2024 Returning Staff CRC Application

Contact Information

Name

This address will receive a confirmation email

Cell Phone

Note: this is the number to be used for text communication during camp. Please make sure it is accurate.

Home Phone

Address

Date of Birth

T-shirt Size (adult size)

I have served at Camp Rainbow Connection previously.

Yes No, this is my first time.

More Information

Church you attend:

I am willing to have 2 camper buddies.

Yes No

Serving Requirements

I acknowledge that I am agreeing to serve for the camp week (July 13-19, 2024)

Yes No I will be a part time staff member

Note: If you are unable to stay the full week, you will receive a link to a separate form to indicate your schedule for the camp week.

I will attend the planning session on February 24 at the VAUMC Office in Glen Allen, VA.

Yes No

You are expected to be a full participant in all activities. Attendance is required at all sessions and events while you are at camp. All of this requires a level of physical stamina which only you can evaluate for yourself. Understanding these demands, do you agree to be a willing, able, and eager participant in the entire week of residential camp for youth and adults? If you select “NO” or if you have physical health challenges which may limit your ability to fully care for yourself and campers, please reconsider your ability to participate in this year’s camp as a staff member.

Yes No

Safe Sanctuaries Required Questions

In keeping with Virginia Conference Child/Youth/At-Risk Adult Protection Guidelines, you must answer the following questions. All answers are confidential and maintained by the Virginia Conference solely for use with Camp Rainbow Connection.

In the past three years, have you:

Been convicted of any felony offenses?

Yes No

If yes, please explain:

Been convicted of any crime of violence against minors or adults?

Yes No

If yes, please explain:

Been adjudged liable for civil penalties or damages involving sexual or physical abuse of children or adults?

Yes No

If yes, please explain:

Been subject to any court order involving sexual or physical abuse of a minor or adult, including but not limited to a domestic order of protection or loss of parental rights?

Yes No

If yes, please explain:

Because of the possibility of transporting campers, have you been convicted of any misdemeanors involving automobiles, including driving under the influence?

Yes No

If yes, please explain:

Volunteer Agreement

In signing this form, I understand and agree to the following terms and conditions related to my volunteer service with the Virginia Conference of The United Methodist Church:

*I recognize that, as a volunteer, I represent the above organization to the public. I accept responsibility for this status and will conduct myself accordingly.

Yes No

*I understand that in the course of my service, I may learn certain facts about volunteers, participants, and donors which are of a highly personal and confidential nature. Examples of such information are medical diagnoses and treatment, phone numbers and addresses, finances, personal relationships, etc. I understand that all such information, including the identity of the individual, must be treated with total confidentiality (including on social media postings) and must remain confidential even after my service ends.

Yes No

*I agree to abide by the child/youth/vulnerable adult protection policies of the Virginia Conference of The United Methodist Church. I understand that the limits of confidentiality, however, include that I must immediately report to the appropriate leadership any knowledge or involvement in regard to child/youth/vulnerable adult abuse and the intentions to do harm to another person or to one’s self.

Yes No

*I am aware that as a volunteer, I expose myself to potential hazards which include but are not limited to: kitchen accidents, cuts, burns, back injury from lifting, car accidents, property damage or injury to others in car accidents, falls, etc. I am voluntarily participating in this service with the knowledge of the potential hazards involved and hereby agree to accept any and all risks of injury.

Yes No

I agree that my assignees, heirs, distributes, guardians, and other legal representatives will not make a claim against, or sue for injury or damage resulting from the negligence or other acts, howsoever caused, by any employee, agent, or volunteer contractor of the organization as a result of my participation as a volunteer. I hereby release the Virginia Conference UMC from all actions, claims, or demands that I, my assignees, heirs, guardians and legal representatives now have or may hereafter have for injury resulting from my participation as a volunteer.

Yes No

*If my volunteer service includes driving an automobile, I acknowledge that I have both a valid driver’s license and automobile liability insurance policy as required by state law. I agree to maintain my license and insurance in good standing for my tenure as a volunteer for the organization. I am knowledgeable of and agree to abide by local and state traffic laws. I agree not to drive while under the influence of alcohol and/or other intoxicating substances.

Yes No

*I agree to bring any problems or conflicts that are beyond the scope of my volunteer service or ability, to the immediate attention of the appropriate leadership.

Yes No

*As a volunteer, I understand that my services can be discontinued at any time for any reason. This understanding will remain in effect throughout my continuous service as a volunteer. Should I not serve as a volunteer for more than one year, a new agreement will need to be completed.

