Best. Job. Ever.

Serve on Camp Deer Run’s summer staff. It’ll be the best summer of your life, pure & simple. 

Why work at Camp Deer Run?

There are so many things you can do with your summer. Why spend it at Camp Deer Run?

MISSION

You don't want to waste your summer - so spend it on a mission for God's Kingdom. There is no better way to live 24/7 in service to God this summer.

FRIENDS

There are no greater friendships than those built while serving together. The friends you make on Staff at Camp Deer Run are the friends you'll have forever.

FUN

At the end of the day, you won't find a more fun way to spend your summer than to spend it running, playing, singing, and serving in the Pines.

SHOULD I APPLY?

Do you love Jesus? Do you love the outdoors? Do you want to grow in your own faith while encouraging others to do the same? Do you want to spend your summer serving God by teaching, mentoring, and having a blast with kids?

If the answer is yes, then we think you’ll love this job.
 

Not convinced? Take it from some of our current summer staff members!

Allie P.
3rd Year Staff Member

APPLY APPLY APPLY! Even if there are things you are nervous about, you should still apply! Being able to serve kids in this environment is an incredible opportunity that is so special. The Lord will work in your heart in ways you never expected, and you will reap so many fruits while showing kids Christ and having the most fun you've ever had. You will also make lifelong friendships!

Caleb K.
3rd Year Staff Member

Do it! There are few places that give such opportunity for spiritual growth and time to do good. God is present here.

Laci J.
4th Year Staff Member

Camp Deer Run may seem like an insane and intimidating place, but it is the most Christ-centered, loving, and uplifting environment I have ever been surrounded by. As counselors we all are working towards the same goal; to show these kids love, therefore Christ. I have grown in more ways than I can name and made memories that I will undoubtedly remember forever. So take a chance on this goofy place because who knows how The Lord will use you to further His kingdom!

Camden D.
2nd Year Staff Member

100% do it and go all in! You will not regret it. You’ll have the time of your life while growing friendships and relationships that you would’ve never expected.

Natalie C.
4th Year Staff Member

DO IT!!!! God works so evidently at camp! Lives and eternities are changed! Lifelong friendships are formed! All of the distractions of the world are gone, and you just get to experience God!

Abbie B.
2nd Year Staff Member

DO IT! Camp is going to be my “good ol’ days” one day. I have made amazing memories while showing kids that they are beloved!!

Baylor C.
3rd Year Staff Member

DO IT! It will benefit your faith more than anything else and it sets you up for success in life in so many ways. The deer run staff is a family of college kids HUNGRY for the Lord and that is uncommon in our world! You won’t regret it!

Moral of the story? APPLY!

DATES OF EMPLOYMENT

Our summer staff are employed for the entire 9 weeks of our summer program plus a week of orientation before Camp starts.

STAFF ORIENTATION: TBD

1ST SESSION: TBD

2ND SESSION: TBD

3RD SESSION: TBD

4TH SESSION: TBD

5TH SESSION: TBD

6TH SESSION: TBD

What our Staff Have to Say

I experienced Jesus through the eyes of little children and I’ve never felt more spiritually moved by the Lord than through my experience serving the campers at camp deer run. God taught me humility, patience, selflessness, and how to have pure joy strictly from the Lord NOT from the approval of those around me.

Beth Ann, 1st Year Staff Member

I was so lucky to even be given the chance to be on staff and words cannot even describe how thankful I am to have been here this summer. This is the most fun I’ve ever had in my entire life, and I really think this is the most I’ve ever matured as a person in such a short amount of time. This place is so special, and God is doing incredible work here. I’ve made tons of new friends that will last a lifetime, and I’m entirely grateful for that. I love this place and I love this mission.

Trace, 1st Year Staff Member

This has been one of the best experiences of my life. I have seen the Lord's hand at work so vividly in so many situations. Being on staff has helped me grow exponentially in my spiritual walk as well as helped me learn how to be more like Christ every day. This job can be hard at times, but learning to fully rely on the Lord for all of your needs has been one of the biggest blessings to come out of this job. The community that God has blessed Deer Run with has also been one of the best things to come out of being on staff. I have met some of my best friends here and been blessed by mentorship from previous staff members.

Makenna, 3rd Year Staff Member

With a schedule that should wipe you out and keep you exhausted, you can physically feel the Holy Spirit giving you strength and motivation to pour into these kids who look forward to their session at Deer Run every summer. You won’t regret a second of it.

