2027 SUMMER STAFF FAQs
Everything you need to know before joining the SON-Life team.
Find the Right Fit
Every role plays an important part in making summer happen. Whether you love working directly with campers, creating behind the scenes, or have a specialized skill, there's a place for all kinds of people on the SON-Life team.
CABIN LEADER
AGE: 18+, preferably with one year of college experience.
PAY: $320/week
POSITION OVERVIEW: Cabin Leaders play a vital role in creating a safe, fun, and Christ-centered camp experience. Each week, they care for and lead a cabin group of approximately 5-10 campers, guiding them through daily activities, building meaningful relationships, and helping create a positive cabin community.
Cabin Leaders are responsible for the safety and well-being of their campers while also investing in their personal and spiritual growth through devotions, Bible studies, small-group discussions, and individual conversations. The ideal Cabin Leader loves working with kids, has a growing relationship with Christ, enjoys participating in camp activities, and works well as part of a team.
Applicants must have a desire to serve others, share the love of Christ, and help make camp an unforgettable experience.
ASSISTANT CABIN LEADER
AGE: 16+
PAY: $200/week
POSITION OVERVIEW: Assistant Cabin Leaders work alongside Cabin Leaders to create a safe, fun, and Christ-centered camp experience. They help lead their cabin group through daily activities, games, and routines while building meaningful relationships with campers and encouraging a positive cabin community.
Assistant Cabin Leaders help care for the safety and well-being of campers, assist with devotions and Bible studies, and participate in small-group discussions that encourage campers to grow in their faith. This role is also an opportunity to learn and develop leadership skills while serving alongside experienced staff, growing in confidence, and learning how to share your faith with others.
The ideal Assistant Cabin Leader has a growing relationship with Christ, loves working with kids, enjoys being involved in camp activities, and has a heart for serving others.
PROGRAM DIRECTOR
AGE: 20+, preferably with one year of college experience.
PAY: $350/week
POSITION OVERVIEW: Program Directors oversee their assigned camp sessions, leading and supporting a team of Cabin Leaders to create a fun, safe, and Christ-centered camp experience. They help coordinate daily schedules, organize games and activities, facilitate dining hall programming, and keep the week running smoothly while adapting to the needs of each session.
Beyond coordinating the camp program, Program Directors play an important role in encouraging, equipping, and supporting summer staff. They help build a positive and unified staff community, provide guidance to Cabin Leaders, and work closely with the Director of Ministries to carry out SON-Life's mission and vision. Above all, Program Directors help create an atmosphere where campers can have fun, build meaningful relationships, and discover and grow in their relationship with Christ.
PROGRAM SUPPORT
AGE: 18+, preferably with one year of college experience.
PAY: $320/week
POSITION OVERVIEW: Program Support staff help keep the daily camp program running smoothly by assisting Program Directors and other summer staff wherever needed. This is a hands-on, flexible role that involves a little bit of everything, from setting up games and activities to helping with meals, crafts, camper needs, and general camp responsibilities.
Program Support staff are also responsible for preparing and maintaining the waterfront each day, assisting with program setup and cleanup, and helping care for the camp property. Whether they're jumping into an activity with campers, lending a hand to a Cabin Leader, or taking care of behind-the-scenes tasks, Program Support staff play an important role in creating a fun, safe, and Christ-centered camp experience.
HEALTH OFFICER
AGE: 18+, preferably with one year of college experience.
PAY: $350/week
QUALIFICATIONS: Must hold or be willing to obtain American Red Cross or equivalent certifications in First Aid, CPR for the Professional Rescuer, and Responding to Emergencies.
POSITION OVERVIEW: The Health Officer is responsible for overseeing the health, safety, and physical well-being of campers and summer staff throughout the summer. Living on-site, they manage camper check-in, organize and distribute medications, provide basic first aid, maintain health records, and respond to medical needs and emergencies as they arise.
The Health Officer works closely with camp leadership to ensure health policies and procedures are followed and that campers and staff receive the care they need. This role requires someone who is responsible, attentive, compassionate, and genuinely cares about the well-being of others while contributing to a safe and Christ-centered camp community.
ASSISTANT COOK
AGE: 17+
PAY: $250/week
POSITION OVERVIEW: The Assistant Cook works alongside the Head Cook to help prepare and serve meals and snacks for campers and summer staff. Responsibilities include assisting with meal preparation, washing dishes, serving snacks, and keeping the kitchen and dining areas clean and organized.
This role is an important part of the camp experience, helping ensure campers and staff are well cared for throughout the week. The ideal Assistant Cook is dependable, hardworking, willing to serve, and enjoys being part of a team!
MEDIA TEAM (PHOTOGRAPHER & VIDEOGRAPHER)
AGE: 17+
PAY: $300/week
POSITION OVERVIEW: The Media Team captures the memories, excitement, and everyday moments that make summer at SON-Life special! Working throughout the week, Media Team members photograph or film camp activities, capture meaningful moments between campers and staff, and help tell the story of what God is doing at camp.
Photographers capture photos throughout the week, organizing and editing images to share with camper families daily.
Videographers film activities and special moments, then edit footage into a short weekly camp video to be shown at Friday's Closing Rally.
Both roles require creativity, initiative, and a willingness to jump into camp life when they're not behind the camera. Media Team members play an important role in capturing memories, sharing the camp experience with others, and contributing to a fun, Christ-centered camp community.
LIFEGUARD
*PAIRED WITH ANOTHER ROLE
AGE: 18+
PAY: additional $40/week
QUALIFICATIONS: Must hold or be willing to obtain a current American Red Cross Lifeguard Training Certificate or other approved certifying organization, along with American Red Cross or equivalent certifications in First Aid and CPR for the Professional Rescuer.
POSITION OVERVIEW: Lifeguards help make SON-Life's waterfront activities a fun and safe part of every camper's experience! Working under the direction of the Head Lifeguard, they’ll monitor daily aquatic activities such as swimming, boating, blobbing, and tubing while ensuring campers follow waterfront rules and safety procedures.
Lifeguards are responsible for staying alert and attentive, responding to emergencies when needed, and helping campers safely participate in waterfront activities. They may also assist with teaching the basics of different activities and providing lifeguard coverage for retreat groups on weekends.
The ideal Lifeguard is responsible, attentive, confident, and enjoys working with kids while helping create a safe and fun waterfront environment.
LIT PROGRAM
AGE: 16+
If you’re not quite old enough for summer staff but want to get involved at SON-Life, check out our Leaders In Training (LIT) Program! You’ll gain hands-on experience, serve behind the scenes, and grow as a leader while being part of the SON-Life community.
WHAT WE EXPECT OF OUR STAFF
QUALITIES OF A SON-LIFE SUMMER STAFF MEMBER
Working at a camp is an incredibly rewarding experience, but it comes with its fair share of challenges. Think you’re up for it?
This is what we look for in team members: Team members should be energetic, enthusiastic followers of Jesus Christ, desiring to work with kids and make a difference in campers’ lives. They should be role models who strive to live out their faith in a way that shows integrity and maturity. Attributes of patience, responsibility, flexibility, cooperativeness, creativity, thoughtfulness, being fun-loving, selflessness, possessing energy, enthusiasm, and endurance are all needed by team members.
Because campers look up to and imitate team members, we expect our team members to be exemplary Christian role models.
WHAT WE WANT OUR SUMMER STAFF TO LOOK LIKE
Demonstrate a sincere, authentic faith walk
Maintain a Christ-like attitude
Possess a sincere desire to work with children
Be team players, seeking unity and understanding in working with groups
Seek ways to grow as an employee, in faith, and in character
WHAT’S EXPECTED OF ALL SUMMER STAFF
As a representative of SON-Life Camp and Retreat Center, do everything to the best of your ability to promote the growth and development of the Kingdom of God through this ministry.
Assist in maintaining the general security, cleanliness, and attractiveness of the camp at all times.
Follow the daily routine and guide the campers in that routine, including participation in all planned activities.
Make every effort to build a sense of community and understanding among all team members.
Be aware of the spiritual atmosphere of camp and work toward the camp’s goals.
Be able to lead a young person to Christ and seek opportunities to do so.
Attend all required team meetings
Be flexible when scheduling issues arise and work alongside staff to accommodate those unexpected changes.
Assist with camper check-in, be friendly and greet any guests or campers, and seek to answer any questions or give directions when needed.
Do everything possible to ensure the safety and well-being of all campers.
Assist in cleaning up camp after each weekly camp session ends.
Fill out a mid-summer self-evaluation and a post-camp evaluation as directed by the camp directors.
Perform any other duties as assigned by supervisor. Note: we never ask our staff to do anything we wouldn’t do ourselves!
What Does the Summer Look Like?
IMPORTANT DATES
BEFORE SUMMER CAMP:
April 30-May 1 — Staff Bash (get to know your fellow summer staff!)
May 24-28 — Support Staff Arrive
May 26-29 — Lifeguard Training (optional)
May 31-June 12 — Staff Training
Summer camp:
June 13-18 — Junior Escape I & Day Camp I (First week with campers)
June 20-25 — Outpost Expedition
June 27-30 — Primary Experience (3 Day Overnight)
July 1-3 — OFF
July 4-9 — Junior Escape II & Day Camp II
July 11-16 — Teen Extreme
July 18-23 — Junior Escape III & Day Camp III
July 25-30 — Junior Escape IV & Day Camp IV
Post camp:
July 31 — End of Camp Celebration!
Aug 2-4 — Post-Camp Clean-Up (Support Staff Only)
Please Note:
1) Outpost Expedition includes two nights at SON-Life and two nights camping in tents away from camp, typically up north near the Ludington area.
2) Only 18+ staff are hired for Outpost Expedition & Teen Extreme.
A Day of Camp
Every day at camp is different but here is a general schedule to get an idea of the day to day at SON-Life. Staff rotate each week between being assigned Day Camp or Overnight Camp, everyone gets a chance to work both. Examples of games and quests include: dodgeball, archery, mountain boarding, capture the flag, crafts, moleball, tag, tomahawks, frisbee golf, mud pit, slingshots and more.
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7:30 Breakfast (Day Camp staff only)
8:00 Day Camp Check-in
8:30 Free Choice (Campers choose between 3 offered activities, some staff have a break here.)
9:30 Theme Verse & Worship
9:50 Snack
10:10 FUSION Message
10:30 Morning Mayhem (Game/Activity)
12:00 Lunch
12:45 Rest Time
1:45 Swim Time
4:00 Last Blast (Game)
4:30 Day Campers Check Out (Staff are still on the clock and helping where needed!)
5:00 Dinner
5:45 Camp Clean-up
6:00 Staff Meeting
6:45 Evening Game
7:50 Worship and Message (Most Day Camp staff have a break here.)
9:15 Snack
9:30 Campfire
10:30 Ready for Bed
11:00 Lights Out
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8:15 Wake up
8:45 Breakfast
9:30 Worship and Devos (Morning message)
10:10 In the Word (Bible reading with your cabin)
10:30 Morning Mayhem (Game)
11:00 Quest (Campers choose between 2 offered activities, some staff have a break here.)
12:00 Lunch
12:45 Rest time
1:45 Waterfront
4:00 Quest (Campers choose between 2 offered activities.)
5:00 Dinner
5:45 Camp Clean-up
6:00 Staff Meeting
6:45 Evening Game (Some staff have a break here.)
7:50 Worship and FUSION (Evening message)
8:30 Small Group
8:40 Cabin Activity Time (free time with your cabin!)
9:15 Snack
9:30 Campfire
10:30 Ready for Bed
11:00 Lights Out
Get to Know us a Little Better
SON-Life Camp in a nutshell
SON-Life Camp is a non-denominational camp located in Wayland, Michigan – about halfway between Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo. We are set on 40 beautiful acres with plenty of room to have fun and enjoy God’s creation.
Our facilities include cabins, a retreat center (meeting space, bathrooms and showers, offices, game room), dining hall, recreation fields, a variety of outdoor activity areas (archery, tomahawks, gaga, moleball, volleyball, low initiatives, and more) and a waterfront area (beach, shallow and deep swim areas, blob, canoes, kayaks, paddleboards, paddleboats, & speed boat tubing) set on a beautiful lake. We can host up to 74 campers per week, and generally hire a summer staff of around 18 individuals.
With SON-Life Camp being smaller in size, we are able to give campers a more personal touch during their week of camp where no one has to worry about getting lost in the shuffle. Our summer ministry team becomes an intimate and cohesive group building friendships that last long beyond summer camp.
SON-Life Camp’s goal is to give campers a week of fun through memory-making activities while also challenging them to grow in their relationship with Jesus Christ. Each year, almost every camper leaves SON-Life Camp saying they have grown spiritually — making a first-time commitment to Christ, renewing a relationship that has drifted, or coming to know Him in a deeper way. SON-Life Camp’s summer camp program offers a wide variety of experiences for children as young as 6 to teens as old as 17. We strive to creatively design our summer camp programs to be relevant and reach today’s young people where they are, and help take them to where God wants them to be!
Ready to be part of the team?
APPLYING AS RETURNING STAFF? PLEASE NOTE:
1) Returning Staff may receive an additional $25 per week from base rate for their first returning year in the same role.
2) Returning staff may receive an additional $10 per week for their second and third years in the same role.
Whew! We know. That’s a lot!
And maybe still a bit difficult to envision exactly what the job actually looks like.
If you have any questions or need any clarifications at all, please reach out. We want you to feel confident and prepared as you enter into this hiring season.