Philosophy

Youth development and leadership training at IAWAH models and exposes young leaders to the transforming power of God through work, play, rest and study.

Work: to fulfil; to serve; to be satisfied; to stretch and grow
Play: to be refreshed; to build friendships; to laugh
Rest: to be whole; to be energized; to have perspective
Study: to learn; to grow; to become; to enable work, play, and rest

There are three threads--worship, character and risk taking--that make the cord of service. These threads wind together through work, play, rest and study and become strong.

Worship - the acknowledgement of God, our Creator, as the one true God and no other. Placing God in his rightful place in creation and humanity.
Character - the transformation of who we are into the true and complete image of God.
Risk taking - the use of courage to obey God in the reality/context of fear. This requires the ability to know and hear the voice of God.

The values of IAWAH Youth Development and Leadership Training are grounded in Scripture. Matthew 22:37-40 combined with Exodus 20 form its perspective and heart. Romans 12:1-3 provides its action point. Careful attention to the environment and culture developed is critical.

Submission: to renew your mind; to function within the reality of authority; perspective of the bigger picture
Discipline: to develop "muscle" and establish methods/norms
Wisdom: to make right decisions (knowledge is acquiring information; understanding is the correct interpretation of information; wisdom is the correct application of understanding)
Modelling: to follow after
Intrinsic human value: to anchor our value from the view God has of us (this enables right motivation for right behaviour)

Stages of development

CREW plants God's Truth and introduces good work habits by developing norms, habits, and foundations. Structure, basic rhythms and supervision/modelling are keys.

ROOTs cultivates and builds personal character. Solid foundations, personal/team challenges, opportunities to practise and serve children/youth and exposure to risk are key. Participants choose to learn "in the Greenhouse" within a camp context or "in the Wild" within a wilderness environment. The camp context provides a greenhouse effect for accelerating and intensifying learning. The wilderness provides a natural structure and rhythm in which to learn.

Assistant Staff matures youth to lead in a camp setting. It uses the concepts of coaching, supervising and empowering as keys to grow a staff member from dependence to independence. Apprenticeships are tailored to the needs of the assistant staff member and may be focused on activities, cabin, events, food service, Out There, administration, maintenance or grounds.

Scripture study will be rooted in the six themes of: CREATION, FAILURE (sin), COVENANTS, REDEMPTION, THE CHURCH (Pentecost), and CREATION RESTORED (new creation).