Frequently Asked Questions

What are YouthWorks mission trips?
YouthWorks mission trips began in 1994 to provide quality, affordable, life-changing, Christ-centered mission opportunities for teenagers. That first summer, we had two mission sites with over 400 youth participating in mission trips. Now, almost 18 years later, we have 75+ mission sites and expect 40,000 participants in 2012.

What does a typical week look like?
Each week a group of approximately 65 teenagers and their adult leaders arrive at your site. Youth groups come from across the country and from many denominations. Staff facilitate their mission trip. From breakfast until lights out, you will serve, build community, organize service projects and spend time getting to know youth. Groups arrive each Sunday evening and depart on Friday mornings. Some communities will also be facilitating multi-generational trips in place of youth mission trips those weeks. See below for more information on Multi-Generational Mission Trips.

What are Multi-Generational Trips?
Multi-generational trips are tailored to the needs and capabilities of all ages. They provide meaningful service activities as well as cultural and recreational opportunities for every generation to enjoy. This experience lasts from Sunday afternoon to Thursday morning and is an excellent way for people of all ages to serve together.

Where will I serve?
Summer staff are needed to serve at one of 75+ communities located across Canada, the United States and Puerto Rico. The types of communities include: rural, small town, small city, urban and American Indian reservations. Check out our website to learn more about the unique personality of each community.

Can I choose the community where I'll serve?
Several factors go into community placement and the process takes much time and prayer. YouthWorks wants to find the best match for staff and communities. After all staff have been hired, they are assigned to a community. If you have specific knowledge, experience or passion regarding a community or type of community, please let us know during the interview and we will take it into consideration. The YouthWorks Recruiting Team makes all final decisions about community placement.

What are the positions?
A typical site has a Site Director and three Site Coordinators. Of the three Site Coordinators, one will be a Program Coordinator; the other two vary depending on the type of site. Positions are Kids Club, Service Coordinator, Outrageous Sports Camp and Work Projects.YouthWorks also hires several people to fill the Utility Staff position. See Job Descriptions for more details.

Who are you looking for?
We seek individuals with the qualities and traits found in our most successful summer staff - an active relationship with Christ, servant leadership, humility, perseverance, critical thinking, organizational and motivational skills and respect for and ability to work effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds and denominations. Many of these traits are the same characteristics that define great leaders in any context.

What are the requirements for working on YouthWorks staff?
YouthWorks staff are selected based on their qualifications. At minimum, potential YouthWorks staff must be in their first year out of high school (equivalent to a first-year college student). YouthWorks policy requires that staff be 20 years or older to be eligible to drive company vehicles; non-driver staff positions are very limited. Positions available to non-drivers are Kids Club and Program Coordinator. YouthWorks also requires that staff be able to conduct various physical and strenuous tasks in a safe manner. Tasks include, but are not limited to, lifting and carrying up to 60 pounds, directing participants in meal preparation and safely operating YouthWorks vehicles.

What are the dates of employment?
The dates for full-summer employment are May 21 – August 7, 2012. YouthWorks will also be hiring a small number of Late Start Utility Staff for a shortened period of employment: June 5 – August 7, 2012; Late Start Utility Staff must be eligible drivers by June 7, 2012. All staff must be available through August 7. Site Directors also have a weekend training in Minneapolis in late spring.

Is there an application deadline?
Positions are filled as applications are reviewed and interviews are completed. It is best to get your application in as soon as possible. We begin hiring staff in November and will continue to accept applications until all positions have been filled. Check our website for staffing updates.

How do I apply?
All applicants first submit an online application. Selected applicants participate in a 30 minute phone interview and/or a written activity and the most promising applicants will participate in an hour long interview. From the time an online application is submitted through decision notification can take two to six weeks (varying upon season). Please note that without reference forms a hiring decision will be delayed.

How much will I get paid?
The salary for new summer Site Coordinators is $2,500; Late Start Utility Staff have a pro-rated salary. Site Directors have a higher starting salary. Returning staff receive a pay increase from their last YouthWorks summer. In addition to your salary, YouthWorks provides lodging, meals and transportation (with the exception of travel to your training location at the beginning of summer and travel home from that location at the end of the summer, as well as any meals eaten off site). Because of limited summer expenses, summer staff have found that they can make a comparable summer wage to that of a mainstream summer job.

Do I need to be CPR or First Aid certified?
Yes. You will need to be Infant, Child & Adult CPR certified and First Aid certified if hired. Please note that online CPR and First Aid courses do NOT meet our certification requirements. Certification must be completed before the start of summer training. YouthWorks will reimburse you for half the cost of the class(es) if you are hired as summer staff. We advise all hired staff to begin looking for a class as soon as possible. Visit www.redcross.org or call your local fire department for possible classes in your area. Many schools offer certification classes as well.

How does training work?
Summer staff spend their first week training with their team at one of four training locations: Birmingham, Denver, Minneapolis or Philadelphia. Staff are assigned to the training location closest to the YouthWorks community where they will be serving for the summer. After training, staff teams travel (using YouthWorks vehicles) to their community to spend the next week preparing their site for participants. Programming typically begins the following week. A more experienced YouthWorks staff will be present for the first week that participants are on site to provide additional leadership and training for the team.

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