High School Mission Team (HSMT)

High Schoolers, currently in 9th-11th grades, may apply to learn, train and serve at Phantom Ranch through our High School Mission Team (HSMT) program. HSMT is designed to offer students in-depth exposure to camp ministry, spiritual disciplines, the Phantom Ranch staff community, and various work skills.

All participants must apply and be accepted into the HSMT program—participation is not automatic. The HSMT program is designed for maturing Christian teens with a desire to have a strong and consistent relationship with God, serve and love others, and learn about Phantom Ranch’s camp ministry. Maximum capacity is 24.

The HSMT program has a TIER ONE option for current 9th graders and a TIER TWO option for current 10th and 11th graders. Current 10th and 11th graders are not automatically placed in Tier Two. Mission Teamers are placed into Tier Two after an initial interview with the Mission Team Director. The 2 Phase program detailed below is for Tier One Mission Teamers. Tier Two Mission Teamers are given more work week opportunities and potentially placed on the Phantom Ranch payroll. More Tier Two details are provided upon request and during the initial interview. Their is a different cost for those accepted into Tier Two Mission Team.

Phantom Ranch reserves the right to remove a Mission Teamer from Tier Two based on Phase 1 outcomes.

Please read all of the information on this page before starting the application.

Phase 1 

Camp Ministry Introduction and Spiritual Disciplines Training Week :: June 23-June 28, 2024.
Check-in is at 4:00pm on Sunday, June 23; pick up is at 1:00pm on Friday, June 28 (the pick up time is adjustable per family needs). This week includes training in a 4 Spiritual Disciples (Prayer, Bible Reading, Testimonial and Gospel sharing). There is still plenty of Phantom Ranch fun like Banana Boat rides and indoor climbing. Mission Teamers stay in a camper cabin supervised by a Cabin Leader. Phase 1 also includes one overnight camping trip to Devil’s Lake State Park where we sleep in tents at night and hike, rock climb and swim during the day. The camping, hiking and climbing are intended for fun and not challenge. All camping gear is provided.

Phase 2 

Work Experience and Training Week ::
Potential work departments include: Dining Hall, Waterfront, Maintenance, Horsemanship, Crafts and Canteen and Housekeeping (CCH), Activity/Program, Digital Media, shadowing Cabin Leaders. Tier One Mission Teamers may request one of the following 2024 weeks for Phase 2: June 30 – July 5, July 7-12, July 14-19. Mission Teamers sleep in the staff cabin supervised by the Staff Cabin Supervisor (RA). Tier One Mission Teamers shadow different departments each day. Tier Two Mission Teamers actively participate in one department for the week with some exceptions for shadowing Cabin Leaders and are allowed to participate in different departments different weeks.

BONUS Phase 3 

December Superteen Retreat ::
All Mission Teamers are invited to attend the winter Superteen Retreat at Phantom Ranch, Friday to Sunday, December 13-15, 2024 for FREE!

HSMT Cost:

To support this program, we have a cost of $400 per person in TIER ONE. The cost is $200 for participants accepted into TIER TWO. This covers the basic expenses for the program, including the camping trip, training supplies, a HSMT shirt, and the Phase 3 Superteen Retreat. The cost for a YEAR TWO Mission Teamer is FREE!

Upon acceptance to the High School Mission Team, $200 is due within 2 weeks. The remaining balance is due upon arrival. As an extra bonus, if a HSMT participant signs up for another camp session (i.e. Superteen) they will receive a $100 discount for that session (limited to one session).

Leadership:

HSMT is lead by Dan Mayer, Phantom Ranch’s Program Director. Dan has an undergraduate degree in Youth Ministry from Moody Bible Institute and a Masters in Youth Ministry Leadership and Discipleship Ministries from Huntington University. He oversee the program as well as the trainings in Phantom Ranch’s ministry and in Christian Living. There is a female and male staff member who assists with the Phase One programming and supervision.

Schedule (basic):

Phase 1 / Week 1  – The week starts with training in the spiritual disciplines of prayer, Bible reading, understanding the Gospel message and being able to communicate the Good News combined with personal testimonials of God’s involvement in their life. The days start with Breakfast and ends with fun evening activities or games. Mornings are for training. Afternoons are for fun! Evenings are a mix or trainings and activities. The week ends with a camping trip to Devil’s Lake State Park.

Phase 2 / Week 2 – The days start with a pre-breakfast prayer gathering and/or private time with God. Most work shifts begin at 9am and end at 5pm. Evenings provide opportunities to engage with the camp session program, play games and have conversation with the summer staff, join intercessory prayer gatherings during camper chapels, and rest. The week ends with a ‘God Did It!’ staff meeting where we share and celebrate all God did during the week immediately followed by a dinner for all summer staff.

Optional Expenses:

All meals and expenses are covered by the Mission Team cost. Participants may put money into a canteen account to aid in the purchase of drinks, snacks, merch, etc. in the same way campers add/remove money during our camp sessions. Money deposited into the canteen during Phase 1 can be rolled over into Phase 2 weeks and/or a camp session week.

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