TMC Leaders Application

TMC Leader Application

Thank you for being willing to voluntarily serve at Thinking Matters Camps! Please take a moment to fill out the form below so we can move forward with having you as a leader.
What Camp are you applying to be a leader for?
TMC North Winter 2026 (6-9 July)Other
Step 1: Contact Details
Name*

First NameLast Name
Preferred Name (if different from above)

First NameLast Name
MaleFemale
Birthdate*

DayMonthYear
Date
Phone Number*

Area CodePhone Number
Email*
example@example.com
Address*

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code

Step 2: Emergency Contacts

If you have an emergency at camp, we will contact the following people. Please make sure they are willing to be contacted before using their details
Emergency Contact 1*

First NameLast Name
Their relationship to you*
E.g. Husband, Mother, sister, friend etc.
Their Phone Number*

Area CodePhone Number
Emergency Contact 2*

First NameLast Name
Their relationship to you*
E.g. Husband, Mother, sister, friend etc.
Their Phone Number*

Area CodePhone Number

Step 3: Health Info

We need to be aware of any health issues in case something goes wrong at camp - including medical conditions, allergies or any other issue that could present itself at camp. This information is kept confidential and is part of our duty of care to you.
Registered Medical Centre (if applicable)
Medical Centre Phone Number

Area CodePhone Number
Health information and medical details we may need to know:
Special Diets:

It is important that our cooks know of any special meals that they might have to prepare, so please let us know about any dietary requirements you may have (e.g. vegetarian, gluten free).Please specify allergies, not preferences (e.g. "severe allergy to peanuts" vs. "do not like spice")
Dietary Requirements

Step 4: Your Christian Faith

it is important that we have a background of your faith as a volunteer at TMC. We also need to ensure our leaders are confident in their faith, have a solid understanding of the gospel, and can agree to our statement of faith.
How long have you been a Christian for? *
What Church do you attend? And for how long have you attended? *
Thinking Matters Statement of Faith

Please have a thorough read of our Statement of Faith, and sign below if you agree. If there are any areas of disagreement, or if some areas are unclear to you, please use the box below to comment.
We believe the following articles of belief are consistent with the teaching of Scripture and fundamental to Christian evangelical orthodoxy. The Statement of Faith is also an inherent part of the registered Deed of Trust document for Thinking Matters™ New Zealand Foundation.

Anyone wanting to engage in networking or joining in discussion with us does not have to agree with these articles of belief. However, anyone who wants to write for Thinking Matters™, become an employee or volunteer of Thinking Matters™, or to speak at or run one of our events must first agree not to teach or allow to be taught, anything contrary to the following beliefs under the name of Thinking Matters™:

The Bible

We believe that the Bible, comprised of the Old and New Testaments, is completely inspired by God, fully truthful in all it affirms, sufficient in its revelation of His will for mankind, and final in its authority over all we believe and do.

God

We believe that there is one God, eternally existing in three Persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, each of the same substance, power, dignity, and glory.
We believe that God is infinite in all his perfections. These include his goodness, manifesting as love, mercy, justice and wrath; and his exhaustive knowledge of all things, past, present, and future, including all human thoughts, acts, and decisions.
We believe that God is the creator and sustainer of all creation, that He is supreme over it, and that He alone is worthy to receive all glory and adoration.
We believe that Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God. He is God incarnate, both fully human and fully God: one Person in two natures.

Humanity

We believe that God created human beings, male and female, in his own image. In the fall, Adam distorted that image —for himself and all his progeny—by sinning against God. As a result, all people are alienated from God and justly condemned by him.
We believe that the principal need of humanity is reconciliation with God. Because sin has corrupted us in every aspect of our being, this is only possible by God’s own power and undeserved favour towards us.

