Parents Letter 2011

 

Dear Parent,

My wife Jill and I, and our Campus Crusade for Christ staff leadership team, are pleased to offer your son or daughter an opportunity to be a part of the Ocean City Summer Project. You can be very proud of your son or daughter for being accepted on a project such as this. Before any student can be accepted, they must go through three screening processes:

 

1. They must have demonstrated a consistent Christian lifestyle.
2. They must be held in high regard by the staff and student leaders on their campus and ha ve
exhibited leadership potential.
3. They are chosen for 104 spots out of many applicants based on their character, references and leadership potential.

Having led projects like this before, we have found it helpful to write and share with you more about the summer project and answer questions that parents usually ask. If, after reading this, you still have questions about what your son or daughter is involved in, please do not hesitate to contact me (email is probably the best).

What is a “Summer Project?”

A summer project is a 10-12 week leadership and spiritual development program for college students sponsored by Campus Crusade for Christ. The first summer project was in 1965 in Ocean City, New Jersey. It began after a local pastor, along with the Mayor and city officials, invited staff and students involved with Campus Crusade to come to Ocean City. They wanted Campus Crusade students to be a positive influence on the many college students who came to Ocean City for fun and work each summer.
    

What started in 1965 has since spread to a dozen different locations in the States and many more overseas. Summer projects have been a very effective way to develop students as leaders back on campus and for the rest of their lives. During the summer, students receive practical training in communicating their faith and leadership. The schedule includes small group Bible study/ discussion, large-group teaching and one-on-one mentoring. Students also have an opportunity to earn money for school by working in the community 20-30 hours per week.

Who is running the project?
My wife Jill and I, along with a leadership team of seven other full-time Campus Crusade for Christ staff, give leadership to the project. We are joined by an additional 25 other full-time Campus Crusade staff who assist. I am a 1991 graduate of The University of Wisconsin at Eau Claire with a degree in Mass Communications. Jill graduated from The Ohio State University in 1989 with a degree in Pharmacy. Jill and I were married in April of 1997. I have been with Campus Crusade since 1992, Jill has been on staff since 1990. Currently, we oversee Campus Crusade's ministry in the greater Los Angeles area. 

All of our staff hold a minimum of a bachelor’s degree and have gone through a rigorous screening process before being accepted for full-time staff.

What is the community’s response to the project?
    

This is an area of which we are very proud. The project is one of the most positive influences on the summer community. Students and staff with Campus Crusade have been coming to Ocean City since the summer of 1965. Civic leaders and church leaders are very pleased with the project`s presence and influence. I am not exaggerating when I say that our students are the most sought after employees
by the businesses in the community.

What about jobs?
    

Let me assure you that every student will be able to find a good job. Ocean City is a seasonal community with a great need for summer employees. As a result of this, our students find jobs within a few days of arrival. Because of the reputation we have established from past years, we have many employers who save jobs just for the students on the project, and others won’t hire anyone but project students. 

Of course, any money a student makes working this summer is theirs to keep to use for whatever purpose they choose.

Are students allowed to leave during the summer?
    

We ask that all students who have accepted to be a part of the project make themselves available for the entire summer. We generally do not allow students to leave the project for overnight trips due to safety concerns, and in light of project activities.

A student may be allowed to attend a family reunion, wedding, etc… but only after receiving written permission from me.

What is the atmosphere of the city?
   

Ocean City is a clean, well-kept, family-oriented beach community. Although it is quieter and more conservative than many other shore communities, it attracts a number of college students for the summer to work in the many seasonal shops, restaurants, and hotels. At night the city is well lit and well policed. For added safety and for my peace of mind, I insist that any of the women who go out in the
evening must have a companion.

We want to provide the nicest housing that we can at an affordable price. We have acquired an ideal hotel complex for our project. This is a large, attractive facility in which most of the students will live. About a third of the project will live in rented apartments near the project hotel.

Can family come and visit? Where should I stay?
    

Yes! In fact, I would like to invite you to include a stop in Ocean City on your summer vacation plans. Often parents have taken time to visit the project during the summer. The students have really enjoyed showing off their parents to the other students and having their parents see the quality of young men and women on the project. You may also be bringing your son or daughter to the project.

Either way, Jill and I, and the rest of the staff team hope that we will have the opportunity to greet you personally.

Should you decide to visit, be aware that lodging can be expensive in this vacation community. Also be aware that most of the hotels are locally owned and operated. Very few national chains have properties in Ocean City (because it is a "dry" town). Two web sites to check out for lodging information are www.OCNJ.us and www.oceancitychamber.com. 

Jill and I have stayed at Osborne’s Family Inn and found it very nice (www.osbornesinn.com). Should you decide to book a room there, tell the owner Peggy Ann that Bob from Campus Crusade sent you.

If you wish to look into renting a condo for a week, call Becky Stanislaw at Goldcoast Realty. She has helped us secure most of our staff housing. Her number is 609-399-2500 (tell her you are coming to visit the Campus Crusade summer project).

Please note: As much as you might want to bunk with you child, we do not have room for guest accommodations in the project housing.

Thank you for taking time to read this. Again, I would be happy to answer any questions you might have. Please email Bob.Fuhs"at"uscm.org with your questions. 

If you have access to the internet, more information about Campus Crusade and summer projects can be found at www.campuscrusadeforchrist.com.

Sincerely,

Bob and Jill Fuhs
Bob.Fuhs"at"uscm.org