Summer Staff

Applicants Need

• A loving, growing relationship with Jesus Christ.
• Willingness to work hard, be flexible, and serve in a variety of ways.
• Most applicants must be high school graduates, 17 years and older. Preference is given to applicants with a year of post-high school experience (See SALT exception below). Not a high school graduate? See High School leadership opportunities or contact us with specific questions.
• Those who have worked two weeks of SALT (these do not have to be consecutive or even in the same summer) and are entering the 12th grade are eligible to apply to be a part of Summer Support Staff and work at camp for an entire summer!!
• Some positions have specific age requirements due to insurance and liability.
• All summer staff must submit to federal criminal background and national sex offender checks, provide personal references, and agree to abide by all Lutherhaven Ministries Personnel Policies.
• Some positions require additional certifications such as CPR/First Aid, Lifeguarding, or a Food Handler’s Permit.
• All applicants must submit a completed, signed summer staff application.

How It Works

1. Step One: Start the application process here.
2. Step Two: Schedule your interview (an email will be sent to you with instructions and availability)
3. Step Three: Get excited for a summer of fun, faith formation, and building lifelong skills
4. Check out our four different sites – Camp Lutherhaven, Shoshone Mountain Retreat, Idaho Servant Adventures, and Shoshone Creek Ranch–all part of Lutherhaven Ministries. One application works for all locations!

Summer Camp 2023 Dates

• Camp Lutherhaven (Counselors and Support Staff): Approximately June 4 – August 19, 2023
• Camp Lutherhaven (Program Team): Approximately May 29 – August 19, 2023
• Shoshone Mountain Retreat: Approximately May 29 – August 19, 2023

Can’t serve a full summer?

We still want to hear from you! First time working at Lutherhaven? Fill out an application and let us know what weeks you are able to serve. Between our online training resources and in-person training when you arrive, we can get you where you need to be before you have your first cabin. Worked at Lutherhaven before? Consider applying to be a part of Legacy Staff (information below)!

All summer positions have work availability into September and beyond. Have questions? Contact us for more information!

Base Pay

Approximately $350 per week, plus meals and housing (valued at $275 per week) depending on positions and experience. That’s between $3500 and $4000 for a full summer, plus $2750 in housing and meals!

Additional Summer Bonus for:

• Serving your full summer contract (between $100-$350 depending on length of service)
• Being Red Cross Lifeguard trained. We can provide free training and the certification can be used outside of camp as well for up to two years! ($200 bonus)

• Our mission and values
• Our approach to ministry (please read before applying)
• Apply for Summer Staff 2023
• Staff and COVID policies (still being updated for 2023)

Counselors

As a Lutherhaven Camp Counselor, no two weeks are the same! Some weeks you will counsel a cabin of roughly 8-9 campers in any of our on-site programs. We also run a few weeks of Family Camp over the summer in which you will have the opportunity to practice hospitality and facilitation skills as you help families build lifelong memories. Additionally, you may have the chance to serve weeks at other locations such as Shoshone Mountain Retreat or on one of our Congregational Day Camps.

Program Leads

We are looking for 5-6 experienced camp leaders to join our Program Team and serve as the lead for one or more of our summer programs! In addition to overseeing the planning, implementation, and evaluation of your programs you will also help put on all camp activities such as games, skits, and worships, and get trained in ropes course facilitation.

Support Staff

In addition to their primary responsibilities, all support staff positions assist around camp in a variety of ways in the evenings, on weekends, and when not serving in their primary roles. You are the crew that makes it all happen!

• Waterfront Staff (must be lifeguard certified or willing to become lifeguard certified)
• Kitchen Support
• Boat Driver (25 and older)
• Ropes and Activity Facilitators
• Assistant Cooks
• Summer Health Care Lead
• Champ Camp Program Lead (New Position!)
• Media Assistant (Photography)

Legacy Staff

Are you a past staff that would love to serve at Lutherhaven again but can’t commit to an entire summer? Then consider applying to be a Legacy Staff! Yes, there is a Legacy Staff Shirt!! Whether you worked here one or three summers ago we would love to have you join us for as many weeks as you can offer. Online training material is provided before you arrive at camp to get you up to speed on current policies and procedures.

Summer Staff 2023 Applications are now open!

Apply Now —>

Shoshone Mountain Retreat

• Program Staff
• SALT Coordinator/Office Assistant
• Assistant Cooks
• Kitchen Support Staff
• Ranch Camp Program Coordinator

Shoshone Creek Ranch

• Head Wrangler
• Assistant Wrangler/Support Staff
• Ranch Camp Counselors
• Community Engagement/Maintenance

Summer Staff 2023 Applications are now open!

