Summer Staff

Camp Counselors are responsible for supervision of 7-11 campers each week. Responsibilities include: leading campers through daily games/program areas, and leading campers through personal devotions and cabin talks. This position is ideal for those who like spending time with students and helping them learn and grow.

Lifeguards are responsible to keep the waterfront safe and fun for campers. Responsibilities include: supervising waterfront activities, keeping the beach clean, running a program area. This position is ideal for those who like spending their time at the waterfront and helping behind the scenes.

Kitchen Assistants are responsible for helping the Food Service Director with operating the kitchen. Responsibilities include: cleaning the kitchen, putting away dishes, meal preparation, and serving meals. This position is ideal for those who like helping behind the scenes and don’t mind spending a lot of time on their feet.

The Maintenance Assistant is responsible for helping the Facilities Director manage camp property. Responsibilities include: taking out trash, cleaning the dining hall, mowing, and weed whipping. This position is ideal for someone who is 18 or older, has a drivers license, and has experience working with a variety of tools and equipment.

The Media Assistant is responsible for overseeing camp technology and media needs. Responsibilities include: running sound boards, running slides, taking pictures & videos, editing pictures and videos, and posting on social media. This position is ideal for someone with varied media experience or someone who learns new technology/media quickly.

The Craft Shop Instructor is responsible for overseeing the Craft Shop and working in the snack shop. Responsibilities include: Leading craft activities, cleaning the craft shop, making drinks in the snack shop, and cleaning the snack shop. This position is ideal for someone who is creative, likes teaching others, and can work well under pressure.

The Zipline/Climbing Wall instructor is responsible for overseeing the climbing wall and zip line. Responsibilities include: Running the zip line, setting up and tearing down the rock wall, running the rock wall. This position is ideal for someone who understands the climbing wall and zip line, enjoys working behind the scenes, and is at least 18 or older.

The Lead Lifeguard/Leaders in Training Leader is responsible for overseeing other lifeguards and the Leaders in Training Program. Responsibilities include: running the waterfront, supervising lifeguards, leading LIT meetings, and evaluating LIT participants. This leadership position is ideal for someone with experience working at Big Sandy Camp, has lifeguard experience, has leadership experience, and enjoys teaching/coaching others.

The Lead Boy Counselor is responsible for overseeing the guy counselors. Responsibilities include: running knockerballs, running the zip line, and supervising guy counselors. This leadership position is ideal for someone with experience as a camp counselor, has leadership experience, belay experience, and doesn’t fear heights.

The Lead Girl Counselor is responsible for overseeing the girl counselors. Responsibilities include: running the rock wall, running the zip line, and supervising girl counselors. This leadership position is ideal for someone with experience as a camp counselor, has leadership experience, belay experience, and doesn’t fear heights.

Camp Counselors are responsible for supervision of 7-11 campers each week. They spend their time leading campers through the daily schedule. This position is ideal for those who like spending time with students and helping them learn and grow.

Program staff are responsible for setting up and running different activities. They spend their time preparing, running, and cleaning up activity areas. This position is ideal for those who like working behind the scenes and making sure everything runs smoothly.

Lifeguards are responsible for creating a safe waterfront. They spend their time supervising water activities and maintaining a clean waterfront. This position is ideal for those who like spending their time at the waterfront and helping camp run smoothly.

Camp Cooks are responsible for helping prepare meals each day. They spend their time in the kitchen preparing food and serving meals. This position is ideal for those who like cooking and working behind the scenes to provide great meals at camp.

The Administrative Assistant is responsible for working in the office to assist the Office manager. They spend their time assisting with phone calls, emails, and camp logistics. This position is ideal for someone who is organized and has office experience.

The Maintenance Assistant is responsible for working around camp to assist the Maintenance Director. They spend their time mowing, weed whipping, taking out trash, and anything else to help keep camp running. This position is ideal for someone who is 18 or older, has a drivers license, and experience working with a variety of tools and equipment.

The Media Assistant is responsible for overseeing camp media including: lights, video, sound, social media, camera, and video camera. They spend their time running chapel sessions, recording videos, taking pictures, and posting for camp on social media. This position is ideal for someone with varied media experience, or someone who learns new media equipment quickly.

The Waterfront Supervisor is responsible for supervising the waterfront along with the lifeguards. They spend their time on the waterfront and supervising cleaning. This position is ideal for someone who has experience as a lifeguard, and/or experience supervising others.

The Worship Leader is responsible for leading chapel worship sessions along with other duties as assigned. They spend their time organizing and leading worship sessions, along with assisting with cleaning and other program areas. This position is ideal for someone who has experience leading a worship band, and can tailor worship for a variety of ages.

The Assistant to the Program Director is responsible for supervising program areas along with select summer staff. They spend their time problem solving, working with others, and going wherever they are needed. This position is ideal for someone with experience working at camp and/or experience supervising others.

