Volunteer at LEAD

Dates for LEAD 2026

• Week 1: Sunday, June 14 through Friday, June 19
• Week 2: Sunday, July 12 through Friday, July 17
• Week 3: Sunday, July 26 through Friday, July 31

Crew members are expected to stay on campus during camp (from 6pm on Saturday to 7pm on Friday). Any absences during the week should be pre-arranged with the Director of Programs.

• Crew Orientation begins with check-in the Saturday before camp from 6:00-6:30pm. Orientation will begin at 6:30pm, and all crew members are expected to attend. 
• Student and Crew Check-out happens on Friday between 5:30-7:00pm. We will have a pizza dinner for crew around 7pm, followed by a short time of campus clean-up. We ask that crew leave on Friday night as you are able. If you need to stay until Saturday morning, or if you would like to stay on Saturday to help with additional campus clean-up, please reach out to the Director of Programs before camp.

First Time Applicants:

• Complete the Crew Application below.
• Submit three references (personal, professional, and pastoral). Information will be sent to you after you apply.
• Interview with SSI Staff
• Pass a background check

Returning Applicants:

Complete the Crew Application. 

• We are asking that all returning crew submit a pastoral reference each year. Information will be sent to you individually. 
• Pass a background check

SSI requires that its employees subscribe to its Statement of Faith and Lifestyle Statement, which can be found below. We ask that all LEAD crew, coaches, and instructors also subscribe to them.

Statement of Faith: SSI is unapologetically a Christian ministry, dedicated to the furthering of the Gospel through Biblical discipleship. We are not directly affiliated with any one denomination or tradition but are ecumenical, partnering with communities of believers who stand firmly on the truth of God’s Word. In the pursuit of unity and fellowship, the following statement articulates our essential beliefs as found in Holy Scripture.

The Trinity: We believe in the one true God, the Creator, through whom all things were made, both visible and invisible. Who exists eternally in the united trinity of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, uncreated, equal in glory and majesty. Neither blending their persons, nor dividing their essence. Matthew 28:19; John 10:28-30; Ephesians 4:4-6; John 1:1-3; 1 John 5:7; Genesis 1:1

God the Father: We believe that God the Father reigns with care and authority over all things, visible and invisible. In His gracious providence, he lovingly directs time according to the purposes of His will. He is all powerful, all knowing, all loving, all wise, and ever present. Genesis 1:1; 1 Peter 1:17; Ephesians 4:4-6; 1 John 3:1; Matthew 6:6

God the Son: We believe in the deity of Jesus of Nazareth, the second person of the Trinity. That he is uncreated, immeasurable, and eternal. He is the only son of God, begotten not made. Fully God and fully man, yet is not two, but one. He is the Christ, the Messiah as prophesied and fulfilled through His virgin birth, His life, death, resurrection, and ascension as witnessed and recorded in Holy Scripture. Matthew 1:23; John 1:1-4 and 1:29; Acts 2:22-24; Romans 8:34; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Philippians 2:5-11; Hebrews 1:1-4 and 4:15; Colossians 1:15.

God the Holy Spirit: We believe in The Holy Spirit, the third person of the Trinity. He brings conviction of sin to the world. He empowers, guides, teaches, sanctifies, indwells, and comforts believers. The Holy Spirit directly inspired the writing of the Holy Scriptures. John 3:5-8; Acts 1:8 and 4:31; Romans 8:9; 1 Corinthians 2:14; Galatians 5:16-18; Ephesians 6:12; Colossians 2:6-10.

The Holy Scripture: We believe that the Bible is the inspired, infallible, and inerrant Word of God. That through the eternal truth of the Holy Scripture, God reveals his redemptive plan for creation. Scripture is the supreme authority by which all human conduct, creeds, and religious opinions should be tried. I Thessalonians 2:13; 2 Timothy 3:15-17; John 5:39; 2 Peter 1:21;1 Corinthians 2:12-13.

Sin and the Nature of Man: We believe that all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. In the beginning man was innocent of sin but, by his free choice, man sinned against God and brought sin into the human race. Because of this, all people are without means or merit to obtain salvation, and all are under the righteous judgment of God. Luke 24:46-47; John 14:6; Acts 4:12; Romans 3:23; 2 Corinthians 5:10-11; Ephesians 1:7 and 2:8-9; Titus 3:4-7.

