Make This the Summer
You’ll Remember

- Summer Staff -

The camp counselor experience is one of the most formative and most fun things you can do with your summer. Come build something real — relationships, faith, and skills that follow you for life.

Applications for the 2027 Summer Season will open November 1, 2026.

Apply Now

Why Join Our Summer Staff?

Build leadership, mentoring, communication, and problem-solving skills

Live and work on 660 acres of some of Wisconsin's most beautiful land

Be part of a tight-knit community that challenges and supports you

Know that campers' lives will be different — genuinely different — because you showed up. And so will yours.

Sugar Creek is Christ-centered, Spirit-led, and Bible-fed! 

Your 660-acre summer workplace is surrounded by clean water streams, lively ponds, high bluffs, peaceful prairies, cozy cabins, and a comfortable staff lodge.

Each summer, Sugar Creek welcomes 1,000+ campers through residential, traveling, family, and day programs. Kids unplug from technology, build meaningful connections, try new adventures, grow in confidence and faith, and make lifelong memories. All while experiencing God’s love in beautiful and unexpected ways - thanks to YOU! Come make that difference. You’ll become empowered yourself for your life, faith, and future profession - in a new community of lifelong friends, right alongside the youth.

Ready to Apply?

At Sugar Creek, you are equipped for the summer… and for LIFE! A fully-paid Staff Training begins May 29 — You get two weeks of team-building, community, outdoor adventure, leadership, relational skills, child safety certifications, and faith formation before campers arrive. (Training is required for all program staff.)

Applications for the 2027 Summer Season will open November 1, 2026.

    • Faith in Jesus Christ: Be willing and able to share your life in Christ with others. Here you don’t have to know all the answers – just a desire to grow, share honesty, and walk in faith together, guided and encouraged by God who loves you unconditionally. 

    • Openness to Christian faith: Sugar Creek is founded and guided by ELCA (Lutheran) faith communities and other partner churches. This means you don’t have to be Lutheran to serve in ministry… just open to learning and sharing in the “theology of grace.” Not sure what that is? The Program Director or Executive Director would love to have an open, mutually respectful conversation with you to explore – by phone, Zoom, or coffee – about your own faith, questions, and/or comfort level. We are all growing and learning… Most staff come in with very little Bible knowledge or theological education—and that’s completely okay! No pressured, judgmental or forced toxic superiority systems here. We’re all imperfect followers of Jesus who seek to participate in the good news of God’s unconditional love, learning continually, asking hard questions together, and sharing God’s love in all things in words and deeds. 

    • Passion for people: A joyful heart for helping people of all ages, especially children and youth.

    • Willingness to try new things: Be ready for unexpected, new experiences and adventures! This job gets you confident & ready. 

    • Education: High school diploma required. (Exceptions can be made for those who completed Sugar Creek’s L.E.A.D. program, for support roles.) 

    • Background check: Ability to pass a criminal background check as a condition of employment.

    • Free housing and home-style meals during the week. Summer staff have private, nice facilities at our modern Koinonia Lodge for the summer youth season. Private bathrooms and showers in each dorm room, fiber optic WiFi, double kitchen, rec room, fireplace lounge, dining/game area; use of new free onsite laundry facilities; able on time off to utilize trails, camping gear, and recreational equipment. 

    • $300/week starting salary for staff 18+ with at least one year of college or equivalent experience

    • Experience Bonus: +$10/week for each prior summer on staff

    • Leadership Bonus: +$20/week for leadership roles

    • Recruitment Bonus: Earn $100 right now for each new staff member you refer who interviews! Plus earn $200 more if they are hired and complete their summer contract.

    • Time off most weekends to rest, stay, leave, recharge, travel, or explore :)

  • Sugar Creek is proud to be a Global community! We’ve welcomed recent staff members from the Czech Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Mexico, Tanzania, South Africa, Zimbabwe, and more.

    We provide:

    • Visa Support through trusted partners like IENA for J-1 visas

    • Transportation from Madison or La Crosse airports or bus stations

    • Housing & Meals with private bathrooms, Wi-Fi, and meals included

    • Cultural Opportunities to explore Wisconsin and connect with local families and communities

    • Custom Internships in coordination with your academic advisor for international students already studying in the U.S.

