Missionary Program - CYSC - Catholic Youth Summer Camp

“People tell you that your religious practices are hopelessly out of date. He alone is the measure, the scale, that you must use to evaluate your life.”

– St. John Paul the Great

Live a life that changes lives.

Welcome to Damascus, the proud home of Catholic Youth Summer Camp. A place unlike any other.
This summer, over 3500 young people will attend Catholic Youth Summer Camp (CYSC) to be awakened, empowered, and equipped to Live the Adventure of their Catholic faith. We are a world-class program and an environment of authentic encounter.

What makes the difference?
A counter-cultural community of missionary disciples are standing against the decline and bringing revival to young people’s lives. We invite you to consider joining us in being a part of the people that make the difference.

Read below for descriptions of our four missionary staff options for CYSC, or head to damascuscampus.com/mission for information about our full-time missionary program at Damascus.

One Mission. Four Amazing Ways to Serve.

Overview
Details
Daily Schedule

1. Service Staff.

(Senior in High School – Young Adult)

A CYSC Service Staff member gives up a summer to create a truly irresistible environment of encounter. They serve behind the scenes, building and maintaining a place for Jesus to change hearts. This is a great opportunity for young adults to step into missionary service, and it is a great opportunity for incoming seniors to get a taste of mission at CYSC. This will not be a mission for all, but for those called, it will be an incredible time of personal formation, service, and growth.

1 week of training. 8 weeks on mission.
Servant Missionary Training
Daily Prayer and Intercession
Personal Formation: Servant Leadership Skills, Hospitality Skills, and Prayer Ministry Skills
Missionary Support Raising
Missionary Stipend
Weekly Missionary Staff Formation

1. Service Staff.

The deadline for applications, dates of interviews/auditions and camp service, and details surrounding compensation and missionary support raising are outlined for all missionary staff members in the “Frequently Asked Questions.”

1. Service Staff.

Pope Francis tells us that “Christians must get their hands dirty in order to do good.” CYSC could not create an effective environment of encounter without the dirty work behind the scenes, and while each day for a Service Staff member is different, a typical day in the life could be summarized as follows:

6:30 – Awaken and Rise to Life
7:00 – Morning Prayer
7:30 – Breakfast: Outreaching to a Small Group
8:15 – Prayer Lab: Lectio Divina with Small Group / Breakfast Cleanup
8:45 – Morning Cleaning Tasks / Determining the “Cleanest Cabin” for the Silver/Golden Plunger Awards
11:45 – Holy Hour: Personal Prayer and Intercession for the Campers
12:45 – Lunch: Awarding the Silver/Golden Plunger
1:15 – Lunch Cleanup / “Snack Shack” Leadership
2:15 – Mass
3:15 – Intercessory Prayer: “Harp and Bowl”
4:00 – Afternoon Cleaning Tasks
6:00 – Dinner: Sparking Conversation within Small Groups
6:45 – Evening Cleaning Tasks
8:30 – Second Half of CLUB with Campers
10:30 – BEDTIME: to Live the Adventure Another Day

Overview
Details
Daily Schedule

2. Counseling Staff.

(High School Graduate – Young Adult)

A CYSC Counselor Staff member deeply invests in a small group of campers, facilitating daily encounters with Jesus as a model, mentor, and guide.

1 week of training. 8 weeks on mission.
Pastoral Ministry Training
Small Group Facilitation
Personal Formation: Pastoral Skills, Counseling Skills, Discipleship Skills, and Prayer Ministry Skills
Missionary Support Raising
Missionary Stipend
Weekly Missionary Staff Formation

2. Counseling Staff.

While each day for a Counseling Staff member is unique, and dependent on the program and camper group for a given session, a typical day in the life could be summarized as follows:

