The Forma Project

[In]formed mind.  [trans]formed heart.  formed for life.

A seven-month internship program

for high school graduates, 18-24 years old


Within the context of camp ministry and small-town community, The Forma Project focuses on personal development

and growing your personal relationship with Christ to equip you for the next phase of your adult journey.


Genesis says that humanity was formed out of the clay, in the image of God.

Luke wants his audience to know with certainty the Gospel we were informed of.

And the apostle Paul tells us to be transformed by the renewing of our minds in order to know God's good will.  


We want each of our students to undergo incredible formation and powerful transformation, steeped in the Scriptures and forged in a community of discipleship.

OVERVIEW

The Forma Project runs from mid-January to late-August, (including the summer as a ministry practicum),  

in which up to six students will grow in their personal walk with Jesus.

 

The Forma Project is all about growth.  

We want you to grow, and we know that we will grow, too.  It takes commitment on both ends to make that happen.  

Christian education, Bible study, hands-on personal ministry, tangible work, and interpersonal development are all components that will foster an environment of maturing.

We've identified four crucial aspects of the internship that will contribute to this growth:


DISCIPLESHIP

Becoming more like Jesus means being intentional with your time, investing in ways that will grow your faith and give direction for your future.  In this internship the main focus is to develop your relationship with Jesus and your identity in Him.  This happens when we engage each other and face hard circumstances and hard questions together.  

 

COMMUNITY

Whenever a diverse group of individuals come to do life together in the name of Jesus, there are incredible blessings and opportunities for growth.  Students will be stretched as they face joys and challenges, and even conflict, and work toward godly solutions together.

 

LEARNING

We all have so much to learn from Scripture, from teachers, and from each other.  With a mix of in-class study, independent study, and streamed modules, students will engage with material on Christian worldview, Biblical studies, leadership, and theology.  For the modules, we have partnered with One Hope Canada's "Encounter 2.0" program, while a host of other topics and content will be taught by the Forma leadership, and occasionally supplemented by streamed workshops, sermons, etc.  

 

SERVICE

Ministry to others is where the rubber meets the road in our lives of personal growth.  Students will invest in lives at a local youth group and ocassional guest groups, in tangible maintenance and janitorial work at Camp, in addition to unique leadership in the summer program.

Events & Special Dates

The daily and weekly schedules of The Forma Project have a lot of flex to them, but here are a few special dates to get you started:


2017:

  • Application Deadline: Nov 15

2018:

  • Move-In: Jan 12-14
  • Program Start: Jan 15
  • Practicum Start: ~Jun 29 [Start of Staff Training]
  • Practicum Finish: Aug 24 [End of summer camps]
  • Graduation: Aug 25-26, 2018
  • Departure: Aug 26-27, 2018

See the calendar below to learn about other events happening in the Hope Bay world throughout the year.

(use the arrows at the top of the calendar to view different months)

Meet The Leaders

  • Resident Leader

    ALLISON SCHNECK

    With a wealth of experience, Allison comes to us from Abbotsford, where she’s finishing her double-major at Columbia Bible College. A longtime friend and co-worker of the Broughtons, she has spent six summers as summer staff at a fellow One Hope Canada camp, and three of those in a program leadership position. While completing simultaneous B.A.s in Youth Work and Intercultural Studies, she has been a resident leader in her dorm, the Missional Life Chairperson, and was involved in an eight-month internship in Mexico doing church planting and working at a school for the marginalized. She is passionate about discovering and sharing more about our identity in Christ and how to live our lives in light of that.


    "Taking time to establish a strong identity in Christ is an important step in growing in Christ and is often missed in the jumble of postsecondary and full-time work. I'm excited for this program because it gives people the space to discover who they are, and do that with a group of people who are wanting more of Jesus and more out of life. I'm thrilled I have the opportunity to journey with people in that.” 


  • Internship Director

    DEREK BROUGHTON

    As the Program Director of HBBC, Derek has been involved in camp ministry for sixteen years, and here at Hope Bay for the past two.  In 2008 he graduated from Prairie Bible College with a B.A. in Ministry, and has been program directing ever since.  He has worked with Allison for several summers in central BC.  Derek's heart has always been to disciple young people in their spiritual walks, and has the strong desire to see them go deep in their faith in order to pour out their God-given passion and creativity to the world.


    "I'm so excited for this opportunity to bring passionate disciples of Jesus together and be an intentional part of their growth. It makes my heart glad that young people are seeking Christ in their next steps as they get ready to serve others for life."  

