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Lakeside
195 Cloverdale St.
Pittsfield, MA 01201
(413)447-8930

Updated 5/20/2008

 

Lakeside Christian Camp
& Conference Center

Staff Information

Full-Time Staff Members
Full-Time Openings
Summer Staff Members
Summer Staff Opportunities
Summer Staff Positions
Lakeside Training & Discipleship
Information for Parents

2008 Summer Staff Photo Album
2007 Summer Staff Photo Album
2006 Summer Staff Photo Album
2005 Summer Staff Photo Album
2004 Summer Staff Photo Album
2004 Summer Staff Group Photo

Lakeside seeks to employ committed Christians with a heart for ministry. Our goal is to serve our campers and guests with competence and a spirit of gracious hospitality. The information provided here includes a listing of our permanent staff, as well as information about summer ministry opportunities.

 

Year-Round Staff Members

Mark Watkins, Executive Director: Mark has been Lakeside's director since February, 1996. Camp has been in his blood since he first attended a summer camp at age 10. Mark is a graduate of Bethel University, St. Paul, Minnesota, and has earned a Master of Divinity degree from Bethel Seminary. Mark's strong desire is to help Lakeside accomplish its mission being a place where individuals are energized and equipped to impact our culture for the cause of Christ. 
Michelle Williams, Director of Guest Services: Michelle joined our full-time staff in January, 2007. She has life-long history at Lakeside, however. Her parents and grandparents have played significant roles at Lakeside through the years. Michelle has served several seasons as a summer staff member.
George Rudd, Facilities Director: George is the permanent staff member with the most years of experience at Lakeside. He brings a long list of skills and life experience to the Lakeside team including mechanics, lawn care and landscaping. George also maintains his own lawn care and logging business.
Bob Switzer, Director of Programming: Bob joined our staff in January, 2001. Bob's heart has been in the camping ministry ever since he first attended summer camp at the age of six! He has seen every angle of the camp experience: from camper, summer staff (kitchen, lifeguard), counselor, program director and camp speaker! Altogether, he's spent the most part of over 18 summers at camp! Bob has a Bachelor's degree in Youth Programs from Washington Bible College. He has worked as a youth pastor and also at Word of Life Camps in New York and Florida.
Pam Scheihing, Food Service Director: Pam has been on staff since 2006. She started out as a counselor and has also served as lead counselor. She loves Lakeside and is so thankful the Lord has brought her here. She graduated from Messiah College in 2007 with a degree in Youth Ministry. However, her passion for a long time has been to cook. Working with food for a ministry is her unexpected dream!
Please visit Ken's web site to learn about his kidney transplant. Ken Mick, Housekeeping, Grounds:
Ken began serving at Lakeside in 2003. In addition to his work at Lakeside, Ken serves as pastor at churches in Savoy and Lanesboro. He lives in Lanesboro with his wife Beth, and their four children.
 

 

 

 
Summer Staff Resources

Go to this page to download summer staff information. You will find PDF files for summer staff information, staff applications, health forms, reference forms and the Summer Staff Manual.

 

Summer Staff Members

Summer Staff Photo Album

Here are the people filling summer 2008 staff positions:

  • Lead Counselors - Amanda Hug, John Patton
  • Program Assistant - Joan Fedor
  • Day Camp Director - Keith Fortier
  • Recreation Director/Counselor - RJ Pasco
  • Recreation/Counselor - Andrew Schaefer, Isaiah Switzer
  • Recreation/ACL - Tara Breitsprecher, Ariel Miller, Eric Miller, Emily Stefan
  • Arts and Crafts Director - Grace Meiners
  • Arts and Crafts/Counselor - Nicole Cipriani, Julius Figueroa, Charles Kircher, Shelly Rissinger
  • Arts and Crafts/ACL - Haley Brooks, Ashley Dearstyne
  • Counselor -
  • LTD Coordinators - Katie Black, Pelly Peloquin
  • Media Specialist - Tim Monson
  • Maintenance - Dan Cloutier, Justin Watkins, Kevin Kohl
  • Kitchen - Matthew Bilton, Rebekah Brown, Jane Dietrich, Celia Heffernan, Abigail Naeher, Griffin Sharp, Stephen Switzer, Olivia Tyrell
  • Performing Arts/Counselor - Taylor Goodin, Nathan Hare, Jane Martin
  • Performing Arts/ACL - Brent Campanelli, Sean Inderbitzen, Chris Moy
  • Waterfront Director - Melissa Amato
  • Waterfront/Counselor - Krysta Fischer, Colleen Fitzgerald, Emily Ford, Jen Geilfuss
  • Waterfront/ACL - David Deligianidis
  • Worship Director - Tim Couper
  • Outdoor Skills Director - Rob Johnson
  • Outdoor Skills/Counselor - Kaity Birch, Tim Gordon, Brandon Sanford
  • Nurse - Caroline Simmons

 

Summer StaffOpportunities

SUMMER STAFF APPLICATION INFORMATION FOR 2008

DATES: Summer staff orientation will begin on Sunday, June 15. The summer season ends on Saturday, August 19. As you consider applying for summer staff, keep in mind that we strongly prefer summer staff members to be available for the entire period (June 15 through August 16). If everything else is equal, we will select applicants who are available all summer. When completing the application form, please be a specific as possible about your availability.
ORIENTATION: The staff orientation week (June 15-21) is very important. Missing this session makes it more difficult for you to receive necessary orientation and training, and you miss the team-building that takes place during that week. Again, we will give hiring preference to those who are available for orientation.
MINIMUM AGES: The majority of Lakeside’s summer staff is college age and above. We may hire a few high school students for support positions. The minimum age for summer staff is 16. Many positions require higher minimum ages.
APPLICATION PROCESS: Application packets are available now. Applicants are required to complete an application form, sign background check release forms, and obtain three written references. Applications are reviewed as they arrive in our office. Contracts are generally issued about March 1.

