For The Leaders
Volunteer leaders don’t make the world go round, but they do make Youthworks HSC Study Conferences run! If you are a leader or you want to be a leader then this is the place for you.
Want to lead on a Youthworks HSC Study Conference?
Youthworks has been a provider of HSC Study Conferences for over 20 years, giving many students opportunities to develop in their faith in God while assisting them to achieve their academic potential. Youthworks HSC Study Conferences are a fabulous mission field. It is a logical camp for students to be attending as exams loom closer, and it is a non-threatening place to invite non-Christians, fringe Christians, as well as keen Christians. The students are often full of questions about life as they consider their future directions. They are learning to think for themselves. It is a turning point for many. Some who call themselves Christians will turn their backs on God when they go to University, TAFE of work. Some will make the life-changing decision to follow Christ for the first time. Some will make life-long friends that continue to spur them on in their faith throughout their life. Youthworks HSC Study Conferences provide a unique opportunity to guide young people on a path to godliness.
Leading on a Youthworks HSC Study Conference is an awesome opportunity to use the gifts God has given you to serve others. You will also get a chance to develop skills in leadership, patience, love, trust, submission and forgiveness that will be invaluable to you in life. Leading on a study conference is also great fun and you will make life-long friendships.
If you’re keen to join one of our leadership teams you’ll need to meet a few simple requirements:
• Be at least 18 years old and have finished high school
• Have a strong Christian faith
• Be a current and regular member of a Bible-believing Christian church
• Have a passion for others to come to know Jesus as their Lord and Saviour
• Accept the Anglican Youthworks Statement of Faith and all other policies relating to Youthworks HSC Study Conferences
• Be able to work in a team ministry and under another person’s directorship
• Be committed to personal growth and development of skills suitable for a ministry with young people
• Have been cleared by the government’s child protection’ Working with Children Check’ under the Child Protection (Prohibited Employment) Act 1998.
If you can answer ‘yes’ to all these requirements then we’d love to hear from you. To apply now download the Leader Application Form here and return completed to the Youthworks HSC Study Conferences Coordinator at hscstudyconferences@youthworks.net or PO Box 705, Sutherland NSW 1499 or to your camp/conference director.
You will also need to have a reference form completed and returned. This is available here: Leader Reference Form
What are the responsibilities of being a leader?
While on study conference, leaders will be expected to attend all meals, session times and activities. You will also be in charge of a discussion group, rostered on to supervise study sessions, and you may be allocated other responsibilities such as running an activity, looking after orderlies, running the bookstall, organising the final night’s decorations, etc. There are lots of different roles on conference and the director will be able to supply you with any information about a specific role that you have been assigned to do.
You are also responsible for modeling Christ in everything you do and say on camp, to the students, other leaders, conference director, and anyone else who may be involved with the conference. You are encouraged to make the most of every opportunity to share your faith and your life with others on study conference.
As a leader you also have a duty of care to ensure that reasonable care is taken for the students. This involves putting safety first in all aspects of study conference life, stepping in when there is a potentially dangerous situation, letting the director know about any problems as soon as possible after they occur, and immediately assisting an injured person.
The responsibility doesn’t end once conference is over. We see ongoing contact with students as a really important part of conference life. Leaders are encouraged to continue praying for the students after camp and to follow them up using the appropriate channels as set up by Youthworks. The conference director can give you more information on student follow-up procedures.
Do I get any leader training?
Youthworks understands the importance of equipping our conference leaders to handle whatever situation they might come into on a Youthworks HSC Study Conference. A Leaders Training Day is held once a year where sessions such as; Running a small discussion group, Organising a successful activity session, and How to share your faith with others, are held to help you better develop your camp leadership skills. There are also Senior First Aid, Bronze Medallion, and Safe Ministry Training courses held throughout the year. You or your director can contact the Youthworks HSC Study Conferences Coordinator to find out the dates of these courses for the coming year.
As a leader, do I pay to go on camp?
The short answer is yes. Although we understand that you are giving of your own time to volunteer in this amazing ministry, we do have a variety of costs that need to be covered including food and accommodation, grounds, and services for the students. Conference fees vary depending on the length, location and type of camp and we charge our leaders in order to maintain high standards of services to the campers. Details about the camp costs and methods of payment can be found on the Leaders Application Form or if you wish you can go straight to our Leaders registration page here.
Youthworks understands that many of our leaders are tertiary students and we don’t want anyone to miss out on the opportunity to lead because of the cost. We have a fund that can be accessed to provide financial assistance if needed. Please contact the Youthworks HSC Study Conferences Coordinator on (02) 8268 3346 for more information about this fund.