Pinnacle Diamond Ranch

T 2009 RanchHand Volunteer Application Instructions

Things are different this year, Guys, read this carefully:

Pinnacle Diamond Ranch is seeking young men & women, age 16 and older, with a passion for Christ and a vision to see summer HorseCampers come to a close intimate knowledge of Jesus Christ. This application, as well as an interview, will be our way of getting to know you and determining if you are a good fit for Camp Pinnacle Summer 2009 - and if Camp is a good fit for you! We spend a lot of time in prayer as we review each application, and so should you - please be sure that serving as a RanchHand is something to which you can make a whole-hearted commitment. We only want those RanchHands here that God wants for this specific time and purpose!

• Please note: If you are of camper age you must come to camp as a camper for at least one week in order to be allowed to serve as a RanchHand, but that does not mean that you have to come as a HorseCamper. First-time RanchHands must be a camper before they can be a RanchHand. Returning RanchHands can be a camper either before or after their time as a RanchHand. RanchHands may serve for a maximum of three weeks.

Job description:

We expect high standards of spiritual maturity and moral conduct from our staff. RanchHands are responsible for upholding the rules, regulations, and values set by Pinnacle Ministries. You will find them in the “Statement of Faith” and “Mission Statement” section of the application, where you need to initial the lines acknowledging your agreement with those statements - including those referring to romance and dress code. We also expect you to promote those rules to the campers and counselors - PDR RanchHands should be the cream of the crop.

RanchHand responsibilities include: helping feed and care for the horses, helping HorseCampers with their horse care and tacking jobs (including manure scooping in the field), walking riders in the ring, setting up for games and lessons, helping with the Show, Friday Rodeo, and Games Week, participating in Bible Studies, all worship services, & evening activities, and interacting with campers . RanchHands are not counselors or assistant instructors.

The days are long during HorseCamp. We make high demands on our volunteers, not only at the beginning of the week, but every day. Please know that although you will be working hard, we also know that the RanchHands we hire will be able to meet these demands and will find the work and ministry experience extremely rewarding.

Interview & Application Process:

New applicants and returning staff must complete an interview. The interview may be completed over the phone or in person. After we review your application, we will call you or send you an e-mail to schedule an interview.

· Complete the application in full - answering all questions.

· Select and notify three references. For example: your current pastor/youth pastor, a current/past employer if you have one, and a teacher or professor. There is also a parental reference form you will need to have filled out as well. We will be calling your references and your parent after reviewing your application.

· Complete and return the Medical Release Form.

· Sign the Authorization to Check Criminal Records at the end of section 3.

· Return your completed application and all forms to:

Camp Pinnacle RanchHand Application
Attn: Tracey Jacksonl
621 Pinnacle Road
Voorheesville, NY 12186

Thank you for your interest in Camp Pinnacle. We look forward to receiving your application. May God continue to direct your steps and bless your ministry to Him.

    In Christ,

    Tracey Jackson
    Horsemanship Program Director

Section 1: General Information

Full Name: ______________________________________________ Nickname: ___________________

Age: ______ Birthday: ________________________ Gender: ___________  Marital Status: S M D

Home Address: ____________________________________________________________________ Home Phone: ( ______ ) _______ - __________ Cell Phone: ( ______ ) _______ - ______________

E-mail Address (neatly): ______________________________ Soc Sec #: ____________________

Church you attend:__________________________________________________________________________

Pastor’s name: ______________________________ Pastor’s Phone: ( _____ ) _______ - ___________ Size (circle one):  S  M  L  XL  What name would you like on your shirt? _____________________

Emergency Contacts (please list 2):

Name: _______________________ Relationship: ______________ Phone: ( _____ ) ______ - _______

Name: _______________________ Relationship: ______________ Phone: ( _____ ) ______ - _______

Summer Camp begins on Sunday, June 28^th and runs until Friday, July 31^st. There will be two RanchHand training days before Camp starts, and possibly some work days as well, either before or after Camp – dates and times will be announced. August 1^st will be used as a camp clean-up and organization day, RanchHands will be released after satisfactory completion of assignments.

Please circle the week(s) you are available to work:  1 2 3 4 5 6 7

If you are 16 or under, which week are you going to attend as a camper? ________________________

Section 2: Education/Work Experience

Where do you go to school? __________________________________________________________

Were you ever employed by Camp Pinnacle? If so, when? _____________________________________

Current or most recent employer: Please tell me about your current or most recent employer. Name. Address. Phone. Supervisor(s) Name(s). What you did, when you worked there, and why you left. Add volunteer service too - it counts!

