2026 First-Year Summer Staff Application

2026 First-Year Summer Staff Application

Georgia FFA-FCCLA Center & Camp John Hope FFA-FCCLA Center

Who is eligible for Summer Staff?
We are looking for students with the following characteristics:
- Must be a graduating high school senior or college-aged student. In other words if you graduated in May of 2026 or earlier, and you will be 18 years of age or older before our start date (May 10th), you are eligible for Summer Staff.
- Must enjoy working with youth and want to see lives changed. That is why this camp exists, so this must be the most important motivation for any staff member.
- Must have an outstanding work ethic. The job is very demanding, so we do not tolerate any laziness.
- Must exhibit high moral character and must be a positive role model for campers. Staff are required to be someone that campers can look up to.
- Must thrive in a team atmosphere. Staff will be in a high-stress environment with other college students. Teamwork is critical.
- Must have the maturity to handle the responsibility and stress of camp life. We have a massive responsibility with being entrusted with these youth.
- Must have a positive and upbeat attitude. Camp life is hard, so a positive attitude is a vital to the success of the team.
- Must want to grow and be stretched. We not only invest in the campers, but we invest in the staff. You will be challenged to grow.
What do the Summer Staff do?

The primary job of the staff is to serve the campers and to set an example for them in every way.
- Staff are responsible for overseeing recreational areas, conducting programs, and preparing the facility for campers.
- In short, the staff serve. We do whatever is needed, from cutting the grass to conducting programs!
Salary and Experience
The starting salary for first-year staff who complete Staff Training is $450 per week. This is for a week - Sunday afternoon through Friday afternoon. Staff lodging and meals during the week are provided. Staff will go home on most weekends. There are many weekends that we have campers, and we will ask some staff to stay. Please plan to work at least one weekend during the summer. Weekend pay is based on a rate of $10 per hour.

No experience is necessary to be on staff. We do give first preference to college-aged students and those with FFA or FCCLA background or those who participated in the Wildlife Camp or Horse Camp programs.

Personal Information
Name:*

First NameMiddle NameLast Name
Preferred Name:*
Date of Birth:*

MonthDayYear
Date
Male / Female:*

MaleFemale
Home Address:*

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code
Cell Phone Number: *

Area CodePhone Number
Email Address:*
example@example.com
Please upload a professional image of yourself. A sample image can be found below:

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Criminal Background Check

We will run a criminal background check on all applicants. Please note, this does NOT immediately disqualify you!
Do you have any arrests that will be flagged on a background check?*

No, I do not have any arrests that would be flagged on a background check.Yes, I do have arrests that will be flagged on a background check.I prefer to discuss this at the interview.
If you answered YES to the question above, please explain.

Facility Selection

NOTE: There are two FFA-FCCLA Centers in Georgia. Staff may be assigned to either location for a given week based on program needs.
What is your first choice preference of facility?*

Georgia FFA-FCCLA CenterCamp John Hope FFA-FCCLA CenterNo Preference
Please provide a brief explanation for your Facility Selection decision. *

Education

High School Attendance and College Enrollment Information
Please select which option applies to you:

I am graduating high school in May of 2026I graduated high school in May of 2025 or before
High School Currently Attending*
High School Graduation Date*

MonthDayYear
Date
Current High School GPA*
Please upload your current high school transcript. If you have trouble uploading you can email your transcript file to gffcsummerstaff@gmail.com.

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What are your post-graduation plans?*
Example: I am planning to attend ABAC in the Fall to pursue a degree in Agribusiness.
High School Attended*
High School Graduation Year*
College That You Currently Attend:*
Current Year in College*

FreshmanSophomoreJuniorSenior
Current Major in College*
Current GPA in College*
Are there any special circumstances you need to explain about your college status?
Example: I am taking the current semester off, but I plan to resume after the summer.

Work Experience
Have you been previously employed?*

YesNo
Previous Employer Name
Dates of Employment
Description of Responsibilities
Reason for Leaving
What major lessons did you learn from your previous employment?

Training Classes

NOTE: Training classes will differ between both facilities.
Georgia FFA-FCCLA Center Training Classes

The Georgia FFA-FCCLA Center offers two training classes that you can choose from. Lifeguard or BASIC Training Programs Facilitator.

Lifeguard: Staff will have the opportunity to become a certified lifeguard. Our lifeguards can be trained as Deep/Waterfront or Shallow guards. Both types are trained together using similar training techniques. However, the physical depth at which you are certified to rescue is different. To find out more about what each of these will entail you can visit the American Red Cross website. We prefer all of our guards to attempt Deep/Waterfront certification because this will allow them to guard all of our aquatic recreational areas. However, if you feel that it is only within your capabilities to be a Shallow guard, that is totally fine and doesn't disqualify you from this training class.

