Young men ages 18-24 who are believers in Jesus Christ and have a desire to grow in their faith and prepare for their future may apply to be STAND Interns (full-time) or STAND Residents (part-time).  Application, references, and an interview are required before admittance into the program.

• Love Jesus
• Know the Bible, understands what they believe, and why they believe it
• Have a passion for serving the Lord using the gifts God has given him
• Live an ordered and disciplined life of joy, responsibility, and Godly recreation
• Put away the childish things of their youth
• Are exposed to the needs of the world and experience the Church/Christianity in different cultures and contexts
• Are equipped for servant-leadership of their future families and in the church
• Are aware of their abilities, skills, and passions and have a specific plan for their future education or vocation
• Have a Godly network of mentors and adults who will be an encouragement and resource to them for the rest of their lives

Taking a year of intentional growth, reflection, and discovery (often referred to as a gap year) is very prevalent in other parts of the world, and its popularity is increasing in the United States.  The STAND Program is a time for a young man to mature spiritually, mentally, physically, and socially before he makes a successful transition to college, the work force, the mission field, trade school, or whatever the Lord has planned for him next.

• Teaching, relationship-building, and service experiences that help him grow as a Man of God
• The opportunity to earn up to 14 college credits
• Opportunities to run camp programs and manage camp facilities as Haycock strives to fulfill its mission of providing Christ-centered camping experiences that lead people to Jesus Christ and train them to serve Him
• Active involvement in a local church body
• One-on-One mentoring and discipleship by a member of Haycock’s leadership team
• Group and individual Bible/book studies on topics such as theology, biblical manhood, marriage/family, life skills, and more
• Wilderness trips and other outdoor experiences
• A year of strong Christian community and encouragement
• A thorough assessment of areas of gifting, personality, leadership style, interests, and skills in preparation for a lifetime of service to God
• In the Fall Session (September – December), STAND Interns will intentionally focus on developing the character of a godly man as a life-long pursuit. This session will also include a focus on personal discipline in all areas of life, educational opportunities, wilderness trips, and structured physical training.
• In the Spring Session (January – May), STAND Interns will take part in mission trips and participate in service opportunities beyond their roles at camp. They will also select a Developmental Track (College, Military, Workforce, or Missions/Ministry) to guide them in their preparation for the future. The goals of this session are to prepare Interns for life after STAND and to intentionally focus on understanding and applying the qualities of a servant leader in a variety of settings. Interns may have opportunities to job shadow with local businesses, churches, or ministries depending on their Developmental Track.
• In the Summer Session (June – August), STAND Interns will serve on Haycock’s Summer Staff Team.

Though the focus of the fall session is similar for all STAND participants, during the spring session STAND Interns will choose a developmental track focused on preparing them for life after STAND. The four STAND Developmental Tracks are:

• College
• Military
• Work Force
• Missions/Ministry

STAND participants will select their track prior to departing camp for their winter break.

College Track

The College Track prepares young men to enter college upon completion of the STAND year.

Highlights of the College Track are:

• Job shadowing opportunities
• Earning transferable college credits during STAND
• Exploring options for fields of study
• Exploring options for education and/or training
• Visiting multiple college campuses
• Assistance with the college application process
• Applying for scholarships, grants, and/or financial aid

Military Track

The Military Track prepares young men to enter the military upon completion of the STAND year.

Highlights of the Military Track are:

• Selecting a military branch and/or occupational specialty
• Working with a recruiter
• Visiting the Military Entrance Processing Station
• Meeting with military veterans
• Taking required aptitude tests
• Completing physical assessments
• Learning military history
• Physical training focused on preparing for basic training
• Learning about opportunities for spiritual growth and fellowship in the military

Work Force Track

The Work Force Track prepares young men to enter the work force upon completion of the STAND year.

Highlights of the Work Force Track are:

• Multiple Job shadowing opportunities
• Explore trade school options
• Build relationships with Haycock’s network of trade professionals
• Finding a job (preparing a resume, applying for jobs, etc.)
• Preparing for life as an independent young adult (house/apartment hunting, developing a budget, food shopping, building a professional wardrobe, etc.) 

Missions/Ministry Track

The Missions/Ministry Track prepares young men to serve in the mission field or other ministries upon completion of the STAND year

Highlights of the Missions/Ministry Track are:

• • Missions/ministry focused job shadowing opportunities
  • Earning transferable college credits during STAND
  • Exploring options for ministry or missions
  • Exploring options for ministry/missions related training/education
  • Missions/ministry visits
  • Volunteer serving opportunities
  • Applying to mission organizations, ministry related jobs, or college/training programs

A Stand Resident will participate in many aspects of the STAND Program while working full or part-time or as a local or online student. At a minimum, a STAND Resident will participate in the following, while working around his work or school schedule:

• Teaching, relationship-building, and service experiences that help him grow as a Man of God
• Opportunities to run camp programs and manage camp facilities as Haycock strives to fulfill its mission of providing Christ-centered camping experiences that lead people to Jesus Christ and train them to serve Him
• Active involvement in a local church body
• One-on-One mentoring and discipleship by a member of Haycock’s leadership team
• Group and individual Bible/book studies on topics such as theology, biblical manhood, marriage/family, life skills, and more
• Wilderness trips and other outdoor experiences
• A year of strong Christian community and encouragement while having flexibility to pursue individual employment or educational goals
• A thorough assessment of areas of gifting, personality, leadership style, interests, and skills in preparation for a lifetime of service to God
• The STAND Resident year begins in September and ends in May, though STAND Residents will have the opportunity to serve on Haycock’s Summer Staff Team if their schedule permits

The cost for the Fall Session of the STAND Internship is $3,340.  The Spring Session will cost between $625 and $925 per month depending on the Developmental Track. These fees do not include the cost of the Spring Session overseas missions trip – those funds will be raised separately by the interns.  All housing, utilities, adventure trip costs, educational experiences, and most food costs are covered by this tuition.  If finances are a concern, candidates are encouraged to use their year-round stipend and summer staff compensation to help pay for STAND and/or pursue raising financial support for this exciting ministry opportunity.

There is no cost to participate in the program as a STAND Resident. STAND Residents are responsible to pay for food, books/materials, and any trips/events that they participate in.

On top of free room and board, STAND Interns will receive a $50 monthly stipend for the months of September through May.  During the summer months, STAND Interns will be paid the regular wages of the summer staff position for which they are hired.  Stand Residents will not receive a monthly stipend, but will receive regular wages during the summer if they are hired as summer staff.

STAND Interns must successfully complete all three sessions in order to graduate from the program. All STAND participants must accomplish all of their assigned objectives. Performance evaluations will be given by Haycock staff to encourage areas of personal growth and responsibility.

Young men who are interested in applying for STAND should contact Haycock Camping Ministries to request an application at 610-346-7155 or [email protected].  STAND starts in September and STAND Intern applications must be received by July 31st. Though the STAND Resident year begins in September and ends in May, STAND Resident applications may be submitted at any time and those accepted may join the program already in progress.