CAMP CONCORDIA
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Summer Ministry Staff

Making a difference in a child's life
Makes a difference in your life
Cabin leaders (counselors), lifeguards,
head cook, kitchen assistants,
health officer (nursing student, EMT, RN), 
​maintenance staff … there are many paid experiences
at Camp Concordia!

Summer ministry staff receive 1-2 weeks of training including First Aid & CPR and housing and meals. You can build your resume while working a tremendously rewarding, incredibly challenging, and almost always life changing job.

Have questions? Don't wait! Call Camp today at 616-754-3785.
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Dates of Employment
  • May 26, 2026 - August 1, 2025 
  • Additional weeks of employment may also be available.

Staff receive 1-2 weeks of paid ministry staff training (depending on role) before campers arrive. During this time you will be prepared to lead camp activities, provide for the safety of campers, and most importantly to share your faith in words and actions. 

Each staff will have a background check from their home state and require 3 references.
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SUMMER STIPEND
​Salary Ranges from $375-400 a week, depending on position and experience (approximately  $3,500 for the summer PLUS room & board).

Half of the weekends, Friday night to Sunday morning, staff are off. Weekend assignments are scheduled during Summer Ministry Staff Training to coordinate camp's needs with summer staff schedules and abilities, but are subject to change.
  • Summer Ministry Staff 
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How Do I Apply?
Camp Concordia uses the NLOMA Summer Staff Profile. When you fill out the summer staff profile, select Camp Concordia as your 1st choice camp. We will contact you for an interview as soon as we receive your profile. Contact camp if you get stuck or have more questions.

It's never too late to apply. The earlier you apply the better, but give us a call - we often have last minute openings.
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Frequently Asked Questions
​100% Worth It!
We won’t kid you — working at camp can be emotionally and physically challenging, but it’s totally worth it! The long term rewards of a camp job are many. You’re investing your time in other people, building kids up, developing their self esteem, proving your work ethic, building a social network, and maybe even getting a head start on your career with an internship or resumé builder.

Who will train me?
Zephyr, Executive Director, has been training summer staff in some fashion since his days as a program director in 2003. From learning how to care for young campers, to fire building, to learning how to belay a climber on the climbing tower, you will be adequately equipped for your summer of service here at Camp Concordia. Come with a willing heart to learn and you will marvel as you see God use you to make a positive difference in the life of a child.

What does FREE room and board consist of?
Your room is a bed in one of our bunk house style cabins. You may be assigned to a different cabin depending on the housing needs for campers, but you will always have a place to stay. Board is 3 meals a day while on duty. You will also have access to free laundry. Staff with dietary resctrictions may need to supplement their meals.

What are the hours worked?
This is a tricky question to answer. Working at a camp is not a normal job. The reality of camp is that you are spending time with campers and you are responsible for their well being the entire time they are with you.  Each staff member may plan to have an hour off each day, Where else can you develop your skills to build a resume with hands on leadership training? Where else can you make a positive difference in the life of a child at the same time?

You may be serving in the kitchen, sharing stories with campers at the cabin, leading games or swimming in beautiful Half-Mile Lake, riding horses alongside your campers, leading songs during worship on the beach or in the woods, eating, sleeping, hiking the trails, helping kids discover nature, cleaning bathrooms, teaching kids how to canoe, sail, or kayak, and more throughout your work time. The straight numbers answer is that you work up to 23 hours a day, 6 days a week (there is sleep time - knowing that a camper could tap you on the shoulder for an emergency).
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The truth of the matter is, you work a lot and you do put in a lot of hours, but this paid experience is one that advances your career, builds your resume, and develops your skills. The experience is rewarding and life changing. Trust us, the time will fly by!

Do I work weekends?
Staff agree to work half of the weekends throughout the summer. In the application process, you may request specific weekends off.  The work schedule will be finalized and made available during staff training to provide as many staff the dates off which they have requested. 

What’s the weather like? 
Summers in central Michigan are incredible. June is typically in the 60’s and 70’s with chances of rain. July is in the 70’s, 80’s, and 90’s with a lot of sunshine to enhance your Chaco tan lines.

What is the closest city?
The closest city to Camp Concordia is Greenville, which is 10 miles away. This is a quaint town of about 9,000 people with the Flat River running through it. Grand Rapids, MI (pop. 200,000) is about 45 minutes away. This is a prosperous and growing city.