You may download an application packet from the Lakeside web site.

Contact Bob Switzer, Director of Programming, for more information or to request an application packet.

SUMMER STAFF JOB DESCRIPTIONS (PDF file)

Summer Staff Positions

Office Assistant
Will assist in the camp office several hours each day. Duties may include answering the telephone, sorting mail, some computer work, and other general office tasks.
Male and Female Lead Counselors
These individuals provide direct, hands-on leadership for the daily program. Responsible to supervise counselors, including providing support and encouragement. Reports to Program Director. Must be at least 21 years of age.
Lakeside Training & Discipleship Coordinator
Responsible to orient and supervise high school volunteers who have been accepted into the Lakeside Training and Discipleship Program. Lead the three-day orientation program, schedule LTD assignments and activities, meet daily with LTD participants for discipleship, accountability and prayer.
Waterfront Director
Responsible to organize and supervise all waterfront activities (swimming, boating, skiing/tubing, skill classes). Supervises waterfront staff. Must be at least 21 years old and certified as American Red Cross Water Safety Instructor or equivalent.
Lifeguard/Counselor
Responsibilities include assisting the Waterfront Director in supervision and maintenance of the waterfront and watercraft. Will also participate in skill class instruction including sailing, canoeing, waterskiing and swimming. Minimum age is 18.
Crafts Director/Counselor
Will plan, prepare, instruct and supervise various arts and crafts projects. Will also be responsible for the care of equipment and maintenance of the craft building.
Snack Shop Manager
Will oversee the operation of the Snack Shop, and will supervise any assistants. Responsible for ordering supplies and keeping inventory. Responsible for cleaning the serving and seating areas. Reports to the Director of Food Service.
Assistant Cook
Will assist the chef in preparation, serving, and clean up. Will assist the chef in supervising other kitchen workers. Food service experience necessary. Must be able to manage the food service area in the chef’s absence. Must be at least 21 years of age. Responsible to the Director of Food Service.
Counselor
Under the supervision of the Lead Counselors, the cabin counselor will guide his or her cabin group through all aspects of the weekly program. Must be at least 18 years of age.
Kitchen Crew
Responsible to wash dishes, wash pots and pans, set up the dining room, clean the kitchen and dining room, and assist the chef or assistant chef as requested. Reports to the chef and assistant chef.
Skill Instructor/Counselor
Based on the individual’s background and experience, will instruct campers in a skill area such as arts and crafts, recreation (various sports), drama, model rocketry, archery, outdoor skills.
Housekeeper/Counselor
Under the supervision of the Facilities Manager will perform a variety of cleaning tasks including restrooms, windows, vacuuming, trash removal, and providing cleaning supplies for cabin counselors.
Maintenance/Groundskeeper
Under the supervision of the Facilities Manager will perform light maintenance and repair work and assist with mowing and grounds care.
Media Specialist
Experience with digital photography, computers, PowerPoint, web site maintenance, and video projection will be helpful. This person will assist with taking photographs, assembling a weekly "slide" show, and updating our web site with summer photos.
Worship Coordinator/Counselor
Experience coordinating and leading worship will be helpful. This individual will work with the worship team (other summer staff members) to plan and conduct our evening worship times.

Lakeside Training & Discipleship

Information for the LTD program in 2008

There will be two LTD sessions this summer. These are June 22 - July 19; and July 20-August 16. You must choose one of these two sessions. These are four-week packages, meaning that you will (if accepted) be at Lakeside for four weeks. If you cannot stay all four weeks, you may still apply but we will give preference in the application process to those who are able to stay the entire period. Please note that the first period includes Venture camps. This means you would not be able to attend those weeks as a Venture camper. Admission to the program is by application only, and the number of participants is very limited. This means not all applicants will be admitted. Applications are reviewed as they arrive in our office. Applying early will improve your chances of being able to serve during the session you prefer, and may affect your overall chance of being accepted.

 These are the steps to take if you are ready to apply:

  1. Complete a Lakeside Training & Discipleship application form and mail it to Lakeside. You will need to decide which LTD session you wish to apply for. The choices are June 21 - July 19, or July 19 - August 16. Remember, if you choose the first session, you cannot attend Venture camp as a camper since you will be in the LTD program.
  2. Choose three people as references and give them each a copy of the reference form. Remember to give them stamped, addressed envelopes so they can mail them directly to Lakeside.
  3. If accepted into the program, you will need to begin raising financial support ($400). We will provide some information and ideas to help you.
  4. We will notify you regarding your acceptance into the program. Those who participated in LTD in 2007 do not need to provide written references. However, they do need to submit an application (including the names of three references) and, if accepted will need to raise financial support ($400).

 

Information for Parents

Lakeside seeks to hire competent, ministry-oriented summer staff members. Most of our summer staff members are college students. This group is supplemented with some high school students and a number of volunteers. All staff members and volunteers are carefully screened. In accordance with Massachusetts law, background checks (criminal offender and sexual offender) are completed on our entire staff. Staff members and volunteers also complete written application forms, submit references, and are interviewed. All staff members and volunteers have given an indication of a personal commitment to Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. We are proud of our staff and are confident they will provide a safe, secure and enjoyable experience for your children. Please contact the Executive Director with any questions or concerns.