7:00 – Wake Up the Sleepy Campers
7:30 – Breakfast: Sparking Conversation within Small Group
8:15 – Men’s and Women’s Programming
9:00 – Personal Prayer: Refreshment for the Soul
9:30 – Lead Small Group to Activity Round #1
9:45 – Provide Encouragement during Activity Round #1
10:45 – Transition to Activity Round #2
11:00 – Provide Encouragement during Activity Round #2
12:15 – Transition to Lunch
12:30 – Lunch: Sparking Conversation within Small Group
1:15 – Counselor Meeting for Deeper Training, Feedback, and Formation / Break from Campers
2:15 – Mass with Small Group
3:15 – Lead Small Group to LAKE TIME
3:30 – Get Wet and Wild at LAKE TIME
5:30 – Lead Campers to Cabins to Get Cleaned Up
6:00 – Dinner: Sparking Conversation within Small Groups
6:45 – CLUB with Campers
10:00 – Small Group Facilitation
10:30 – Pray with Campers / Get Them to Bed
11:00 – BEDTIME: to Live the Adventure Another Day

* Counseling Staff members will serve for the entire summer, but typically, each counselor will serve on a four-week rotation. Three weeks will be spent as a counselor, and one week will be spent in the kitchen, which will provide an opportunity to serve, reflect, and decompress with some less relationally-based labor.

Overview
Details
Daily Schedule

3. Program Staff.

(High School Graduate – Young Adult)

A CYSC Program Staff member creates an contagiously joyful environment every day, utilizing high adventure activities, skits and programs, technology, and music to invite campers into an encounter with Jesus.

2 weeks of training. 8 weeks on mission.
Evangelization Training
Daily Activity Leadership
Powerful Drama/Music Ministry
Personal Formation: Up-Front Leadership Skills, Discipleship Skills, and Prayer Ministry Skills
Missionary Support Raising
Missionary Stipend
Weekly Missionary Staff Formation

3. Program Staff.

While each day for a Program Staff member is unique, and dependent on the program and camper group for a given session, a typical day in the life could be summarized as follows:

7:00 – Wake Up/Personal Prayer
7:30 – Breakfast: Outreaching to a Small Group
8:15 – Men’s and Women’s Programming
9:00 – Prayer Lab: Lectio Divina with Small Group
9:30 – Safety Check for Opening Activity
9:45 – ACTIVITY ROUND #1 Facilitation / Reset for ROUND #2
11:00 – ACTIVITY ROUND #2 Facilitation / Clean Up for the Day
12:30 – Lunch: Outreaching to a Small Group
1:15 – Mandatory Fun Time: Random Fun with Campers
2:15 – Mass
3:15 – Lakeside Set Up and Beach Safety Check
3:30 – LAKE ACTIVITIES
5:30 – Transition after LAKE TIME
6:00 – Dinner: Outreaching to a Small Group
6:30 – Program Staff Meeting for Night Programming
6:45 – CLUB Begins: Upbeat Praise and Worship and Exciting Atmosphere
7:00 – Funny Skit Performance
8:00 – Snack with the Campers / Get Set for Second Half of CLUB
8:45 – Powerful Preaching from Senior Staff
9:15 – Perform a Drama to Bring the Preaching to Life
9:30 – Praise and Worship
10:00 – Send Campers to Small Group
10:15 – Program Staff Meeting: Intercession and Sharing Glory
11:00 – BEDTIME: to Live the Adventure Another Day

Overview
Details
Daily Schedule

4. Media Staff.

(High School Graduate – Young Adult)

A CYSC Media Staff member captures what the Lord is doing at any given moment at CYSC, and they share it with the world so that it might know what the Lord can do with a moment He is given.

2 weeks of training. 8 weeks on mission.
Creative Ministry Training
Social Media Management
Photography, Videography, and Graphic Design
Personal Formation: Marketing Skills, Discipleship Skills, and Prayer Ministry Skills
Missionary Support Raising
Missionary Stipend
Weekly Missionary Staff Formation

4. Media Staff.

While each day for a Media Staff member is unique, and dependent on the program and camper group for a given session, a typical day in the life could be summarized as follows:

7:00 – Wake Up/Personal Prayer
7:30 – Breakfast: Outreaching to a Small Group
8:15 – Media: Men’s and Women’s Programming
9:00 – Media Staff Meeting
9:45 – Media: ACTIVITY ROUND #1
11:00 – Media: ACTIVITY ROUND #2
12:30 – Lunch: Outreaching to a Small Group
1:15 – Media: Mandatory Fun Time / Random Fun with Campers
2:15 – Mass
3:15 – Prep for LAKE TIME
3:15 – Media: LAKE TIME / Media Tasks
5:30 – Transition after Lake Time
6:00 – Dinner: Outreaching to a Small Group
6:30 – Prep for CLUB
6:45 – Media: CLUB #1
8:00 – Snack with the Campers
8:30 – Media: CLUB #2
10:00 – Closing Media Tasks / Media Staff Meeting
10:30 – Return to Residences
11:00 – BEDTIME: to Live the Adventure Another Day

Frequently Asked Questions

What age must I be to apply?