Apply Now —>

This is a tricky question. A typical work week of a salaried position is Sunday-Friday. The reality of camp is that you spend time with campers and are responsible for their safety and well being the entire time they are with you. So, you may be eating, hanging out at the cabin, swimming in beautiful Lake Coeur d’Alene, tubing the river at Shoshone, riding horses, worshiping on the beach or in the woods, sleeping, hiking, cleaning bathrooms, singing, and more throughout your “work day.”

All staff are contracted to work 2 weekends during the summer. Weekends are assigned during staff training. This is in addition to the weekend in between the two weeks of staff training. We welcome guest groups and run Family Camp programs each weekend. Those staff committing to work a shorter summer season will be asked to work at least one weekend during their contract. The last day of the summer is Saturday, August 19th. All staff working through the last week of camp are contracted to work that day unless previously arranged with their supervisor.

Yes! We know that life can be stressful and hard. We want to work with you to help keep you mentally and physically healthy. You will get daily breaks to check out, recharge and refresh. Many of our staff come to camp seeing a virtual or online counselor, and we would love to work with you to make sure you can maintain those key relationships during the summer season.

Great question. COVID policies for 2023 have not been updated yet. Here are the most recent staff and COVID policies but know these may change.

Great question. Check out our approach to ministry here.

Summers in North Idaho are incredible. June is typically in the 60’s and 70’s with chances of rain. July and August are in the 70’s, 80’s, and 90’s with lots of sunshine and hardly any rain.

Camp Lutherhaven

Camp Lutherhaven sits on the shores of Lake Coeur d’Alene in the North Idaho panhandle on 60 beautiful acres of timbered hillsides. Spokane, Washington is the nearest airport, 45 minutes from camp.  Lutherhaven has a beach and waterfront, homestead mountain village, tree houses, cabins and lodge space for 200, a 30-element high and low rope challenge course with climbing tower and zip-line, Frisbee golf, mini-golf, lots of hills and more! Lutherhaven is a tremendous place to share the grace and love of Jesus!

Shoshone Mountain Retreat & Shoshone Creek Ranch

Idaho Servant Adventures Program and Shoshone Creek Ranch are both located at Shoshone Mountain Retreat, 28 miles up the scenic North Fork of the Coeur d’Alene River. 1.5 hours from Coeur d’Alene, and 60 miles from Lutherhaven, Shsohone is surrounded by acres of lush National Forest, and sits at the confluence of Shoshone Creek and the Coeur d’Alene River.  Shoshone is a mountain wonderland. Floating the river, mountain biking, hiking, rock climbing, horseback riding, and ziplining are all part of the summer experience!

“After being a camper at Lutherhaven for years, I made one of the most influential decisions of my life – to work at camp as a lifeguard for the summer of 2016. This was an easy decision, and I counted down the days until staff training. When I arrived at camp on that sunny May afternoon, I expected the general camp fun I had been around for the past 7 years as a camper. My expectations for the summer were certainly met with abundance and then some. The summer was filled with excessive joy, challenges, growth both personally and in my faith, confidence, and some of the most special people in my life (and now a couple of them are even my house mates!). That first summer greatly influenced who I am today.

I’ve worked at camp for six summers now, first as a lifeguard, then head lifeguard, followed by counselor, Idaho Servant Adventures Program Staff, and Day Camp Coordinator, and every year my expectations were still met with abundance. My time in the woods of North Idaho taught me how to be a strong leader and a hard worker. Camp gave me confidence in myself I never thought imaginable and has prepared me for my career in elementary education. These summers have given me lifelong friends and mentors who are in my corner, and I am still close with them to this day… I’ll always encourage people to come work at camp for a life-changing summer!” – Ellin

“When I think of why I love Lutherhaven so much, one word immediately jumps out: safe. Often, the first thing that comes to mind upon hearing the word “safe” is the thought of being free from danger, but, there is so much more to consider when it comes to safety.

Lutherhaven is a safe place for me to express my love to others through Jesus Christ. It is a safe place for me to share how God’s love, direction, word and mercy has inspired me to serve others wholeheartedly. Lutherhaven is a safe place to let my voice be heard and to know that someone, including God, hears me and cares for me.