7X Male Counselor - 18 or older - Reports to Head Male Counselor - Primary Responsibilities - Lead campers through activities, Bible studies, games, and meals. In addition, help to lead activity areas for guest groups, serve on dish teams, and cleaning crews. Keep a safe and fun cabin space for campers to engage in. Secondary responsibilities - Support camp in maintenance, kitchen, and accommodation areas. Help on dish teams and cleaning crews. Work to run activity and program areas when retreat groups are here, and other duties as assigned.

9X Female Counselor - 18 or older - Reports to Head Female Counselor -  Primary Responsibilities - Lead campers through activities, Bible studies, games, and meals. In addition, help to lead activity areas for guest groups, serve on dish teams, and cleaning crews. Keep a safe and fun cabin space for campers to engage in. Secondary responsibilities - Support camp in maintenance, kitchen, and accommodation areas. Help on dish teams and cleaning crews. Work to run activity and program areas when retreat groups are here, and other duties as assigned.

5X Short Term Counselor - 18 or older - Reports to Head Male/Female Counselors - Primary Responsibilities - Lead campers through activities, Bible studies, games, and meals. In addition, help to lead activity areas for guest groups, serve on dish teams, and cleaning crews. Keep a safe and fun cabin space for campers to engage in. Secondary responsibilities - Support camp in maintenance, kitchen, and accommodation areas. Help on dish teams and cleaning crews. Work to run activity and program areas when retreat groups are here, and other duties as assigned.

5X Activity Staff - 18 or older - Reports to - Head Activity Staff - Primary Responsibilities: Running the various games and activities around camp including but not limited to: the giant zipline, climbing wall, snack shop, craft shop, petting farm, knocker ball, field games, wacky Olympics, beach party and night games. Supporting chapels with skits, games, and activities. Serving on dish teams and cleaning crews. Secondary responsibilities: Helping with maintenance projects, supporting the kitchen as needed, serving as a cabin buddy, hosting meals, and other duties as assigned. May be called on to counsel at some point during the summer.

4X Lifeguard - 16 or older - Reports to: Head Lifeguard - Primary Responsibilities - Providing a safe and fun beachfront experience for campers and guests. Ensuring the safe operation of the BSC waterslide, boating area and swimming area. Helping guests with boating and other water activities. Secondary Responsibilities - Helping with games and activities outside of the waterfront. Serving as a cabin buddy, and other duties as assigned. May be called on to counsel at some point during the summer. (Lifeguard training certification may be provided to fulfill role)

Head Lifeguard - 18 or older - Reports to: Waterfront Director - Primary Responsibilities: Providing a safe and fun beachfront experience for campers and guests. Ensuring the safe operation of the BSC waterslide, boating area, and swimming area. Helping guests with boating and other water activities. Leading the waterfront in the absence of the Waterfront Director. Secondary Responsibilities - Helping with games and activities outside of the waterfront, serving on dish teams and cleaning areas. Serving as a cabin buddy. Helping with maintenance projects, and other duties as assigned. May be called on to counsel at some point during the summer.

3X Summer Cook - 16 or older - Reports to Head Cook - Primary responsibilities - Preparing and serving food. Maintaining a clean and safe work environment. Ensuring that health codes and systems are followed. Secondary Responsibilities - Supporting the program department in activity areas, skits, and games. Serving as a cabin buddy. Helping with cleaning and maintenance projects as needed, and other duties as assigned. May be called on to counsel at some point during the summer.

Head Cook - 18 or older - Reports to Food Service Director - Primary Responsibilities - Preparing and serving food. Maintaining a clean and safe work environment. Ensuring that health codes and systems are followed. In the absence of the Food Service Director, serve as the Director of the kitchen. Secondary Responsibilities - Supporting the program department in activity areas, skits, and games. Serving as a cabin buddy. Helping with cleaning and maintenance projects as needed.

2X Media Assistant - 16 or older - Reports to: Assistant Program Director - Primary Responsibilities - Taking video and photos of action at BSC. Helping to edit and cut videos. Creating the end of the week videos. Uploading pictures, videos and status updates to camp’s social media accounts. Running sound and slides during chapel sessions.  Secondary responsibilities - Serving on dish teams and cleaning crews, and other duties as assigned. Serving as a cabin buddy. May be called on to counsel at some point during the summer.

Administrative Assistant - 16 or older - Reports to Guest Services Coordinator - Primary Responsibilities: Manage and care for the camp gift shop. Keep a clean and organized store front. Support camp by completing administrative duties in the camp office. Answer the phone and direct calls to full-time staff members, assign campers to cabins, collect and deliver mail, print off and deliver camper emails, hand out camper spending money to counselors, register campers for camps, and support the guest services director as needed. At the end of each week, take inventory in the snack shop and give that list to the guest services director.  Secondary Responsibilities: - Serve on a dish team, and cleaning crews, help with maintenance and program responsibilities, and other duties as assigned. Serve as a cabin buddy. May be called on to counsel at some point during the summer.

