SALT Program
SALT stands for Service and Leadership Training. It is a comprehensive program that is geared towards former campers (as well as those new to camp) that are 17 years of age. Its purpose is provide a bridge from the camper to staff years that will equip leaders with the skills, knowledge, and abilities to be successful at Camp Ridgecrest and beyond.
The driving force of this group and its mission are found in Matthew 5:13-16.
You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt should lose its taste, how can it be made salty? It's no longer good for anything but to be thrown out and trampled on by men. You are the light of the world. A city situated on a hill cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and puts it under a basket, but rather on a lamp stand, and it gives light for all who are in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.
Those participating in this program are to be “Salt and Light” to the world, they are to be groomed in servant leadership. Participants are a light to the world through serving others and leading like Jesus. Our mission is to build strong future leaders for camp that will be successful cabin staffers, tribal leaders, and hopefully directors. Beyond shaping and molding camp leaders, the camp’s desire is to see lives transformed and servant leadership taken back to the participant’s schools, families, churches, sports teams, whatever the case may be and declare the glory of God through the leadership model Christ gave us.
| Typical Schedule |
| 6:30 AM |
Breakfast Team reports to Dining Hall |
| 7:30AM |
Reveille |
| 7:30AM |
Showers |
| 8:00 AM |
Breakfast with cabins |
| 8:25 AM |
Morning Watch (with the rest of camp) |
| 8:50 AM |
Quick Cabin Clean-Up (no inspection) |
| 9:05 AM |
Quiet Time |
| 9:30 AM |
Discipleship/Bible Study/Prep for Devotions |
| 10:30 AM |
Get ready for skills (change clothes, etc) |
| 10:40 AM |
Report to skill duty |
| 10:45 AM |
Skill 2/5 begins |
| 11:40 AM |
Skill 2/5 ends |
| 11:45 AM |
Bathhouse Clean-Up |
| 12 PM |
Lunch Team reports to Dining Hall |
| 12:40 PM |
End Clean-Up Projects |
| 12:45 PM |
Free Swim |
| 1:30 PM |
Lunch |
| 2:00 PM |
Get ready for work project (change clothes, etc) |
| 2:10 PM |
Work Project begins/Prep for Tribal OA |
| 4:55 PM |
Work Project ends/Clean up Tribal OA |
| 5:00 PM |
Free Swim |
| 5:00 PM |
Dinner Team reports to Dining Hall |
| 6:00 PM |
End of Free Swim |
| 6:30 PM |
Dinner |
| 7:00 PM |
Help set up for campwide OA's when necessary |
| 7:30 PM |
SALT Activity |
| 9:00 PM |
Return labeled lost and found items to cabins |
| 9:30 PM |
Lead/Participate in cabin devotions |
| 10:00 PM |
Showers |
| 10:30 PM |
Go to bed |
FAQs
How is this program structured?
The program is designed with three core components in mind: discipleship, service, and fellowship. Each day the program will encompass an aspect of each these “fundamentals” for what we are doing and seeking to accomplish within the crew.
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What is the discipleship component?
Bible Study: The SALT director will lead the group in a comprehensive Bible/book study during their time at camp. This may include doing a study of the leadership of Jesus based solely in Scripture or use some type of aid/study. These studies may come from “Spiritual Leadership” by Henry Blackaby, “Lead Like Jesus” by Ken Blanchard, “Wild at Heart” by John Eldredge, “The Servant Leader” by Ken Blanchard, etc. These books are mailed out and read prior to camp so that this is not a burden for participants.
Quiet Time: A quiet time is part of the experience; including reading the Bible, prayer, and journaling.
Life Stories: Participants share life stories during their stay to build community and share what God has done in our lives.
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What is the service component?
Regular Work Projects: Each day, the SALT guys will participate in a work project, revolving around the cleanliness of camp. These projects will be both regularly occurring (such as clean-up on Opening and Closing days, as well as a skill period each day for small projects) and determined on an as needed basis. Responsibility during this time will typically be cleaning 2 bathhouses per day.
Major Work Project: The directors will determine 2 substantial projects prior to the summer for each session’s SALT guys to work on. This work will occur in the afternoon during tribal OA time. These projects will be completed during each session and provide a great opportunity to say “We built that”.
