2027 Summer Camp Intern

Young Life; Colorado Springs (CO); On-site; USD 17,000 - 22,000; Full time

Job summary

Youth-evangelism nonprofit Young Life in Colorado Springs is seeking Summer Camp Interns. Interns will assist at outreach or adventure camps, gaining hands-on experience in camp operations, hospitality, and spiritual formation while supporting staff and volunteers.

Roles span guest services, maintenance, kitchen, waterfront, and more, with training and mentorship in a Christ-centered environment. A servant attitude, reliability, and willingness to learn are essential.

Qualifications

• This program is for men and women who believe in the mission of Young Life and are seeking the Lord’s calling in their lives.
• Volunteer Summer Staff preferred.
• Must be willing to commit to program and lifestyle expectations.

Responsibilities

• Spiritual Formation: Intentionally provide opportunities for staff to grow deeper in their relationship with Jesus.
• Attend and actively participate in all scheduled intern activities which could include Bible study, fellowship, discussion groups, worship, and meetings with a mentor.
• Attentive Hospitality: Equip servant leaders who anticipate and respond to the needs of our guests, staff and vendors, through Christ-like service.
• Develop a posture of service that anticipates guest needs and responds with professionalism through intentional decisions and systems.
• Develop the habit of being available to staff and guests in both location and demeanor by remaining flexible and adaptable.
• Maintain healthy community with other interns and camp staff by keeping short accounts, speaking truth in love and resolving conflict in a Godly manner.

Skills

Spiritual Formation

Hospitality

Leadership

Teamwork

Education

High school graduate

Job description

Because of Young Life’s exclusive Christian purposes of evangelism and discipleship as set forth in its Articles of Incorporation and in these Bylaws, and to reflect what has always been and will continue to be the position of Young Life, specifically the Christian belief that each and every employee and volunteer of the corporation should minister as a servant of God with the primary responsibility of proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ and, as such, is an integral part of the Christian mission and ministry of the corporation ,
Young Life shall only employ individuals or enlist volunteer leaders who: (a) profess a belief in Jesus Christ as their personal Savior and Lord; and (b) subscribe to the statements and policies required of all Young Life staff, including the Young Life Statement of Faith. Therefore, employees and volunteers of Young Life, during working and nonworking hours, shall: (i) be ready, willing and able to fulfill such ministry functions as may be required by the organization; (ii) refrain from conduct and statements that detract from the biblical standards taught and supported by Young Life, and (iii) abide by all policies and practices of Young Life including, without limitation, those related to religious belief or ministry activities.

Interns play a vital role in Young Life’s camping ministry. Our interns are committed to Christ, first and foremost. They also have the ability to lead others, serve with excellence, and have a desire to be challenged and grow in their relationship with Christ. Interns will strive together to serve Christ, kids, and each other. They will also have the opportunity to grow as leaders in ministry, develop Christ-like relationships, and enjoy the fun and beauty of camp.

Young Life Camping offers two types of summer-only paid internships from which to choose:

1. at an outreach camp,
2. at an adventure/discipleship camp

Summer Outreach Intern

Young Life’s outreach camps support volunteer leaders as they pursue Young Life’s mission of “introducing adolescents to Jesus Christ and helping them to grow in their faith.” Summer interns at YL outreach camps arrive in late spring and depart the last day of the summer camping season. Please visit camp websites to learn more. Information such as specific roles, dates, and other local details may be found under their “Intern” tab.

Summer Adventure

Young Life’s adventure/discipleship camps specialize in the second half of our mission statement, helping adolescents to grow in their faith. These camping experiences are designed to support a deeper journey for smaller groups of leaders and their friends. Summer interns at adventure/discipleship camps also arrive in late spring and depart at the end of summer. Roles may include supporting base camp operations, serving as guides for adventure experiences, and facilitating space and time for campers and leaders to consider what it means to be a disciple of Jesus.