What does a typical week of camp look like?
Typically, campers arrive on a Sunday afternoon and they leave around noon on Friday.  Your week, depending on your skills, could be helping to lead worship, teaching swim lessons, working on trails, creating and directing new games, teaching canoeing, facilitating challenge course, washing dishes, belaying the climbing tower, making pizza, eating, mopping the dining room, building a campfire, reading the Bible, leading Bible Adventures, playing guitar, leading songs, laughing with kids, sleeping, snacking during break, mowing the lawn, leading a hike and camping out under the stars.
Important Links
Faith Statement
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Application REquirements
  • A loving, growing relationship with Jesus Christ.
  • Willingness to work hard, be flexible and serve in a variety of ways.
  • All applicants must be high school graduates. Preference is given to applicants with a year of post-high school experience. Not a graduate of high school? High school leadership opportunities>>
  • All applicants must submit a completed, signed summer staff profile to initiate the process.
  • All staff participate in paid Summer Ministry Staff Training.
Positions STILL Available for 2026

  • Cabin Leaders (Counselors) (4 female, 3 male)
  • Program Leadership (2)
  • Head Cook (1)
  • Kitchen Assistants (1 or 2)
  • Maintenance Assistant (1 or 2)
  • Health Officer (1)
  • ​Waterfront Supervisor (1)
As a Cabin Leader at Camp Concordia, I not only had the opportunity to see and facilitate growth in my campers, but I also got to grow myself. Over the summer, sharing Jesus became much more comfortable than it ever has been. I went to a public high school, so my faith was supposed to be kept quiet there, it got to the point where I had very little faith altogether. Over the summer this changed. My faith became a central part of my life because of the environment of camp. Furthermore, my professional skills increased. I learned how to communicate with others, and how to problem solve in order to accomplish my goals. My time at camp truly helped me to develop skills and a mindset which will be beneficial to my life outside of camp. - "Qu" (Abby Yakimow - Concordia University, Nebraska)
Summer Ministry Service Profile Application - Now OPEN
What I owe to [the Inklings] is incalculable. Is there any pleasure on earth as great as a circle of Christian friends by a good fire? - C. S. Lewis, remembering his encouraging friendships
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Working at Camp Concordia has proven to be an extremely rewarding opportunity for me. The honor to help bring Christ to all of the campers was a very fulfilling experience. Throughout the summer, I witnessed my campers learning and growing in their faith. Not only was I able to teach the campers about how their faith applies to their life, but the campers also taught me so much about myself. I had the opportunity to gain experience as a Christian and as a person. My experience at Camp Concordia gave me the chance to learn numerous new skills that I will be able to use outside of camp. - "Goldfish" (Luke Minnick - Bethany College Indiana)
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Sarah Hettig Weishaar, Camp Concordia Staff Alumni 
"...camp really ingrained in me the importance of child safety..."  (Director of Children's Ministry, Bethlehem, Lakewood, CO)

Health Officer 
"Yay! This job is so amazing and wonderful! Healing kids is the best!"

English Teacher 
"Camp Concordia truly shaped me into the teacher I became, encouraging me and helping me grow. I loved every minute I was there! Praying for your wonderful mission in shaping young people!"
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Camp Concordia summers never disappoint me. This summer (2022) I had the opportunity to be the Program Coordinator as well as the waterfront director. These jobs have given me so many skills that I could take with me in the future. I am studying to be a Director of Christian Education someday and this summer helped me grow tremendously in my leading skills. Most importantly I grew closer to Jesus. Camp has and will always hold a special place in my heart. - "Tallawah" (Chloe Dahn - Concordia University Nebraska)
Apply TODAY!
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Camp Concordia
13400 Pinewood St. NE
Gowen, MI 49326

​Office: 616.754.3785
General Inquiries: [email protected]
Summer Overview
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NLOMA
National Lutheran Outdoors Ministry Association
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  • Home
  • Summer Camp
    • Summer Overview
    • Explorer (Grades 1-3)
    • Journey (Grades 3-5)
    • Quest (Grades 5-6)
    • Trails (Grades 6-8)
    • Venture (Grades 8-10)
    • Junior Staff (Grades 10-12)
    • Summer Mission Event (Grades 6-8 and 9-12)
    • Registration Information
    • Summer Confirmation Camp Option
  • Family Camps
    • Family Camps Overview
    • Family Camp (July 3-6)
    • Family Explorer (Two Choices )
  • Summer Staff
  • Retreats
    • Retreats
    • Build Your Own Retreat >
      • Base Camp Retreat Facilities
    • Men's Retreat
    • Fall Confirmation Retreat
    • Outdoor Lab
  • Support
    • Support Overview
    • Building on a Firm Foundation Campaign
    • Donate Online Now
    • Amazon Wish List
    • Thrivent Action Teams
    • Thrivent Choice Dollars
    • PayPal Giving Fund
    • eBay for Charity
  • About
    • Mission
    • Faith Statement
    • Meet the Staff
    • Location
    • Events >
      • Fall Festival
      • Fall Clean Up
    • News
    • Terms and Conditions