Staff Information
Hey Everyone!
We are excited that you are coming to work with us this summer. It is going to be an awesome summer of fun as we serve the Lord here at camp.
Our summer theme is "Cultivate Life".
When we recognize God in His rightful place as our source of life and creator, we can yield to Him as the cultivator of our faith. As we abide in God, He grows more of what He loves, prunes parts that are good but could be even better, and gets rid of what is not of Him. This shapes us to look more like Christ and bear fruit which impacts the world around us.
This site contains some helpful information as you prepare to come to camp, and as always, feel free to contact me with any questions.
In Christ,
Dan Antoine
dan@okoboji.org or 712-337-3306
Arrival Details
**Please notice that all planned arrival times are at the Okoboji site, 1203 Inwan St. Milford, IA 51351.
The following arrival times are optimal so we can be fully prepared to greet you and settle you in along with the majority of other staff. If you plan to arrive anytime other than these standard arrival times, earlier or later, please confirm with Dan and let him know the date and time of arrival so we can make sure you are welcomed.
Lifeguards: Those participating in the lifeguard training should arrive at Okoboji by noon on Monday, May 20. We will eat lunch, settle in, and leave by 2pm for Day 1 of Training. Training will take place at the YMCA in Worthington, MN (approximately 45 minutes from camp) from 3:00pm-9:00pm Monday through Thursday. **If you're interested in the free LG training, but did not indicate it on the form, please contact Dan. We can always use more lifeguards, who receive a $20 bonus each week of work.
Leadership: Program Directors and Day Camp Leaders should arrive at Okoboji by 5pm on Monday, May 20. We will eat supper at 6pm and begin training that evening.
Senior Counselors and Support Staff: Senior Staff should arrive at Okoboji around 4pm on Saturday, May 25 to check in. Sunday morning is our first summer chapel service and brunch.
Jr. Counselors: arrive at Okoboji on Saturday, June 1st at 4:00 pm.
**If you are able to join us for week one of Senior Staff Training, we would love to have you. Make sure I know if you plan to attend and when you will arrive.
What should I bring
to camp?
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Bible
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Stationary/Notes/Journal
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Alarm clock
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Sleeping bag
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Pillow / bedding
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Summer clothes (t-shirts, modest tank tops, shorts, etc.) Keep in mind there is no formal dress code, but we ask staff to dress appropriately and modestly with care to conceal undergarments.
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Sandals, and at least one pair of closed-toe shoes (for work, and for running activities)
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Some warm clothes like sweatshirts and long pants (we have chilly nights)
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1-2 sets of dress clothes for chapel and a banquet
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1-2 sets of work clothes for things like painting, raking, etc.
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Swimming suit (1-piece only)
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Water Bottle
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Laundry Detergent
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Backpack or book bag
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Toiletries / Towels / Washcloths
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Smaller Duffle Bag/Toiletries case (for Day Camps)
OPTIONAL:
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Musical instruments
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Sunscreen, Bug Spray, Aloe
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Laptops/Cell Phone (limited bandwidth)
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Shower Caddy, Shower shoes/flip flops
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Small extension cord/Long charger cable
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Rain coat (if you actually have one)
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Any personal sports equipment you want to use (Ball glove, tennis racket, etc.)
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Devotional ideas
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Happy smile and servant heart :)
PRIOR TO ARRIVAL:
Before you come, please complete each of the following surveys/forms. You can bring completed forms with you when you arrive, but it's often easier to print off, fill out, and email in advance.
If applicable, please send any certificates (Lifeguarding, CPR, etc.) to daycamp@okoboji.org
IMPORTANT-Payroll information
We NEED to have the following...
1. Social Security Card, or Passport*
2. Drivers License*
4. Completed Payroll and Tax Forms (buttons above)
*Please bring these forms of I.D. (or copies of them) and other forms with you at check-in, or email them early.
Email/Send completed forms to Cryss at bookkeeper@okoboji.org
Staff Training
Staff training is a time for you to become comfortable with the role of being a counselor, put together skits/Bible studies, become familiar with camp, and to be equipped to serve these youth and families as best you can. It truly is an amazing time, so relax and prepare for an awesome two weeks! Your 2 weeks of Staff Training will include the following
Bible Studies: Pastor Jon Anenson will take us through our daily themes.
Training Sessions: How to work with youth, how to lead Bible studies, what to expect as a counselor, how to put skits together, how to lead large group games and much, much more!
Theme Teams: You will be part of a team that creates skits, theme verses, and “shares” that are used all summer long!
Share Groups: Simply put, it’s a time where you get to meet with others who are part of your staff family. It is a time to learn about each other, pray for one another, and just have some fun.