BASIC Training Programs Facilitator: Staff will receive more in-depth training in team building activities, as well as, training in facilitation and maintenance of our water olympics, team-building elements, and mud obstacle course.

*Note: All Summer Staff will be trained as Team Building Instructors, as well as, given the option to train as a Shooting Sports Instructor and/or a High Ropes Instructor. The above options of Lifeguard or BASIC Training Programs Facilitator are the two mandatory training class options.
Camp John Hope FFA-FCCLA Center Training Classes

The Camp John Hope FFA-FCCLA Center offers two training classes that you can choose from. Lifeguard and Low Ropes Instructor.

Lifeguard: Staff will have the opportunity to become a certified lifeguard. We encourage everyone to try for Deep Water/Waterfront Guard as that allows for all of our recreation areas to be covered, but if you are only able to complete shallow guard training, it does not disqualify you. Lifeguard training will take place on a weekend prior to Staff Training, and it is open to lifeguards of either facility should any Covington Lifeguard Staff be unable to attend or complete lifeguard training during the allotted training weeks.

Low Ropes Instructor: All Staff will receive training in order to be as well rounded as possible in all areas of recreation and team building events, ranging from running GOLD Programs to our Escape Room Challenge to Archery Attack. Low Ropes Instructors will receive more training regarding Team Building Events like our GOLD Program and how to properly put together programs to develop team camaraderie, and they will run non-aquatic recreation areas like our Archery Attack & Paintball Course, Team Challenge Course, Axe Throwing, and more.

*Note: All Summer Staff will be given the option to train as a Shooting Sports Instructor.
Please indicate your first choice of training class.*

Lifeguard (GFFC & CJH)Low Ropes Instructor (CJH Only)BASIC Training Programs Facilitator (GFFC Only)
Please indicate your second choice of training class:*

Lifeguard (GFFC & CJH)Low Ropes Instructor (CJH Only)BASIC Training Programs Facilitator (GFFC Only)
Use this area to explain your choice if necessary.

Summer Staff Scheduling
Will you be available for all of Staff Training? (See Dates on the Website)*

YesNoI am not sure yet.
If no, please explain.
Note: Missing part of staff training does NOT immediately disqualify you.
Are you available for the entire summer? (See Dates on Website)*

YesNoI am not sure yet.
If no, please explain.
Note: This does NOT immediately disqualify you.

Experience Questions
Were you a member of FFA or FCCLA in high school?*

I was in FFA.I was in FCCLA.I was in both FFA & FCCLA.I was not in FFA or FCCLA.
If applicable, describe your FFA or FCCLA experience in high school.
Have you attended Summer Leadership Camp before?*

YesNo
If yes, how many years have you attended Summer Leadership Camp?
Have you attended any other programs at the Georgia FFA-FCCLA Center or the Camp John Hope FFA-FCCLA Center?*

YesNo
If Yes, please explain.
What extra-curricular activities have you been a part of in the last 2 years? *
What interests / hobbies do you have? *
What has driven you to apply for Summer Staff? *
Use this area to provide any other information about you that you feel is relevant to your application.

Resume
Upload Resume here (Must be a PDF). If you have trouble uploading, you can email your resume file to gffcsummerstaff@gmail.com.

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Recommendation Letters
You will be required to have two recommendation forms completed on your behalf by someone other than a family member. If you were a member of FFA or FCCLA, one of your recommenders should be an advisor, if possible.

Upon the submission of your Summer Staff Application, you will receive a Recommendation Letter Form link that you will be required to dissiminate to your two designated recommenders. The Recommendation Letter Form link will be emailed to you within forty-eight hours of completing the application.

Note: Your application is not complete until all recommendation forms have been completed by your recommenders.

Signature
By signing below, you certify that the above information is correct. You authorize the Georgia FFA-FCCLA Center and the Camp John Hope FFA-FCCLA Center to perform a criminal history check and understand that you will be required to pass a pre-employment drug test.*

Clear

What's Next?
You will receive an email upon completion of your 2026 Summer Staff Application. Please allow up to 2 business days upon completion of your application to receive this email.

NOTE: We will be out of the office for Christmas Break December 19th, 2025 - January 4th, 2026. If you submit an application during that time you will not receive a response until Monday, January 5th, 2026.

The email will consist of:
- A link to the Recommendation Form that will need to be distributed to your two recommenders.
  - If you were an FFA or FCCLA member, one of your recommenders should be from your advisor, if possible.
  - One from someone other than a family member
- A link to select your interview preference.
- Information on an Introduction Video Assignment that will need to be completed before your application is finalized.
Questions? Contact gffcsummerstaff@gmail.com

Click "Submit" below to submit your application!
Should be Empty:

2026 First-Year Summer Staff Application

Personal Information

Criminal Background Check

Facility Selection

Education

Work Experience

Training Classes

Summer Staff Scheduling

Experience Questions

Resume

Recommendation Letters

Signature

What's Next?