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 Crestridge 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, village directors, 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 |
| 7:00 AM |
Breakfast Team reports to Dining Hall |
| 7:30 AM |
Wake Up bell |
| 8:00 AM |
Breakfast with cabins |
| 8:30 AM |
Chapel (with the rest of camp) |
| 9:00 AM |
Quiet Time |
| 9:20 AM |
Quick Cabin Clean-Up (no inspection) |
| 9:40 AM |
Get ready for skills (change clothes, etc) |
| 10:10 AM |
Skill duty 1 and 4 begins |
| 11:00 AM |
Skill duty 1 and 4 ends |
| 11:05 AM |
Discipleship/Bible Study/Prep for Devotions |
| 11:40 AM |
Work project |
| 11:40 AM |
Lunch Team reports to Dining Hall |
| 12:50 PM |
End Clean-Up Projects |
| 1:05 PM |
Lunch |
| 2:00 PM |
Get ready for work project (change clothes, etc) |
| 2:10 PM |
Work Project begins/Prep for Campwide or Village Act. |
| 3:15 PM |
Possible Campwide or Village Act. |
| 4:45 PM |
Work Project ends |
| 4:45 PM |
Free Swim |
| 5:00 PM |
Dinner Team reports to Dining Hall |
| 6:00 PM |
Dinner |
| 6:30 PM |
Dinner |
| 7:00 PM |
Help set up for campwide Act. when necessary |
| 7:15 PM |
SALT Activity/Campwide Act. |
| 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, “The Servant Leader” by Ken Blanchard, etc. A book will be 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 girls 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.
Major Work Project: The directors will determine 1 substantial project prior to the summer for each session’s SALT girls to work on. This work will occur in the afternoon during village activity time. These projects will be completed during each session and provide a great opportunity to say “We built that”.
Food Service: SALT girls will be divided into 3 teams that will be responsible for assisting in meal preparation and clean-up. Each team will serve different meals during the session.
Leadership: Participants will also have various opportunities to grow in leadership skills at camp. One aspect would be in programming, where the SALT girls would assist in various Campwide and Village Activities. Some nights will be dedicated to a "SALT only" activity.
Skill Instruction: Skills training is provided during each session. During the first night, SALT participants will decide which skills during the 1/4 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.
Cabin Adoption: SALT girls 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 night, 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 SALT House, hanging out around camp, and just being together is a key piece of forming this group.
Free Swim: Each day they will have 1 free swim available to relax with their team, play with campers, or hang out with other staff.
Evening Activities: When the SALT girls are in camp during the evening, they will participate in the evening activities which may include a campwide game, campfire, Council of Progress, etc.
Nights Off: The SALT girls will have two nights off each week. This time off occurs after their work project, and is supervised by the director. Camp will pay for one night off each week. One night off will have an activity with the SALT guys. Activities may include dinner, a movie, bowling, painting pottery, the mall, 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 girls live?
All SALT participants live together in the SALT house (in between the small horse ring and the green).
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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