The Gospel

We believe that Jesus is the promised Messiah of Israel, conceived through the miraculous work of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin, Mary. He lived a sinless life, was crucified, was resurrected bodily from the dead, ascended into heaven, and now intercedes for us before God as our High Priest and Advocate.
We believe that salvation is accomplished completely in Christ’s substitutionary death on the cross as a propitiation for God’s righteous anger and judgment against sinners. Therefore, the only ground for reconciliation with God is what Christ did on the cross, which we appropriate by faith: our sin imputed to him and his righteousness to us.

Christian Life

We believe that a life of conversion and genuine character change is the evidence and fruit of salvation. This new spiritual life is alone the supernatural work of the Holy Spirit, who renews, indwells, and empowers believers to be imitators of Christ.
We believe that being a disciple of Jesus means serving him as Lord at all times in every aspect of our lives: secular as well as spiritual, public as well as private, in deeds as well as words, always reaching out as he did to those who are lost, to the poor, to the sick, to the hungry, to the oppressed, to the socially marginalized, being faithful stewards of creation and our fellow-creatures.

The Church

We believe that the one, holy, universal Church is the body of Christ and the corporate dwelling place of God’s spirit. The Church is composed of all who have been united with Christ through faith, gathered from every tongue, tribe, people and nation, and called to both proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ and bear witness to God’s inaugurated kingdom.

Future Hope

We believe in the bodily return of Jesus Christ and the final consummation of his kingdom. At his return, he will exercise his role as final Judge and establish his rule over all creation, in fulfilment of the Father’s gracious purpose, for the glory of God.
We believe in the bodily resurrection of all people at Christ’s return: the unjust to everlasting punishment, and the just to everlasting blessedness in the presence of God in the new heaven and the new earth.
Were there any disagreements, concerns, or areas where it was unclear for you? If so, please comment here:
Please note that at Thinking Matters Camps, our leaders come from a variety of church backgrounds. While we expect leaders not to teach anything contrary to our Statement of Faith, we recognise that topics outside of this statement (e.g. eschatology, soteriology, ecclesiology, etc.) may arise in discussion. If you choose to share your views on these matters, we ask that you clearly preface them as personal beliefs, and not necessarily the position of Thinking Matters.
If you agree with the Statement of Faith, and understand the above paragraph, please sign here:*

Step 5: Code of Conduct

Below is our Code of Conduct that we require leaders to read and understand before they serve at camp. Please take a moment to read it, and then sign below stating that you understand and agree.
Thinking Matters Camps — Code of Conduct for Staff & Volunteers

The Three S’s
Be SAFE — At all times it is important that campers are physically, emotionally, and spiritually safe, and that you as a leader remain safe in your interactions.
Be SEEN — Leaders must always be visible to others when interacting with campers. Always follow the “rule of three” — no camper or leader should ever be alone.
Be a SERVANT — As we model Christ, we must remember to serve others above ourselves, showing humility, compassion, and care.

Code of Conduct
As a Thinking Matters staff member or volunteer, you are expected to reflect Jesus Christ in your words, actions, and attitude — at camp and beyond. These standards are non-negotiable and protect both campers and leaders.

You must:

Follow all camp rules and directions from camp leadership.
- Speak respectfully — no crude talk, swearing, gossip, or blasphemy.
- Show self-control — no angry outbursts or aggressive behaviour.
- Never engage in any form of abuse (physical, emotional, verbal, sexual, or spiritual).
- Prioritise the safety and wellbeing of every camper above convenience or personal comfort.
- Avoid inappropriate behaviour or relationships with campers or fellow leaders.
- Stay out of opposite-sex cabins/bathrooms except when there is a valid camp-related reason and with visibility.
- Never possess drugs, alcohol, pornography, occult items, or any materials inconsistent with Christian values.
- Avoid any behaviour that undermines the mission and witness of Thinking Matters.
Breaching these standards may result in being stood down immediately. If you witness a breach, you must report it to the Camp Director.

Specific Expectations

Be Camper-Focused
Your full attention should be on the campers — not your phone or social life.
Phones are for emergencies or leadership use only.

