The Best Job Ever
You can make a difference. Live your faith in your work and play. Inspire greatness and create the safe space for kids to be who God created them to be. You’ll play hard, and work even harder and it’ll make you stretch and grow in ways you haven’t before.
College students who want to invest in youth this summer: we would love to meet you! We hire a diverse group of young people who all have a passion to “Be with kids and show them God”.
Application Process
- Explore the website and watch some highlight videos
- Read the job descriptions, and our “About Staff” post to ensure that you align with Sonlight Core Values and ministry intent. Be familiar with the Staff Handbook to learn more about some of the parameters of the position and our camp community. If you agree with our statement of faith and Core Values, then complete and submit a Staff Interest Form.
- After review, applicants will be invited to complete a more in-depth application
- Following your submitted application, Interview with Sonlight Leadership staff.
Hiring Timeline
- Late October: New Staff Interest Form and rolling invitation to application opens
- December 1st: Returning Staff Hiring Decisions Made
- Ongoing interviews November – January
- January 15th or before: New applicant hiring decisions made
- Apply early!
“Being on staff I understood for the first time what it feels like to be unabashedly yourself, and for people to love who that crazy, goofy, quirky person is. I learned that you can love others so deeply, even when they’re different from yourself…. I learned that who you are is good enough, because it’s exactly who you’re supposed to be. Spending the summer at Sonlight was the best choice I’ve ever made, there’s nothing better than being here.”
Questions? We love conversation! Let us know what additional information we can provide regarding our positions or the application process.
Contact Us
“Sonlight has made me fall in love with serving others.”
Summer Positions 2025
Start the application process with the “I’m interested” form!
Camp Counselors
Be with kids! Live and work alongside the campers, mentoring, guiding and sharing all the fun of camp. Read the full Job Description here
Adventure Staff
NEW IN 2025: Calling all Mountain Bikers, Climbers, Backpackers, and Outdoor Leaders/ Enthusiasts! Share your love of outdoor recreation with campers both at our Resident Camps and Sonlight Adventure Trips. In addition to being a Camp Counselor or on Program Support, lead campers in building confidence and experiencing success as they connect with nature in high adventure recreation activities. Wilderness First Aid and documented recreational experience required. Read the full Job Description here
Behind the Scenes (BTS)/ Program Support
Support the program of Sonlight Camp through all the behind the scenes work. Program setup and takedown, mowing, dishes, and assisting with light maintenance. Areas of specialization in Maintenance and Office Assistance. Read the full Job Description here
Photographer
Capture the spirit of Sonlight in photos and videos. Your creative vision is required to tell the Sonlight story to parents and camp families. Continuing for summer 2025 the option for a 1 week commitment. Read the full Job Description here
Assistant Cooks
This entry level kitchen position is perfect for someone who enjoys cooking and food and wants to learn the ins and outs of a commercial kitchen whilst being a part of the wider camp community. Read the full Job Description here
Registered Nurse
Sonlight’s Camp Nurses are responsible for the healthcare of campers and staff. Current Colorado (or nurse compact state) RN license required. Read full Job Description here
Program Assistant
The Program Assistant will assist the Program Director in coordinating all the details of scheduling, materials, and logistics for Residential Summer Camp Program. Returning staff preferred. Read full Job Description here
International Staff
Due to J-1 Visa requirements all International applicants will need to work with an agency to be eligible for hiring. We love the diversity and enthusiasm International Staff contribute to our community. Limited Openings; Read full Job Description here
Department Leads
NEW IN 2025: Take leadership for your passions as our resident Worship Leader or Craft Coordinator! An entry-level leadership position that seeks to strengthen two core programming areas. Assist in organization and growth throughout the summer, in addition to a full time Summer Staff position. Learn more here
Important Staff Dates
Application Dates
Mid October: Returning/ International Staff Applications Open
Late October: New Staff Applications Open
November/ December/ January: Rolling Interviews occur
December 1st: Returning Staff Hiring Decisions Made
January 15th: All New Hiring Decisions Made
January/ March/ April: Hiring for all remaining positions ongoing
Summer Dates
May 26th: Adventure Staff Training Begins, Arrive 5pm
May 27th International Staff/ Staff Flying Arrive (ABQ Airport Shuttle)
May 29th: All Staff Training Begins, Arrive 3-5pm
June 8th First Day of Resident Camp!
** Optional June 29th – July 2nd Young Adult Backpack Trip
Aug 2nd: Last Day of Resident Camp, Closing Banquet
Aug 3rd: Staff Depart (ABQ Airport Shuttle)
*** Optional Aug 4th – 9th Young Adult Adventure Sampler Trip (ABQ Airport Shuttle on the 10th if needed)
** A Sonlight Adventure Base trip! Get into the backcountry on this 4 day, 3 night backpacking trip. Connect with others seeking intentional community. Offered at a discounted rate to Sonlight Staff, open to anyone 18 – 30ish!
*** A Sonlight Adventure Base trip! Experience a taste of what a Colorado mountain summer has to offer: Backpacking, Mountain Biking, and Water adventuring (Rafting/ Tubing/ Kayaking depending on water levels)! An opportunity to connect with fellow young adults and build community with shared interest. Offered at a discounted rate to Sonlight Staff, open to anyone 18 – 30ish!
FAQ's
Why Sonlight? Our camp is small, and the benefits profound. We get to know kids on a personal level, and our impact is great. Each week is a different age group, so activities, worship and everything we do is tailored to that specific age group of campers. We live the Core Values of Sonlight as we work and play together
When does the hiring process begin? Our application process opens late November. We usually have all of our staff hired by the beginning of April
Where do your staff come from? All over! Our staff are a diverse group of young people from all across the World, many from the United States and a handful of International. Some staff are former campers, others found us on Google, and everything in between. We enjoy having a good mix of folks to have a well balanced team
Is this a paid position? Yes. All of our summer staff positions are paid. In addition to your paycheck you also receive room and board, laundry, and worker’s compensation insurance
When does staff training begin? Staff training begins the week of May 26th, 2025, start dates vary depending on position. The summer season runs through early August. A staff commitment is for the entire summer season
What about health insurance? Sonlight offers a small accident / illness insurance policy for summer staff. It does not cover any pre-existing conditions. It is for injury /illness only. It is a small policy, not major health insurance
Academic Credit
Is your program of study camp related? You may be surprised to know that you can get academic credit from working at a summer camp! Sonlight is more than willing to work with college students who are interested in utilizing their summer not only as a summer job but as a paid internship or to receive college credit. Many of Sonlight’s summer positions relate to the following fields of study:
-
- Youth Ministry
- Outdoor Recreation
- Education
- Business Administration
- Food Service
- Nonprofit Administration
- Film/Video
- A valuable job for learning soft skills to compliment a technical / scientific degree
If you are interested in receiving academic credit by working at Sonlight, first check with your advisor. Usually it involves a bit of paperwork on your part. Call us 970.264.4379 (main office)
Important Links and Forms
Sonlight Staff Handbook Everything you need to know about being on staff at Sonlight
Staff Interest Form Step 1 towards a meaningful summer job
Top reasons to work at camp this summer Provided by the American Camp Association From the American Camp Association:
“To be on staff at Sonlight is to be part of something bigger than yourself”
Already hired? Log in for forms and details
Sonlight is Accredited by the American Camp Association