Staff Saturday: Alyssa LaRocque
Luke LaRocque
One of Beacon's greatest blessings is our amazing staff. To celebrate them, we feature them on our blog: Staff Saturdays! This is a bonus Staff Saturday, to introduce you to Alyssa, who will be starting a new position at camp as Program Director. She's normally the one to ask the questions to staff, so we've turned the tables and started asking her what's up!
Staff Name: Alyssa LaRocque
Camp Name: Dash
Lives: Gravenhurst, ON
What part of your background helps you be ready for something like this?
Formally speaking, my background as a teacher really lends itself to program work. Teachers are constantly refining current methods and creating new methods of engaging students on a topic or in an activity. Having taught for a few years at an outdoor education and community focused school in Toronto, I learned a lot about what successful programming looks like. Beacon-wise, I have participated in all levels of our programming enough to know that we have a great thing going on here; but there are still ways we can make our programming stronger, and easier for session directors and staff to use to the max.
What does the Program Director job look like?
Since we haven't had a program director before, the job description will be a work in progress - I'm sure there are some things we haven't thought of yet that will be added to my role. Right now, my work includes:
- processing staff applications and putting staff and directors in touch
- assisting with staff recruitment by reaching out to various churches and groups
- connecting with session directors to provide information, resources and ideas as needed
- creating accessible documents to outline the games and activities at camp
- maintaining program facilities and equipment such as the gym, craft room and sports equipment room
- updating and maintaining our music resources
- investigating and implementing new program opportunities for Beacon
What part of the job are you most excited about?
I love being able to have meaningful experiences and conversations with the campers and staff who come through camp. I love planning and facilitating activities and seeing people having fun as they do them. I love having my finger to the pulse of what God is doing in lives. As the program director, it is a part of my job to do these kinds of things! I am so blessed!
When do you start?
Elisa Best, the new Hospitality Coordinator, will begin training in June. Throughout the summer I will show her the ropes of the job so that by September, that position will be fully in her hands, and I will be free to take on the Program Director duties!
If you know someone you want to see featured on Staff Saturdays, or you want to be featured yourself, email Alyssa at staff@beaconbiblecamp.com.