Have you been asked to serve at Suncrest Camp?
Then you will need to make sure that all of your required background checks/clearances are not only completed, but also up-to-date. If you know nothing about that, we’re here to help! We’ve created this FAQ to get you started, and we’ll get someone to help you if you get stuck on anything.
Please read everything on this page carefully, as some clearances have exceptions for certain people.
(You can also read the state’s FAQ on clearance requirements here.)
Please note, some of these clearances may either be much harder to complete, or not possible to complete on a phone. We recommend using a computer for all of them.
How long does this take?
The FBI Fingerprint Check can take a few weeks or more, depending on when you get an appointment, and how long you are waiting for results in the mail.
The other two clearances are often instant or completed within a couple days, but this is not always the case.
Please do not assume that this can be done last minute. We recommend starting the process a few weeks ahead of time, if at all possible.
If being asked to complete the FBI Fingerprint Check, Suncrest Camp will reimburse you for the cost, as you long as you can provide a receipt.
What background checks do I need in order to volunteer at Suncrest Camp?
As a Pennsylvania youth camp, we require the following 3 things from all adult volunteers (with a possible exception, for volunteers who live out-of-state, but read below for details):
Pennsylvania Child Abuse Background Clearance
Pennsylvania Criminal Background Clearance
FBI Fingerprint Background Clearance, or Disclosure Statement for Volunteers
For volunteers who have lived in PA for the last ten consecutive years, you can sign a waiver instead of getting the fingerprint clearance. Please let us know if this applies to you.
In order to be a counselor or other volunteer, you must have these three up to date and on file through Suncrest Camp; or, have them through a Christian & Missionary Alliance church/organization, and have that church share them with Suncrest through a PA Child Protection Volunteer Affidavit for Subsidiaries.
If you have these done through another C&MA church/organization, you have to get us a new PA Child Protection Volunteer Affidavit for Subsidiaries for each individual camp event you volunteer at.
Where do I get these clearances, and how do I get started?
Click on the below buttons to be taken to the appropriate website.
If I already have all of the appropriate PA clearances, but do not have them through a Christian and Missionary Alliance church, what do I need to do?
In this case, you’ll need to email copies of your clearances to suncrestyouthcamps@gmail.com. In the CC line, please add the email address: pastorjohn@antiochalliance.com. This will allow John Bernard, one of the Suncrest board members, to look over your clearances. They will need to be checked to ensure you have everything required, and that everything is still up to date.
What do I do if I live in PA currently, but have lived outside of PA in the last ten years?
You will need to complete the FBI Fingerprint Check that is listed above. Please do so ASAP, as this check takes the longest and requires an appointment at a physical location.
What happens if I live outside of PA?
If you live out of state, and are scheduled to serve at Suncrest Camp, and are serving less than 30 days within one calendar year (which will probably be the case for everyone), you will only need to provide the required documents that your state requires of volunteers working with children. For example, if you live in Ohio, you can just provide whatever background check documents that Ohio would require of you as a volunteer working with children.
Here’s a quote from the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services: “Individuals who reside in another state or country may serve as a volunteer for no more than 30 days in a calendar year, as long as they provide clearances from their state or country of residence. If the individual will be volunteering for more than 30 days in a calendar year, they must obtain clearances as outlined in this FAQ under “Which clearances are needed.” Volunteers who reside in Pennsylvania do not have a provisional period and must obtain mandated clearances for Pennsylvania.”
So, if you are scheduled to serve less than 30 days in a given year, then you are only required to provide whatever your state laws require you to have. Again, digital copies/scans should be emailed to suncrestyouthcamps@gmail.com, and in the CC line, please add: pastorjohn@antiochalliance.com.
Not sure if you did it all correctly, or having other problems?
Send us an email here!
In many cases, it has been easier to set up a phone call and have someone walk you through some of the process, as these websites can be confusing. So, rather than just emailing you more instructions, we will most likely set up a phone call.