Camping Inquiry Program

Spend a summer working with a camp administrator and receive up to a $1,500 scholarship and a $750 – $1,000 stipend.

The Camping Inquiry Program (CIP) enables students at Goshen College to spend three months in service with a church-related camp/retreat center. CIP provides one way for students to test whether they might pursue involvement in outdoor ministry after graduation, as well as other venues of the church and vocation.

Students in CIP will experience:

Direct, meaningful service to others in a camp/retreat center setting
Creative responses to the financial, social and ecclesiastical challenges facing our church camps and retreat centers
Encounters with people of all ages with diverse theological perspectives
Encounters with people from other cultures
Insight into the needs of Mennonite camps and retreat centers and current methods of addressing those needs
In-depth contact with the leaders of our church camps

The goal of the Camping Inquiry Program is to facilitate student engagement with a camping or retreat center and on-site mentor in a meaningful assignment. Students are expected to learn from both their active service and from their observation of others engaged in service. They are also expected to participate actively in the life of their camping or retreat center unit, including involvement with a local congregation.

At the end of the service period, camp supervisors will write a report for Goshen College and the student, evaluating the student’s performance and the suitability of the program for future interns. Students should meet with their academic advisers to learn about the possibility of earning academic credit for their CIP experience.

“It was a blessing to be a part of CIP, and to reflect on a part of my path that God is laying out for me.” – Avery Martin, CIP 2015

“I grew a lot this summer. I went into the summer not really knowing what to expect because I had been a counselor the previous year, but this year I knew I would also experience program staff and have a few extra responsibilities.” – Laura Hochstetler, CIP 2015

“I had a lot of really fun and rewarding times with campers. The work was certainly hard. I’m thankful for the experience and being with campers has gotten me even more excited for my future as a teacher.” – Leah Landes, CIP 2015

Registration Deadlines:

Though we would love to provide placements for all students who apply, we are only able to accept 5-8 applicants per Inquiry Program. There are two deadlines: early-bird (December 1) and final (January 31).

Students who complete their applications by the early-bird deadline will be processed (accepted or not accepted) first. Depending on the number of applicants in a given year, the possibility exists that all slots might be filled even before the final deadline. Therefore, it is in the best interest of the student to apply early!

If you are a student:

The IP Program has moved from Campus Ministries to Career Networks, so visit the Career Networks Office (Wyse Hall 105) and speak with David Kendall, CIP administrator.
Let your academic adviser know you would like to participate in the program and discuss the option of earning academic credit.
Discuss your camp/retreat center interests with the pastor of your home congregation.
Review potential camp locations on the Mennonite Camping Association web site.
Complete the online application form.

If you represent a congregation as a pastor or youth leader:

Call or write to the CIP administrator at Goshen College and nominate an excellent student candidate from your congregation who would benefit from CIP.

If you are a camp administrator:

Call or write to the CIP administrator at Goshen College and submit a position description for any student who has applied to participate in the program.
Consider seriously how your camp could host a student as a CIP participant when a candidate names your site as the preferred camp/retreat assignment.
Discuss candidly camp/retreat center options with students who express an interest in serving with your camp

“Anya was a doer this summer and became someone we could continually rely on. She was excited about campers, staff and her overall surroundings. She took great care in her work and the relationships she made.” – Megan Miller, Crooked Creek Christian Camp

Frequently Asked Questions

How does the program work?

The Camping Inquiry Program is designed to be a summer-long camp experience for Goshen College students. It calls for full-time involvement for 11 weeks.

Each CIP intern will receive a scholarship of $1,500 to be applied to college expenses during the academic year following the term of service. Ideally, the funds for the scholarship will come from the following sources:

$1,000 from Goshen College Campus Ministries
$500 from student’s home congregation (or equivalent)

The sponsoring camp will also provide food, housing, and a $750 – $1,000 personal stipend. The student will be responsible for travel expenses to and from the camping or retreat center location.

Who may participate?

The Camping Inquiry Program is designed for Goshen College students who have completed two to three years of college. Ideally, candidates for the program should have a cumulative GPA of 3.0. Students from all faith traditions are warmly invited to participate in CIP and may negotiate an assignment with an other-than-Mennonite agency.

May I participate in the Camping Inquiry Program at times other than the summer?

Yes – if the CIP Administrator, your academic adviser at Goshen College, and the camp agree on another 11-week period during the year. However, the program’s primary intention is for a summer experience.

You can find more information about camps at the Mennonite Camping Association site: www.mennonitecamping.org.

“Because the community at Drift Creek Camp is welcoming, everyone can be themselves. I always feel like I am more myself at DCC and this leaves me with the confidence to be more myself when I leave. At some point, I expect I will counsel again. I hope to revisit DCC and also try a new camp to work at some time in the future.” – Levi Glick, CIP 2018

“One of the things I am most grateful for this summer was the opportunity to use this experience as an extension of field work as an education major. The number of hours and quality of time that I got to spend working with children in a natural environment where they are not restricted by the synthetic fabrication of the classroom is unmatchable.” – Nathan Berkey, CIP 2018

“Going into camp I never thought it would become such a special place to me. It has challenged me and made me grow…camp has changed me and I will be forever grateful.” – Tessa Yoder, CIP 2015