Salvation: We believe that salvation and the forgiveness of sins is found only in the finished work of Jesus Christ who, by His own sacrifice and the shedding of His blood, obtained eternal redemption for the believer. Salvation is a gift, neither merited nor secured by any virtue or work of mankind, freely offered to all who repent of their sin and receive Jesus as Lord and Savior. Matthew 1:21, 4:17, and 27:32-56; Luke 1:68-69, 2:28-32, 27:32-56; John 5:24, 10:9; 15:1-8; Acts 4:11-12, 16: 30-31, 17:30-31; Hebrews 2:1-3; James 2:14-28

Holy Scripture was the authoritative and primary resource used in the preparation of this statement. Additional resources include several creeds, catechisms, and confessions of the church. We are grateful for the diligent and faithful work of those who have gone before us.

Application: The Statement of Faith informs and guides the practices and policies of this ministry, as well as the content that it produces through its various programs, events, and materials. In the pursuit of truth and clarity, the following statement articulates some of our core principles, based upon Holy Scripture.

The Practice and Teaching of Scripture: We believe that the faithful preaching, teaching, and practicing of Biblical truth as revealed in Scripture is not hateful or harassing of any person, but rather an act of sincere love and obedience to God. Hateful and harassing behavior or attitudes directed toward any individual are to be repudiated and are not in accord with Scripture. Ephesians 4:15; Ephesians 6:14; Mark 12:28-31; John 17:17; John 8:31-32; 1 Corinthians 13:4-6;

The Dignity and Value of Human Life: We believe that every individual is made in the image of God and as such has eternal value. As image bearers, every human life has inherent dignity and should be shown kindness, love, and respect. As believers, we must have concern for the physical and spiritual needs of all, regardless of age or development as all human life is sacred from conception to its natural end. Psalm 139:13; Isaiah 49:1; Jeremiah 1:5; Matthew 22:37-39; Romans 12:20-21; Galatians 6:10. Mark 12:28-31; Luke 6:31; Ephesians 2:10; Genesis 1:27; Luke 6:31

Gender, Sexuality, and Marriage: We believe that men and women are wonderfully and immutably created by God as unique biological persons. These two distinct sexes (male and female) together reflect the image and likeness of God. Furthermore, we affirm that marriage is exclusively the union of one genetic male and one genetic female and that God’s plan for sexual expression is only within the context of marriage.
Rejection of one’s biological sex or claiming a gender identity inconsistent with one’s biological sex is a contradiction of God’s design and created order. Genesis 2:24; Matthew 19:5-6; Mark 10:6-9; 1 Corinthians 6:9; I Timothy 1:10; Hebrews 13:4; Proverbs 6:32; I Corinthians 6:18

SSI Volunteer Lifestyle Statement

• I recognize that this ministry, in all its endeavors, seeks to maintain a faithful Christian witness and protect the trust given it by parents, churches, and all its partners. As a volunteer I will work to protect that witness and trust.
• By serving with the ministry, I acknowledge the influence I carry and the responsibility entrusted to me. I commit to live in a way that glorifies God, strengthens the integrity of this ministry, and provides a trustworthy, Christlike example for those we serve.
• I affirm SSI’s statement of faith and agree to conduct myself in a manner consistent with the principles of Scripture, which is the final authority for matters of faith and conduct.
• I will seek to glorify God and honor others through my words and actions, understanding that my actions reflect both on Christ and on the ministry I represent.
• I will strive to honor Christ in all areas of personal morality, avoiding behaviors that compromise my witness or damage the ministry’s witness, including crude, profane, or demeaning language in any form.

General Expectations

• Assist with the individual track meetings
• Attend all teaching sessions
• Complete office tasks as assigned by the SSI Staff
• Help lead daily morning devotions (if asked)
• Help clean up campus at the end of the week
• Help with student check-in and check-out

Generally, first-time volunteers are assigned to our first-year and second-year student tracks, House and Senate. House and Senate students spend the week divided into smaller groups called “committees” (approx. 16 students). You will be working with a particular committee, typically alongside another crew member. If you are assigned to an advanced track, you will be working directly with the track instructor and other crew members assigned to the track.

During Crew Orientation on Saturday and Sunday, we take time to walk through our policies, procedures, and your role as a crew member. You are not required or expected to be an “expert” on policy or legislative procedure. There are also designated times for track volunteers to meet with the instructors to talk through the simulation and the assignments your group will be working on. We encourage any questions you may have both during orientation and throughout the week.

Policies

Crew members are expected to abide by our camp policies found under the following tabs on the LEAD webpage. This is the standard of behavior for our students, and all crew members should model that behavior.

• Honor Code
• LEAD Campus Policies
• LEAD Dress Code

Please be aware of our dress code and pack accordingly as all Crew follow the same dress code as the campers. Only SSI staff members will initiate disciplinary actions with campers. No other crew members should assume that responsibility. This includes asking campers to change if they are out of dress code.