Camp ministry is an awesome way to spend a summer serving others and having a blast while working with kids and being part of a Christ-centered community! Each summer, we hire a team of high school and college students to help facilitate camp and retreats for thousands of guests. A big part of what makes Ridge Haven a memorable place for summer campers and guests alike is the godly and dedicated summer staff members serving them.
We’re hiring for a variety of positions, including:
Camp Counselors – Invest in campers through discipleship, fun, and leadership
Operations Staff – Serve behind the scenes to help facilitate all that goes into a week of camp
CSI (Camp Summer Intern) Program – A hands-on ministry experience designed especially for high school students
There are plenty of ways you could spend your summer. But if you’re looking for something that challenges you, grows your faith, and allows you to serve others, there’s no better place to be! We’re looking for fun, responsible students who want to make an impact through camp ministry. Positions are open for rising high school juniors through post-college graduates.
Available Positions for Summer 2026
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Camp Summer Interns serve campers and guests by assisting in the everyday operations of our camps, conferences, and retreats. Working alongside the Operations Staff, CSIs must be willing to perform a variety of tasks -- everything from kitchen and grounds work to lifeguarding to leading activities -- for long hours while serving all age groups. CSI's are rising high school juniors, seniors, or college freshmen who are mature, hardworking, and committed Christians.
For a detailed job description, dates, and cost, click here.
Brevard, NC and Cono, IA
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The counselor is a summer-long position with the task of providing leadership and supervision to a specific cabin of campers within a designated age-group. We believe that people understand and appreciate the gospel best within the context of relationships; therefore, your primary duty will be to establish an authentic, meaningful relationship with each camper in your cabin. Counselors should have at least one year of college experience or be at the equivalent life stage. You must be willing to work long hours, have a strong desire for children and youth to know Christ, and set a consistent example of Christian faith.
For a detailed job description, dates, and compensation, click here.
Brevard, NC and Cono, IA
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Operations Staff is available for college students who work alongside the Camp Summer Interns (CSIs) to provide leadership and mentorship within the daily operations of camp. Each member of Operations Staff needs flexibility to work in whatever area is needed, but will be primarily assigned to one of the positions listed below.
For a detailed job description, dates, and compensation, click here.
Brevard, NC
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The camp photographer is responsible for capturing all of the unforgettable moments that happen at camp! In addition to taking photos of all camp activities throughout the day, the camp photographer will be responsible for editing and uploading pictures daily to our shared site.
Previous photography experience required. The camp photographer may bring their own equipment or use Ridge Haven’s.
For more information about working on Operations Staff, click the heading above to read more.
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We have multiple store sites on our campus - a camp store, an ice cream shop (The Haven), and a coffee shop (The Ridge). These can be fast paced environments as we serve each guest who comes to campus each week daily in these stores. Those assigned to work in the stores need to have excellent organizational and customer service skills.
For more information about working on Operations Staff, click the heading above to read more.
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The camp nanny babysits the director’s children during the week. A typical day would include taking the kids to do fun things around camp, eating meals with them, and caring for them while their parents are working with camp around campus. While this position’s main purpose is to care for the director’s children, there will be opportunities for the camp nanny to help with other areas of camp as needed.
Previous childcare experience is required. The ideal candidate is available to live on campus and excited about being involved in all aspects of camp.
For more information about working on Operations Staff, click the heading above to read more.
This position has been filled for 2026.
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Facilities staff includes roles in housekeeping and maintenance. These positions are crucial for things to run well with the thousands of guests we have coming in and out of campus throughout the summer, and demand a level of hard work and excellence from this team.
For more information about working on Operations Staff, click the heading above to read more.
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As members of our Operations Staff, the Infirmary Staff will work with Ridge Haven's Registered Nurses (RN) to provide first-aid to campers and staff and to monitor health and sanitation procedures throughout camp. The Infirmary Staff members make sure medications are safeguarded and administered, and keeps accurate records. These staff members need to be college students or older, preferably with health-care administration experience.
For a detailed job description, dates, and compensation, click here.
To read more about the general information of being on Operations Staff, click the header above.
To apply, select the Operations Staff position and select that you are interested in filling an infirmary staff position on the form.
This position has been filled for 2026.
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A big part of camp is the meals we serve in the dining hall! All Operations Staff members will likely serve in the kitchen at various points, but we will have a team of general Ops Staff whose main role will include working on a kitchen shift each day, in addition to other various tasks around campus.
For more information about working on Operations Staff, click the heading above to read more.
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Lifeguards are responsible for the wellbeing of campers and guests swimming at the lake and pool. We offer a Red Cross certification class during staff training, and provide additional weekly compensation for the staff members who are certified.
For more information about working on Operations Staff, click the heading above to read more.
