Why You Should Work at Camp This Summer

The summer was approaching quickly, and two things were on my mind: I had decided I would not immediately be going to college. And my parents had made it very clear that if I wasn't going to school, I would need to get a job. 

Cut to the night of my senior prom. While many of my classmates were getting their groove on in the school gym, my friends and I decided to opt out and instead get together for a night of board games and movies. We had just finished an outrageously long round of a game when my phone began to ring. Seeing that it was a friend from youth group, I excused myself from the table and took the call. 

That phone call would completely change the trajectory of my life. She had been hired by Lake Geneva Youth Camp for the summer and had just received an email asking her to reach out to friends and invite them to join summer staff. She extended that invitation to me. I don't quite know why I said yes, but I'm so glad I did. 

That first summer at camp was truly life-changing. The work experience was invaluable. My leaders saw potential in me that I didn't yet see in myself. They gave me opportunities to lead, encouraged me to take on responsibility, and challenged me to grow. 

I was stretched in new ways, not just as an employee, but as a follower of Christ. Conversations about faith, purpose, and worldview shaped my thinking. The truth of Scripture became more deeply rooted in my heart. I felt accepted like never before, encouraged by peers and supervisors alike, and I made friendships that have lasted for years. 

That summer changed me for the better.

It gave me purpose. It gave me people. And most importantly, it gave me a clearer picture of Christ. 

Working at camp taught me what it means to serve selflessly, to love others deeply, and to live with joy even when the work is hard. I learned that ministry doesn't just happen from a stage or behind a pulpit - it happens in everyday moments. It's in the shared meals, the laughter around the campfire, the conversations on the walk to chapel, and the prayer with a camper who's learning to trust God for the first time. 

If you're wondering what to do this summer, or if you're looking for a place to grow in your faith, leadership, and purpose, I can't recommend camp enough. It's not just a job; it's a community that will shape who you become. You'll work hard, laugh often, and walk away challenged - for the better, and for the sake of Christ. 

Ready to make this summer one that changes everything?!

Apply to work at Lake Geneva Youth Camp and discover how God can use a summer of service to transform your life - and the lives of others.