At many places in our day-to-day lives, it can feel like nobody cares about what we have to say. It’s sad, but it’s true; in our busy world, most people are always rushing, have a tendency to be selfish, and don’t want to be a part of situations where they’d have to carry anyone else’s burdens upon their shoulders.

We live in a fast-paced environment where we have our vision set on our destination and we do not take time to slow down and enjoy our surroundings. But, Lutherhaven changes that, because it’s a place that surrounds us with caring people in God’s beautiful creation.

Lutherhaven has a way of awakening us from our busy lifestyles, of somehow slowing down the clock so that we can actually look around and enjoy the natural beauty that surrounds us. It reminds us that there is so much more to this world than just working hard to obtain materialistic gains. For me, Lutherhaven is a safe place to let my imagination run free, and to share the joy and freedom of imagination with those around me.

The world of technology is slowly taking away our generation’s imaginations. Computers and cellphones tend to do most of our thinking for us and it doesn’t leave much room for our own imaginations to stir. But, at Lutherhaven, coming up with fun ideas to try to make children’s dreams come true allows us to have fun thinking outside the box… something we don’t often experience at home or school. For many of us, technology has become our new babysitter. We are the generation that spends hours upon hours sitting behind our screens at home. Lutherhaven is one of the only places we can go to truly break away from that.

I love being at Lutherhaven because it is a safe place to play, open up and grow. Being at Lutherhaven allows us to express our emotions and ideas, which builds our confidence and self-esteem, which in turn leads us to having better communications skills. These days, most of the world is lacking communication skills, and it’s so important to learn them because misunderstandings often lead to unnecessary conflicts.

But most importantly, Lutherhaven is a safe place for me to be a kid again. “Sam in the laboratory” doesn’t always get to be “Sam at Lutherhaven.” Where else would I get the chance to enter a talent show, laugh loudly and hysterically, and have all the fun I could imagine? It would be seen as unprofessional to show up to work dressed up as Peter Pan and ask anyone if they’d want to go swimming!

Camp has impacted my life because it’s shown me the true reality of the world I live in. The blindfold came off and I realized that I have always been in my comfort zone doing the bare minimum. It is true what the Bible says: there is plenty of work, but only a few workers. Lutherhaven impacted me to work harder and help people in need, whether emotionally, physically or spiritually.

Thanks to Lutherhaven, I have become a more focused servant leader where I make every day an opportunity to reach out to my community through community service, work or even sports. People are in desperate need for a leader that encourages them, cares, shares their burdens, motivates, walks with them and sets a good example to follow. Along with strong leadership skills, Lutherhaven has motivated me to keep trying to get into graduate school to further my knowledge in medical science so that I can better serve the community around me. In the most loving way possible, Lutherhaven called me out on the areas that I needed to grow in. In doing so, every area of my life has improved.

Most of my growth at Lutherhaven was through learning how to truly live out the fruits of the spirit. I learned how to really love others, even if they have different opinions or beliefs than mine… to be more joyful and resilient when facing trials… to fully believe that my trials were experienced so that I would grow, and to be able to help others when they experience similar trials… to be able to find peace in the storm through all things, especially when I’m most stressed… to be patient with others and realize that we each have a different set of strengths, gifts, and abilities… to be gentle, because we never really know what others may be going through… to be kind, even when I am not experiencing kindness… to have self-control and remain calm and respectful through everyday struggles… and, to be faithful. The most important lesson of all was to learn how to be faithful as I trust the timing of God and hold onto his promises.

My favorite camp memory is from 2016, when I was leading a High School Boys’ Cabin. Unfortunately, there are still many men who have never learned that it’s okay, and important, for men to express their emotions. They often pass these expectations on to their sons as they raise them to believe that ‘real men aren’t supposed to cry.’ Prayer around the cross takes place on Wednesday nights at summer camp and this is always where some of the most profound moments of camp take place. This particular prayer night, I witnessed these nine high school boys crying as they shared their life stories and faith with each other, forging an unbreakable bond between them. The best part is that many of them have continued to stay in touch with one another, and many are still involved with Camp Lutherhaven to this day. This just goes to show that Lutherhaven truly is a safe environment in which kid’s voices can be heard.

One of the main reasons I love coming back is because I get to meet students new and old. It is always heartwarming when a kid comes running up to share that they remember me from last summer, and that their most memorable part of last summer was being in my cabin. It’s also beautiful to see how much the kids grow and evolve in just one year. There’s always room to learn more about life, each other and most importantly, our relationships with God. Being in a secluded area away from the noise, technology and stress has such a strong impact on our walks with Jesus.

