Thank You for your Interest in joining Koinonia's
Servant Leadership Development Program!
(SLDP)

Koinonia offers terrific service opportunities where you will use your talents to do incredible ministry…this could be one of the greatest growing experiences of your life!

Being a role model for youth…Teaching from the heart…Living in Christian Community…Making friends that last a life-time…Learning to discern your gifts and vocational call in life…These are just a few of the rewards of the Servant Leadership Development Program (SLDP). 

Koinonia’s SLDP includes both Year-Round Servant Community Leaders and our Summer Staff Community.  Please click on either to see specific descriptions.  If you are interested in applying to be a part of the Koinonia staff community (SLDP), please download and complete the following application and provide three (3) written references:
            Koinonia Ministry Application
            Koinonia Reference Form
For Servant Community Leaders please include your resume with the application.  Mail, email, or fax the above information to:
            The Koinonia Community
            165 Lakeview Drive
            Highland Lake, NY  12743
            Email:  Employment@KoinoniaNY.org
            Fax:  (845) 557-0517

In Koinonia,

Lisa Spitler
Associate Executive Director

About Koinonia
Owned and operated by the Martin Luther Camp Corporation, Koinonia is a place of renewal serving the largest city in the world.  The word itself (Koinonia) is a Greek word inviting us into relationships with God and each other and therefore reflects Koinonia’s mission “…to build faith-filled community in our daily lives”.  We are located about 90 miles northwest of Manhattan on 1200 acres of dense forest in the foothills of the Catskill mountains.  Koinonia was founded as a residential wilderness youth camp in 1962, and since then has expanded its year-round ministry to include New York City day camps (New Ground), environmental education (Creation Learning Center), family programs, and retreating for youth, families, and adults.

Our philosophy of ministry comes from the Old Testament and the story of Abraham and Sarah.  God called them into a wilderness journey and blessed them in ways they could not imagine!  So too, it is with Koinonia.  We have great gifts of land and people, and through God, the staff creates powerful experiences for our guests to be renewed, nurtured, and strengthened in their faith at our primary site in Highland Lake and our many locations throughout metro New York City.

Servant Leadership Development Program

Servant Community Leaders

• 12-18 month term commitment
• Weekly stipend of $225-$250
• Housing/Utilities/Food provided
• Health Insurance
• Two-week vacation
• Holidays
• Opportunities for Continuing education, workshops, certifications, etc.

This year-round program is especially designed for post-college young adults.  One of Koinonia’s goals is to provide diverse experiences and exposure to many areas of service and types of leadership in the Church:  outdoor ministries, congregations, schools, and social ministries.  Servant Community Leaders team-up to use their skills to provide for the daily operational needs of Koinonia guests at Highland Lake and Koinonia locations throughout metro New York.  This includes program leading and teaching, hosting, working with our farm, housekeeping, kitchen assistance, maintenance, etc. 

During the summer, Servant Community Leaders provide additional leadership in specific summer programs as well as orienting and leading our college-aged Summer Staff Community.  During the Fall/Winter/Spring, Servant Community Leaders will use their backgrounds and skills to partner with various congregations to enrich and expand their youth and family ministries. 

Throughout the Servant Community Leader experience, there will be formal and informal opportunities for vocational discernment, personal & spiritual growth, and professional skill development.  By living in an intentional community, Servant Community Leaders have a commitment towards daily participation and modeling spiritual practices with each other and our guests.

Servant Leadership Development Program

Summer Staff Community

Specific Summer Community position descriptions are updated each year in December.  You are invited to apply anytime throughout the year!
The Koinonia Summer Staff Community will equal approximately 20 individuals from across the United States as well as around the world!  United in our one mission (…building faith-filled community), we can provide life-changing experiences for the youth, families, and adults that we will be serving.  Each staff person in our community will have specific responsibilities throughout the summer…AND…as servant leaders, each person will be asked to serve as needed in a variety of roles including program leadership as well as site and facility support tasks.

