Wondering what do with yourself when you leave school or college?
If you love camps, love the Lord Jesus, and are brave enough to read on, then we'd like to throw down the following challenge:
We're looking for some very exceptional young people. Young people who are prepared to explore doing something radically different with their gap year. Young people prepared to be taken well outside of their comfort zone. Young people wanting not only to be entertained but wanting to grow in their faith... and to serve and give. Like we said, the young people we are looking for will be truly exceptional.
Each year Camp XL recruits a small select team of young people to spend a year with us here in our fabulous manor house in the Worcestershire countryside. Here, they help to man our programme of camps and houseparties that run year-round, while getting serious with the God's word by attending the Midlands Ministry Training Course in Birmingham. They get involved in all aspects of the Centre (the fun stuff like driving our tractor over the acres of grounds), the routine stuff (like cooking and housekeeping), and - best of all - the exciting stuff (helping develop a love for God's word in young people).
Best year of my life!
Get serious with the Bible
You'll be enrolled on the Midlands Ministry Training Course which takes place in Birmingham every Tuesday during term time. Here you'll be challenged in your understanding of the Bible and trained in how to teach it faithfully and confidently to others.
You'll get to sharpen the skills you learn there as you put them in to practice with the groups of young people that visit Gaines most weekends.
Get serious with yourself
We'll teach you how to run holidays and weekends for young people, from cooking and cleaning, through to entertaining and teaching them. We'll even help you put them to bed!
You'll be part of small community of like-minded individuals, and form what are likely to be life-long friendships. We'll push you (lovingly!) to step out beyond your comfort zone, so that you grow in self confidence and in your desire to serve the Lord Jesus. You'll grow in physical as well as spiritual maturity, all whilst having an amazing year with some amazing people.
Get serious with your future
Many young people opt to climb the likes of Kilimanjaro during their gap year. They're not for us. We're looking for those whose sights ar set significantly higher!
Our prayer is that the skills, disciplines and attitudes you learn during your year at Gaines Manor will mean you can leave here better equipped, and more firmly resolved to serve the Lord Jesus in a host of practical ways - whatever career path you choose. You'll be a massive asset to your local fellowship's youth work, and a great help on any Christian summer camp - especially ours, of course!
If you're serious about making your gap year have a lasting impact on others as well as on yourself, come and talk to us!
What about money?
We will ask you to cover the cost of your year's internship, which currently stands at £2,700 (roughly £230 per month). We will use your fees to cover all your accommodation, tuition and equipment costs, as well as to give you a monthly allowance of £100 for you to spend on your food and incidentals - as you see fit.
While this may seem a daunting sum to raise, please don't let it put you off from talking to us. Ultimately we have a very faithful God who is "able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine". If He wants you to be here, He'll make it happen.
Start by praying, then pick up the phone and get in touch.
Ready to get serious?
Get in touch today to find out more. We'd love to answer your questions, and to invite you out to visit us to see Gaines Manor in action, and meet some of our curent interns. That will give you the best indication of what life here looks like.
Call us on 0300 302 0080, or email us at interns@campxl.org