Counseling Staff, Program Staff, and Media Staff applicants must have completed their senior year of high school by June 2019. Service Staff applicants must have completed their junior year of high school by June 2019.

What dates should I put in my calendar?

November 1st – Missionary Applications Open
January 15th – Missionary Applications Close
January 27th 1-6pm – First Set of Missionary Interviews
February 3rd 1-6pm – Second Set of Missionary Interviews
February 8th – Missionary Team Announced
March 15th – Decisions Due
March 17th 6-8pm – Support Raising 101: Support Raising Training
May 27th – May 30th – Program Staff: Evening Rehearsals
May 31st – June 7th – Equip Conference: Missionary Staff Retreat and Training
June 9th – August 3rd – MISSION

What does missionary support raising entail?

Your missionary work begins before campers arrive. Every member of CYSC’s missionary staff is required to raise $1,500 of missionary support and is afforded the opportunity to raise up to $2,500. This is an opportunity to evangelize others by allowing them to assist you in the mission to which the Lord has called you. Specific, hands-on training will be provided in order to help you attain your goal.

How much can I expect to be paid?

A payment, plus room and board, of either $1,250 or $2,500 is provided to all missionary staff. (The individuals who elect to volunteer in their time of service are the only exception.)

Are there any additional requirements?

If you are, or will be, 18 before your first day of service with CYSC, you must 1) obtain an Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation and Identification (BCI) background check and 2) participate in a Protecting God’s Children training session prior to beginning your service with CYSC (per CYSC, Inc. Policies and Guidelines). To obtain/schedule a BCI: Contact “Fast Fingerprints” by calling 614-457-8900. You must inform them that you are with the “Columbus Catholic Diocese/CYSC.” All details at www.fastfingerprints.com. Download and complete “General Registration Form,” and take it with you to your appointment. Three convenient locations, open Monday-Saturday. Cost is $37.

TO FIND SCHEDULED PGC TRAINING DATES AND LOCATIONS AND TO REGISTER ONLINE: http://www.cdeducation.org/oym/safe/index.html

Other questions? Email bradpierron@damascuscampus.com.

I’m in. What’s next?

Applications are now open!

Important dates to note:

November 1st – Missionary Applications Open
January 15th – Missionary Applications Close
January 27th 1-6pm – First Round of Missionary Interviews
February 3rd 1-6pm – Second Round of Missionary Interviews
February 8th – Missionary Team Announced
March 15th – Decisions Due
March 17th 6-8pm – Support Raising 101: Support Raising Training

Step 1
Step 2
Step 3
Step 4

Step 1: Create an account

Document Center

If you have an account from a previous year, please feel free to use your previous account information. If you can’t remember your login info, click the link on the account login page, and it will be emailed to you.

Account Login

Step 2: Complete the “2018 Staff Application”

The “2018 Staff Application” as well as 2 sections of the medical form are available in the CYSC Document Center linked above, or available in the “Additional Options” of your online account. Once begun, they are available for review and editing under your personal account (click on your name) in your account page.

Step 3: Short Answer Questions (first-time applicants only)

First-time applicants, please complete the Short Answer Questions form in the CYSC Document Center linked above, or available in the “Additional Options” of your online account.

Step 4: References (first-time applicants only)

First-time applicants must also request and secure three (3) personal references. The following are suggested:

1) Parish Priest or Parish Youth Minister
2) School Teacher/Professor, Coach, Employer, or other School Activity Leader / Club Advisor/Leader
3) Adult (age 21+) (not a relative)

Please direct your potential references to our online reference form.

Reference Form

Being a CYSC missionary has allowed me to claim my identity as a child of God, to boldly proclaim the name of Jesus, and to recognize the necessity of walking with the Holy Spirit at Camp and beyond.
Megan Moran