Cooks Info & Application
Camp cooks are highly motivated, servant-hearted and love working as part of a team. Being a cook at camp means a lot of early mornings and late nights, as well as working well under the pressure of feeding a lot of hungry campers and leaders!
Cooks are hugely appreciated – without cooks, there would be no camps! All cooks must have a Level 2 Food Hygiene certificate, and must be able to keep records of spending, temperatures and hygiene control.
New applications are welcome at any time, and cooks will be allocated to a camp dependent on their availability and space at the camp. All new cooks must fill in the online application form by the end of February to be considered for this summer’s camps, and must be able to attend the FCYC Leaders’ and Cooks’ Day.
There are three categories of cook:
- Chief Cooks are experienced in leading a team and cooking for large numbers of young people, have undergone the required training and have demonstrated their ability to plan and manage budgets and menus for camp
- Cooks are willing to undergo the required training, including food hygiene certificate. There is no requirement for them to have cooked at FCYC previously
- Assistant Cooks are aged 18-21 and are willing to undergo the required training. There is no requirement for them to have cooked at FCYC previously
As well as the requirement for all cooks to hold a Level 2 (or equivalent) Food Hygiene certificate, FCYC aims to ensure that its cooks have been trained in two main areas – safeguarding and cooking for those with dietary requirements. Cooks are required to detail at application stage the training they have received in the following areas in order to establish the requirement for training provision by FCYC each year; safeguarding, how to be a good leader, working with young people who have Additional Support Needs, giving Bible talks and leading discussion groups. Training in these areas is recommended for cooks, but is not mandatory.
Camp cooks should:
- Have a personal faith in Jesus Christ
- Be an active communicant member of a Bible-believing church
- Be able to obtain two satisfactory references
- Be a member of the Protecting Vulnerable Groups Scotland (PVG) Scheme for working with children
- Have up-to-date Free Church Safeguarding training
- Have a desire to work with young people and to share the Gospel with them, evidenced by recent, relevant experience
- Be willing to commit the necessary time to undertake this work
You will also need to commit to:
- Being at camp for a full week over the summer
- Meeting with your team prior to camp
- Being willing to take on any planning and preparation responsibilities delegated to you by your team leader
- Attending the FCYC Leaders’ and Cooks’ Day annually
- Completing all the necessary paperwork, for example the application form, before the deadline
- Ensuring you are familiar with (and will abide by) Free Church of Scotland Safeguarding and Social Media policies and procedures
- Arrange for a minimum contribution of £150 be made towards your costs at camp (this could be through your Deacons’ Court, a donation, or through fund-raising). And to speak to the Camps Coordinator if you are unable to do so.
Ready to Apply?
Please ensure that you have read all the cooks’ information before completing this form.
Any Questions?
Please get in touch if you have any questions about being a cook at camp.
