Working at a summer camp is not a retreat from reality—it’s a training ground for spiritual growth. From morning staff devotionals to evening worship by the fire, young people are immersed in a rhythm of prayer, service, and intentional discipleship. They aren’t just participants in faith—they become leaders of it.

“I went to camp thinking I was going to help others grow spiritually,” said one returning counselor. “But it was me who changed the most. Camp made my relationship with God real and personal.”

In the sacred ordinary of cabin devotions, shared meals, and whispered bedtime prayers, young staff experience firsthand what it means to lead someone closer to Jesus. In doing so, their own walk with Christ often takes root in deeper soil.

Ask anyone who’s done it—being on staff at an Adventist camp is hard work. Days start early, end late, and are packed with responsibilities ranging from lifeguarding and leading out in crafts to comforting a homesick 8-year-old. Yet within those demands is fertile ground for leadership to grow.

Campers look to their counselors as heroes. That responsibility teaches accountability, resilience, and integrity. For many, it’s the first time they’ve truly felt the weight—and the reward—of servant leadership.

These young staffers aren’t just managing activities. They’re learning to manage themselves—emotionally, spiritually, and socially. And in the process, they’re becoming exactly the kind of leaders our churches, schools, and communities need.

There’s a special bond that forms among camp staff. Long hours and shared purpose create a camaraderie that often turns into lifelong friendships. Many describe their camp crew as a second family—a place where they were known, supported, and challenged to be their best selves.

With phones down and distractions removed, conversations go deeper. Laughter comes easier. And faith becomes something you live together, not just something you talk about.

For young adults, that kind of community is rare—and unforgettable

Sure, camp staff get paid. But no one sticks around just for the money.

They stay for the camper who decides to give their heart to Jesus. For the tears shed during Friday night vespers. For the joy of seeing someone conquer a fear or make a new friend. They stay because camp becomes holy ground—a place where eternity touches earth.

And in that sacred space, many young adults find their calling.

For students attending Adventist academies or colleges, working at summer camp is more than just a seasonal gig—it’s a continuation of their spiritual and educational journey. What’s taught in the classroom comes alive at camp.

Biblical principles, leadership theories, and spiritual lessons gain real-world relevance when applied to leading worship, resolving cabin conflicts, or mentoring a homesick camper.

“Camp was where everything I’d learned at school started to make sense,” one SDA college student reflected. “It was where I began to see how I could live my faith outside the classroom.”

The synergy between Adventist education and summer camp creates a powerful rhythm of growth. School nurtures the mind. Camp strengthens the heart. Together, they equip young people to live mission-driven lives wherever God calls them next.

In the end, camp isn’t just about fun or work—it’s about transformation. And not just for the campers.

For young staffers, those few weeks in the woods can leave a lifelong mark. A deeper faith. A stronger voice. A clearer path.

Many who serve at Adventist summer camps go on to become teachers, pastors, youth leaders, and missionaries. Some become administrators and church leaders, carrying with them the lessons of discipleship, teamwork, and servant leadership they first learned in a cabin or around a campfire. Camp is often where they first discover that ministry isn’t limited to a pulpit—it’s lived out in the everyday moments of encouragement, worship, and connection.

And even for those who don’t enter formal church work, their camp experience often leaves them with a stronger bond to the Adventist Church and a more personal, vibrant relationship with Jesus. They leave knowing that they matter to their faith community—and more importantly, that they are called and equipped by God to live a life of purpose wherever He leads.

It’s at camp where many first hear God whisper, “This is where I want you.”

And once they hear it, their lives—and the lives they go on to influence—are never the same.

If you’re a young adult wondering how to spend your next summer, consider this: a job at an Adventist camp isn’t just about what you’ll do—it’s about who you’ll become. You’ll grow in your walk with God, discover leadership gifts you didn’t know you had, and build friendships that will carry you through life.

And if you’re a parent, teacher, pastor, or mentor—consider the impact you can have by encouraging a young person to work at camp. Sometimes all it takes is a nudge, a word of affirmation, or a shared memory to spark a decision that leads to transformation.

Adventist summer camps aren’t just a place to serve. They’re a place to grow, to lead, to encounter God—and to be changed forever. Don’t miss the opportunity to be part of something eternal.