Big Sandy
Summer Staff
Camp Counselors
Pines Counselors are the heartbeat of our ministry!
For decades, young adult men and women have been making an incredible impact as cabin counselors at The Pines. When you join The Pines Staff, you join a long legacy of amazing camp staff.
It is such a unique and rewarding role! Alongside your co-counselors, you are a friend, caregiver, role model, and mentor to your campers. You will laugh with them during silly skits, you will sit with them in quiet moments of prayer, and you will cheer them on as they conquer fears and challenges.
You’ll never forget the privilege of walking alongside a camper in their faith journey and reminding them that they are deeply loved by God.
Come join the team that creates a space where kids feel seen, safe, encouraged, and inspired to grow in their relationship with Jesus!
Certifications & Specializations
As a counselor at The Pines, you have the opportunity to earn certifications to facilitate special activities. Most certification programs run during “Cert Week,” which happens in mid-May before summer begins.
-
The only way our campers can get in the water is under the watchful eyes of our lifeguard team! With so much fun happening at the pool and lake all day, we need more than a few lifeguards to make it happen.
*If you get certified as a lifeguard before coming to camp, we will reimburse your program fees!
-
Our 3-story challenge course is made up of high ropes elements that encourage campers to step outside their comfort zone. The double zipline is just as high and intimidating, even alongside a friend!
While they may not feel at ease at first, it’s our Ropes Certs that prep them for climbing, closely monitor for their safety, and cheer them on as they conquer fears!
-
Target Sports Certs are trained to teach, monitor, and facilitate archery and riflery activities. With a close eye on campers as they develop new skills and on the firing line, these counselors keep campers safe at both ranges.
Additional Staff Roles
-
SWAT: Servants With A Task
SWAT team members are the backbone of logistics during the summer. You’ll find them hauling luggage, tying water balloons, serving meals, delivering mail, sweeping sand, and filling water coolers… among so much more! SWATties make it possible for counselors to focus on relational ministry and supervision — and for FUN to happen every day!
These staff members are at least 18 years old and have completed high school. A SWAT session is either the first half (Weeks 1-5) or second half (Weeks 6-10) of summer.
-
Media Team Interns
This crew can be found capturing, documenting, and creating content all day, every day! Media Team internships allow individuals to focus on growing skills and building a portfolio. College credit will be arranged for staff members looking for a fun and meaningful internship over the summer.
This team includes but is not limited to: photographers, videographers, photo and/or video editors, digital graphic and motion designers, broadcast media students, and social media creators.
-
Senior Staff
Our Senior Staff team includes returning staff members who serve as peer leaders for the entire summer and oversee various elements of camp. These individuals exhibit some of the best qualities of The Pines Staff, and they are formed, led, and empowered by our Camp Directors.
Their roles keep camp running by leading Villages, coordinating activities and programming, leading support staff teams, and supporting counselors.
SPOPs — Special Operations Roles
-
Camper Care
Health Center Assistants aid the onsite nurses with daily tasks in the Health Center. They are often the friendly face that greets campers when they arrive, and they assist with duties as supervised by the Camp Nurse.
Hospitality Assistants are an aid to the Hospitality Coordinator. They help with organizing and distributing camper mail, printing e-letters, preparing campers to arrive or depart during the week, and answering the office phone.
-
Camper Activities
The Head Arts and Crafts SPOPs member is responsible for curriculum planning, ordering supplies, preparing materials, and facilitating all Arts & Crafts activities from tie dye and rock painting to rosary making and friendship bracelets.
The Activities Assistant reports to and works closely with the Activities Coordinator to manage the schedule of camper activities in the morning and afternoon.
-
Camp Store
Our Camp Store is open for campers every afternoon to buy toys, journals, toiletries, prayer cards, snacks, ice cream, shirts, and SO MUCH MORE! Our Camp Store Assistants are the backbone of retail operations, helping with purchases, camper accounts, stocking, inventory, and crowd control!
FAQs
-
2025 Season: Thursday, May 15 through Saturday, August 2
Optional Cert Week training: May 10-14
Pre-season training: May 15 - May 24
Camper Sessions: May 25 - August 2
-
Because we need a full team to welcome as many campers as possible, we ask that our staff commit to a full summer season of 10 weeks. We require staff to take one week off during the summer to rest and recharge.
However, there may be 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 conficts at the time of your interview.
-
YES! 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).
-
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
certifications that can transfer to jobs during the school year
discounts in the Camp Store
Qualifications
-
Camp counselors should be at least one full year out of high school (generally have completed their freshman year of college). We are looking for people who love their Catholic faith and enjoy working outdoors with youth ages 7-17.
Successful counselors will be high-energy, positive, patient, camper-focused, and team-oriented.
-
SPOPs team members should be at least one full year out of high school (generally have completed their freshman year of college). We are looking for people who love their Catholic faith and enjoy working outdoors with youth ages 7-17.
SPOPs roles are specialized, and we look for candidates who have an interest in that area. If you have experience or are thinking about future work in retail, hospitality, healthcare, event planning, art education, or food service, these opportunities might be a great fit for you!
-
Senior Staff members should be at least two full years out of high school (typically rising juniors or seniors in college.) A successful Senior Staff member will be passionate about their Catholic faith and sharing it with peers and youth. They will be optimistic team players and peer leaders. They will always consider ways to be more camper-centered and be interested in best practices for camp ministry.
Senior Staff members at Big Sandy Camp are required to have previous work experience with The Pines as a counselor.
-
SWAT team members are current high school seniors who will graduate in May 2025. Successful SWATties will love their faith, have a growth mindset, and be willing to jump in where needed. They should also love to have lots of fun, work primarily in the outdoors all day, and be willing to practice humility in taking care of tasks that may often be completed without recognition.
-
Media Team positions are flexible based on what the team brings to the table. We are in need of well-rounded individuals who are either already skilled or very motivated to learn how to capture, edit, and utilize media in many forms.
To earn internship credit, you will need to enroll in a course with your college or university and communicate all requirements and expectations with our Marking Coordinator, Mary. You can email her with questions at mary@thepines.org.