Food Service: SALT guys will be divided into 3 teams that will be responsible for assisting in meal preparation and clean-up. Each team would serve different meals during the session. Some participants will have the opportunity to stay on food service through starter camp (and assist a cabin).
Leadership: Participants will also have various opportunities to grow in leadership skills at camp. One aspect would be in programming, where the SALT guys would plan and execute 1 tribal OA per two-week session. During the first two-weeks, this is done for the Apache and during the second two-weeks for the Shawnee. Assistance will also be given during some campwide activities, and some nights will be dedicated to a “SALT only” activity.
Lost and Found: Each night, lost and found is collected and distributed by participants under the leadership of the director.
Skill Instruction: Skills training is provided during each session. During the first night, SALT participants will decide which skills during the 2/5 slot they will assist in. These will rotate throughout the session so that they can see how each skill is taught. Participants will assist the counselor/instructor in charge of the specific skill.
Sunday Staff Meetings: SALT will provide coverage of campers and hills during staff meeting on Sundays after worship.
Cabin Adoption: SALT guys will “adopt” a cabin each two weeks. This adoption includes eating meals with the cabin, going to the Nibble Nook on Sunday and hang out some on that afternoon, joining in the opening night OA, and by being part of evening devotions with the cabin. The counselor of the cabin provides on site training for each SALT participant. They will also lead a devotion at the end of each two-week session.
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What is the fellowship component?
Living in Community: Living in the Fat Cabin, hanging out around camp, and just being together is a key piece of forming this group.
Free Swim: Each day they will have 2 free swims available to relax with their team, play with campers, or hang out with other staff.
Evening Activities: As mentioned above in the service section, on tribal nights or nights when their help on campwides is not needed, SALT will do their own fellowship time. This could be Frisbee golf, free time on the waterfront, a horseback trail ride, a bike ride, or just relax.
Special Nights and Nights Off: Each Monday and Tuesday night will provide a means for time off. This time off occurs on Mondays and Tuesdays after work project, and is supervised by the director. Mondays will be dedicated to a fun, outdoor activity. These may include paintball, rappelling, and more. This is capped with a trip to Dairy King. Camp agrees to pay for this activity but not the night off. This night off will likely include dinner, a movie, the mall, bowling, outfitters store, etc.
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How is the SALT crew organized?
The target size of the group is 9-11 at any one time. The minimum required stay is 4 weeks (the 1st four weeks of camp and the 2nd four); however, SALT sessions can be extended if the individuals can work this out with the schedule and if they are successful during the first session.
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Can I be a camper and do SALT?
The sessions offered will be the first four weeks of camp and the last four. It is possible to be a camper during the first 4 weeks and part of the SALT program during the last four, but not vice-versa.
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When would I have to arrive, and when could I leave?
Participants must arrive the day prior to Opening Day and stay through Closing Day.
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Is tuition required for SALT, is it free, or do I get paid?
There is no tuition required for SALT (nor is any salary received). Camp makes a significant financial investment by paying for lodging, food, and some extra activities.
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Where do SALT guys live?
All SALT participants live together in the “Fat Cabin” (directly across from the dining hall). The Fat Cabin has its own bath facilities.
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Can I bring my car?
Our preference is for SALT participants to leave cars at home. Parents are asked to do drop off and pick up. If cars are brought to camp, they will parked at the Conference Center in a fenced area and will not be driven during the session. All transportation will be provided by camp.
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Who is in charge of this group?
The group is led by the SALT director. This director is a mature Christian leader typically with a high level of experience within camping or ministry. The director lives with the participants and provides leadership, direction, discipleship, and training.
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Am I guaranteed a job on staff next year if I do SALT?
No. Camp invests heavily in SALT to produce strong leaders and solid future staff members. That being said, not everyone will be offered a position. The recommendation and evaluation provided by the SALT director will play into this decision strongly.
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What do I need to do to be a part of SALT?
First, you need to fill out the Online SALT Application. Then you must be approved by the camp for participation (a brief interview is required). Last, sign your contract and mail it in.
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Staff FAQs
