Leaders + Volunteers

Serving and Leading on a Life Camp

Life Camps Australia depends on the many volunteers who serve by leading on our camps. We also rely on the prayer support, church partnerships and financial generosity to complete the work we do.

As a small not-for-profit Christian organisation, the incredible efforts of our volunteer teams have got us where we are today — running 14+ camps and events and seeing hundreds of lives impacted by the gospel each year.

In fact, over the 22+ years we’ve been operating (since that first Children’s Camp way back when) we’ve had nearly 10,000 campers and leaders come through the camps!

We’re continually amazed by the work God has done through Life Camps Australia (formerly The Camping Program and Cs Camps).

We’d love you to come on the journey with us. Below we have listed a variety of ways you can practically be involved our camps below.

IF YOU’D LIKE TO KNOW HOW YOU CAN CONTRIBUTE TO LIFE CAMPS AUSTRALIA, CLICK HERE TO SUPPORT US

Who can lead?

We’re always looking for leaders. If you have a heart to serve on one of our camps, we’d love to hear from you!
 

Here’s a short checklist to see if you might be Life Camps leader/volunteer material:

•  You love Jesus and believe He is Lord!

•  You are servant-hearted

•  You are able to follow direction

•  You can abide by Life Camps’ Code of Conduct

•  You hold a valid Victorian Working With Children Check (see below)

•  You are 17 years or older*

If you think you have what it takes to lead on a Life Camp, email our Manager to let us know you’re interested. (If there’s a specific camp you’re keen on getting involved in, make sure to mention that, too.)

Our team will provide you with an application form, including space to list some personal references and a ‘Safe Leaders’ Agreement for you to agree to.

We screen every leader to ensure they are right for our camps and to protect our campers.

*17 + 18-YEAR-OLDS (YEARS 11 & 12) MAY BE ABLE TO VOLUNTEER AS JUNIOR LEADERS ON CHILDRENS CAMPS

Application Process

Once you have submitted your application, the Life Camps Australia team will prayerfully consider your application.

They may contact your references, and confirm your Working With Children Check status.

You’ll be contacted within a few weeks of submitting application to let you know if it was successful or not.

Life Camps Australia reserves the right to deny any application we believe is not suitable.

Working With Children Checks

In compliance with Child Safe regulations, and to protect our campers, every leader on our Childrens and Youth Camps must hold a current Working With Children Check (WWCC). You can hold either a Volunteer or Professional WWCC. A valid VIT registration is also acceptable. 

A WWCC must be supplied to Life Camps Australia prior to your arrival at a campsite.

A WWCC is only valid for 5 years. It is your responsibility to ensure your Check is current. Unfortunately, we do not allow leaders without a WWCC to stay on site — this is a critical part of the leader qualification process. 

To find out further information about the WWCC, and to apply or update your details, please head here.

PLEASE NOTE — A VOLUNTEER WWCC IS FREE.

What does it cost?

We know what you’re wondering — does it cost big bucks to lead on a Life Camp? In short, yes.

We greatly appreciate that our leaders give their time, often sacrificing a week’s work and income so that they can volunteer on a camp. They’re incredible. Seriously.  

However, in order to cover camp costs, we still require our leaders to pay a fee to attend our camps. This covers all meals, accommodation and administration and costs.

Fortunately, we offer reduced rates for leaders and volunteers, to make camps more affordable. Full payment details can be found in your application form.
 

IF YOU’D LIKE TO LEAD/VOLUNTEER, BUT FINANCES ARE AN ISSUE — PLEASE CONTACT US TO DISCUSS PAYMENT PLANS OR OTHER OPTIONS

Leadership Roles

Each Life Camp is different, but there are some roles we need filled regularly, especially for the Childrens and Youth camps.

Here are some ways you could lead:

Camp Organiser

Camp Organisers work with the Camps Director and Manager to oversee the camp by developing themes, scheduling programs and arranging speakers, worship leaders, cooks and leaders.

Camp Organisers attend and run the camp, overseeing day to day activities as well as managing leaders and campers.

Speaker

Speakers/Chaplains are chosen by the Camp Organisers and Life Camps Australia staff. They lead the study/devotion times at camp. On our Children's Camps (2Cs) they’re affectionately know as the ‘Happy Chappy’!

Worship Leader

Worship Leaders facilitate times of worship on our camps. Worship is a priority at all Life Camps — we love to sing, shout, play, write, dance and create, bringing joy to God as we do it.

Camp Parent / Grandparent

We prioritise family on our camps, and love having leaders of all ages. Ideally, each camp has an older couple — known as Camp Parents or Grandparents — who provide pastoral care and support for leaders and campers. They assist Camp Organisers with pastoral decisions and act as Odd Bods (see below) as needed around the camp.

Cabin Cousin

Camp Cousins are teen leaders — generally the children of Organisers/Leaders — who participate fully in camps, but with a few extra responsibilities. They get alongside campers to show them the ropes.

We love seeing our campers develop into leaders, and this is a great intermediate step before becoming full-fledged adult leaders.

Cabin Leader

Cabin Leaders are assigned to a group of campers who share a cabin. They ensure the safety and wellbeing of their group, as well as leading small group studies, activites, cleaning and so on.

Senior Leaders are experienced Life Camps Leaders who take overall responsibility for cabin groups.

Junior Leaders are 17–19 year olds who are starting out on their Life Camps leadership journey. They are supported by other Leaders on camps, and receive additional training throughout.

Prayer Warrior

Prayer Warriors are designated leaders who cover the camps in prayer — before, during and after each event. These indispensable intercessors pray for every leader and camper each day, lead morning prayer times, provide pastoral care to leaders and campers. They support the Camp Organisers and Worship Leaders in setting the spiritual tone of the camp.

Sports + Activity Leader

Sports Leaders run wide games, sports and activities throughout the camp.

Cook

Our amazing (and much loved) cooks work in the kitchen to create delicious feasts for campers and leaders. They often help organise kitchen logistics and purchase supplies for camps in conjunction with the Camp Organisers, the Manager and Program Director.

Odd Bod

Odd Bods are our lifesavers. They fill gaps. They might be helping in the kitchen one day, running the flying fox the next, leading prayer times, supervising campers... you name, our Odd Bods have probably done it. They’re 100% amazing!

Nurse / First Aid Officer

First Aiders attend to any physical needs or injuries as required. Ideally, they’re trained nurses or have backgrounds in healthcare. We have one at every camp.

They all have up-to-date First Aid qualifications, and assist with any medication management for campers and communicate with parents as needed.