Prioritise Campers Over Socialising
Build friendships with other leaders, but your main responsibility is caring for campers.
Campers notice when leaders are distracted and may act out to gain attention.

Leadership Tips
Be enthusiastic, approachable, and reliable.
Listen well and take initiative in serving.
Support Christian values in speech and behaviour.
Encourage each camper personally.
Build a positive, inclusive, and unified camp culture.

Music & Media
Use uplifting, God-honouring music and media.
Do not play inappropriate songs, movies, or online content.
All content used at camp must be pre-vetted and approved.

Clothing Guidelines

Wear modest, practical clothing suitable for camp activities.
Avoid:
Clothing that restricts participation in activities.
Revealing or tight clothing. (Ladies: long t-shirts over leggings are recommended.)
Clothing with inappropriate slogans, images, or alcohol branding.
Swimwear other than a one-piece for females and board shorts for males.

Safe Touching & Boundaries
- Never favour one camper over another.
- Absolutely no kissing, intimate contact, or inappropriate physical touch.
- No one may touch an area covered by swimwear except in a genuine medical emergency.
- No leader or camper may share a bed or shower with another person.
- Leaders must never be involved in the toileting or showering of campers.
- Exception: Married couples are obviously not held to these same boundaries in relation to one another. However, married couples must still maintain visibility and model appropriate conduct in the camp environment.
Please sign if you understand and agree with the Code of Conduct*

Step 6: Your suitability as a leader
YesNo
References

We require two referees to be provided for all applications - we will contact these referees to provide references for your application.

One of these referees must be people who know you in Christian service (i.e. church pastors, youth group leaders, small group leaders, etc.).

Your referee cannot be yourself OR an immediate family member (i.e. parent, sibling, child, spouse, etc.)
Referee 1
Name*

First NameLast Name
Relationship to you*
E.g. Pastor, Boss, Mentor
Phone Number*

Area CodePhone Number
Email*
example@example.com
Referee 2
Referee 2 Name*

First NameLast Name
Relationship to you*
E.g. Pastor, Boss, Mentor
Referee 2 Phone Number*

Area CodePhone Number
Referee 2 Email*
example@example.com
If we don't already know you, you will need to have a quick call with one of our directors where they can get to know you before camp. Please suggest a few dates/times that work for you to have a video call.
Suitable Dates/Times
Please provide two forms of ID so that we can police vet you. We will be in touch about the police vetting process.
ID 1

Cancelof
ID 2

Cancelof
WorshipPromotionRunning GamesPhotography/VideographySound/TechOther

Volunteer Agreement for Thinking Matters Camp

By submitting this volunteer application, you are showing an agreement with the following statements. We do understand that faith in Jesus is a journey and many of us are at different points of this journey, so we do ask that if you are unable to agree with the following (or anything in our Statement of Faith) then you'll let us know.

1. I have a living faith in Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord, and a love and devotion to serve Him.
2. I have prayerfully considered being part of the ministry of Thinking Matters Camps
3. I acknowledge that Thinking Matters Camps are interdenominational, and I will make no attempt to influence children or other workers to accept doctrines peculiar to my own denomination.
4. I agree that Thinking Matters Camps are not liable for any type of personal injury that could occur on a camp.
5. I agree to the camp staff seeking urgent medical treatment for myself at my cost should the need arise.
6. I agree all application information is correct to the best of my knowledge and the information supplied on this form is to be used for the safe and effective operation of camp. I also agree to the use of any photos/video of me for publicity purposes without any remuneration.
7. I understand that I will be required to complete a review of these details in 2 years, and to undergo police vetting again in 3 years.
YesNo
Should be Empty:

TMC Leader Application

What Camp are you applying to be a leader for?

Step 1: Contact Details

Step 2: Emergency Contacts

Step 3: Health Info

Special Diets:

Step 4: Your Christian Faith

Thinking Matters Statement of Faith

Step 5: Code of Conduct

Step 6: Your suitability as a leader

Referee 1

Referee 2