Summer 2008 Specifics:

• Coordinator / Supervisory Leadership Orientation:  June 6-13, 2008
• Program Orientation (esp. for Counselors and Coordinators):  June 13 - 28, 2008
• Summer Staff Community Ending Date:  August 16th, 2008
• Weekly stipends vary according to responsibilities and experience levels.  See specific descriptions.
• Age requirements vary according to responsibilities.  See specific descriptions.
• Housing, Utilities, and Most Food are provided throughout the summer.
• Transportation is provided as staff serve at Koinonia’s various ministry locations from our 1200 acres in Highland Lake as well as throughout the New York City area.  Pre- and Post-Summer transportation costs may be reimbursable to a limited extent.

2008 Curriculum Theme: 
JUST FOR LIFE! 
Let justice roll down like waters and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream. 
Amos 5:24
This summer, Koinonia staff and campers will daily explore justice related topics through the lens of our Christian faith.  Through group worships, Bible study discussions, games, and relational opportunities, our staff will facilitate learning and growth for campers and each other as we explore these topics.  Staff will have opportunities to familiarize themselves with the curriculum as we experience it together during our June orientation.

Certifications:
For positions requiring or preferring specific certifications (i.e. lifeguarding, various levels of first aid/cpr, boating, archery, low and high ropes, etc.), there will be opportunities to receive many of these certifications prior to and during staff orientation in June.  Please let us know if you are interested!

Specific Summer Staff Community Descriptions:
Youth Camp Counselors 
Residential and City Day Camps (10-12 Positions)
Lead groups of six to ten youth for one and two week wilderness residential and city day camp sessions.  All counselors facilitate daily activities with their campers including (but not limited to) Bible discussions, outdoor skills, meals, prayers, song leading, hiking, crafts, service projects, and games.  During wilderness residential camp…live with the youth campers, and during New York City day camps…live with church families.  Must be 18 years of age or older.  Salary range begins at $200 per week, plus room and board.  

Day Camp Team Coordinators (1-2 Positions)
A hands-on leadership position that is responsible for managing our New York City New Ground day camp sites.  Organize weekly and daily schedules of Bible Study, crafts and large group activities.  On average, supervise three youth camp counselors with up to 30 campers per weekly site.  Serve as a liaison with congregational Site Coordinator, Pastor, and volunteers.  The Day Camp Team Coordinator will also connect with special Mental Health Advisors that will be present at each day camp site.  Coordinators should have previous camp experience and be 21 years or older and preferably with valid driver’s license.  Certification in RTE and CPR is needed.  Salary range begins at $215 per week plus room and board. 

Wilderness Youth Camp Coordinator (1 Position)
A hands-on leadership position that is responsible for managing our Residential Wilderness Youth Camp program.  Responsible for leading programs and scheduling camper groups and their counselors, and assisting with support roles as needed.  This coordinator may supervise approximately 7 Counselors and specialty staff with up to 50 campers and will have a major role in coordinating program and support staff schedules between the various on-site programs each week.  Outdoor wilderness skills are preferred…backpacking, outdoor cooking, canoeing/kayaking, etc.  Wilderness Youth Camp Coordinator should have previous camp experience and be 21 years or older with valid driver’s license.  Prefer the following certifications:  RTE or Wilderness 1st Aid, CPR, and Lifeguarding.  Salary range begins at $215 per week plus room and board. 

Adventure Coordinator (1 Position)
A hands-on leadership position that is responsible for teaching, leading, and supervising campers and staff in adventure-related activities such as:  outdoor cooking, camping, river trips, low ropes course, high ropes activities, archery, etc.  This person is responsible for the Trailbuilding and adventure-related equipment/food storage, pack-out, and distribution.  Outdoor wilderness skills and experience are a must and this person will need certifications in the following areas:  RTE or Wilderness 1st Aid, CPR-Professional, Lifeguard, Archery, Boating.  Adventure Coordinator should be 21 years or older with valid driver’s license.  Salary range begins at $215 per week plus room and board. 

