spend a year serving at camp
Gap Year Program at TCBC
2024-2025 Gap Year Opportunities are open.
Inquire about Gap Year Program Opportunities for 2024-2025
- Gap Year Program Mission -
To offer a program that benefits the camp and the individual through hard work, discipleship, and hands-on training in a Christ-centered community.
Gap Year Program Overview
- Gap Year Content
- Concentrations
- Compensation
- Application
- Gap Year Program Documents
- About TCBC
- Why be a part of the Gap Year Program?
Discipleship / Spiritual Formation
- Weekly Bible studies and family dinner
- Monthly connections with intern supervisors
- Monthly structured one-day spiritual formation retreats
- Facilitated opportunities for cultivating daily devotional life
- Monthly guest lecturer for teaching and Q&A (pastors, professors, etc.)
Christ Centered Community
- Weekly Bible Study and family dinner
- On-site communal living
- Structured prayer partner program
- Partnership in assigned projects (recruiting trips, camp-sponsored events, etc.)
Hands On Training
- Daily participation in camp ministry (on-the-job learning, weekly staff meetings, etc.)
- Job-specific professional certifications (Synergo/High Ropes, Lifeguard Training, Food Handler, Etc.)
- Assigned ministry projects (summer staff events, summer program improvements, off-season camper retreats, etc.)
Below are some examples of possible areas of training.
While all gap year participants are volunteers, we cover basic living needs and provide a small monthly honorarium as the Lord enables. In addition, all interns receive valuable training, certifications, and mentorship from highly qualified staff and leaders.
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Some of the benefits and compensations include:
Lodging at Camp
Access to Guest speakers, curriculum, camp conferences & training
Opportunity for college credit
Monthly Honorarium
On-Site Work space
Most meals & kitchen staples
Retreats & Trips
Each applicant will complete a standard application, a personal statement, various recommendations, and an in-person or over-the-phone interview. Those who will be 18 years old and will have graduated High School by the fall of each year are eligible to apply.
Lifestyle Agreement
Trout Creek Bible Camp
Trout Creek Bible Camp is an interdenominational, independent Christian organization located 28 miles east of Portland, situated on 263 acres of beautiful wooded land.
We offer summer programs for campers from grades 2nd – 12th, as well as a Family Camp for all ages. Our campers participate in a wide variety of activities including swimming, go karts, paintball, one day raft trips, zip line, mountain bikes, climbing wall, disc golf, hiking, crafts, various activity clubs, group games, fireside, cabin Bible studies and Chapel.
Every summer TCBC also hires volunteer summer staff to fulfill various roles that are needed to run a camp program. We hire between 80 – 100 staff that commit to serve at camp during the whole summer (11 weeks). During the summer they are trained, mentored and discipled by their deans and supervisors.
In addition to providing summer programs, TCBC offers three programmed retreats (High School Reconnect, Father/Son, and Mother/Daughter). We also rent out our facilities to various groups ranging from 40 – 300 people throughout the year. Our desire is to partner with various ministries throughout the fall, winter, and spring so that they can experience the powerful resource that is the camp setting.
Our purpose is to use an outdoor environment and our facilities for evangelism and discipleship, focusing primarily on children and youth through Christ-centered relationships and fun activities.
- relationships -
A Trout Creek gap year program is an incredible opportunity to learn and grow in the context of meaningful Christ-centered community. Participants get the chance to make life-long friends while serving and training as leaders in camp ministry. Our focus on intentional discipleship also allows gap year participants to discover new depths in their relationship with God, learning more about themselves in the process. The Gap Year Program is designed so that staff can participate in the day-to-day running of the camp, learning new skills and gaining relevant certifications. They also get to experience valuable conferences, courses, backpacking trips, spiritual formation retreats, and above all, life-changing relationships with God and others.
- explore -
On days off, participants have the opportunity to explore the stunning Columbia River Gorge, just 15 minutes’ drive from the camp! National scenic sites, including Multnomah Falls, and a renowned network of hiking trails, including the Pacific Crest Trail are right in our back yard! Prefer city streets to nature trails? One of the most vibrant cities in the Pacific Northwest is only 30 minutes’ drive away. Experience Portland’s renowned food and coffee scene, the world famous Powell’s City of Books, and many other exciting things Rip City has to offer.
- Trout Creek Bible Camp -
Trout Creek internships are a life-changing experience of fun, faith, fellowship, and foundational training in ministry. We invite you to apply!