  • Applications for the 2027 Summer Season will open on November 1st, 2026. To apply:

    • Pray – Ask God to guide you, equip you, and continue preparing you for this calling 

    • Apply online – Just a Google form. Resume/cover letter recommended if applying for leadership roles 

    • Name 3 references who are willing to speak about your strengths 

    • The Program Director will contact you to schedule a Zoom or in-person interview

    • Background check and work eligibility verification will be completed 

    • Contact the Program Director at program@sugarcreekbiblecamp.org or (608) 734-3113 anytime with questions

    • May 29–June 1: Leadership Staff Training

    • June 1–12: Full Staff Training (time off Saturday, June 6)

    • June 14: First day of summer camp

    • Mid Summer: Staff Renewal Weekend

    • July 31: Last day of summer camp

    • August 1: All-camp clean-up day

    • August 2–9: Family Camp sessions

  • As a fully ACA-accredited and licensed summer camp, each year Sugar Creek staff take part in mandatory trainings about safety, youth ministry techniques, peer ministry skills, curriculum training, outdoor living skills, and other key areas of personal strengths-building and professional skills.

    The work week typically begins Sundays at noon with a staff meeting, wrapping up Fridays around 5 pm, giving you time off over the weekend to rest, recharge, or explore.

    Staff are given our nicest facility, the modern Koinonia Lodge all summer. It features:

    • Central fireplace lounge, dining area, kitchen, rec room, and decks overlooking the horse barn and valley

    • Fast fiber optic Wi-Fi in all rooms

    • Private bathrooms and showers in each dorm room

Roles You Can Explore

During the 2027 summer season, you'll live on-site in staff housing, share meals with your team, and pour yourself into camper experiences from Sunday afternoon through Friday.

Weekends between sessions offer rest and time to recharge.

Full Job Descriptions
Six girls standing outdoors on green grass, smiling, with trees and shrubs in the background.

Camp Counselor

Experience a variety of youth program leadership roles and age levels in one summer. Comprehensive paid training is provided. You'll lead small groups of kids and youth in Bible study, team building, worship, games, outdoor activities and daily life. Share your gifts in creating a safe, nurturing, and fun environment; see the growth in your campers. Experience overnight programs, Day Camps, travel adventures, and/or theme camps - according to your skills and preferences, with different program opportunities available weekly.

Start Date: June 1

A young girl sits on a brown horse wearing a black riding helmet, with a woman walking alongside holding a lead rope. The girl appears focused as they are outdoors on green grass with lush trees in the background.

Wrangler

Assists Lead Wrangler and Barn Manager in horse programs, including caring for horses, leading pony rides, organizing rodeo events, and teaching junior wranglers.

Start Date: June 1

Group of people gathered outdoors in a lush green forest, some dressed in historical or biblical costumes, participating in an outdoor event or performance, with an audience of children and adults watching.

Leadership Position

Works alongside the Program Director to support and guide the summer staff community, overseeing all on-site programs. Responsibilities include managing camper profiles and health forms, preparing cabin assignments, handling the camper Christmas card process, delivering mail, and assisting with off-site camper transport.

Start Date: May 29

Assistant Program Director

A group of children and an adult on a canoe on a calm river, surrounded by green trees, with everyone wearing life jackets and holding paddles, engaging in a water activity.

Leadership Position

Supports the Program Director by managing adventure-based programs and trips. Duties encompass overseeing equipment and camper luggage, coordinating adventure activities, and ensuring smooth operations.

Start Date: May 29

Adventure Program Coordinator

A group of young people posing in front of a large white boat with black and orange stripes, on a dock with a wooden platform.

Leadership Position

Leads the Riverboat program on the Mississippi River. Acts as a counselor, guides campers and staff, manages supplies, and ensures program success—ideal for leadership and program management internships.

Start Date: May 29

Riverboat Coordinator

A group of people sitting and standing under a large tree in a park, reading and relaxing on grass.

Leadership Position

Guides campers in the LEAD program through Bible studies, devotions, and leadership training. Helps assign LEAD participants to counselors. Suited for internships in ministry, education, or leadership.

Start Date: May 29

LEAD Coordinator

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Leadership Position

Manages the Day Camp Team and Foresters Program. Oversees daily programming and provides administrative support—perfect for leadership, ministry, or program management interns.

Start Date: May 29

Day Camp Coordinator

A group of children outdoors, wearing casual clothes and sunglasses, raising their hands in the air.

Leadership Position

Oversees a camper group, leading Bible studies, worship, devotions, and ensuring camper safety. Supports fellow counselors and helps create a spiritually nurturing environment.

Start Date: May 29

Village Leader

A young girl with glasses and a helmet riding a brown and white horse at an outdoor park, with two women walking alongside and smiling, surrounded by greenery and trees.

