Applications are NOW OPEN!
Stepping Stones provides life-changing experiences for youth through practical service work, intentional training, leadership development and an encouraging community of believers. Whether you serve on the resort side of MBC or our children’s camp, Widjiitiwin, we know that God will use your time at Muskoka Bible Centre to build your faith and support kingdom work in Ontario!
Refer students to MBC’s Stepping Stones program and YOU can win!
If a new student is hired this spring or summer at MBC and they’ve entered your name into the referral section of their application, you will be sent a $25 MBC gift card (1 gift card per each hired student).
There’s more! Your name will also be entered into our GRAND PRIZE DRAW where the winner will choose between:
- 2022 Apple Watch SE
- Beats by Dre Studio3 Wireless Over-Ear Headphones
- or $500 towards school tuition
Conditions
- One $25 MBC gift card for every new student hired.
- One ballot into the grand prize box for every new student hired.
- One referral per applicant.
What is Stepping Stones
Stepping Stones is a spring and/or summer discipleship experience, which aims to bring youth and young adults towards maturity in Christ. Through the program, Muskoka Bible Centre recruits and enrolls over 125 youth and young adults (ages 15 to 25 years old). It is our hope to build up a new generation of God-directed leaders and equip all participants to actively serve the Lord in their home communities. Our students can choose to serve in a variety of departments, and starting in 2023, can now also participate in service in the Widjiitiwin program as camp staff.
Pillars
Stepping Stones uses three main pillars to develop each participant into mature disciples of Christ. The three pillars are Spiritual Formation, Community Life and Work Excellence. These provide a balanced and comprehensive approach to bringing youth towards maturity in Christ. Stepping Stones uses each pillar in designing experience elements.
Spiritual Formation
To aid each Stepping Stones student in their spiritual formation, all participants are required to engage in worship and chapel sessions. Spiritual formation is a personal commitment to lifelong growth in our relationship with God. We provide additional opt-in opportunities for developing your faith through various activities, such as mentorship and Bible study. As individuals progress through Stepping Stones they will be given the opportunity to learn both theoretically and practically.
Community Life
A great part of the Christian walk is personal growth through relationships with fellow believers. MBC is a great place to live, learn and serve with other believers. We hope that each and every summer staff will be both encouraged and an encourager; helping, inspiring and pointing each other toward Christ. Staff of varied ages live together in a university style residence system, creating a catalyst for older, experienced staff to teach and care for younger staff. Students will be led in community by a Community Life Team and Stepping Stones Coordinators.
Work Excellence
In Stepping Stones, discipleship occurs in the context of work. Work is an important expression of our faith, as God has uniquely equipped each believer to serve the body of Christ. Opportunities for service vary greatly, from teaching children and youth, serving meals in the Dining Room, greeting guests at the Main Office, or keeping the rooms and facilities looking clean and beautiful to managing Campground registrations. The number of hours staff work varies by enrollment level, but on average, students can expect to work approximately 40 hours per week.
It is during these times of practical service that the Stepping Stones participants put into practice many of the things that they have learned, acquire many new skills, and make a lasting impact in the lives of guests.
Enrollment Levels
Student Leadership Team (SLT)
The Student Leadership Team exists as the pinnacle of the Stepping Stones program. Participants are selected for both their demonstrated and potential leadership abilities. These students provide oversight to a specific department during the summer months at MBC (including Widjiitiwin positions), and are also tasked with leading a number of sessions and activities for the CORE and Frontline students. An SLT member will develop their leadership skills at MBC, enabling them to be effective within ministry and the workplace.
Widjiitiwin SLT staff must be a minimum 18 years of age by the start May 1, 2023. They will be leaders within their departments and community; setting an example for the younger staff they oversee in support of the Widjiitiwin leadership.
Term: 17 weeks (May 5 – September 4, 2023)
Details on pay schedules and expectations are outlined in the 2023 Stepping Stones Application Kit.
CORE
CORE students are selected for their developing leadership ability and their desire to deepen their faith during their time at MBC. They learn fundamental leadership skills, mentorship techniques, and team dynamics that will assist them in their development as community leaders. CORE students are typically already enrolled in post-secondary training, and support both the SLT with programming as well as walking alongside Frontline students in the Stepping Stones community.
Widjiitiwin CORE staff must be a minimum 17 years of age by July 1, 2023.
Term: 17 weeks (May 7 – September 4, 2023)
Details on pay schedules and expectations are outlined in the 2023 Stepping Stones Application Kit.
Frontline
Frontline students are a key part of the MBC summer experience – they comprise the bulk of our summer staff team, and perform in a variety of departments across our facility. Frontlines can be of any age, but should be willing to commit to a summer of service. In addition to their valuable work experience, Frontlines participate in faith-building activities and fun community-based programming. It is a great way to step forward in faith and serve God.
Widjiitiwin Frontline staff must be a minimum of 15 years of age by July 1, 2023.
Term: 10 weeks (June 25 – September 4, 2023)
Details on pay schedules and expectations are outlined in the 2023 Stepping Stones Application Kit.
PLEASE NOTE: Starting in the 2023 summer season, all STAND positions have been moved to the Frontline level. Students are welcome to apply for Frontline positions minimum age 15 by June 25, 2023.
Important Dates to Remember
Important Dates for Spring & Summer Students
- December 1, 2022 – Apply Now!
- January 2023 -Interviews begin
Offers may be sent out as early as the end of January, 2023. Interviews will continue until positions are filled. - May 5, 2023 – Student Leadership Team (SLT) Orientation begins.
- May 7, 2023 – CORE Spring Crew begins.
- June 25, 2023 – Staff Development Week begins (Frontline arrive).
- July 1, 2023 – MBC Summer 2023 begins.
Reminders
- Applications received prior to March 1st will be given first consideration.
- Standard Police Checks are required for all Stepping Stones students, age 18 years and older. They must be current and issued within the 2022 or 2023 calendar year.
- Please read: Application Kit, Job Descriptions, Stepping Stones Handbook.
- Add steppingstones@muskokabible.com to your email safe list/approved senders list. You will receive email confirmations and communication from this address.
- As part of the application process, we may ask to review your social media accounts. This could be a determining factor in your eligibility for a position at MBC. If you are hired, then your social media profiles will be considered a reflection of your employment at MBC. Please keep this in mind when you consider what to post. You will be expected to make your social media profiles available to the Stepping Stones Coordinators for the duration of your employment with MBC.
Interview Process
With the high volume of applications that we receive, we will only be contacting qualified and/or experienced applicants for positions. Applicants selected to receive an interview (both new applicants and returning staff) will be contacted by email on or before February 1, 2023.
Interviews may be conducted in-person, online, or by phone.
All hired applicants will be notified by email on or before April 1, 2023.
Accommodations
An integral part of onsite living is the community that is formed while living together in Founders Hall or Treetops (MBC’s student dormitories). All students are required to live in one of these locations for the summer. Males and females live on separate floors.
Questions?
Contact us at: steppingstones@muskokabible.com