Summer Staff & Summer Interns
Summer Staff Placement begins December 1st!
This volunteer experience is for those who are at least one year out of high school (college age or older). The summer staff roles require considerable maturity and non-verbal witness. Each summer staff session is about one month long. Qualified applicants will be accepted into positions based on the order applications are received. If you have any questions, contact us.
2024 Session Dates:
Session 1: July 14-August 9
Just one session at Canyon! Sign up now, volunteer space is limited!
To Apply:
Please first check availability of openings. Then apply online. You will need the email address of a Young Life staff person who is willing to write a recommendation on your behalf.
Jobs:
Canyon Cars & Sports Center Wrangler, Lifeguard, Housekeeper, Kitchen Assistant, Sound & Program, Landscaping, Summer Office, Retail & Snack Shop, Ropes & Zip Wrangler
Summer Interns
Summer Interns play a vital role in our summer camping ministry. Our interns are committed to Christ first and foremost. They also have the ability to lead others, serve with excellence and have a desire to be challenged and grow in their relationship with Christ. Summer Interns will strive to serve Christ, kids and each other. They will also have the opportunity to grow as leaders in ministry, develop Christ-like relationships and enjoy the fun and beauty of camp. See More Information and Apply Here!
Work Crew
This volunteer experience is for those in high school. To be eligible you must have completed one year of high school and complete your local area's work crew training course. Each work crew session is about one month long during the summer.
Session 1: May 24 - June 20
Session 2: June 20 - July 12
Session 3: July 12 - August 7
2024 Session Dates:
Session 1: July 14-August 9
Just one session at Canyon this year! Sign up now as volunteer space is limited!
Jobs:
Servers - Dining Hall, Kitchen - Food Preparation, Pits Crew - Dish Washing, Outdoor Crew - Landscaping, Housekeeping - Laundry
To Apply:
The application process begins with a Young Life staff recommendation. To apply, please talk with your local Young Life staff. The cost for work crew is your own transportation to and from Washington Family Ranch.
Alumni Information: Have you served on work crew before? Stay in touch through Young Life Alumni and Friends.
Adult Guests
Adults can have the time of their lives at Washington Family Ranch too! During each week of summer camp adults may participate in our Young Life Adult Guest program. Adult guests stay in the beautiful Canyon View Lodge, eat meals with campers, go to Young Life club and soak in the entire camp experience.
Yes, we have an Adult Guest Program for Summer 2024! Talk to your local Area Director about this amazing opportunity to see camp in action. Most camp dates throughout the summer are available at either Canyon or Creekside camp.
To Register:
Adult guests are registered through local Young Life area offices. If you cannot locate your local Young Life area office please contact us.
Cost:
The cost of the Adult Guest Program for 2024 is $125 per room, per night; rooms are double-occupancy. and includes all meals and camp activities. It is paid to your local Young Life office, not to Washington Family Ranch. Guests are encouraged to reserve at least two nights and welcome to stay for the entire camp week!
Medical Team
Summer Camp Doctor — Each week during the summer at Washington Family Ranch, approximately 1,000 campers roll in for the best week of their lives. To provide the best possible care, we need physicians, nurses, and EMT-paramedics to help us meet the medical needs of the campers and summer volunteers at camp. All medical team members and their families stay at camp during their week of service in amazing accommodations and enjoy meals with the campers at no cost.
School Season Opportunities — We are also in need of medical providers for camps during the school season months at Washington Family Ranch. These camps are shorter (usually over a weekend), quieter and more relaxing than summer camping. Contact us if you are interested in this opportunity.
The week will be busy- more like a mission trip than a vacation! But we’ll do our best to get you relaxing by the pool before week’s end. Medical Team members will work with a team of qualified providers, operate within your scope of practice, provide acute medical care for minor injuries and illnesses, and stabilize and triage those patients who need transport to regional facilities.
Your spouse and children, ages 17 and younger, are invited to share the week with you. Whether it’s enjoying meals together, swimming in the pool, or watching Young Life summer camp in action — you are sure to have a great time. Time and space permitting, your family will have an opportunity to experience the many activities around camp. The pool and sports center/canopy are always available during free time.
Who can be on a Medical Team?
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Physicians, nurses and EMT-paramedics are needed on our Medical Teams. Scroll down for nurse and EMT-Paramedic information.
Physician
Each team will have at least 1 primary care physician specializing in:
- Family Practice
- Pediatrics
- Emergency Medicine
- Internal Medicine
Specialists from the following areas will be paired with a primary care provider:
- General Surgery
- OB/GYN
- Gastroenterology
- Rheumatology
- Endocrinology
- Orthopedics
- Cardiology
- Pulmonary
- Nephrology
Non-Oregon physicians will need to obtain licensure from the Oregon Board of Medical Examiners.
