Gaining Confidence as a Staff-in-Training
By Saige Butler
2024 Food Service Coordinator in Chiloquin, OR
Two years ago, I had my first experience at SSP. My youth group drove all the way from Gilbert, AZ to Crescent City, CA, where we’d spend the week dodging mosquitos, pulling invasive plants, and forging connections. If you’d have told me that I’d be working a full summer on staff in a few years, I don’t think I would’ve believed you!
The next year, my youth group decided to go to the Navajo Nation. After a week repairing a deck and shed, I decided I couldn’t let it be my last year at SSP, and as soon as we got our phones back that week I applied to be a Staff in Training (SIT).
“If you’d have told me that I’d be working a full summer on staff in a few years, I don’t think I would’ve believed you!”
Later that summer, I came back to the Navajo Nation and got to experience a taste of what it’s like to be on staff. As an SIT, I got to shadow each job role: helping lead program, cooking in the kitchen, and visiting work sites. The volunteers and staff were extremely supportive, and for the week I was an SIT, I felt like I was really on staff!
This past summer I returned for my third year at SSP, this time as a staff member: a Food Service Coordinator in Chiloquin. There’s nothing quite like being on staff at SSP, making lifelong connections with your team, volunteers, and the local community. As a youth, I was pretty shy and reserved. Being at SSP as an SIT and staff, I became more confident in myself and my abilities, surrounded by people who lift each other up.
“Being at SSP as an SIT and staff, I became more confident in myself and my abilities, surrounded by people who lift each other up.”
If you’re thinking about applying for staff or trying it out as a Staff-in-Training, go for it! It’s an amazing experience to be able to serve others and spend a summer surrounded by supportive people who believe in the SSP community. I truly believe that while I’m at SSP, I’m able to be the best version of myself.
Editor’s Note: Saige is a former youth volunteer with Gilbert First UMC in Arizona. To volunteer as a youth this summer, learn more on our summer page! Those who are 18 or older can also volunteer for a week as a Staff-in-Training. If you’re interested in applying for summer 2025 staff (must be 18 or older by summer), applications are now open.
From Volunteer to Staff
By Molly Tedeschi
2024 Food Service Coordinator in Chiloquin, OR
I have been volunteering with SSP since the summer before 8th grade. This past summer, I was hired to be a first-year staff member. Staffing is much different than volunteering, but my experience as a volunteer gave me insight that helped through my staffing experience.
“My experience as a volunteer gave me insight that helped through my staffing experience.”
To start, I knew what I was getting into, what a typical week looked like, and how staff interacted with youth. Apart from general knowledge of the organization, volunteering gave me important insight into what makes the SSP summer program week meaningful for youth. As a volunteer, the open, affirming, and silly staff helped make it my favorite week of the year. Knowing this, I made sure to model inclusivity and embrace silliness as much as possible.
Staffing allowed me to participate in my favorite parts of the week differently than how I did as a volunteer. I got to share during Spirit Walk, something that was always very impactful to me as a youth. I got to bike around to work sites delivering FREDs with Gage, the Spiritual Life Coordinator. I got to be super loud and silly during song time, my favorite part of the evening.
“Staffing ended up being the best SSP experience I have had. I got to create the experience I enjoyed so much as a youth for others, and made friendships I will cherish forever.”
As a volunteer, one of my favorite things to do during free time was help in the kitchen, so when I was hired as a Food Service Coordinator, I was excited to welcome youth helping in the kitchen. Unfortunately, our kitchen setup meant it wasn’t possible for youth to help during free time. But anytime we were instead cooking at the high school, youth were able to help and hang out with us.
Staffing ended up being the best SSP experience I have had. I got to create the experience I enjoyed so much as a youth for others, and made friendships I will cherish forever.
Editor’s Note: Molly is a former youth volunteer with St. Francis Episcopal Church in Willow Glen in San Jose, CA. To volunteer as a youth this summer, learn more on our summer page! If you’re interested in applying for summer 2025 staff (must be 18 or older by summer), applications are now open.