A GUIDE FOR STUDENTS SEEKING CERTIFICATION

 
Before officially applying to a Camp Student an individual must be a member the Southern Cassadaga Spiritualist Camp Meeting Association (SCSCMA) for least three (3) months and actively participate in and volunteer at the Camp. The Certification Committee each student’s progress experientially, while the Education Committee ensures the completion of academics and volunteer work. Both committees provide their recommendations to the Board of Trustees. The program of study is designed as a course in spiritual development, emphasizing openness to Spirit. Students are encouraged to allow Spirit to guide their progress. An approach focused solely on meeting requirements within the shortest possible time is considered detrimental to the student growth. Each student must adhere to guidelines established by the SCSCMA at the time of their initial acceptance the program.
 
The Steps

1. Locate a Certifying Evaluator (CE) or Ministerial Advisor (MA) and create a Plan of Study. The CE or MA must not be a family member or significant other.

Contact an approved Certifying Evaluator or Ministerial Advisor. A list is available at the Summerland Office. Complete the Student/CE/MA Agreement to Abide by Guidelines and return it to the CE/MA.

Once you have chosen a CE, collaborate to develop a packet containing:

A Letter of Intent – signed by the student and the CE.  
An Action Plan of Study – signed by the student and the CE.  
An Acceptance Letter of Commitment by the CE for the student.  
Student’s Oath of Ethics – signed by the student.  

When all four items are finalized, the CE forward the packet to the SCSCMA office for processing.

2. Submitting the Plan of Study to the Committee  

Once your CE approves Plan of Study, submit a typed copy to the Certification Committee along with documentation of classes and previous experience in this field. Include the registration fee as determined by the Board of Trustees.

Under special circumstances, students may enter the program at Level 2.  

Refer to the Level 2 guidelines to follow the required steps.
 
 
3. Completion of Subject Areas and Public Student Status

Students are expected to acquire knowledge and at varying rates and diverse ways. Each student must submit a progress report to the Certification Committee and Education Committee every six months. If the six-month report is not submitted on time, the CE and the student must communicate with the Education and Certification committees within  days of the six-month due date. If no communication occurs within  days of the six-month report deadline, the student’s status will be marked as INACTIVE until further communication between the CE and the Education and Certification committees. When the CE determines that the is prepared to work publicly as a student medium or healer, having the program as a Level 1, the CE should submit a written recommendation along with the student’s prepared file to the and Education Committees. requirement does not apply to students entering the program as Level 2.

The two committees will then make a recommendation to the Board of Trustees regarding whether the student should be elevated to Level 2, which must be approved before the student begins working publicly. Level 1 students must work under the guidance of their CE for a minimum of one year and successfully complete the Platform 101 Decorum course working publiclyStudents entering the program at Level 2 are required to complete twelve () supervised Grove Services and six (6) supervised mini-reading events, provided they have completed the Platform and Ethics Classes. Once these supervised requirements are fulfilled the student will be eligible to participate in Student Message Services. Certification Committee members will evaluate students at any level during Grove Services to provide feedback to the CE.

No request for advancement to the next level will be considered unless the current-month report has submitted and approved. Forms are available at the Summerland Office and are due December 15th and June 15th.
 
4. Completion of Studies and Recommendation for Certification

The average student requires between four and six years to fulfill all the requirements for certification by the SCSCMA as a Medium or Healer. Many SCSCMA Mediums and Healers have studied for more than six (6) years prior to earning certification. On average, certification takes four (4) years of study. However students develop at varying rates. A student must demonstrate their abilities and competence to satisfaction of the CE, Certification Committee, and Education Committee before requesting certification.

Upon completing the educational and experiential studies, the student must submit a final progress report along with supporting documentation. This report should include letter from the CE detailing how the student has met the certification requirements. Additional letters of recommendation should also be attached, including letters from three (3) individuals who received readings from the student while observed by the Chair of the Certification Committee. These three (3) individuals, chosen by the Certification Committee, cannot be family members, significant others, or friends.

The CE will then request that the student be scheduled for a final exam. All final documents are added to the student’s file and submitted to the Education and Certification Committees. The Education Committee will administer the final exam, which may be written or oral, based on the student’s preference. Testing is conducted only during certification. Recommendations from both committees are submitted as a single agenda item at the next regularly scheduled Board of Trustees meeting. The final decision for certification rests with the Board of Trustees.
 
5. Leave of Absence from Student

A request for a Leave of Absence must be submitted the CE on behalf of the student and cannot exceed six (6) months. The student will remain at their current Level during the leave. The request must be reviewed approved by the Education and Certification Committees, and the CE must present the Leave of Absence to the Board of Trustees for final approval. If necessary, a student and CE may request an additional extension, which must also be reviewed and approved by the Education and Certification Committees. This extension request should include the reason and duration of the additional leave. Upon returning to the program, student’s level will be evaluated and determined by the Education and Certification Committees.

Exceptions may be granted for personal reasons, including but not limited to health and family issues. These exceptions must also be reviewed and approved by the Education and Certification Committees, and the CE must submit the Leave of Absence to the Board of Trustees for approval.

A student may not have more than two (2) leaves of absence for separate reasons within a single year from the date of submission.

An extended from the Student Program will result in the student either continuing at their Level or returning to a prior Level deemed acceptable by the Education and Certification Committees and approved by the Board of Trustees.

Upon reentry into the program, the student will resume the same curriculum that was in use before their Leave of Absence.
 
 
Activities

SCSCMA students may engage only in development activities within other Spiritual organizations that align with their approved level of participation in the Camp and must do so under the supervision of an SCSCMA Minister. Such activities include messages, mini readings, and healing. Grove messages and mini readings at Student’s Day do not constitute approval to perform messages and mini readings elsewhere where ministers and mediums are working and the event is not a student function. Participation in activities beyond the permitted status level, whether on or off the campgrounds, is considered an infraction.

Conducting unsupervised private readings or healings is strictly prohibited and constitutes an infraction at any student level.

Students are required to take courses with other Camp-certified teachers to ensure a well-rounded educational experience. Independent courses of study must receive prior approval from the Education Committee and may be applied toward certification.

All students, regardless of level, must complete ten (10) hours of participation and volunteer activities monthly.