Role of a Physician
- Screen patients for 30 minutes after each meal or until all the patients are seen.
- Serve as a backup for medical advice to other Medical Team members.
- Decide whether a given medical condition can safely be treated on the property or requires transport to an outside facility. Physicians are urged to make such decisions keeping in mind their background and training and the limited facilities available at the Washington Family Ranch.
- Determine the mode of transport for patients requiring treatment at another facility and discuss the patient with the receiving facility prior to transport, when appropriate.
- Assist with check-in of camper medication on Day 1.
Registered Nurse
All registered nurses must have an Oregon License. For information on how to obtain an Oregon License, visit the Oregon State Board of Nursing website.
Role of a Registered Nurse
- Triage patients with physicians after every meal for 30 minutes or until all the patients are seen.
— Assist physician in exams and treatments as required.
— Remain in the room while the physician examines patients (as appropriate).
— Assist in completing and filing patient documentation as necessary.
— Maintain cleanliness and organization of exam rooms. - Clean, sterilize, and store reusable equipment.
- Notify your Medical Team Host if ANY emergency drugs or IV fluids are used or if other supplies or medications are critically low.
- Complete and document an opiate control count with another Medical Team member at the beginning and end of assigned camp dates and whenever any opiates are dispensed.
- Obtain and file medical release forms in the Infirmary. Scan forms for critical health problems and/or medications that should be turned in to the medical team.
- Assist in administering registered medication to campers after each meal.
- Initiate follow-up visits with guests and staff.
EMT-Paramedic
All EMTs and Paramedics must have an Oregon license. For information on how to obtain reciprocity or an Oregon license, please visit the Oregon EMS Trauma Systems website.
Role of an EMT-Paramedic
- Attend all scheduled camp activities (i.e. Obstacle Course, Field Games, Pool Olympics, etc.) and be available to triage traumatic injuries or medical conditions.
- Assist physicians in determining transportation needs for emergent and non-emergent patients.
- Monitor radio for response needs.
- Maintain the inventory of EMS kits in the medical vehicle and re-supply if used.
- Be familiar with Air Link procedures.
- Assist in administering registered medication to campers after each meal.
To Apply:
First, check availability. Then complete a Camp Medical Professionals Application.
Questions? Contact our office, we’ll be able to answer any questions you may have and review the upcoming summer schedule as well as available spots.
Want to bring a team? Recruit some friends and colleagues to join you for your week. Book early to make it possible to get everyone here the same week. Ideally, each Canyon team is made up of two physicians, two nurses and two EMT-paramedics.
Weekend Wrangler
Session 1: May 24 - June 20
Session 2: June 20 - July 12
Session 3: July 12 - August 7
During the school season, WFR relies heavily on volunteers to help keep camp running. We call these volunteers wranglers. Our wranglers are college-aged and older folks from different schools and communities that partner together with our staff to be a living presentation of the Gospel. Wranglers have the opportunity to interact with guests as they serve on ropes elements, in the store and snack bar, and in housekeeping. In addition to volunteering, you will stay on camp alongside other volunteers. Room and board will be included.
Please email Hannah Brod at hbrod@wfr.younglife.org if you have any questions!
To Apply:
For more information, please fill out this form. Once this is complete, our team will send you a follow up email with more information.
Jobs:
Housekeeping, retail, coffee shop, snack bar, giant swing/ropes course, climbing wall, or housekeeping.
Adult Volunteer Opportunities
Come Serve at Washington Family Ranch!
Washington Family Ranch values its volunteers! Every year, in addition to our work crew and summer staff, adult volunteers contribute hundreds of hours in many vital roles at camp.
Summer Opportunities
Adult Guest Hosts
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The Adult Guest Program needs hosts! Each week, these guests are led by a host who is familiar with Young Life's camping ministry. This Host is their 'cabin leader' for their stay, and is available to lead them through an amazing camp experience- just like leaders are for kids!
If you enjoy serving people and you love the camping ministry of Young Life, consider applying to be an Adult Guest Host this coming summer! You can apply through your local area office. Host selections are made by regions and each host has rooms reserved for them to invite guests from their local areas. Guests frequently cite their experience as being just as life-changing for them as it is for the kids. As a host, you are in a unique position to introduce Young Life to church pastors and youth leaders, school teachers and community members. Be prepared for a week of watching the Holy Spirit move in the lives of kids and adults!
If the host role isn't right for you but you know people in your community whom you want to see involved in Young Life, consider sending them to camp as adult guests! Sign them up through your local area office.
Experience Required
- Young Life background (camping and field)
- Experience as an Adult Guest
Tour Host
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Responsible for facilitating camp tours for drop-in guests for a week at camp in the summer. This is a four or six day commitment. We are tentatively restarting our tour host program for Summer 2022!.
