Camp Capers Summer Staff

CAMP CAPERS HANDSHAKE JOB DESCRIPTION:

Searching for a meaningful, fun, and adventure-filled summer job? Look no further than the summer camp programs at Camp Capers. Our camp has a variety of seasonal positions caring for children and youth campers and helping the year-round camp staff make this the best summer yet!

Each summer, Camp Capers hires approximately 40 summer staff. The goal of every staff member is to provide a safe and loving environment for young people to experience Christian relationships and the awesome power of God’s love. All summer staff will be expected to attend Staff Training prior to the start of camp. All questions about Camp Capers' seasonal staff positions (job descriptions, availability, expectations, etc.) may be directed to Ali Fowler, Camp Capers Leadership & Outreach Director, at outreachcc@dwtx.org, or Danny Espey, Camp Capers Summer Camp Director, at programcc@dwtx.org. 

Camp Capers is in the heart of the Texas Hill Country on the Guadalupe River. We are located in Waring, TX, only an hour northwest of San Antonio, TX.

Summer Camp at Camp Capers offers children and youth ages 8-18 the opportunity to experience the unconditional love and friendship of a Christian community while attending a one-week session. Through God’s grace, Camp Capers is committed to offering fun, life-changing experiences to children and youth in a safe, Christ-centered community.

Activities include kayaking, team-building challenges, a high ropes course, crafts, Bible-based teachings, devotional times, and so much more.

Leadership at Summer Camp is provided by paid and volunteer staff who go through a rigorous selection process, including background checks, reference checks, and face-to-face interviews. All staff must also participate in thorough training before working at camp. Each week we have a rotation of Dean, Chaplain, and Teacher teams are clergy and lay leaders from the Episcopal Diocese of West Texas. These teams help guide each session by providing spiritual context for our time together.

At Camp Capers, we seek to provide opportunities for young people to encounter transforming relationships with Jesus Christ. Every camper and staff member is nurtured and cared for as a valued member of the Body of Christ.

Our camp runs on a weekly, Sunday-Saturday, session schedule, divided by differing age groups. Our sessions are listed below:

Primary Camp sessions are for rising 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders

(Primary sessions end on Friday instead of Saturday)
Intermediate Camp sessions are for rising 6th and 7th graders.
Junior High Camp sessions are for rising 8th and 9th graders.
Senior High Camp sessions are for rising 10th through graduated 12th graders.

We have two separate sessions for each age group, one in the first half of the summer and one in the second half of the summer. During the second half of the summer we also have a Good Samaritan Camp that has campers spanning all the age ranges of our sessions. The first half of our summer is 4 weeks and the second half is 5 weeks, with a week long break between the two halves. Therefore, our staff will serve new groups of campers each week.

Essential Job Skills:

• The ability to work within a team and independently.
• Willingness and commitment to serving every camper equally with compassion and care.
• Can effectively lead campers and/or fellow staff.
• On the spot problem solving and critical thinking.
• The ability to follow rules and enforce rules and regulations to campers and/or fellow staff.
• Can work effectively with a variety of different individuals and personalities, whether guests or fellow staff.
• Maintaining a positive attitude in all scenarios.
• The ability to create a fun and welcoming environment for all campers.
• A commitment to always putting campers first and to do all your work in service of helping campers have the best possible experience at our camp.
• Be a positive role-model to all in terms of behavior, attitude, and actions.
• A willingness to help in any and all areas of camp as needed.

Click here to complete a job application to serve on Summer Staff 2027 at Camp Capers. Applicants will need to create an account in order to fill out an application. Be prepared to complete the online form in one sitting, or save your progress as you go along. Each application has several pages: the Online Application, DWTX Camp Staff Expectations, and three Reference Invitation pages. Before you begin the application, choose three references who are not related to you and have their phone numbers and email addresses ready to enter as part of the application process. Once you submit your application, you should receive a confirmation email. We will contact you about scheduling an interview after the application due date. 

Camp Capers hires a varying range of summer staff positions. Below are brief descriptions of all our available summer staff positions. If you would like a more thorough description of any of the positions below, please reach out to programcc@dwtx.org & outreachcc@dwtx.org 

Applications for Director Positions close November 18th and are hired in December/January.

Directors: The Directors are the main liaison between the Camp Capers summer staff and the director team. The Directors help hire, train, and supervise all paid & volunteer staff, then provide them with direction and support throughout the summer. We hire 2 seasonal directors with varying roles and responsibilities, each director focused on supporting and leading different staff positions. Director applicants must be at least 21 years of age or completed their third year of college. This position begins in December/January-May remotely and continues in person mid May through the beginning of August.
 

• Program Staff Director: The Program Staff Director is responsible for leading and supporting Program Staff and Work Crew. They are expected to assist varying Program Staff members in their individual Program Areas, and assist Work Crew as needed in their daily tasks.
• Cabin Life Director: The Cabin Life Director is responsible for leading and supporting Summer Counselors, SIT (Staff-In-Training) Counselors, Lead Counselors, and the SIT Coordinator. This also includes supporting camper situations.

Applications for the following positions close December 18th and are hired in February/March. Applicants will be contacted about an interview after the due date of the application.

Work Crew: Work Crew members share various, predetermined duties which could include kitchen support, canteen, grounds keeping, office assistant, and facilities management. Work Crew members are responsible for helping set-up and take-down activities.Work Crew are also members of our Leadership Development Program (SIT Program). Applicants must be at least 18 years of age or have graduated high school.

 

Cabin Counseling Staff: Each counselor lives in a cabin with a high school aged volunteer counselor and up to 10 campers. The  counselor's job is to love, accept, and affirm the campers, following God's example of love, acceptance, and  affirmation; to foster a healthy cabin community; and to keep the campers safe during their week at Camp Capers.  Cabin counselors are expected to participate, play, swim, sing, laugh, and worship alongside their campers every day.  Applicants must be at least 19 years old or have completed their first year of college. 

