Labor shortages have hit virtually every sector, and nonprofits have found it particularly difficult to compete on the basis of wages and benefits. Among those hardest hit have been Christian camps, still reeling from the effects of COVID-19. According to one major publication, more than half of America’s camps did not operate in 2020.
Last year improved, but lingering parental concerns continued to affect them. Most Christian camp and conference center leaders hope that 2022 will put them back in a positive position on all fronts, but many face a unique problem: they rely heavily on summer staff members, and there aren’t enough to go around. Christian college students have responded to desperate retail outlets offering to pay wages that camps can’t compete with. Some even offer to pay a student’s first semester at college!
Working at a Christian summer camp can be a life-changing experience, but the window of opportunity can be limited for many young people. If serving at a local mission or similar ministry for the summer isn’t an option for the young people in your sphere of influence, we encourage you to suggest serving at a Christian camp or conference center during their busy summer season. Check the Christian Camp and Conference Association website for information.