The Camp Staff Experience is an 11-week opportunity to serve as a camp counselor at BridgeBuilders, which takes place in the lower part of the state on the edge between Allendale & Hampton County. BridgeBuilders is a summer camp hosted by Varnville First Baptist Church that seeks to invest in the area's youth, with the goal of making followers of Jesus Christ who can have a positive impact on their community. Camp staff interns are responsible to coordinate programming for the summer, as students from Grace Church help provide weekly hands-on support. In addition to working camp, the experience includes pre-camp training in Greenville, SC and a camp staff retreat.
Learn more about BridgeBuilders and our partnership with Varnville First Baptist Church by clicking on our video.
The experience lasts 11 weeks, which includes pre-camp training, camp set up and break down, and the camp staff retreat at the conclusion of camp.
Staff will begin their time at Grace Church in Greenville for training and planning, and spend the following eight weeks living in Allendale or Hampton, SC. At the end of camp, camp staff will get away for an in-state retreat (location TBD) for 3–4 days to debrief the summer.
Camp Staff Internship dates for summer 2025 have not been decided yet, but interns can expect to work 11 full weeks between mid-May and the beginning of August.
The Camp Staff application is now open and will remain open until November 17, 2024. Positions for Camp Staff are filled on a rolling basis. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to email Scarlett Wolcott at swolcott@grace.sc.
BridgeBuilders is held in both Hampton and Allendale County, SC. However, the Camp Staff Experience will begin in Greenville, SC with pre-camp training and conclude with a post-camp staff retreat in South Carolina.
Yes. You must be at least 18 years old or have completed one year of college by June 1, 2025. Additionally, priority will be given to applicants who have been a part of developmental programs and/or biblical community at Grace Church.
Camp staff works a 7-hour day of camp Monday–Friday. Additionally, there will be team meetings that take place on Sunday afternoons that are mandatory for each staff member to attend in order to prepare for the following week of camp. Outside of camp hours, staff will also meet together on certain weeknights for development training, staff devotionals, and small groups.
Applications for Camp Staff 2025 are open until November 17, 2024. Camp Staff positions will be filled on a rolling basis as we prepare for the upcoming summer program. After you have submitted your application, you will hear from us regarding scheduling an interview.
During the application process, you will have a chance to indicate which position you are most interested in serving as. However, as we try to accommodate your request, we ask that you be flexible and prepared to serve in any position at BridgeBuilders.
Yes! You will be paid $3,600 for the summer. Camp Staff will also be expected to fundraise $1,250 of outside support to help cover staff housing and program costs.
During the short stay in Greenville, each staff member will have a host family to welcome them to Greenville and provide a place to stay! However, while working at BridgeBuilders, camp staff will live in gender-specific houses in the Allendale and Hampton area.
Unfortunately, you will not be able to work another job. It is recommended you do not take any summer classes. Life at camp can be demanding, and we want each staff member to be able to focus solely on their responsibilities at BridgeBuilders and serve well throughout the summer. If there seems to be a conflict, please let us know beforehand and we will see if something can be worked out.
Yes.
Directors are responsible for all oversight of BridgeBuilders. They oversee and maintain camp structure, including scheduling, logistics, culture, and policy, as well as lead camp staff. They communicate regularly with the current and incoming short-term volunteer team, perform administrative duties, and provide hands-on support to the student ministry teams. Considered “the principal of camp,” they are primarily responsible for camper discipline issues and manage all communication with parents. To apply for the camp director role, you must be 21 years old by May 2025 or have completed your junior year of college. However, preference will be given to college graduates.
Junior staff supervisors are responsible for those participating in our junior staff program. Junior staff are ages 13–18, and act as “camp staff in training.” This role includes providing oversight for program participants through weekly feedback, assisting in program development components such as leadership class, life skills development, and Bible study. This role includes planning and implementing group projects for participants to work on together to contribute to camp. To apply for the junior staff supervisor role, you must be 21 years old by May 2025 or have completed your junior year of college. However, preference will be given to college graduates.
Sports counselors are responsible for the planning and execution of all sports activities during the camp. This includes assigning four sports focuses for each week of camp, as well as incorporating creative components to keep campers engaged and involved in their sports rotation. Sports counselors will work closely with Forge student volunteers to ensure smooth running of four sports rotations each day. This position will have the opportunity to build relationships with campers through creating an energetic, teamwork-based sports environment to further the overall goal of BridgeBuilders.
Curriculum counselors are responsible for the development and implementation of all spiritual curriculum and small group time. These staffers will be working towards making sure summer camp has a lasting impact and the campers leave the summer knowing more about Jesus. This will take the form of coordinating chapel times, organizing crafts and lessons for small group time, and being knowledgeable about all of the campers in designated family group. Curriculum counselors will be responsible for equipping the short-term mission team members on how to best serve and love the family groups they are responsible for. They will learn about working with children from a variety of backgrounds, group management, efficient communication, and the Father’s heart towards discipline.
Upper Grades Curriculum Counselor will serve campers ages 9 and older. Lower Grades Curriculum Counselor will serve campers ages 8 and younger. Each curriculum counselor will also assist with some administrative tasks as well.
Activities counselors will be responsible for the scheduling and planning of all non-sports related activities to help make the camp an educational, inclusive, and memorable experience for the campers. They will work closely with Forge student teams and local volunteers to create an educational and fun camp environment. Activities can range from Just Dance classes to Spanish lessons, and the goal is fruitful communication with the local churches in the community to provide opportunities and responsibility for local volunteers to take on. Activities counselors will learn about cultural differences, work between churches and denominational lines, and use strong interpersonal skills.