Why is it called 'The Forma Project'?
'Forma' is the Latin word for "form" and it encapsulates what we want to see in the program: disciples of Jesus formed by Christ in preparation for life. As the potter forms his clay, or the blacksmith forms his steel, so too, Christ shapes us more and more into His likeness. We call it a 'project' because we see it as an endeavour for you to invest in. This is your project of formation, and the object is you!
Will you definitely be running the internship?
Yes. As long as we have one or more accepted applicants, we will indeed be running the internship in 2019. Some of the details of what that looks like may change based on the intern(s) we have,
The application deadline is coming soon.
- Minimum number of accepted applicants: 1
- Maximum number of accepted applicants: 6
We will be in close communication with applicants throughout the process.
What is the schedule like?
Because of the varied nature of the camp's other seasons, The Forma Project’s schedule will also vary greatly throughout the year.
Monday to Friday will be full, and typically spent in learning and service, even though the daily schedule may change from week-to-week. Students will enjoy in-class training, hands-on camp training and camp experience, online modules, Bible and book studies, recreation, community events, and free time.
See the ‘Events’ section for some of the important dates, and this 2018 tentative schedule to get an idea of what a typical atypical week may look like.
Do I get free time?
Yes! Each weekday you will have a block of time set aside for you personally, as well as most weekends. Due to programmed events or the needs of guest groups, free time may not always be in the evenings or on weekends, but we know its value and strive to provide personal time 'in-lieu' consistently.
What do weekends look like?
Although the weekdays of the program are fairly structured, weekends are typically an unstructured time of rest for students and camp leadership. Interns have Saturdays to catch up on assignments and relax. You may find yourself unwinding by spending solitary or social time. Reading a book, visiting the winter market and thrift store, playing disc golf, or ‘car-stopping’ to a beach are all great options. Sundays are for communal worship and rest.
Some weekends will be spent in special Forma programming, running guest groups, or promoting Camp. Such weekends are typically followed by a day or two off ‘in lieu’ of time spent working.
What church will I attend?
Students are expected to attend a weekly christian worship service, and will share from their experiences when we reconvene on Mondays.
Here at Camp we host a weekly church service. It is an informal and eclectic group of believers who come together to worship Christ and share about our experiences, insights, and challenges. While you are not required to attend this service, it would be good for you to spend time connecting with this group that makes up a significant part of the Hope Bay community. You may also want to get to know the other churches on the island: the United Community Church, St. Teresa’s Roman Catholic Church, and St. Peter’s Anglican Parish.
Will I have homework?
Although a good portion of the assignments can be completed within the class or module time, there will be some requirements to work on in your own time. Some of this may include reading in preparation for a book study, journaling, and other special research or writing assignments. The main thrust of this program is not academia, but as with any endeavour, growth comes with doing work, and we want to challenge you to think hard and work hard in all you do, as unto the Lord.
What about food and accommodations?
We have plenty of living space here on Camp property. Determining which accommodations work best will be based on the interns who come. It is likely that students of the same gender will share cabin space together.
Most meals will be prepared by the students themselves. With the help of leadership staff--especially in the beginning--interns will learn how to plan menus, buy groceries, and cook for their appropriate number using our commercial kitchen. You will be invited to eat some meals with the leadership families, and will be encouraged to make connections and dine with friends outside the camp context.
Are guests or pets allowed?
If you have friends or family who would like to visit, please talk to the leadership first and well in advance. Decisions will be made on a case-by-case basis. Arrangements should not be made when they will interfere with the scheduled Forma program.
Please do not bring pets.
What are the challenges?
For those who have only experienced Hope Bay Bible Camp in the summertime, you'll need to be aware that Camp is entirely different during the year-round months. Please be prepared for the following:
- The climate is wet and cold, and there are much fewer people on site. Hope Bay becomes a place of intimacy and quiet, and while that is a blessing for some, unless effort is made to stay physically and socially active, others may feel isolated and melancholy.
- One of the greatest challenges to face are interpersonal. When our experiences don’t align with our expectations (even as simple as washing one's own dishes), it’s easy to become offended, or worse, to let bitterness fester. When living together as a small community in shared space, differences are quickly evident and must also be quickly reconciled.
- Some of the physical work can be a challenge; encountering new tasks and projects to troubleshoot, and even the simple challenge of doing manual labour.
- And for some, the coursework and homework will be stretching as you encounter questions you’ve never wrestled with before, as well as a heavy workload.
What will I have access to?
Pender Island boasts over forty ocean access points, as well as numerous hiking trails and viewpoints. There are a number of quaint shops, cafes, artisans, and even a 27-hole disc golf course. This island has a unique ‘Car-Stop’ option for getting rides around, as well as a community bus that runs on weekends. To find out more about the island, visit our ‘Where We Are’ page.
Several amenities and necessities that will be available to you here at Camp are:
- Laundry Facilities
- Commercial Kitchen
- Heated Accommodation
- Quiet Workspace
- Wi-Fi (shared bandwidth) for coursework and communication
- Long-distance phoning (some restrictions)
- Sports and Games Equipment
- Communal TV & DVD Player
Please note that you will NOT have access to:
- Camp vehicles (unless meeting specific insurance and leadership requirements)
What should I bring?
A complete packing list will be emailed to accepted applicants, but consider these items that you may not think of:
Required:
- Laptop computer to stream teaching modules and write assignments. (Browse inexpensive options).
- Gmail / Google account
- Bedding for a Twin mattress
- Rain gear and rubber boots
- Clothing for the cold, wet winter
- Clothing for the hot, dry summer
- Hiking boots/shoes
Optional:
- Guitar or other instrument to play/practise
- Pastime hobbies (eg. knitting, colouring, board games, etc.)
- Umbrella
- Slippers for cold floors
- Personal bicycle or vehicle if you’d like freedom of transportation