Summer Staff at The Pines
Best. Summer. Ever.
Are you ready for your best summer ever? The Pines Catholic Camp is looking for Catholic college-aged young adults and high school seniors to work at a place where lives are changed by the One who loves us most.
Become part of something incredible and spread the Word of God while having the most fun a person can have in one summer. At The Pines, we love Christ and our Catholic faith — and desire you to bring YOUR authentic gifts to serve around 3,000 youth in Big Sandy, Texas. Do something different this summer!
Choose Summer Mission to get more info and an application!
Why The Pines?
What makes The Pines different from most other summer camps? Our focus is on relational ministry. The heart of The Pines is in the ministry to every camper that comes through our gates. Whether you’re playing with them on the ultimate field, praying with them during spiritual night programming, or simply being an ear to them as they open up about their life, you are being the Light of Christ to each camper.
To be able to serve others, we must also have full cups ourselves. Throughout the summer, our staff will also be pouring into and forming you as we encourage one another to live in Christian virtues. We use our Pines Rule of Life to guide us through formation, prayer, and accountability.
Available Positions
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What is a Counselor?
The cabin counselor is the most important role on staff for Summer Camp. This person must be fully committed to the teachings of the Catholic faith and have a joyful heart! We’re looking for someone ready to help campers have the greatest week of their lives and encounter Jesus in a new way.
Being a counselor requires a camper-centered focus, a servant's heart, a passion for fun, and a love for kids. The experience we share with children at camp has a lasting effect on their lives, and we take that very seriously.
Requirements:
At least one year removed from high school by summer (graduated high school in 2024 or before)
Strong personal faith life
Summer Commitment:
Staff Training (May 15th-May 23rd)
9 of the 10 weeks of summer camp (May 25th-August 2nd)
One week of your choice off
We hope staff members will commit to a full summer, but we are able to work with those who cannot!
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What is SWAT?
SWAT (Servants With a Task) responsibilities include all the behind-the-scenes jobs that make camp run smoothly. Jobs of the day vary depending on the demands of camp, but most days involve serving food, cleaning facilities, helping with maintenance duties, filling water balloons, and assisting in the Camp Store, office, and with campers.
The SWAT Team lives in gender-specific cabins and is supervised by the SWAT Coordinator. There is an emphasis on spiritual, professional, and personal growth and maturity through daily meetings, regular spiritual formation, and team-building activities.
Requirements
Class of 2025 or older
Strong personal faith life
Willingness to do humble, hard work
Summer Commitment
Five weeks of summer (May 25 - June 29 OR June 28 - Aug 3)
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What is SPOPS?
The SPOPS (Special Operations) Team keeps specific areas of camp running efficiently while being an example of Jesus’ love and joy to campers. Throughout the summer, this team prays together, supports each other, and works hard to glorify God through their gifts.
Positions
Media Team
Arts & Crafts
Health Center
Camp Store
Office
Maintenance
Camp Nanny (for directors’ children)
Requirements:
At least one year removed from high school by summer (graduated high school in 2024 or before)
Strong personal faith life
Summer Commitment:
Staff Training (May 15th-May 23rd)
9 of the 10 weeks of summer camp (May 25th-August 2nd)
One week of your choice off
We hope staff members will commit to a full summer, but we are able to work with those who cannot!
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What is Senior Staff?
The Senior Staff team is for returning staff members who feel called to serve God through peer leadership. Senior Staff members prayerfully minister to summer staff, help plan the programming of the summer, and shape the mission of The Pines through their servant leadership.
Requirements:
At least two years removed from high school (Class of 2023 or older)
Strong personal faith life
Ability to work in a cross-disciplinary team in a dynamic environment
Summer Commitment:
Staff Training (May 15th-May 23rd)
10 weeks of summer camp (May 25th-August 2nd)
Time off as needed
FAQs
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2025 Season: Thursday, May 15 through Saturday, August 2
Pre-season training: May 15 - May 24
Camper Sessions: May 25 - August 2nd.
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We ask that our staff commit to a full camp season of 10 weeks. We require staff to take one week off during the summer to rest and recharge.
However, there are a limited number of positions for employees that require an early departure due to college or work commitments. Please let our hiring team know your schedule at the time of your interview.
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Counselors and some support staff participate with campers in all the fun camp activities The Pines offers! Staff lead sports and recreation activities in the mornings and afternoons, and we play all-camp games in the evenings. We'll teach you everything you need to know during Staff Training!
If interested, staff can bring or earn additional certifications through optional training to facilitate high-adventure activities like swimming at the pool and kayaking, paddleboarding, and blobbing at the lake (lifeguarding), high ropes adventure course and zip line (ropes certification), or riflery and archery (target sport certification).
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Beyond having the time of your life and making a huge impact on the lives of campers, there are a lot of "extra" reasons to be on staff!
meals and air-conditioned housing
bi-weekly direct deposit paycheck
opportunities to grow skills as a leader, teacher, and facilitator
personal spiritual growth opportunities in an supportive community
practicing a "ministry of presence" by disconnecting from the rest of life
friendships that will last a lifetime
an alumni network of 1500+ former Pines Staff
hands-on, resume-building job experiences
discounts in the Camp Store