Conference Center  / Retreat Services Coordinator (1 Position)
A hands-on leadership position that is responsible for daily operations, hosting, and programming with conference center and retreat groups both mid-week and weekends.  This person will work directly with adult, youth, and family groups and also supervise support staff and support services.  This person has a key role in modeling the ministry of hospitality with guests as well as staff.  This person will supervise and take a primary role in housekeeping and kitchen assistance.  Lifeguard certification is preferred, as well as previous experience in hosting and program leadership.  Salary range begins at $215 per week plus room and board.  Prefer this position to begin by May 29th.

Waterfront Coordinator (1 Position)
This position may be combined with another Coordinator-level position.  This person supervises all waterfront activity, especially swimming and boating.  This person is responsible to supervise, schedule, and also serve as a lifeguard.  They are ultimately responsible to maintain waterfront safety and risk management policies.  This person is also responsible to evaluate swim skill levels of youth camp participants.  This person would need certification as a lifeguard and WSI, plus preferred to have certification in boating. 

Servant Event Coordinator (1 Position)
A hands-on leadership position that is responsible for facilitating our Servant Event programs.  This person is will facilitate weekly and daily schedules of the jr/sr high and adult servant event groups.  This coordinator will live with the group and host/program/serve alongside the group as they move through their New York City experience as well as possible closing retreats at Highland Lake at the end of their program week.  While this coordinator may be responsible to supervise 1-2 additional counselors as needed for the program, they will primarily partner with each group’s leadership as well as servant site leaders.  Salary range begins at $215 per week plus room and board.

Specialty Staff (1-2 Positions)
Live with campers and Youth Camp Counselors!  Provide specific program leadership in the following areas:  Trips and Outdoor Skills, Food preparation and pack-out for outdoor cooking, Archery, Ropes Courses, Creative Arts, and Farm.  Specialty staff will serve both in program leadership and support staff roles.  Appropriate certification in area of specialty needed.  Must be 18 years, or preferably older.  Prefer lifeguard certification.  Salary range begins at $200 per week plus room and board. 

Support Staff (2-3 Positions throughout the summer)
Jr. Staff (2 Positions per two-three week period) 
Lifeguard • Housekeeping • Maintenance • Kitchen • Serve as needed!
Includes daily interaction with campers and guests, however emphasizes behind the scenes needs!  These staff will assist with all areas of daily operations related to programs taking place at Koinonia’s primary site in Highland Lake, NY.  Primary focus will be working with kitchen, housekeeping and maintenance areas.  Support Staff and Jr Staff may work with all programs:  youth and family camp + retreats and conference center groups to assist the ministry as needed.  Must be 17 years or older for Support Staff and prefer 16 years or older for Jr. Staff, with previous experience preferred as a staff-in-training or Jr. Staff.  Salary range begins at $165 per week (Jr. Staff) or $185 per week (Support Staff) plus room and board.  Support Staff dates:  June 22 - August 4, 2008.  Jr. Staff dates to be arranged individually during July.

2nd Cook (1 Position)
This staff role will serve primarily in the kitchen and be responsible for food preparation, serving, organizing food transportation, clean-up, etc.  This person will serve as the primary cook when the lead cook is not present.  This person will help supervise other Support and Jr. Staff in the kitchen.  This person must be 18 years or older.  Salary range begins at $215 per week plus room and board.

Many opportunities are waiting for you this summer!
Grow in your faith • Raft the Delaware River
• Explore New York City
• Wilderness canoeing, kayaking, and backpacking
• Lifetime Friendships
• Diverse People
• Develop and Discover new Skills and Vocational Interests
• Challenge Yourself within a Faithful Community!

Contact:
The Koinonia Community
165 Lakeview Dr.
Highland Lake, NY  12743
Phone:  (800) 980-2267
Fax:  (845) 557-0517

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