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We are looking to hire 1-2 Operations Staff members with a focus of working in the office. These individuals will help with the administrative work involved in running camp and work alongside our office staff. The remainder of the day will be spent doing other operations tasks.
For more information about working on Operations Staff, click the heading above to read more.
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Each summer, we host thousands of retreat guests. This means that groups use our facilities to run their own retreats, and Ridge Haven provides the meals, games, and top notch customer service! While all members of our staff work to serve retreat guests on campus, we are looking to hire several Ops Staff members who focus on specifically serving the retreat groups who are here.
For more information about working on Operations Staff, click the heading above to read more.
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We are looking for passionate individuals with experience leading worship who can lead vocally, instrumentally, or both for camps throughout the summer.
For more information about working on Operations Staff, click the heading above to read more.
Returning Staff? We're thrilled you're interested in re-applying! If you have applied online in past years then you will need to log back into your account and complete the returning staff application, where you’ll be asked to indicate which position you are applying for.
Looking to commit to something for longer than the summer? Check out our Gap Year Program or Ministry Internship to learn more about our (paid) opportunity to serve on Summer Staff and then continue with us through the rest of the year.
“I think the thing I enjoyed most about working at Ridge Haven was the strong Christian community and the idea that we all are working hard toward the same goal: serving the Lord! I also loved the opportunity to work for something that’s outside of me and getting to pour into the campers. I’ve seen the Lord work in the way that He provides so graciously for his people, especially at Ridge Haven. There were always moments when I felt like I was at the end of my rope or I felt unequipped for the work I was called to do but every time God showed up in clear ways and gave me all that I needed. ”
Summer Staff FAQs
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We know there are so many options of how to spend your summers in high school and college. You will have the rest of your career to work in your area of study, and we think there is no better way to spend a summer than serving at camp while you have the chance!
While a summer of camp ministry will be challenging, it will also be incredibly rewarding. Expect to grow in new ways and walk away with friendships that will last a lifetime!
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The first step is submitting your online application using the link on this page. This includes filling out several forms and listing two references. From there, our Camp Director will be in touch to set up a brief phone interview and talk with you more about the summer.
Once all forms are completed, references are returned, and you have completed your interview, we will get back to you with a hiring decision.
We encourage applicants to let your references know to be expecting an email from Ridge Haven. This is where an application can often get stalled. Sometimes the email can go to junk mail, so you can always let your references know to check there as well.
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For Counselors and Ops Staff, we require a full summer commitment. Time off requests must be submitted for approval before you are hired and priority will be given to applicants who do not need time off.
CSIs have the option to work one of three different sessions or the whole summer.
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Yes! We hold a lifeguard certification course during training week in May. Those who participate and pass the class will receive a Red Cross lifeguard certificate, valid for two years.
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We would love to work with you to help you achieve internship credit for college. During your phone interview, let us know what this might need to look like and we would love to talk with you more about how we can make it happen!
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Counselors will be assigned to a new cabin each week and will move weekly. Ops Staff and CSIs will live alongside each other in close quarters in various staff housing on campus. Over the weekend, all staff will stay in staff housing on campus.
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Pack light—counselors will be moving cabins each week and Ops Staff and CSIs will also potentially need to move housing multiple times throughout the summer. You will be living in close quarters with others, and we ask you not to bring any more than your bedding, a large duffle bag, and one other item (guitar, pogo stick, fishing pole, etc.). We will email out a staff packing list to all hired staff the month before camp begins.
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On a typical weekend, staff will be off from Saturday at lunch through Sunday at dinner. You may use this time in whatever way helps you be well rested for the week ahead! Often, staff members will go into Brevard for dinner, shopping, or hiking. Or you can stay on campus and enjoy all of the fun here! Each Sunday morning, we attend church together at a local PCA church.
“I was young when I started as a CSI and didn’t really have a place in life, but working at Ridge Haven connected me to the church and I made many lasting relationships. The staff is very kind and also open about their relationships with the Lord. I made lasting friendships over the years, and these people have been some of the most influential supporters of my faith. We all had to learn how to be selfless and focus on the campers and supporting them to learn about God. Overall, my relationship with God has been strongly impacted by my time spent working at Ridge Haven.”
Volunteer Camp Nurse
Ridge Haven is looking for volunteer Registered Nurses (RN’s) to serve at summer camps in both Brevard, NC and Walker, Iowa. Volunteers can opt to serve one or more weeks of camp, depending on need and availability. They will be provided with lodging and meals as well as scholarships for up to two children to attend camp while they are serving with us. For those coming from out of state, we will also pay for any required North Carolina licenses if necessary.
If you are a registered nurse or doctor and are interested in ministering to our campers for a week or more this summer, please CONTACT US.