CHICAGO, IL (June 21, 2006) – Grants that help North Park University students work at Evangelical Covenant Church camps during the summer are a \u201cwin-win-win\u201d situation, says Mark Olson, the school\u2019s dean of enrollment and director of church relations. <\/p>\n
As many as 90 North Park students are receiving $500 tuition grants by working at the camps, Olson says. The students benefit from the tuition break and are able to represent the university to campers, and the camps are better able to hire staff.<\/p>\n
To receive the grants, students must attend school the year prior to the summer and return to classes the following year. Although most students attend the university, some attend North Park Theological Seminary.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe like the idea of putting our students in camps,\u201d Olson says. \u201cIt\u2019s consistent with the values of the institution to be ministry oriented. It\u2019s really helped camps. It gives them a pool of students to recruit from.\u201d<\/p>\n
Camps traditionally are unable to pay as well as other summer employment. The grants help students decide where they will work, says Tom Cousineau, Sr, executive director of Covenant Heights Camp and Conference Center in Estes Park, Colorado. \u201cI think it makes just enough of a difference for the kids on whether they will work at the camps, or feel they have to work at McDonald\u2019s because they have to earn more money.\u201d<\/p>\n
In addition to the financial assistance, \u201cStudents get to have an experience they might not otherwise have,\u201d Olson says.<\/p>\n
Recruiting for the school and presenting a better overall view of the denomination is another grant benefit. \u201cIt\u2019s important that we have Covenant-connected kids,\u201d Cousineau says.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe think they provide great role models for the campers for what it means to be a North Park student,\u201d Olson says. \u201cOur desire is that they will be the best possible staff members of the camps they work at.\u201d<\/p>\n
Copyright \u00a9 2011 The Evangelical Covenant Church.<\/p>\n