Accommodations Assistant - 18 or older (Preferably 21) - Reports to Maintenance Director - Primary Responsibilities - Work on maintenance projects and building maintenance projects as they arrive. Operating equipment as needed; tractor, wood chipper, riding lawn mower, weed whip, power drills, rug doctor, floor machine, etc. Must have a valid driver’s license. Secondary Responsibilities - Assist in accommodations, kitchen and program areas as needed, and other duties as assigned. May be called on to counsel at some point during the summer.

Petting Farm Assistant - 16 or older - Reports to Program Maintenance Director - Primary Responsibilities - Ensure safe operation of the Big Sandy Camp petting farm. Perform daily morning and evening tasks to care for animals. Secondary Responsibilities - Help on dish teams and cleaning crews. Support camp by leading games and other activities and serving as a cabin buddy, and other duties as assigned. May be called on to counsel at some point during the summer.

Leadership Positions

Leadership staff positions generally go to applicants with experience working at Big Sandy Camp.

Head Male Counselor - 18 or older - Reports to: Program Director - Primary Responsibilities - Lead and manage male counselors as they oversee cabins. Act as the first line of support, encouragement, and be a problem-solving resource for male counselors. Deal with challenges as a member of the leadership team. Facilitate relationships and a sense of teamwork between the male counselors. Lead training sessions with the rest of the leadership staff during staff training week and as needed during the summer. Secondary Responsibilities - Serve on dish crews and cleaning crews. Help supervise volunteers in other areas of camp, and other duties as assigned. May be called on to counsel at some point during the summer.

Head Female Counselor - 18 or older - Reports to Guest Services Coordinator - Primary Responsibilities - Lead and manage female counselors as they oversee cabins. Act as the first line of support, encouragement, and be a problem-solving resource for the female counselors. Deal with challenges as a member of the leadership team. Facilitate relationships and a sense of teamwork between the female counselors. Lead training sessions with the rest of the leadership staff during staff training week and as needed during the summer. Secondary Responsibilities - Serve on dish crews and cleaning crews. Help supervise volunteers in other areas of camp, and other duties as assigned. May be called on to counsel at some point during the summer.

Head Male Activity Staff - 18 or older- Reports to Program Director - Primary Responsibilities - Lead and manage activity staff and volunteers as they complete duties in the following areas - snack shop, games, activities including the giant zipline. In addition, lead devotions for student volunteers each day. Serve as the MC for chapels and the beach party. Deal with challenges as a member of the leadership team. Along with the Head Female Activity Staff, lead large group games, and oversee the operations of the snack shop. Secondary Responsibilities - Serve on dish crews and cleaning crews. Help supervise volunteers in other areas of camp, and other duties as assigned. May be called on to counsel at some point during the summer.

Head Female Activity Staff - 18 or older - Reports to: Guest Services Coordinator - Primary Responsibilities -  Lead and manage activity staff and volunteers as they complete duties in the following areas - snack shop, games, activities including the giant zipline. In addition, lead devotions for student volunteers each day. Serve as the MC for chapels and the beach party. Deal with challenges as a member of the leadership team. Along with the head male activity staff, meet with activity staff, volunteers and counselors each day. Along with the Head Male Activity Staff, lead large group games, and oversee the operations of the snack shop. Secondary Responsibilities - Serve on dish crews and cleaning crews. Help supervise volunteers in other areas of camp, and other duties as assigned. May be called on to counsel at some point during the summer.

Waterfront Director - 21 or older - Reports to Assistant Program Director - Primary Responsibilities: Primary Responsibilities - Providing a safe and fun beachfront experience for campers and guests. Managing lifeguards, summer staff, and volunteers at the waterfront. Leading rescues and safety drills as well as staff exercises at BSC. Leading a cleaning team on cleaning days. Ensuring the safe operation of the BSC waterslide, boating area and swimming area. Assign lifeguards to surveillance positions and ensure timely rotation of positions. Oversee and help with the completion of daily waterfront safety checklist. Helping guests with boating and other water activities. Secondary Responsibilities - Helping with games and activities outside of the waterfront. Serving as a cabin buddy, and other duties as assigned. May be called on to counsel at some point during the summer.

Summer Staff make more money each week that they serve during the summer. Starting rates and increases are based on experience and previous years on staff. Staff who serve for the whole summer will make between $2,000-$3,000.

We ask all of our selected summer staff to provide a Connection List of 20 names and email addresses of people who believe in the ministry they are doing for the summer. Big Sandy uses this list to contact people about prayer requests for BSC, opportunities to support our summer ministry, and updates about salvations and life changes at Big Sandy Camp. Donations given by those on connection lists do not affect summer staff wages.

The Nyack College Scholarship is $1200 and the scholarship is no longer subject to grant/scholarship caps. Please contact the Nyack College office for further details and conditions.

Crown College students receive a scholarship of $250 for the fall semester and $250 for the spring semester following their time at Big Sandy Camp. This is matched by both Crown College and the North Central District of the C&MA. For more regarding the Crown College Scholarship, contact our Guest Services Coordinator, Maggie Painting, at maggie@bigsandycamp.org