(Please attach a separate page for any additional employers)

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Please list your past & current ministry experience: (attach a separate page for additional information):

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Section 3: Personal Information: (attach a separate page for any additional information):

Please list 2 personal strengths and 2 weaknesses… and what are you doing to change the weaknesses into strengths?!

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What three people have had the greatest impact on your life and why? ____________________________

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What are you doing right now to grow in your relationship with God? _______________________________

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Why are you interested in being a RanchHand? _____________________________________________

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What is your experience with horses? __________________________________________________________________

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Please circle your answers to the following:

Have you ever been arrested and/or convicted of a misdemeanor or felony?  YES   NO

Have you ever been convicted of a crime involving children?   YES   NO

If YES to either of the above questions, please list the date and situation for all arrests, traffic and/or criminal convictions, or pending court actions against you: _____________________________________

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Have you ever been under the care of a physician for any mental illness, depression, eating disorders, etc.? ___________

If you answered YES to the above question, have you had professional counseling or rehabilitation? _________________

If you answered YES to either of the above two questions, please describe the situation(s):

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May we inquire further into your background? If yes, please sign: __________________________

Your application is not complete until we have your answers to the essay questions. That means that you may not get the RanchHand week(s) you would like if someone’s completed application pre-dates yours to our office.

Section 4: Essay Questions for First-Time RanchHand Applicants:

Your application is not complete until we have your answers to the essay questions. That means that you may not get the RanchHand week(s) you would like if someone’s completed application pre-dates yours to our office.

Please type your answers to all the following questions on a separate sheet of paper. Answers do not have to be long, a paragraph or two should be fine.

• 1. Who is Jesus Christ, and what does He mean to you personally?
• 2. If you were to stand before God and He were to ask you, “Why should I let you enter heaven?” what answer would you give?
• 3. What does it mean to serve as a RanchHand at Camp Pinnacle?
• 4. We demand high standards from our RanchHands spiritually, mentally, physically, and emotionally. This demand is required for the entire length of our summer season. Why do you feel that you are prepared and ready for this demand?

Section 4: Essay Questions for Returning RanchHand Applicants:

Please type your answers to all the following questions on a separate sheet of paper. Answers do not have to be long, a paragraph or two should be fine.

• 1. What has God been doing to / with / through you this year?
• 2. Please list 2 or 3 things you think went well at HorseCamp last year, and 2 or 3 things you would change.
• 3. What do you think we can do to improve HorseCamp for this and/or future years?
• 4. We demand high standards from our RanchHands spiritually, mentally, physically, and emotionally. This demand is required for the entire length of our summer season. Do you feel that you are prepared and ready for this demand?

Section 5: References

Please include a pastor/youth pastor, a former employer, and a professor/teacher, and remember to ask them first!

Name:   ______________  Relationship:  _________________  ph. # : (    )  ________________

Name:   ______________  Relationship:  _________________  ph. # : (    )  ________________

Name:   ______________  Relationship:  _________________  ph. # : (    )  ________________

Parental Reference

Dear Parent/Family Member:

   As you probably know, the young person who handed you this form is applying for a position as a RanchHand at Camp Pinnacle. Although I’m sure this young man or woman is totally capable of filling out the application and answering the questions completely, I feel very strongly that a relationship with family is an excellent “volunteer meter”.

   Please tell me why this young person would be a good fit as a RanchHand at Camp Pinnacle this summer, and what, if any, concerns you may have as to their fitness for that position.

   Thank you very much for your time and effort… and the possibility of loaning me your child for some time this summer!

    Ellen Preckel

    Pinnacle Diamond Ranch Horsemanship Instructor

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Parent’s Name: _______________________________________  Phone Number: ____________________________

Best time to call: morning   afternoon evening

Dear Applicant:

   I want you to know that I really appreciate you filling out this application and expressing a desire to serve as a RanchHand this summer. I also want you to know that the decisions regarding the hiring of RanchHands are not made by me alone. Summer Camp Directors Bill and Christie Warnken, and Executive Director, Pastor Chris Gerardi also read these applications and have a major say about who gets hired and who doesn’t... in Pastor’s case he has the final decision.

   That said, we all also know that it takes a special young person to apply as a volunteer at Camp. It’s tiring and hard work no matter how much fun we have!

   Thank you very much for applying and I look forward to talking with you - and hopefully working with you soon!

 ~ Miss Tracey