The SWiM Program

Students Working in Ministry

The Students Working in Ministry Program—or SWiM Program— provides a leadership development experience for High School students coming out of 10th, 11th, and 12th grades. It’s an opportunity for long-time campers to experience Fowler in a dynamic and more intensive way while working on leadership skills.

As a SWiM, you are neither cabin counselor nor camper nor staff, but a bridge to all three. You play an integral role in making sure younger campers have a positive experience at Camp. It requires you to be selfless: putting the camper’s experience before your own and engaging in the critical behind-the-scenes work that makes sure camp can run. It is difficult, but it is incredibly rewarding work. Your week as a SWiM will provide you with skills to use through the rest of your life.

More Information

  • The SWiM Program consists of three phases. The first is a leadership training phase in the Spring (more info below). The second phase is the service phase, where you will come back during one of our summer weeks to work. The third is a debriefing phase consisting of a Fall retreat focused on reflections and learnings from the summer.

    Based on the availability you give us in your application, you will be assigned to a week of the summer when you will serve as a SWiM. You will be assigned to a cabin like a cabin counselor and get to know a small group of campers well. You will work alongside summer staff to lead sessions for all campers and help in the Kitchen and with Maintenance tasks. There are almost always other SWiMs serving at the same time as you so you can learn together, but you will spend most of your time engaging with campers.

    All of our SWiMs are supervised by our SWiM Coordinator the week they are working at camp. You will also work with the volunteer cabin counselor that is assigned to the same cabin as you. SWiMs meet as a group on a daily basis to go over questions and concerns and process learnings.

  • SWiM Training is an overnight training at Camp Fowler over Memorial Day Weekend (Saturday morning - Sunday afternoon). This training is a requirement. If you are unable to attend, please contact us to see if an exception can be made.

    Training will be run by one of our summer staff and will include work on specific skills you’ll need to have as SWiMs, general leadership development skills, and volunteer work to help prepare the Fowler property for the summer.

  • All SWiMs must complete an application and have two online references submitted on their behalf. References should be completed by two adults who know you well and who are not related to you. Some suggestions are teachers, employers, mentors, or pastors. Applications for the upcoming year open on December 1st.

    Accepted candidates will receive an email confirmation in March.

  • Students enrolling in the SWiM Program must pay $150 to help cover the cost of training, food, lodging, and the Fall retreat. Please contact us to discuss options if the financial aspect is an obstacle to your participation.

    You may receive up to 40 hours of community service from your week as a SWiM. Your SWiM Coordinator will be happy to fill out any necessary paperwork.