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