There are five adventure/discipleship camps in North America: Adventures Beyond Malibu, Adventures Pioneer Plunge, Adventures Wild Ridge, Adventures Wilderness Ranch, and Adventures Willow Springs. Please visit camp websites to learn more. Information such as specific roles, dates, if fundraising is required, and other local details may be found there.

Camp Intern Roles: (not all roles are available at all camps)

• Bikes
• Boat Driver
• Camper Activity
• Challenge Course
• Guest Services
• Horses
• Housekeeping
• Kids Club (Trail West Only)
• Kitchen
• Landscaping
• Maintenance
• Medical
• Office/Administration
• Retail
• Sound
• Video
• Waterfront
• General
• Adventure Camp (Adv Camps Only)

Camping Commitment Statement

As a follower of Jesus Christ and a minister of His Gospel, demonstrate a basic understanding of Young Life’s ministry strategy and participate in providing excellent camping experiences for individuals to encounter Jesus Christ and know the truth of God’s love for them.

Mission & Authority

Through both formal training and direct experience, learn how to create, and then participate in, an environment where guests, staff, and volunteers are well cared for using the camping essentials. This is an internship, experience building position.

Essential Duties:

Spiritual Formation: Intentionally provide opportunities for staff to grow deeper in their relationship with Jesus.

• Participate in opportunities for growing deeper in your relationship with Jesus.
• Attend and actively participate in all scheduled intern activities which could include Bible study, fellowship, discussion groups, worship, and meetings with a mentor.
• Attentive Hospitality: Equip servant leaders who anticipate and respond to the needs of our guests, staff and vendors, through Christ-like service.
• Develop a posture of service that anticipates guest needs and responds with professionalism through intentional decisions and systems.
• Develop the habit of being available to staff and guests in both location and demeanor by remaining flexible and adaptable.
• Interpersonal Relationships: Help build relationships that reflect the character of God with guests, staff, vendors and neighbors to foster healthy community.
• Discover how to build relationships that reflect the character of God with guests, staff, vendors, and neighbors to foster a healthy community.
• Maintain healthy community with other interns and camp staff by keeping short accounts, speaking truth in love and resolving conflict in a Godly manner.
• Provide oversight and leadership to camp volunteers.
• Comprehensive Stewardship: Manage with integrity the finances, people, buildings and equipment that have been entrusted to our ministry.
• Develop and equip volunteers to participate in comprehensive stewardship of their area of work.
• Support a culture of safety for all guests, staff, volunteers, and visitors at camp.
• Support an environment where camp volunteers feel valued both as contributors and as people.

Talent Development:

Through a consistent and accountable evaluation process, we identify and provide opportunities for staff in continuing education, leadership development, career-pathing, and cross‑training.

• Participate in training and development opportunities that are specific to a camping department as well as camp-wide.
• Embracing Excellence: Standing on the platform of national standards and metrics we gladly prepare an environment that glorifies Jesus Christ.
• Execute daily responsibilities required for excellent camp operations.
• Camp or Job Specific Working Conditions and Expectations:
• Commitment to stay for the full term of the internship.
• Camp specific details regarding positions, leadership, and lifestyle can be found in the intern program description, located on each camp’s website.

Education:

• High school graduate.

Training Expectations:

• May be required to complete specific industry trainings by job responsibility

Qualifications and Experience Required for The Job:

• This program is for men and women who believe in the mission of Young Life and are seeking the Lord’s calling in their lives; are teachable; have displayed qualities of faithfulness in their lives; are seeking God’s leading; and have a sincere hunger to grow in an intimate, abiding relationship with Jesus.
• Volunteer Summer Staff preferred.
• Must be willing to commit to program and lifestyle expectations listed above.

Notes:

Young Life is a relational ministry. Staff must be able to convey a sense of Christ‑like hospitality and concern for guests and staff. Responding to the unexpected needs of a guest in a prompt and professional manner is important. All staff members are expected to represent Young Life positively and professionally within the community and be able to work with and minister to the volunteer high school and college‑age young people who attend our camp.