Volunteer
Every summer thousands of students set on serving during their summer as short-term missionaries with Teen Mania’s Global Expeditions journey to our home campus in Texas to be trained and equipped to bring the hope of Christ to nations around the world. In addition, hundreds more teenagers come to experience our Texas Christian camp.
The work done in the heat of the summer is what fuels our vision: To provoke a young generation to passionately pursue Jesus Christ and to take his life-giving message to the ends of the earth.
Summer Volunteers come from all over North America and around the world to join us in this mission and together we partner to pull off these life-changing events. Summer volunteers are parents, college students, and adults with servant hearts who share our love for missions and youth ministry.
Housing
We provide the option of free housing for our Summer Volunteers in air-conditioned bunk houses (if the air-conditioned bunk houses are full/unavailable then we also have Quonset huts which are cooled using industrial sized fans).
There are lockers available for personal items and community showers centers are a short walk away from sleeping quarters.
Space in our free housing option is limited, so it is assigned to Summer Volunteers on a “first to apply, first to be housed” basis.
It should be noted that there are hotel options available for those who prefer to stay off campus and/or for those who are married and prefer to stay together (we are not able to house married couples together in our bunk houses). The cost of staying off campus is covered by the volunteer, if they choose that option.
Meals
We provide FREE breakfast, lunch, and dinners to our Summer Volunteers.
Meals are served in our campus cafeteria and Summer Volunteers are invited to sit down and enjoy their food with our intern and staff family.
We do ask that Summer Volunteers keep meals out of the bunk houses, and relegate them to the cafeteria only, to ensure the cleanliness of living areas. Snacks with re-sealable containers or bags are okay for the bunk houses.
As well, please note that due to the high volume of meals that are prepared daily in the cafeteria, we cannot accommodate for special diets and/or meal plans.
Transportation
Arriving and Departing
All Summer Volunteers are responsible for getting their own transportation to and from campus for the time they are accepted to volunteer.
We do provide a shuttle service to and from the Dallas Forth Worth (DFW) airport on the following ‘designated travel days:
| June 10 | June 18 | July 3 | July 20 | Aug 3 |
| June 12 | June 23 | July 6 | July 24 | Aug 10 |
| June 15 | June 30 | July 17 | Aug 1 | Aug 16 |
If you choose to use the shuttle provided your flight in/out of DFW should be booked to arrive/depart prior to 2pm on that day.
The cost for the shuttle is $69 for either one-way or round trip and can be paid at registration.
Anyone who chooses to drive their personal vehicle to campus will be assigned a vehicle pass and can park in the ‘long-term parking’ area.
During Your Summer Volunteer Time
Summer volunteers are welcome to go off campus during their break time or off days in their own vehicles, but are responsible to properly check out of the campus safety booth if they are traveling with other volunteers, interns, or staff members.
If traveling with other volunteers, interns, or staff members, “proper check out” includes showing proof of insurance, driving license, providing the group’s destination, and estimating a return time.
Benefits
There are many benefits to becoming a Summer Volunteer and we hope that you will have an opportunity to experience all of them while serving with us!
On some days throughout the summer, you will have the opportunity to attend some of the following:
- Honor Academy Internship Classes
- Teen Mania’s Chapel Services
- Worship and Prayer Events
- Global Expeditions’ Training Sessions
Here are some other available activities you might experience:
- Swimming pool and water park
- Concerts by VIP guest bands
- Special Speakers
- Summer Movie Nights
As a Summer Volunteer you will also be encouraged to grow in your walk with God through daily quiet times and devotions.
You will be surprised at how God ministers to you this summer as you reach out to serve!
Cost
Because we appreciate the help and your support is an encouragement to our full time staff and interns, joining the summer volunteer program is FREE!
We are able to provide FREE housing and FREE meals during the time you volunteer with us.
The only costs to keep in mind are the following:
- You are responsible for the cost of getting to/from the campus.
- There is a mandatory background check which costs $25.00
- If you decide to use our shuttle service (it is optional), there is a $69 fee.
There is a small campus store to purchase drinks and personal items and we do have missionary and camper merchandise available. For this reason, we recommend bringing some spending money. This is recommended, but in no way required.
Volunteer Dates
The Summer Volunteer Program runs from June 10, 2013 – Aug 16, 2013.
Available volunteer spaces are based on how much help is needed each day and are filled on a first come first serve basis.
Volunteers must plan to serve for at least 5 days and will receive, on average, at least 1 day off for every 6 days worked.
Volunteer shifts, job assignments, and days are assigned to the Volunteer on the day of their registration and are arranged by our Campus Operations department.
Volunteers must register immediately upon their arrival and should note that registration is only open on weekdays unless it is a designated travel day.
Some Volunteers are with us for 1 week and others are with us for the entire summer!
Job Positions
Summer Volunteers are placed according to where we have the greatest need, so as a volunteer, you could find yourself plugged into any of the following:
- Custodial – Keeping Campus Clean
- Kitchen Crew – Serve and clean after meals
- Operations – Merchandise and mail room etc.
- Transportation – Load/Unload buses, minor repair work
- Lifeguard – Oversee pool area (must be certified)
- Campus Safety – staffing safety booth, checking people in/out off campus
- Grounds – Maintenance and landscaping
- First Aid – staffing clinic, triage (must be certified)
Sign Up Today!
If you would like to volunteer on the home campus of Teen Mania Ministries, please review the following requirements to see if you qualify:
- Must be 18+ years of age at the time you arrive on campus or must be 16+ years of age and serving with an adult who is an immediate family member or youth leader.
- Must be able to volunteer for a minimum of 5 days
Acceptance Info
Once you have been accepted to become a Summer Volunteer, the process to getting on campus is very simple.
Step 1. Read and follow the“Travel Guide”
Step 2. Send in your travel arrangements to domestictravel@teenmania.org (be sure to put “SUMMER VOLUNTEER” in the subject line)
Step 3. Mail us your travel release form and turn in your background check online
Step 4. Arrive and register on campus.