Deans

Our volunteer Deans are the backbone of our summer program. These gifted leaders come from all walks of life -- pastors, teachers, Christian educators, lifelong campers, social workers. They create the programming for a themed summer conference, recruit counselors, create curriculum, put together schedules, shepherd young people, develop leaders, and so much more! Deans volunteer for a week in the summer, but work all year long on their conference.

Dean recruitment begins in September for the following summer. Deans must commit by December 1 and attend the Deans Retreat training weekend in March.

The screening process for deans is thorough and competitive. Deans must provide references, pass a background check, and complete online and in person training.

The successful dean will develop and carry out curriculum for a one-week summer conference, including:

• Provide all conference worship one night during the week and participate in all other all conference worships.
• Provide activities and discussion that will help you to achieve the goals set for the conference and exemplify the theme you have chosen.
• Plan program activities that relate to both your theme.
• Provide either morning watch or evening vespers daily which relates to your conference theme.
• Be a Christian role model for young people through your actions, your words, and your behavior.
• Recruit, train, and work with a team of counselors and the chaplain for your week to supervise, educate, and inspire young people.
• Have experience and knowledge in relating to young people of the age specified for the conference.
• Have a willingness to share your own faith journey in appropriate ways with the conferees.
• Have the ability to nurture and share Christian values and ethics, using stories, games, songs, crafts, and other creative activities.
• Have concern for safety and well being of young people.

To indicate your interest in serving as a summer conference Dean, please fill out the Deans Application by Oct. 1. The Deans Application is hosted by UltraCamp, our online registration software. You will need to create an account (free) to access the paperwork. If you have registered a child for a conference or have served as a volunteer or on staff, you will already have an account. If you are new to Silver Lake, you will have to create one. If you have questions about accessing the application, please contact Jennifer Kronholm Clark, Program Director, at jennkc@silverlakect.org.

Once we receive your application, we will review it and schedule a follow-up conversation. 

For a guide to finding and completing the Volunteer Paperwork, check out the video below.