Each summer, volunteer Tour Hosts provide guests and visitors with tours of Washington Family Ranch camp property. Without these tour hosts, many visitors would be turned away at the gate and never see what WFR is doing for kids!
The tour host is provided with a script for the tour and a camp vehicle. They participate in the Adult Guest Program, though depending on housing they may stay in the Adult Guest Lodge or in Volunteer housing. Tour Hosts eat camp meals with the Adult Guests, attend club and cabin times, and are welcome at all games and program events.
We need one tour host for each camp week! We are looking for 11 hosts or couples. Interested? E-mail us through the Contact Form to be put on the mailing list.
Experience Required
- Young Life background
- Understanding of the history and future plans of the Washington Family Ranch
- Adult Guest experience
- A desire to love and serve others during your stay
YoungLives Camp Childcare
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This opportunity is only available at Creekside.
A great way to affect two generations at the same time. Cuddle babies while their moms attend club and other camp activities. This is a five day commitment!
Check the info page here for registration link!
There is no YoungLives camp at WFR in 2021; please check back in spring 2022 for more info on future opportunities!
School Season Opportunities
Long Term Volunteer Program
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Designed for individuals and couples interested in living out at Washington Family Ranch for a few months or more. Please use our contact form here or e-mail volunteers@wfr.younglife.org if you are interested in WFR's long-term program! All potential volunteers must complete an application, supply two references, and go through an interview process.
Long-term volunteers are asked to commit to working 30-40 hours per week (or a combined 50 hours a week for married couples) in an area of the camp that best fits their gifts, skills, desires and the needs of the ranch. These areas include food preparation, administrative tasks, maintenance and construction, housekeeping, landscaping, and other areas as needed.
Housing and Meals
At this time, the long-term program is limited to individuals and couples with RVs, as we do not have volunteer housing available at this time. Lunch and dinner meals are provided five days a week by Washington Family Ranch.
Weekend Warrior Projects
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Various projects around camp that we are in need of help to complete. Short-term volunteers are welcome for a few days to several weeks at a time and are not restricted to 'weekends!' To inquire about our Weekend & Short-Term Volunteer opportunities, please use our contact form here or e-mail volunteers@wfr.younglife.org.
All projects list the crew size we are hoping for. It would be ideal if you are able to round up the entire crew required to complete a project, but we know that may not be possible. Contact us as soon as possible so we can work to schedule you with another crew that may be required for larger projects.
Housing and Meals
We will provide housing, meals, and do our best to open up the Washington Family Sports Center for you each evening and a meeting room for worship, games, etc., unless otherwise noted with the project.
We also have an RV park that is open year round that can accommodate any size vehicle. Electricity, water, and sewer connections are available at the RV Park.
Current Weekend Warrior Projects
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Welding
We have several metal projects to be done, including fabrication and repair. Welding equipment is available on-site.
Mini-Excavator Operator
We could use a person to operate a mini-excavator to pull brush along the roadside. This project could be done by one guy in one week or several weekends.
Carpentry
We are in the midst of remodeling some of our buildings. We could use people with carpentry experience to help speed up the process.
Phone and Network Projects
There are several electronics and networking projects going on right now, including:
- Exterior Phone pedestal & underground cabling
- Interior phone & Ethernet wiring
- Fiber work / splicing / termination
Electricians and HVAC
Any licensed electricians or HVAC who have some hours to serve here at the Ranch please contact us at 541-489-3100 and we will find a project to fit your schedule and talents.
Deep Cleaning
Folks who love to clean. We need groups of any size who are willing to work with our housekeeping department to really get in the corners and clean those places that general cleaning misses. Great for a ladies or youth group that is looking for a weekend service project.
Winter is when we really give our buildings a good cleaning. We need groups, families, churches with as few as 2 or 3 up to 20 to help our housekeeping staff, either during the week or on weekends.
Exterior Window Cleaning
We'll have all the cleaning materials, ladders and lifts if necessary. We need some folks who love to make windows sparkle, so our guests can enjoy the beauty outside their window. You'll be working with housekeeping, just let us know what weekend works for you.
Carpet Cleaning
Off season we like to clean carpets in our buildings. We have professional carpet cleaning equipment and will be happy to show you how to run it. This is a great project for a couple folks who want to serve for a weekend.
Spring and Fall Work & Worship
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Work weekends held twice annually. The dates vary slightly from year to year. No cost to attend! For ages 14 and up. Work & Worship is back on the calendar for Spring 2022! See the event page here for more info!
Can I bring my kids/Church youth group?
Due to the nature of the weekend, we are unable to accommodate children under the age of 14.
For youth groups, youth must be 14 and older. Groups must have a minimum of 1 chaperone for every 5 youth (of the same gender).