Quiet Times: YES! We believe it is essential to give you time to be in God’s word and see how amazing His word truly is.
Free Time: Relax with new and old friends, play games, have fun and chi-zill out.
Our staff training time will dig deeply into our summer themes. Check out our On-Site and Day Camp Theme Breakdowns below!
What Health and Safety measures will be in place?
Health and safety is a top priority at camp, and we at camp continue to work to implement the best policies and procedures to reduce risks and keep guests and staff as safe and healthy as possible. We will go over all of our basic health and safety plan and procedures during training, and it will all be written in your staff binders for reference. But here are a couple other thoughts.
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Arriving at camp healthy and well-rested is the best way to start our summer, for many reasons. Please get plenty of rest, drink plenty of water, and try to minimize unnecessary risks for injury or illness.
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During every youth camp week, we will have a volunteer medic on site, who can be consulted for any health needs.
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Medicine will generally be kept in a secure location in each site, with the emphasis to limit access to campers. That will be explained further during training. Any specific questions can be addressed at that time.
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Year-Round Staff, lifeguards, and certain other staff will be coming into the summer with various levels of First Aid and/or CPR training. CPR training will be offered to staff as we have availability. However, a good quick reference is to download the American Red Cross app.
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Masks will not be required, but we support anyone who chooses to wear one.
What is my summer address?
Okoboji
Okoboji Lutheran Bible Camp
1203 Inwan Street
Milford, IA 51351
(712) 337-3306
Ingham
Ingham Lake Bible Camp
2258 450th Ave.
Wallingford, IA 51365
(712) 867-4492
Reminder: All staff will report to Okoboji site for staff training.
Both sites have internet access (computer stations and wireless also) so feel free to bring laptops and devices.
Cell phones, laptops, and other devices are acceptable to bring to camp, but CANNOT BE USED WHILE WORKING.
What if I need time off?
Many of you have already requested time off. Whatever is on your contract, or has been confirmed by me in an e-mail is what we are planning on. From time to time, we do allow counselors additional time off for prior commitments. Generally, you will have off Friday night after you have been cleared of duties and all day Saturday. Sundays you are encouraged to attend chapel or a different church service before duties resume Sunday at noon. Staff are scheduled several weeks throughout the summer to help with Sunday morning worship/brunch. If you need time off or have a day camp or week of camp on site that you would like to request, please let Dan know. All requests must be approved prior to departure.
*Our annual Scandinavian Feast/Quilt Auction is held Friday and Saturday, August 2-3. We need as many staff as possible to help with that weekend. Unless you've already cleared being gone or leaving early, plan to be on site for that event.
*Summer staff are also a part of our Ingham Ice Cream Social on June 2, which is also a designated day for kids, neighbors and families to come explore the camp, have a meal, and meet our summer staff. It's a great way to kick off the summer. This is worked into our staff training schedule, so plan to be there and enjoy the festive day.
100th Anniversary Weekend- June 28-30
Staff Discount for Families!
GREAT DISCOUNT!!! - Full-time and Summer Employees at IOLBC this summer will be eligible for significant discounts for their family members to attend camp. We believe strongly that having your family come to camp will only strengthen your experience, as they can see where you work, who you work with, and what your work is all about. We believe that this is also a great opportunity for your family members to experience God in a new way and grow in their faith. Many staff members in the past have begged, pleaded, and sacrificed so their siblings and family members could come to camp, and it ended up changing their lives. To help encourage you to do so, we have developed a discount for family members of current IOLBC staff members*. Here is a description of the discount and who it applies to.
The discount will be for the following amounts
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40% off the full price of all youth camps
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$400 discount on family camp
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Half price on any cabin stay which is outside of a scheduled camp or program.
These discounts will be available for the following staff family members: staff members themselves, mother, father, sister, brother, spouse, child, mother-in-law, father-in-law, sister-in-law, brother-in-law, niece, nephew, grandparent or grandchild
So take advantage of this great offer and share the love of Christ with your family by inviting them to camp this summer. For more info about our summer schedule, visit our youth camp page or our family camp page.
To receive the staff discount for family members, please call Sara in the registration office at 712-337-3306.
*This discount will be granted in place of (not in addition to), any other discount currently applied as it far exceeds any current discount offered. For any other questions regarding this discount, please feel free to contact us.
Prayer Networking
“And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.” -Ephesians 6:18
Because we believe that it is solely the work of the Lord through his people which accomplishes anything of worth, we are asking each of you to find three people you know who will commit to praying for you and the camp throughout the summer. Please enter their information in a brief form on our prayer partners page. Also, keep them posted about your time at camp and specific praises and prayer requests.