Yes No

Covenant of Conduct

Servant Philosophy

At Camp Rainbow Connection, we believe that our staff members are the key to transformation in the lives of our campers, one another, their local faith communities, and the world at-large. We recognize that staff members are essential to achieving our mission of healing and acceptance towards all God’s people. Because we are a ministry of the Virginia Conference of The United Methodist Church (UMC), participation of people of all backgrounds, ability levels, heritages, and faiths is encouraged. Staff members will maintain Christian integrity at all times based upon our core belief that Camp Rainbow is a continuation of Christ’s ministry given life through our hands, hearts, and feet. As a result of experiencing the unconditional love, courage, and faith of our campers and in upholding the Social Principles of The UMC, we expect that our staff will advocate for and model inclusion of all persons in the full life of their local faith communities and society.

During the meetings and events under the sponsorship and guidance of Camp Rainbow Connection, I recognize that I am a representative of the Christian Community and I am responsible for my actions. As a staff member with Camp Rainbow Connection, a ministry of the Virginia Conference of The United Methodist Church, I understand and agree to the following:

*I shall recognize that everyone in the group is a part of the body of Christ. I will embrace inclusiveness by making sure everyone feels welcomed and important. I agree to participate and make every effort to function as a team and care for one another.

*I shall stay focused on God. I shall pray for others as caring and loving individuals the way Christ taught us.

*I shall respect the physical and emotional well-being of others by refraining from harsh play, violence, harmful jokes and gestures and by respecting the need for sleep.

*I shall refrain from the use of alcohol and illegal drugs. I understand that the use of these substances is absolutely prohibited.

*I shall maintain the dignity of the campers with whom I am matched as a staff buddy (including the individual’s in-room privacy and property), the other campers participating in sessions, and my fellow staff members.

*I shall agree to comply with all camp rules and policies established by camp leadership and communicated to me during training sessions and/or in writing through the Camp Rainbow Connection Staff Handbook. These include but are not limited to:

-I will follow instructions given by the On-Site Directors and Coordinator.

-I will share any concerns I have with the Coordinator and On-Site Directors.

-I will keep all information I learn about campers and staff confidential.

-I will not display any inappropriate behavior or public displays of affection and will dress in an appropriate manner.

-I will fully participate in all scheduled activities.

-I will attend sessions and events.

-I will do what I can to ensure the safety of campers at all times.

-I will only leave the RBC during the camp session for camp related responsibilities.

*I shall abide by the rules which govern the campus of Richard Bland College (site of camp sessions).

*I shall take initiative to inform my guests of their responsibilities to follow these guidelines when they visit.

*I shall honor the commitment length that I make to Camp Rainbow Connection. I agree to provide as much advance notice as possible in the event that I will be unable to fulfill my commitment.

In signing this covenant, I vow that I have read and understand these guidelines. I recognize that a covenant is a binding promise, and my signature is testimony that I agree to adhere to the provisions of this covenant.

Consents and Signature

I understand that:

I will be asked to adhere to Covid protocols set forth by RBC and CRC/VAUMC presented at the start of camp. This could include masking when outside dorm rooms.

The information which I have provided on this form is subject to verification, which includes a national criminal record screening completed every five years by the Virginia Conference of The United Methodist Church. An application to serve as a staff member is not considered complete until necessary criminal records screening results are on file.

The camp may deny a leadership opportunity to any person who fails to provide requested information in this application or who answers any of the disclosure statements in the affirmative.

The camp may terminate volunteer service of any person:
- Found to have a history of complaints of abuse of a minor and/or at risk adult.
- Found to have resigned, been terminated or been asked to resign from a position, either paid or volunteer, due to complaint of sexual or physical abuse.
- Found to give false information on this application form.
- Who fails to place the expected priority on the needs of campers during camp sessions or exhibits behavior detrimental to the mission of Camp Rainbow Connection.

Returning staff must have an updated national criminal records check every 5 years. If you are due for an update, you will receive the necessary forms and instructions by email.

By submitting this form, I attest that the information I have provided is truthful.

Name

Payment

The cost per person to attend camp was about $400 for the week in 2023. In order for a camper to attend camp, we require a staff member, which totaled $800 per camper. In an effort to be good stewards of our camp funds, the Core Leadership Team is asking each staff member to donate $200-250 to camp to help offset the camper costs. We understand that it may not be possible for everyone, so please indicate the amount you're pledging to give before the end of the camp week.

Checks should be made to the “Virginia Conference UMC” with Camp Rainbow Connection in the memo line and can be mailed to:

Camp Rainbow Connection
PO Box 5606
Glen Allen, VA 23058

The amount of money I pledge for CRC in 2024:

2024 Returning Staff CRC Application

Description

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