Grow

You’re an ambassador.

What now, and what’s the point of the Ambassador Training?

Ambassador training

“Beginnings are delicate times.”

Frank Herbert, Dune

Your home camp has been running for years; it’s established. But when you’re heading to a new camp, especially if it’s the first year of training, you’re walking into a blank slate: an infant culture which is much more fragile.

Remember this as you manage your expectations and actions. The following ambassador values align with Swamp Camp’s 10 Core Values, which shape every camp culture we establish.

Carry these with you

5 values of ambassadorship

Differences

Being aware

Your way of doing things isn’t universal.
You’re not going to this country to be a savior—you’re going to connect, serve, and learn.
This doesn’t mean you need to know every book or every cultural nuance.
The key is awareness: understanding that differences exist and being ready to adapt, ask questions, and even make mistakes.
The goal here isn’t perfection—it’s curiosity and humility.

Roles

Appropriate expectations

If it’s your first trip, your role is to learn. Be a sponge. Absorb everything, ask questions, and take it all in.
At the same time, don’t forget the experiences you’ve had at camp—they translate.
If you’re a leader, you have wisdom in your toolkit.
Use it! Lead others, in humility, who are new to this experience.
Being an ambassador means representing Swamp in every situation: airport, long bus ride, new food and unfamiliar cabins.
Set an example. Think back to your favorite counselor or a time when someone made you feel seen at camp. That’s your role now—to be that person for others.

Leadership

Serving, not being served

On a Swamp Corps trip, you’re not in the same position you were in back home.
Yes, sleep in cabins, have campers/counselors, and maybe even get a marker makeover. But this time, you’re there to serve, not to be served.
This can be a hard adjustment because it flips the script on what camp means.
Good news: when you embrace the servant role, you’re partnering with God in a way that makes camp even more fulfilling.
Servant Leadership means: Leading your emotions even if you don’t like the food, the sleeping arrangements, or can’t understand the language.
Encouraging those who might be struggling to adjust. Your chance to show love, humility, and joy.

Respect

Privilege and posture

Being invited into another culture is a privilege; approach this opportunity with the right posture.
When you’re part of Swamp Corps, you represent something larger than yourself.
Your actions matter. Respect means being thoughtful about how your actions affect others.
It’s about understanding the honor of being welcomed into someone else’s world. The honor of putting others before yourself.
They are amazed you came all this way, spent all this money, and want to be with them...honor this with the bow of your heart.

Fun

Freedom included

You’re in a bubble of freedom.
Unlike traveling alone, where you have to worry about transportation, lodging, and safety, Swamp Corps takes care of these for you.
This creates an amazing opportunity to redirect your energy into being playful, flexible, and adventurous.
You have the perfect container to have fun.
Your fun isn’t just for you—it’s a tool.
Show others how to embrace camp life and create a joyful environment where memories are made and hearts are changed.

Remember

Camp culture is built, not given.

You, with the Swamp Corps team, are building a camp culture from the ground up—essentially out of nothing. This camp is relying on you to bring your best-self so it can flourish into something sustainable; a camp built to last for generations.

The purpose of this information is to give you concrete tools—what is needed to help you be the best Swamp Corps ambassador possible.

You are not just attending a camp — you are helping establish something designed to last for generations.

Three Swamp Corps team members waving on the camp lawn

One week can change a life.
One week can change the world.

Apply to go Bring a camp to us

Read the participant FAQs before you apply. Ten minutes answers most questions.