Gabe, 2nd Year Staff Member

My time at Camp Deer Run has been so impactful and life changing. I have grown in many ways. I have learned many life lessons that I will carry over into the rest of my life. The experiences, friendships, and love I have been blessed with at Deer Run are unmatched. I will be forever grateful for the opportunity to serve alongside everyone here.

Ellianna, 5th Year Staff Member

With a schedule that should wipe you out and keep you exhausted, you can physically feel the Holy Spirit giving you strength and motivation to pour into these kids who look forward to this camp every summer, and you won’t regret a second of it.

Ethan Hollingsworth, 2nd Year Staff Member

I have waited for this summer for a long time and I never could have prepared myself for how incredible it would be. I have had an absolute blast getting to know the staff and getting to reflect God’s love to all of our campers. Sometime I would stop myself in the middle of a crazy activity just to remind myself that I have the coolest job ever.

Avery, 1st Year Staff Member

I don't think I've felt like I've made a bigger impact anywhere else. Most importantly though, there is nowhere else where people have made a bigger impact on me. The amount of sheer love I've felt this summer has made my heart so full.

Jackson, 1st Year Staff Member

Literally the best experience of my life. I have learned to trust in the Lord entirely, as He is the sole provider of my strength, protection, and energy out here. Beyond growing in my faith, I have also gained deep friendships that will last for a lifetime. Being a camper was an awesome experience, but being a part of the mission work of the Deer Run Staff has changed my life for the better. I am eternally grateful for my my time on staff!

Ella, 4th Year Staff Member

Summer Staff Applications

Applications for our 2026 Summer Staff will open September 1! Check back soon to apply!

Email a staff member!

This form is NOT for camper mail. For camper mail please visit www.campdeerrun.com/mail

The Summer staff love to hear from family, friends, and campers throughout the summer! Staff can receive mail at afternoon Canteen on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday (two-week sessions only).

 

Staff emails will be printed and sorted at 11:00 a.m on each mail day. Any Staff emails received after 11:00 a.m. will be delivered the following mail day.

 

Emails won’t be delivered during outcamping (the first Thursday and Friday of two week sessions).

 

Staff cannot reply to emails during the session. Your messages are simply for their enjoyment and encouragement.

 

Inappropriate, abusive, or prank emails will not be delivered. Please send meaningful correspondence.

 

Please only send emails that are uplifting, encouraging, and beneficial to the Summer Staff.

    Day 1 - God Comes First

    SCRIPTURE:

    “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart.”
    Deuteronomy 6:4-6


    DEVOTIONAL:

    This is a verse that we hear often. It’s a common memory verse. It’s the basis for countless worship songs and hymns. It strikes at the core of all Christian faith and life. These words come from Moses, as He speaks to the Israelites before their entry into the Promised Land. Behind them, there has been a long journey – from slavery to freedom a promise of a land of their own that is very good. But along that journey there has been temptation, and the Israelites have time and time again lost sight of their covenant with God and forgotten the salvation that He delivered to them. Because of that, they spent 40 years wandering in the desert instead of going straight to the new homeland that God had promised.


    It’s a lesson to all of us that when we lose sight of God, when we forget about Him and His Word, when our focus drifts away from Him, we end up wandering in a desert instead of enjoying the good things He intended for us.


    At Camp Deer Run, we leave behind many of the things in our day to day lives that distract us from God. We leave behind the phones, the TVs, the social media, the stress of school or work, the trials and struggles that we carry with us. When you step through the gates as your session begins, you can leave all of it behind you and just focus on God, pure and simple.
    When we set those burdens down, and remove all the distractions that are keeping us from seeing God clearly and putting Him first in our lives, we come closer to Him, we grow deeper in our relationship with Him, we feel His love. And when we know His love for us and understand that we are His beloved children, our love for Him grows too.


    But Camp doesn’t have some kind of magic forcefield around it that makes you leave your worries at the door. It’s definitely easier at Camp to leave those things behind. There’s so much fun to be had, so much nature to enjoy, and so many friends to surround you. But at the end of the day, it’s still up to you to let go of the things that distract you from God and to put Him first. Sometimes that’s hard to do, and sometimes it takes a little while to figure it out. That’s ok!


    As you prepare for Camp, we just want you to know that God wants to have a relationship with you. God knows you. God loves you. And He wants you to keep your focus on Him, because He doesn’t want you to be lost in the desert. He wants to lead you to the Promised Land!

     

    DISCUSSION:


    What are some of the things that make it hardest for you to focus on God at home?


    Can you leave that behind when you go to Camp? How?


    Camp Deer Run is all about seeing God in everything, not just worship or Bible lessons, but in the games and activities and friends and fun. How do you keep your focus on God in all of these different situations?