Leadership Position

Supports the Barn Manager in organizing and teaching wranglers. Responsibilities include orienting campers to barn safety, organizing trail rides, and maintaining tack. A great equine-related internship.

Start Date: May 29
Early start possible to prepare the barn and horses.

Lead Wrangler

People swimming in an outdoor pool during sunset with trees and hills in the background.

Serves as the primary lifeguard, maintains pool facilities, hosts pool parties, and supports off-site water-based programs

Start Date: May 29

Aquatics Coordinator

Three girls sitting outdoors on a log, working on a craft project with string, in a wooded area with chairs in the background.

Oversees arts & crafts sessions and helps plan special nights like “Christ Hike” or “Village Nights.” Manages supplies and activities for creative camp experiences.

Start Date: June 1

Fine Arts / Special Programs Coordinator

A group of children and a woman observing and listening to a man with a lanyard, in an outdoor setting with trees and a metal fence.

Manages the Frontier Farm—lead campers in daily chores, animal care, gardening, and petting zoo maintenance. Excellent for agriculture or environmental education internships.

Start Date: June 1
Early start possible.

Frontier Farm & Environmental Education Coordinator

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Captures media, manages social media accounts, and creates promotional materials. Role adjustable based on your media or marketing interests.

Start Date: June 1

Media & Marketing Coordinator

Group of children and teenagers outdoors, engaging in an activity involving a stick and a bag, in a wooded area with green foliage.

Assists with food prep and delivery for outdoor cookouts, and collaborates with Program and Maintenance teams to manage off-site program supplies. Some kitchen assistance is required.

Start Date: June 1

Outpack Coordinator

Group of children and a young adult sitting and kneeling on grass in a wooded area, posing with a small campfire made of sticks and bird nests, smiling at the camera.

Represent Sugar Creek at local churches during Day Camps. Lead Bible studies, worship, and activities. Sometimes assist with overnight programs.

Start Date: June 1

Foresters/ Day Camp Counselor

A group of people serving and receiving food in a kitchen. There are boys and girls and an adult man in a purple T-shirt, which says 'God's Word Comes Near' and 'Biblical Camp Staff 2025.' One girl in a black top and pink shorts is handing a plate of cake to an adult man. The scene is indoors with kitchen equipment and colorful pictures on the walls.

Supports daily meal prep and cleanup, assists with outdoor cooking, and food delivery. Once kitchen tasks are done, helps with various camp activities.

Start Date: June 1

Kitchen Assistant

Person using a small tracked excavator or bulldozer on a grassy field, with trees, hills, parked cars, and a building in the background.

Assists Maintenance Director with facility upkeep, pool maintenance, grounds work, compost management, and other day-to-day projects.

Start Date: June 1

Maintenance Assistant

A group of young girls gathered around a wooden picnic table outdoors, engaged in a craft activity. They are smiling, with some holding craft supplies. The setting is a grassy area with trees in the background, suggesting a park or camp environment.

Most positions can be adapted into a custom internship to meet your academic or career goals. Contact Program@SugarCreekBibleCamp.org to discuss.

Custom Internships

FAQs

Have questions? We have answers!

  •  No! You just need to be open to ELCA Lutheran theology and excited to grow in faith with others

  • That’s okay! Our staff training equips you with everything you need, from outdoor skills to youth ministry strategies.

  • Staff stay in the Koinonia Lodge with private bathrooms, Wi-Fi, and a full kitchen. All meals are provided.

  • Yes! Earn $300/week plus bonuses, with free housing and meals.

  • No, transportation is available from Madison, WI or La Crosse, WI.

  • Yes, we’ll work with your school to create custom internships.

  • It’s like joining a family. You’ll share meals, worship, and adventures with people who quickly become lifelong friends. Staff come from many backgrounds and countries, creating a rich mix of stories, skills, and perspectives that make every summer unique.

  • Definitely! Many staff describe their camp friendships as some of the most meaningful relationships of their lives.

  • Nope! What matters most is curiosity, openness, and a willingness to grow together in a supportive, Christ-centered community.

Applications for the 2027 Summer Season will open November 1, 2026.

LEAD Program

For Students Going into Grades 11-12

Not old enough for staff yet? Apply for LEAD — our 4-week leadership development program for high school juniors and seniors. LEAD participants receive a full scholarship ($3,200 value), mentoring, and real-world ministry experience.

Apply for LEAD