Program Staff help facilitate Summer Camp, working with the Summer Directors, other Program Staff, and Camp Capers Program Director to make the camp magic happen. There are several Program Staff positions, all of which are listed below:

• Lead Cypress Grove Counselor & Lead Cedar Elm Counselor: Lead Counselors serve as mentors, coaches, and guides for  the cabin counseling staff and volunteer counselors. Each Lead will support separate ‘Quads’ of cabins with up to 8 summer counselors at a time. Leads are expected to fill in as counselors when needed. Applicants should have previous cabin counseling experience, and be at least 20 years of age or have completed their second year of college. 
• Activities Coordinator: The Activities Coordinator is responsible for planning, organizing, and leading a variety of  activities for campers throughout the day. Applicants should be able to effectively explain various activities to campers, lead and participate in activities, encourage campers to participate, and create a fun and inclusive environment for all campers. Applicants should be at least 20 years of age or have completed their second year of  college.
• Arts and Crafts Coordinator: The Arts and Crafts Coordinator is responsible for planning, organizing, and leading  a variety of crafts in accordance to various aged campers. They are also responsible for the cleanliness and organization of the Crafts Building and inventory. Applicants should be at least 20 years of age or have completed their second year of college.
• Ropes Course Coordinator: The Ropes Course Coordinator is responsible for the development and delivery of adventure challenge activities that are safe, fun, and age-appropriate. Our ropes course includes high ropes elements, including a Big Swing, Rockwall, and Zip-Line, and Low Ropes elements. Applicants are expected to earn a Ropes Certification during our Staff Training and will lead and schedule other Ropes Certified staff members. Applicants should be at least 20 years of age or have completed their second year of college.
• Music Coordinator: The Music Coordinator is responsible for planning and leading music at all gatherings and worship. The Music Coordinator works closely with the chaplain team, who plan worship and liturgy. They should be able to read music and lead staff and campers in song independently. We are specifically looking for applicants who are able to play the guitar and/or other instruments. This position is generally paired with another position for the hired applicant.
• Media and Marketing Coordinator: The Media and Marketing Coordinator is responsible for photographing campers, staff and daily activities, uploading them to the Camp Capers SmugMug site at least 3 times per session, and contributing to Camp Capers' Social Media presence during the summer (Facebook and Instagram). Applicants should be at least 20 years of age or have completed their second year of college.
• Health Care Assistant: The Health Care Assistant is responsible for assisting the Health Care Provider, check-in and check-out procedures, basic first aid needs, and maintaining a clean Health Center. Applicants should have experience and/or knowledge within the medical field. Applicants should be at least 20 years of age or have completed their second year of college.
• Work Crew Coordinator: The Work Crew Coordinator is responsible for supporting the kitchen operations of camp, guiding Work Crew members, coordinating Canteen, and other duties as needed. Previous experience working within a kitchen environment is preferred, but not required. This position also supports and evaluates Work Crew within our SIT Program. Applicants should be at least 20 years of age or have completed their second year of college.
• Staff-In-Trianing Coordinator: The Staff-In-Trianing (SIT) Coordinator is responsible for supporting, guiding, and evaluating our SIT Counselors, high-school aged volunteer counselors, who are participants in the Camp Capers leadership development program. Applicants should have previous leadership experience and should be at least 20 years of age or have completed their second year of college. 

Below are some important dates all Summer Staff is expected to be in attendance for in person at Camp Capers.

*Work Crew and Counselor positions are available to be hired for half the summer. Work Crew positions are only available as a half summer position. Counselors may apply to work a half summer or full summer. All Directors, Program Staff, and Lead Counselor positions are expected to be available to work for the full summer.

Summer Staff Retreat: March 12-14

Leadership Staff Training (Directors & Program Staff Only): May 14-16th

Staff Training: May 16-29th

First Half of Summer: May 30th-June 4th

Break Week: July 4-8th (staff may leave site during break week)

In-Service Training: July 9-10th

Second Half of Summer: July 11th- August 6th

End-of-Summer Clean Up & Celebration: August 6-7th

*Only staff working the second half of the summer are expected to be at our in-service training. Staff who are not working second half are encouraged to return for our End of Summer Celebration.

Accommodations, Pay, & Off-time:

Accommodations: All staff will be provided housing and meals while working on site, which includes training times as well. Staff is welcome to remain on site during our break week & in-between sessions, although meals will not be provided during these times.

Pay: The pay listed is an estimated monthly pay. We pay $250 per week for most summer staff positions, staff training weeks included. The only exception for this is Directors positions, who will begin being paid when they begin working remotely in the winter. Directors will receive a slightly increased weekly pay during the summer. The exact amount differs based on when the position begins, but all directors will have received a total of $5,000 for their work by the end of the summer. All staff will be paid on a twice a month schedule.

Off-time: All staff will have approximately 24 hours off in between our week long session where they are able to leave the site if they wish. In addition to this, all summer staff will have a scheduled off time during the week as well: a half-day off once a week, and approximately 2 hours of off-time daily. During their daily off time and half-day off, staff must stay on site.

If you have any further questions regarding accommodations or pay, please contact our Program Director. 

Camp Capers strives to create a welcoming and inclusive environment for all of our campers and staff, regardless of their background or identity. We welcome the applications of any individuals who can fulfill the responsibilities of the positions in which they apply.

All applicants are considered for positions with the Episcopal Diocese of West Texas and by extension Camp Capers without regard to race, religion, color, gender, national origin, age, marital status, veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status.