  • Camp Director

    BOBBY COOPER

    The 'fearless leader' of the team, Bobby's experience is varied and perfectly suited for his role here. Graduating from Peace River Bible Institute in 2003 with a Bachelor's of Religious Education, he interned as a Young Adults pastor, followed by a twelve year career in the Development business. Since he first began here, Bobby has been passionate about making the most of this camp, using it to minister long-term with vibrant summer camps, as well as authentic church and community outreach. He sees the internship as a great way to both minister to the students, and to use their efforts to further bless the community of Pender and needs of Camp.


    "The true strength of an individual or any organization is revealed in the integrity of its foundation. The vision of a program like this will be watching these students building their lives on scriptural truth. Living spirit-filled lives in authentic community, while developing the character and skills to be servant leaders in the kingdom. Its about building a foundation for the journey of life, wherever that adventure leads them."


Cost & Finances

Cost:

The full cost for this ~seven-month program is $4650 including taxes.  

This covers food, housing, administrative costs, training & teaching costs, books, internet access, and all program-related travel. It also includes attendance and expenses for the BC Camping Conference, plus the fees for up to two independent certifications (Eg. First Aid, BoatSafe, Foodsafe, etc.)

Financing:

We strongly recommend raising as much of the total cost of the internship upfront. We encourage you to raise support from your church, family and friends as you would for a short-term mission. You may also want to spend the autumn in a paid job to save funds for this endeavour.


Payment:

One-half of the tuition amount is due by or before the 'Move-In Date' at the beginning of the program. The remaining half can be made in instalments with the full amount due before the start of the ministry practicum.


Additional Costs: 

We recommend a discretionary budget of about $50/month for personal supplies, phone cards, entertainment, treats, extra trips into Victoria, and other personal needs. These extra costs are not payable to HBBC, but rather should be kept on hand for your own use.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is it called 'The Forma Project'?

'Forma' is the Latin word for "form" and it perfectly 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?

The application deadline is November 15th.  Because of the community-minded nature of this program as well as the needs, investment, and sacrifice of the camp and its employees, there are certain parameters in order for this internship to run.  

  • Minimum number of accepted applicants: 3
  • Maximum number of accepted applicants: 6

Right now it looks very likely that we will meet our minimum number, and we are currently planning to begin the internship in January.   However, if the minimum number of accepted applicants is not met, we will cancel the program, at least for this year.  We will be in close communication with applicants throughout the process.


What is the schedule like?

Because of the varied nature of Camp’s off-season, 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 and online modules, as well as Bible and book studies, recreation, community events, and free time.

See the ‘Events’ section for some of the important dates, and this 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 consistently.


What do weekends look like?

Although the weekdays of the program are fairly structured, weekends will typically be a time of rest for students and leadership. Interns have Saturdays to catch up on assignments and relax. We know that everyone unwinds in different ways, so you may find yourself 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 also be spent traveling as part of the Forma program, to bless others, and to promote 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 worship service, and will share from their experiences when we reconvene on Mondays.

Here at Camp we host a weekly church service called ‘The Church At Hope Bay’. It is an informal and eclectic group of believers who come together to worship Christ and share about our experiences, insights, and challenges.  

It would be good for you to spend significant time connecting with this group, but 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 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. The tricky element is figuring what accommodations will work best, 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 the appropriate number in our commercial kitchen. They 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, which will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. Arrangements should not be made when they will interfere with the scheduled program.

Please do not bring pets.


What are the challenges?

For those who have experienced Hope Bay in the summertime, we need you to be aware that Camp is entirely different during the ‘off-season’ months.  

  • 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 your 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 also 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 while I’m there?

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:

  • Laundry Facilities
  • Commercial Kitchen
  • Wi-Fi for coursework and communication
  • Sports and Games Equipment
  • Heated Accommodation
  • Quiet Workspace
  • Communal TV & DVD Player

Please note that you will NOT have access to:

  • Camp vehicles (unless meeting specific insurance and leadership requirements)
  • Long-distance phoning


What should I bring?

A complete packing list will be emailed to accepted applicants, but consider these items that you may not think of:

  • Laptop computer or other device to stream teaching modules and write assignments. (Browse inexpensive options).
  • Gmail / Google account
  • Bedding for a Twin mattress
  • Rain gear and rubber boots
  • Umbrella
  • Slippers for cold floors
  • Clothing for the cold, wet winter
  • Clothing for the hot, dry summer
  • Hiking boots/shoes
  • Guitar or other instrument to play/practise
  • Pastime hobbies (eg. knitting, colouring, board games, etc.)

You may also consider bringing your personal vehicle or bicycle if you’d like freedom of transportation

Applications

2018 applications are now closed for The Forma Project.  

We will contact the current applicants about acceptance no later than December 1st, 2017, for the upcoming 2018 program.