breaks. Phones are not permitted in the cabins, nor are they permitted to stay with the Task Force member while they are working. If the Task Force member must get in touch with a parent, they can ask their supervisor for permission to use their phone. Parents may call or text the Task Force supervisor if they need to get in touch with their child at camp outside of their break. This policy is not to limit the member's freedom, but to help protect them and us. Phones pose a risk because of the camera, and we do not allow cameras inside the cabins or anywhere a camper may be to help mitigate this risk. Phones are also unnecessary distractions; camp is a place to unplug from the distractions. We hope that you understand and help us in this.
FOR PARENTS
We are so thankful that you would allow your child to work with us this summer. Know that we will do everything in our power to give them a safe environment for them to have fun and grow as a person and in Christ. At all times, there will be an adult to supervise them; these adults were handpicked by the full-time staff, and we are confident that they will connect well with your child. Here are a couple notes to keep in mind during the summer while your child is working.
Off-campus Activities: If a Task Force member need to leaves for any reason (doctor's appointment, practice, etc.), they must check in with their supervisors. They must ride with an adult driver unless special permission is granted by a parent. Task Force members will be required to sign-out and sign-in with the full-time staff member anytime they leave campus.
Code of Conduct and Disciplinary Action: Task Force members will review and go over a code of conduct during their training. You can learn more about our code of conduct here. They will agree and sign to this code of conduct; it will outline expectations for behavior and review what is and is not appropriate. Any member of the staff that breaks this code of conduct will be subject to disciplinary action, as outlined in our handbook. Our procedure is as follows:
1. A Verbal Warning
2. A Written Warning (usually involving a formal meeting)
3. Expulsion
Any disciplinary action will be reported the parent as well. Please also be aware than any major infraction of the code of conduct may result in immediate expulsion. However, it is to note that the purpose of this program is to raise up leaders, and we will work with your teenager to help them meet the standards that are set before them.
Sickness Policy: Sometimes, a member of the staff will need to be sent home to help aid in their recovery if they were to get sick at camp. The Camp Nurse (a former RN) will be the one to make the official recommendation that the member go home to rest and recover in conjunction with the Camp Director and the Program Director. When the member returns home, please allow for them to become fully well before sending them back to camp. This is especially true for stomach bugs; any type of stomach illness will prohibit a Task Force member from working with the food.
Rest on the Weekends: One last note to consider–your child is going to be working long hours during the weeks they serve. We recommend that they have plenty of time to rest before they come and also when they leave.