Summer Job Descriptions
These are the roles we seek to fill for the summer season. Some roles specifically serve our summer camps, while others may also include service to our guest groups. All positions are open until filled each year. The online application will allow you to apply for the positions that interest you. The following jobs are grouped by type. Read through the whole list, or use these links to jump to a specific section that interests you:
Counseling
- Counselor Team Leaders provide oversight and leadership to counseling staff. Must have experience as a camp counselor, work well with peers, have strong organizational and planning skills, and preferably be at least 21 years of age.
- Camp Counselors are fun-loving mentors for kids as they lead, teach, and care for a cabin group of 6-8 campers. Counselors are sometimes teamed up with another staff member and sometimes assigned to their own cabin where they stay with campers, cook some meals over a fire, lead daily devotions, teach skill groups, and participate in all daily events. When all counseling needs are met for a particular week of camp, counselors may also spend the week serving behind the scenes in a support role. Counselors must possess a solid Christian maturity, strong relational skills, good judgement, be at least age 18 AND one year graduated from high school.
- Camp Co-counselors are fun-loving mentors for kids as they lead, teach, and care for a cabin group of 6-8 campers. Co-counselors are assigned to a cabin with another staff member where they stay with campers, cook some meals over a fire, lead daily devotions, teach skill groups, and participate in all daily events. When all counseling needs are met for a particular week of camp, co-counselors may also spend some weeks serving behind the scenes in a support role. Co-counselors must possess a solid Christian maturity, strong relational skills, good judgement, be at least age 17 AND a high school graduate.
- Support Counselor Assistants (SCAs) have a variety of responsibilities. Part of their time is spent helping camp counselors with general camper supervision, building fires for outdoor meals, and leading group activities. In certain situations, SCAs may be assigned to work with a specific counselor in a cabin setting or with a day camp group. SCAs may also be asked to help with general program activities and events, including possibly helping in the kitchen. Should possess a solid work ethic, a servant's heart, and strong relational skills; enjoy working with a team of people; and must be at least 16 years old.
Guest Services Support
- The Guest Services Support Team helps the Highland guest group experience run smoothly and works with our housekeeping and maintenance staff to ready guest facilities in between guest groups. Schedule and tasks will vary based on individual skills and the overall need for guest support each week, but the role may include things like: cleaning grills, moving tables and chairs, vacuuming, stocking cleaning supplies and rec equipment, trash collection, stocking woodsheds, picking up litter, laundering linens, and assisting with main office coverage. This role involves working weekends. Applicants should preferably be at least 18 years old and with their own vehicle for traveling between buildings within the Highland grounds.
Programming
- The Program Coordinator/Assistant Director oversees the summer camp schedule and performs other administration tasks. This person will also be responsible for working with other leadership staff for the creative design, coordination and efficient implementation of the summer camp program. Preferably at least 21 years old. - FILLED for 2025
- The Photographer will photograph all the daily activities of summer camp, process the photos to be posted daily for parents to view, and prepare an end of the week photo presentation for parents and campers. Other support tasks may be added in as time allows, but the photography will be their main focus. Open to high-school-age applicants as well as older applicants.
- The Wilderness/LIT Leader will provide oversight for both the Wilderness Camps and the Leader in Training program. Should have experience in counseling, outdoor living skills, and organization. Preferably at least 21 years old.
- The Adventure Specialist will organize and lead activities for campers in the specific area of adventure programming (challenge course, climbing tower, zip line). Other support tasks may be added in as time allows. This person will have a schedule that is slightly different from other camp positions, as they will likely be asked to work some Saturdays to help with programming for guest groups. Must be at least 18, and preferably at least 20 years old.
Aquatics
- Aquatics staff schedules may vary, as some will lifeguard primarily for summer camp and some primarily for guest groups, which may include weekend hours.
- Head Lifeguards oversee the day-to-day running of the pool, including collecting pool chemical readings and ensuring that the poolhouse bathrooms are cleaned as required. Must hold current lifeguarding, first-aid, and CPR certifications, have prior lifeguarding experience, and be at least 18 years old. Certification training available in May for eligible applicants.
- Lifeguards help to prevent incidents from occurring by maintaining proper control over individuals using the pool. Must be able to recognize activities that may place individuals at risk and respond appropriately to individuals in distress. Must hold current lifeguarding, first-aid, and CPR certifications. Open to high-school-age applicants as well as older applicants. Certification training available in May for eligible applicants.
Clerical
- The Office Coordinator assists with various administrative/clerical duties in the youth office, works with camper registrations and financial accounts, and answers phones. Must have computer experience, be attentive to details, interact well with parents and campers, and preferably be at least 21 years of age. - FILLED for 2025
Food Service
- Food service staff schedules may vary, as some will work primarily for summer camp and some primarily for guest groups, which may include weekend hours.
- The Kitchen Manager serves as a cook in the Summer Kitchen and provides oversight to non-kitchen staff who may come in to help. They will also supervise food truck deliveries and inventory checks. Preferably at least 21 years old. - FILLED for 2025
- Cooks are responsible for meal preparation, distribution, and cleanup for the youth camp. Applicant should possess a solid work ethic, have a servant's heart, and enjoy working with a team of people. Experience in food service is preferred. Must be at least 18 years of age. - FILLED for 2025
- Kitchen Volunteers choose to spend time serving in the camp kitchen because they love Highland and want to support the youth camp ministry. They typically take a kitchen-assistant-type role, and may join the summer kitchen team for a whole week at a time, or may take a regular weekly shift during the summer camp season. Use the regular online application to express interest in serving as a kitchen volunteer.
Maintenance
- Maintenance Assistants help with routine maintenance tasks around the camp, including mowing, weed whacking, and trash collection. Applicant should possess a solid work ethic, have a servant's heart, enjoy working in the outdoors, and be at least 18 years of age. This role may have a schedule that is slightly different from other camp positions, as maintenance assistants may be asked to also work some weekend hours to maintain guest facilities.
Healthcare
- Camp Nurses provide oversight for the health care needs for all youth camps. We hire nurses one week at a time. Must be a current certified RN or LPN licensed to practice in Virginia, and enjoy working with children and adults.
Christian Nurture
- Fireside Speakers provide spiritual input for the youth camps through the messages they present each day during worship services. We hire Fireside speakers one week at a time.
Leaders in Training Program
- LITs will explore faith formation (in a discipleship camp/training week) and service (during up to 3 weeks of camp). The camp week is open to ages 15-18, but you must be at least 16 to participate in the service weeks. Follow this link for more info.