Quick Summary
A summer working at Camp Tekoa means:
- Living on a mountain campus and leading a small group of campers all week.
- Choosing from roles including Family Group Leader, Staff Assistant, Support Staff, and Day Camp counselor.
- Gaining leadership experience, certifications like CPR, and lifelong friendships.
- Joining roughly 100 staff who serve more than 2,000 campers each summer.
A Day as a Family Group Leader
Most of Tekoa's staff serve as Family Group Leaders, the counselors at the heart of the camp experience. As a Family Group Leader, you live in the cabins with your campers and, alongside a co-leader, guide a group of around 14 boys and girls through a full week of activities.
Your days are active and full. You wake with your campers, lead them through swimming, the challenge course, the zipline, arts and crafts, and off-site adventures, and help them navigate the small moments in between. Age group assignments rotate weekly, so one week you might lead elementary campers and the next you might guide middle schoolers, which keeps the role varied and always interesting.
It is demanding work that asks for energy, patience, and heart. It is also the kind of work that many staff describe as the most meaningful of their lives.
The Roles You Can Apply For
Camp Tekoa hires for several positions each summer, so there is a fit for a range of ages and strengths. Here are the main roles.
Family Group Leader
Family Group Leaders make up the majority of the staff. They are paired with a different co-leader each week and together facilitate activities for their assigned group of campers, living in the cabins alongside them. This role offers the most week-to-week variety.
Support Staff
Support Staff keep camp running behind the scenes. These roles include coordinators, specialists, directors, and resource staff who make sure Family Group Leaders and campers have everything they need for a great week.
Day Camp Family Group Leader
Day Camp Family Group Leaders are a smaller team who lead the camp's day programs. This role is a great fit for staff who want the counselor experience while working daytime hours.
What You Gain from a Summer on Staff
A summer at camp is one of the best investments a young person can make in themselves. You will build real leadership experience by taking responsibility for a group of children, solving problems on the fly, and working closely with a team. Employers and admissions officers notice that kind of experience.
You can also earn certifications such as CPR, develop skills you will use for the rest of your life, and grow your faith in a Christ-centered community. Tekoa's mission of “Touching Hearts, Changing Lives, and Sharing the Light of Christ” runs through everything staff do. Along the way, you join roughly 100 staff who serve more than 2,000 campers each summer and form friendships that often last long after the summer ends.
For many staff, the greatest reward is the impact itself. There is nothing quite like watching a nervous camper grow more confident over a week because you helped them try something new.
Who Thrives on Camp Staff
You do not need prior camp experience to succeed on staff. What matters most is a willingness to serve, a genuine care for children, and the energy to keep up with a full week of activities. The best staff members are patient, positive, and ready to be role models.
If you love the outdoors, enjoy working with kids, and want a summer that means something, camp staff may be exactly the right fit. Tekoa provides the training you need, so you can arrive ready to learn and grow into the role.
In Their Own Words
Former staff often describe their summers at Tekoa as life-shaping.
Raheem E., who spent a summer as a counselor, writes: "I was a counselor the past summer and I really enjoyed it, especially working with the kids and meeting so many friends."
Curt R., who was both a camper and a staff member, puts it even more simply: "It changed my life."
How to Apply
Ready to explore a summer at camp? The first step is to learn more about the available positions and complete the Staff Interest Form. You can find details and descriptions on the work at camp page, and it is worth reading about why families and staff choose Tekoa to get a feel for the community you would be joining.
Frequently Asked Questions
How old do you have to be to work at a summer camp?
At Camp Tekoa, the Family Group Leader program is designed for recent high school graduates who are at least 17 years old. Other roles are open to college-age staff and adults.
Do you need experience to be a camp counselor?
No prior camp experience is required. Camp Tekoa provides training, so what matters most is a willingness to serve, care for children, and bring positive energy to the role.
What is it like living at camp?
Family Group Leaders live in the cabins with their campers throughout the week. It is an immersive experience that builds close bonds with both campers and fellow staff.
How do I apply to work at Camp Tekoa?
Start by reviewing the available positions on the work at camp page and completing the Staff Interest Form. The camp team will follow up with next steps.
Make This Summer Count
A summer on staff at Camp Tekoa is hard work, but it is the kind of work that shapes who you become. You will grow as a leader, deepen your faith, and make memories and friendships that last. Explore the roles on the work at camp page and contact our team with any questions. Your most meaningful summer could be waiting on the mountain.
