Join Our Crew
CREW (kroo) n. a group of people united and working toward a common goal.
Over the course of a year, we minister to hundreds of people, and we have seen God change many lives. We could not do it without you, the countless young people who volunteer your time to come and serve with us.
THE CREW is our summer staff program. You can join young people from all over the nation who come and work together toward one common goal: serving others so that they can relax and reconnect with God and with their families. Because you will be working alongside other people of all ages who model true godliness, you will likely experience growth in your own life as well.
You will work alongside Life Action team members and Camp staff in a variety of tasks. You may be on the maintenance crew, the housekeeping crew, or the kitchen crew. You may get a chance to work in video production or help in our children's clubs. Some crew members become family assistants, working on the front line of service for our guests.
When you are not working, you will attend services as well as get-togethers and activities just for you—with the chance to talk about what God is doing in and through your life.
A.J. Newell, along with his wife, Sarah, will be your CREW leaders. They will make you feel welcome, answering questions and providing encouragement. They are always available to help and instruct you toward meaningful service.
Here are some words from former CREW members:
"The two summers I spent on summer staff at Life Action were absolutely incredible. The Lord really used that opportunity to show me the amazing power of having a servant's heart. The simple fact that our Lord 'did not come to be served, but to serve' made every moment of hard work seem like a building block of the kingdom. The opportunity to be a part of a life-changing ministry like Life Action, even in a way as small as helping in the kitchen, was a blessing. The Christian fellowship and continuous laughter shared with fellow summer staffers, team members, and full-time staff created an experience I'll never forget!" -- Amanda
"Working at Family Camp was a huge blessing for me. I not only got to see God work in other people's lives, but He did a lot of changing in mine. I learned how to really set myself aside. I never really realized how selfish I was until I had to concentrate on others every day. It really is a great way to serve the Lord!" -- Ashley
Top Ten Things Overheard While Working on THE CREW
#10 “Let’s walk over to Fuller’s and get some ice cream.”
#9 “I just got a bunch of new photos for my Facebook.”
#8 “Can you breathe?” (to someone who was just “spanked” off the BLOB)
#7 “You’ve got a good voice – have you considered joining one of our teams?”
#6 (there is no #6 – the writer was stuffing his face with home-made pretzels)
#5 “Oh, yeah … you’re definitely gonna make it into the video now!”
#4 “Hi, my name is Adam.”
#3 “You’re a family assistant. They have 12 children - the oldest is three.”
#2 “Do you want to go on trash run?”
#1 “I just wanted you to know that this week of camp has changed my life.”
FAQ
Will I be paid?
No. (Not on this earth, anyway.) You are responsible for all of your own expenses, including travel. You will receive all meals and housing while you are volunteering. Some CREW members are joined by their churches, family, and friends who give them support, as this is essentially a short-term missions project. Any funds donated to you do not qualify for tax deductions.
What is the minimum age requirement?
Age 14 is the minimum age, as required by Michigan state law.
How many weeks do I need to volunteer?
You may volunteer for as many weeks as you care to work.
We ask that you make a commitment for at least two weeks.
Where will I stay?
You will stay in bunkhouses here on campus.
Each cabin has a cabin captain who will ensure your safety and compliance with the guidelines.
How do I make travel arrangements?
You and your parents should make arrangements for your travel to and from Camp.
If you are arriving by air, make arrangements to South Bend, Indiana.
If you are coming by rail, make arrangements to Niles, Michigan.
We will shuttle you to the Camp if you arrive at either of these two locations.
What day do I arrive, and what day do I leave?
The work week begins with a meeting on Monday morning, and ends after lunch on Saturday afternoon.
Please make arrangements so that arrival and departure times fall between the hours of 2:00 p.m. Saturday and 9:00 p.m. Sunday (EDT).
What does a weekly camp schedule look like?
There is a sample schedule on this website.
Do I need extra money for anything?
There is a snack shop, where most things cost 75 cents, and soda machines that cost $1.50.
There are coin laundry facilities, where each machine costs $1.25/load.
We offer a trip to Wal-Mart every Saturday evening so you can buy any necessities.
There are Life Action T-shirts and sweatshirts available to purchase.
Two activities with additional charges are trap shooting ($15 for 25 shots)
and paintball ($10 for rental equipment and $10 for 500 paintballs).
Most of the local attractions have entry fees.
Bike rentals are free, and sometimes there is complimentary ski boat time on the weekend.
Is there a dress code? What should I bring?
Here is a copy of the Ladies' Dress Code.
Here is a copy of the Men's Dress Code.
How long does the application process take?
Please allow two weeks after mailing the application for Adam to respond.
Now that all your questions have been answered, it's time to apply.
Download the application, fill it out, and return it.
If you are a returning CREW member, please use the CREW re-application instead.
Everyone will also need to complete DHS Form I-9 (Employment Eligibility Verification).
If you have any other questions, feel free to e-mail A.J. Newell.