| So you are in high school, college, or are a recent | | | | include: the camp director, hiring recruiter, |
| graduate and wondering if ministry is for you. | | | | administrators, and program coordinators. The |
| Before committing to a full-time career, you may | | | | full-time camp director is in charge of the camp, |
| want to consider working at a Christian church | | | | its facilities, programs, and managing all workers. |
| camp for the summer. Even if you are not | | | | He or she works all year round to make sure the |
| considering becoming a member of clergy, but are | | | | camp facilities are taken care of and prepared for |
| simply looking for enjoyable summer work, | | | | summer campers, there are sufficient and quality |
| working at a Christian summer camp may be a | | | | staff members for the summer, and to ensure |
| great choice. In fact, choosing to do this kind of | | | | there are quality programs offered that will meet |
| work can have many benefits for you now, and | | | | the organization's goals and mission. The director |
| into the future, no matter what career you | | | | may also create marketing campaigns to promote |
| choose to pursue. And you may even be able to | | | | the camp. The church camp hiring recruiter is in |
| leverage this work into a full-time job or career. | | | | charge of recruiting and hiring all summer |
| There are many Christian summer camp | | | | personnel. He or she may also be required to put |
| programs in the United States. Many of them are | | | | together incentives or programs to retain |
| associated with a particular denomination or | | | | personnel so that they return each summer. |
| church, while others are outreach or stand-alone | | | | Administrators support the director and other |
| ministries. Some camps are offered only to low | | | | staff members, helping them with needed |
| income children, or children with special needs, | | | | communications, mailings, and other duties. |
| while others are offered to any child interested in | | | | Program coordinators are required to create a |
| attending. The common denominator of all of | | | | theme for the summer's activities, approved by |
| these church camps is that they teach the | | | | the director, and then propose activities related to |
| children Biblical principles, how to have a closer | | | | that theme that are fun and informative for the |
| relationship with God, or live as a Christian today. | | | | campers. |
| Church camps are offered for children as young | | | | Summer Camp Benefits |
| as seven and eight years old and extend to high | | | | So how can working either seasonally or full-time |
| school age kids. | | | | benefit your career? If you are contemplating |
| Types of Church Camp Jobs | | | | joining the ministry or becoming a pastor, this is a |
| Summer camps employ a variety of workers on | | | | great way to get your feet wet. Working at a |
| a seasonal basis, and some employ a few full-time | | | | summer camp as a counselor or cabin leader will |
| workers on a year-round basis. Seasonal workers | | | | enable you to minister to the kids in your cabin in |
| include camp counselors or cabin leaders, activity | | | | a supportive structured environment. Most camps |
| directors, camp nurses, chaplains, swimming | | | | are looking for cabin leaders who have a strong |
| instructors or lifeguards, and cooks. Counselors or | | | | faith and relationship with God. A theological |
| cabin leaders will be in charge of the children | | | | education or coursework is usually not a |
| residing in their cabins, making sure they attend | | | | requirement. Camps will provide the training. Camp |
| scheduled activities, participate in group sessions, | | | | life is similar to being a pastor in that you are "on |
| and are secure in the cabins when it is time for | | | | the job" 24/7. Kids can wake up during the night |
| lights out. An activity director may be responsible | | | | scared or homesick. And you need to provide |
| for leading one or more scheduled activities such | | | | them with a fun experience so they will want to |
| as nature hikes, arts and crafts projects, and | | | | return the next year. |
| sports activities and games. Chaplains lead worship | | | | In addition to allowing you to experience a kind of |
| services and prayers at meal times, while | | | | ministry, this experience is also great to put on a |
| swimming instructors' and cooks' jobs are | | | | resume, no matter what career you plan to |
| self-explanatory. | | | | follow in the future. It shows employers you are |
| Year-round jobs are rare, but do occur, if this is | | | | willing to take responsibility for others and lead as |
| an area of church ministry you are interested in | | | | well as teach. All in all, summer camp jobs, while |
| pursuing as a career. The larger the camp | | | | they can be a lot of work, are great opportunities |
| program, the more likely there will be full-time | | | | for people of faith. |
| jobs available. Full-time camp personnel may | | | | |