Summer Staff General Information

Become a part of the amazing ministry that is Camp Squanto!

Are you ready for the best summer of your life? We are looking for team members who love God, love having fun, and are willing to work hard in service to others. Working at Pilgrim Pines is not just a summer job – it is a summer ministry!

Pilgrim Pines is big enough for awesome programs and small enough to provide a personal touch for campers and the staff. A summer at Pilgrim Pines/ Camp Squanto will include great worship and opportunities to deepen your relationship with Jesus Christ. You can also count on making great friendships that will last a lifetime as you serve side-by-side with college-age individuals and our full-time staff as a member of Pilgrim Pines dynamic summer ministry team.You will never have worked so hard and had so much fun doing it. Come join us for an incredible summer where every moment counts for eternity!

Other great reasons to work at camp:

  • Free meals & housing while at camp.

  • Work experience may qualify for school credit, community service hours or school internship credits.

  • Leadership opportunities.

  • Spiritual development opportunities.

  • Some churches provide additional matching funds for young adults who choose to work in camp ministry. Ask your home church about possibilities.

  • Social activities throughout the summer – CAMP IS FUN!

  • Time off in beautiful Southern New Hampshire.

  • Strong resume builder.

  • You get paid! Some churches provide additional matching funds for young adults who choose to work in camp ministry. Ask your home church about possibilities.

Summer staff 2025 Dates

  • Leadership: June 4 - August 12, 2025

  • Counselors/Support Staff: June 11 - August 12, 2025

Applicant Requirements

  • A strong Christian leader who lives by the Scriptures and shows, by example, that Jesus Christ is Lord of his/her life.

  • A servant’s heart is reflected in an attitude of willingness and cooperation.

  • A contagious love for Jesus as Savior and Lord.

  • A fun-loving personality that will be a team player working toward the goal of making Christ a reality in people’s lives.

  • At least 18 years of age and a high school senior.

Distinguished Behavior

At Pilgrim Pines, we have certain standards and expectations for our team. Above all else, we desire to glorify God in everything we do. We anticipate all our staff will adhere to the highest moral and ethical standards. We expect the staff to be examples by their solid behavior and to conduct themselves in a Christ-like manner at all times. We look for staff who are committed to regular Christian fellowship, Bible Study, service, and the pursuit of vital relationships with other Christians. Our staff needs to be in good health and prepared for a physically and emotionally challenging summer. Pilgrim Pines full-time staff are committed to seeing you grow in your walk with Christ. Throughout the summer we will pray, encourage, inspire, train, support, and challenge you as you continue to grow in your spiritual life.

Pilgrim Pines and Camp Squanto views protecting children and youth as an integral part of our mission. We have a zero-tolerance policy for child abuse in our organization.

Position Descriptions

Assistant Director - Work with Camp Director to train and oversee Squanto staff. The assistant director is expected to serve in an administration role, provide mentorship for staff, and assist with problem-solving throughout each week.

Program Director - Facilitate daily schedule, run activities, and make announcements to keep the schedule running smoothly, effectively, and on time throughout the day. Program directors are also expected to enforce policies and procedures, as well as serve as mentors for all staff members.

LIT Leaders - The LIT Leaders work with the Camp Directors to facilitate a 2.5-week leadership/counseling program for senior high students. LIT Leaders are expected to create and maintain a physically, emotionally, and spiritually safe place for campers to grow.

Waterfront Director - Work with Camp Directors to facilitate a safe and fun waterfront program. Expected to plan and facilitate missing camper procedures and swim tests, as well as enforce proper Lifeguard and Waterfront policies and procedures and properly care for equipment.

Camp Counselor - Work collaboratively with all camp staff to plan and deliver a safe, inclusive, fun, and impactful camp program. Expected to provide continual supervision, ensure safety, and foster a family atmosphere for campers in your cabin.

Crew Member - Anyone ready for an experience of hard work, community, and camp ministry training is encouraged to apply for our summer work crew. Minimum age of 17 to apply with preference given to older students. We accept a small number of students and positions fill quickly. Expected to serve in a supportive role to counselors by assisting senior staff members. Kitchen and grounds maintenance are primary working environments.

HIRING INCENTIVES

  • Swag Bag

    • Get a Swag Bag with custom Pilgrim Pines gear if:

      • Applied between October 1- December 31, 2024

      • All references received before December 31st

      • Hired and work the entire summer

  • Recruit a friend Bonus

    • $500 applied to your final summer paycheck if:

      • Returning staff or hired staff recruits New staff to apply

      • Recruited friend gets hired and works full summer

      • Recruiting staff can receive multiple $500 bonuses if they recruit multiple New Staff

  • North Park Scholarship

    • Prospective and Current North Park University Students are eligible to receive a grant from North Park for the following academic year after serving at Pilgrim Pines for the summer. See more details here!

      • Incoming first-year students: $500

      • After the first summer of employment: $1,000

      • After the second summer of employment: $1,500

      • After the third summer of employment: $2,000

Hiring Process

We hope to have all staff positions (programs staff, food service, tech, counselors, lifeguards, maintenance) filled by April 15. We will continue to accept applications until all positions are filled. Early applicants with completed files (application & three references returned to PP) will receive priority consideration. We receive many applications and don’t always have positions for all who apply.  An in-person interview or phone interview will be conducted with potential summer staff members if a decision is made to move forward with your application. Please follow up on any sent application. If forward movement, notification of hire will be given by phone/email. A contract will be sent upon the decision to hire and the decision to accept. All potential summer staff must complete the application process. This applies to former Summer Staffers as well.

A clean Background Check is required to be eligible for hire.  Permission to run a background check is collected as part of the application.  Please review the disclosure about the Fair Credit Reporting Act here.  

We require 3 references for new applicants and 2 references for returning applicants. We recommend former employers, teachers, pastors, and other persons who can give an honest account of the type of person that you are. One reference by a relative WILL be considered. If a former staff member is used as a reference, that person must be at least three years removed from being on staff. It is important that references be completed as soon as possible as your application will not be considered until they are received.

Reference forms must be completed online by your references. Please send your chosen references to the link below: