Employment Opportunities

at Deer Run Camps & Retreats

Summer Camp Staff Positions

Mission. Community. Fun.

Join Camp Staff at Deer Run for a unique missions opportunity!

This is a paid Christian ministry opportunity to serve as a camp counselor for our summer camp programs! Work alongside Jesus and see Him work through you and your friends this summer. It is nearly impossible to leave unchanged.

Being on Camp Staff at Deer Run is an opportunity to teach, encourage, mentor, guide, and lead campers. If you choose Deer Run as your place of ministry for the summer, you have the ability to positively impact the lives of kids, preteens, and youth for the Kingdom of God. You also gain incredible life experience, and many Camp Staff develop life-long friendships with other staffers.

We offer bonuses as a recruiting incentive. Invite your friends to serve on staff with you and be sure they mention your name when they apply!

QUESTIONS? A lot of your questions will be answered below.

However, if you don’t see the answer to your question, contact John Kuykendall at (615) 293-3271 or email CampStaff@DeerRun.camp.

First, pray about this exciting ministry opportunity. Then if you believe the Lord is confirming that you become a camp staffer at Deer Run Camps & Retreats, follow the instructions below. Do not hesitate to get your application submitted. THERE ARE A LIMITED NUMBER OF CAMP STAFF POSITIONS AVAILABLE.

Complete the online application by clicking on the application button. All information submitted by applicants and personal references are held in the strictest confidence and only read by those directly involved in camp staff selection.

INTERVIEWS
A personal interview will be scheduled if Deer Run staff visit your school or if you are local to our location. Otherwise an interview will be scheduled via phone, Facetime, Google Duo, or Skype. A decision is made within two weeks of your interview.

BACKGROUND CHECKS
Background checks are completed on all applicants who are chosen to be on camp staff.

Camp staff:

  • serve elementary, middle school, and high school students in various ways and invest in them
  • create an exciting, engaging environment for God to speak to each camper
  • are loving towards campers plus share Christ with them along the way
  • are committed to the overall success of the camp program by working alongside other staff members to create a fantastic experience for the campers

Every part of Deer Run Camps should be enjoyable for each camper, but THE MAIN FOCUS IS CREATING AN EXCELLENT CAMP EXPERIENCE FOR ALL WHO ATTEND TO EXPERIENCE GOD. This requires a high level of commitment and some personal sacrifices, yet yields immeasurable eternal benefits.

  • attend team training
  • have a heart for ministry and a desire to be a servant leader
  • be willing to work hard with a positive attitude

Below are some camp staff responsibilities based on interest and skills.

  1. Camp staff get to know each camper, listen to their heart, encourage them, and provide positive role models for them.
  2. Lead campers through camp activities.
  3. Consistently pray for individual campers, speakers, worship leaders, staff, and for God to change lives.
  4. Share Jesus Christ with campers and guide them through a salvation experience or lead them to a deeper commitment to Christ.
  5. Stewardship of Deer Run’s resources through properly caring for and cleaning the facilities on a regular basis.

The following are specific responsibilities based on interests and skills.

  1. LIFEGUARD: Serve in the lifeguard rotation when scheduled during specific camps.
  2. RECREATION: Receive training and assist in guided recreation, organized games, water sports, and various other recreation activities as assigned.
  3. ADMINISTRATION: Help with administrative duties at camp such as camper check-in and organizing supplies.
  4. SOUND/AUDIO-VISUAL: Help with sound checks and set up stage lighting. Run sound and ProPresenter for worship.
  5. BIBLE STUDY LEADERS: Prepare lessons and teach God’s Word to an assigned group of campers. Themed lessons are presented, then creatively developed during training week using resources provided by Deer Run.
  6. WORSHIP: Lead and participate in worship in a variety of ways. Demonstrate an attitude of worship throughout the day while leading campers in daily activities.
  7. PROGRAMMING: Help lead and guide campers through a series of skits throughout the camp week.

TEAM TRAINING: May 24-June 6, 2027
It is important for Camp Staff to attend Team Training.
 Be prepared for an intense time of learning.

During Team Training, you will:

  • get to know each other and build relationships
  • learn camp Bible study curriculum and tools for evangelism
  • connect with the mission of Deer Run
  • receive job assignments and guided recreation training
  • become familiar with Deer Run team members and facilities

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SERVICE/WORK DATES
Do I need to commit for the entire summer?

No, but we prefer to have Camp Staff commit to at least 4 weeks of the summer.
We are flexible with needed time off. Our Camp Director can discuss this in more detail with you.

Deer Run is a traditional Christian camp with outdoor recreational activities.

Additionally, Deer Run hosts church groups for camps and retreats year-round. During June and July, Camp Staff provide support for these group camps and retreats in areas of recreation and food service.

DAY CAMPS

for campers age 5 through completed 5th grade

Campers arrive each morning and leave every afternoon, Monday–Friday. Staffers are responsible for leading their assigned campers through a day of fun activities. At night, day camp staffers will join overnight camp as a co-leader or be given other responsibilities.

1-WEEK OVERNIGHT CAMPS

for campers who have completed grades 3 to 10

Campers arrive Sunday afternoon and leave Friday afternoon. Overnight camp involves additional activities beyond what is provided at day camp. Camp Staff lead their cabin group through activities and come together with other cabin groups for games, worship, and an engaging, plus relevant, speaker session.

See Deer Run Camps for more information.

2-WEEK OVERNIGHT CAMPS

for campers who have completed grades 6 to 10

Similar to 1-week overnight camp except campers are at camp 12 consecutive nights with the same camp staffer for the duration of the 2 weeks. During the weekend, Deer Run provides activities both on and off camp property for campers and their camp staffer to experience together.

Deer Run pays Camp Staff a comparable rate to the industry standard for camp summer staff. The rate of pay varies depending on years of service and camp staff position/responsibilities. We are happy to discuss the pay rate with you!

Travel expenses to and from Deer Run are the Camp Staff’s responsibility.

If you travel by plane, Deer Run staff will pick you up at the Nashville International Airport (BNA) when you arrive to begin your camp staff position and will take you back to the airport for departure when your session is completed.

This past summer has changed my life, for the good of course. I’ve met some AMAZING people that have impacted me so much. I have never felt more loved in a place in my whole life. I have met some campers who have truly changed the way I look at my faith. I too was given the same opportunity for a lot of people. This summer has meant more to me than I will understand. There were some really rough times at camp and in my personal life that made me doubt what I was doing, but the Lord used those times for good. I got to use my testimony to inspire and lead other people to Jesus, which is something I never thought I’d be able to do.

I definitely grew in my relationship with God and grew as a leader. I also feel stronger and more independent than I did at the beginning of the summer. Forming friendships with the staff and growing my campers’ faith would be my biggest blessing. The time I spent with the staff and life changing moments with campers were really special.

I came into this summer not really knowing what to expect. Honestly, that scared me. Throughout my time there, several situations arose that made me feel like I had no control. Since being home, I’ve had time to think and reflect on these moments where I felt totally out of control. Looking back, these hardest moments were also some of the moments that I saw God working. Whether it was in my life, another counselor’s life, or in my campers’ lives, God was working even when I felt like everything was falling apart. What God was teaching me was that I was never meant to be in control because He always was. He really was working all things out for my good and His glory. Having the privilege of being with the oldest group of girls most weeks was truly rewarding. Some of the relationships I made with those girls, the conversations I was able to have with them, and the growth that I got to see take place in their lives was truly incredible.

Interested? Invite a friend to join you at Deer Run this summer!

Year-Round Employment

Full- and Part-Time Staff

We believe in serving God with the gifts and personalities He has given each of us individually and in doing our work unto Him. We believe in serving our guests and campers with excellence and in being stewards of all the resources given to us.

If you feel God is leading you to use your gifts to serve in a ministry, Deer Run invites you to look at our mission and vision and determine if you would like to be a part of impacting lives of others through summer camps, family events and retreats for churches, nonprofits, schools and community groups.

Summer Camp Bus Driver Positions

Applications for the 2027 summer camp season will open soon!

Serving as a bus driver to pick up and drop off day campers (age 5 to completed 6th grade) is a key role in our ministry. Your smiling welcome in the morning and cheerful goodbye in the afternoon make riding the bus an enjoyable experience for the campers.

Each bus has two bus commanders (camp staff) every morning and afternoon to check-in and check-out campers at their bus location. Bus commanders assist with being sure campers stay seated and make the bus ride fun for the campers.

  • Serve from as little as 1 week up to 7 weeks during summer camps.
  • Routes run Monday-Friday, 6-9 a.m. and 3-6 p.m. (Hours can vary depending upon number of bus riders, but are within these times.)


QUESTIONS:
Contact John Kuykendall at (615) 293-3271. Or email CampStaff@DeerRun.camp.