The tranquility and fresh air at Lutherhaven has helped me listen to what God wants to teach me, and to adequately prepare me for the challenges I’d face once I got back to the ‘real world.’ Even though I was working at Lutherhaven, it was also an oasis to freshen up and recharge. I did feel exhausted at times, but I never felt like I worked a single day.

Camp is not just about learning outdoor education and counseling skills, it is about finding yourself and what you are capable of. As you go through camp, it will amaze you how many new abilities you can pick up by interacting with your peers. It is important to get to know your peers, even if you’re introverted or shy, because it teaches you that no matter how different people can be, they are all there for the same reasons as you are: to learn about God, change lives, and make new friends. Before you know it, you will be sitting at one of their wedding ceremonies. Camp will open your eyes and help you see the world with different eyes. It will help you discover so many wonderful new things and make you appreciate certain things that you used to take for granted. The crazy thing about all this is that amongst all the fun, you are fulfilling two things Jesus commanded for us to do. One is to be like a child because those are the ones who will inherit the kingdom of heaven. And, two, you get to love not only God but other people as well as you share the word of God.”

-Sam, Lutherhaven Staff 2016-2019

“My mom began sending me to Camp Lutherhaven as early as she could…I first started coming to Lutherhaven as a Genesis camper and have since returned every year through this last summer, where I joined camp as a summer staffer! My mom also attended Lutherhaven with the same friends from early childhood through high school, and she’s loved how much I’ve come to love it here as well.

When I was younger I always felt very solidified in my faith and that it wasn’t something to be questioned. I knew I was a Christian and that meant the following; going to church on Sundays, helping out with volunteer work at local schools or churches, reading the Bible, etc. To a young child like me at the time, that was all it was to me and I didn’t give it much thought. Long story short, eventually events happened in my life around the age of 10 that had me questioning a lot of those ideals I held so close to me and whether I was a true Christian or not. I began going to church less, stopped reading the Bible and almost stopped thinking about God entirely. I felt very lost in the years that followed, as most teenagers do, and I questioned whether I wanted to continue to be a Christian and what that really meant for me. It got to the stage where I began asking myself the questions of: “Why do I believe in this? Why am I doing all of this for something I can’t even see? Is God even real?”

Even through all of those changes throughout the years, there was one thing that continued to remain constant in my life; Lutherhaven. It was the one week during the year that I got to meet kids my age in one of my favorite places on earth. I was able to talk to my camp counselor and they would help me understand why I was there and that I was there for a reason; that God put me there and had me coming back every year, and that was His plan. Even during the years that we were struggling to afford to come to camp, donations sent from anonymous families, churches and sponsors allowed my sister and I to continue coming to camp. To me, that was a huge sign that I was meant to be here.

The impact that Lutherhaven had on me every year for even just a week was enough to make me want to do the same for other kids. I became a J-staff member, now called SALT, in 2018. I applied to be a camp counselor for the summer of 2020, but due to Covid, was unable to work that summer. In 2021, I applied once again after feeling called to come back. I truly did not know what to expect, and wondered how we would even make this summer work. By the time I finally made it to camp for staff training, I knew I was in the right place. The sheer amount of love, uplifting energy and truly amazing people that I saw shown through God’s love this summer alone was enough to leave a mark on my life forever. I never thought that I would be a part of something so much bigger than myself, but I loved who I was at camp and who I was becoming by being surrounded by such amazing individuals. The campers that we met every week throughout the summer made it so worth it, and I made friendships that I know will last a lifetime. At camp, I felt God’s love, and that alone is enough to make me want to go back again next year.

I wouldn’t trade this last summer for anything. Lutherhaven has always felt like my home away from home, and for that, I am grateful.

And as Lutherhaven’s 2021 summer theme verse says, “For the lord is good. God’s steadfast love endures forever. God’s faithfulness, to ALL generations.” Psalm 100:5

“There is not a single time in my life that I cannot remember the presence that Camp Lutherhaven has had in my life. There is something about going somewhere disconnected from the rest of the busy world that really opens your eyes to new experiences, and camp has always been that place for me. Camp has just kind of always been in my life in some way, shape, or form. I was introduced to camp through winter retreats with my church in elementary school, and I could immediately recognize the kind and welcoming atmosphere that camp brought. There was never a year after that where I didn’t go to camp for a retreat, and once I was ready, for weeks of camp in the summer as a pathfinder, continuing to go to camp or to ISA at Shoshone up through my sophomore year in high school. Camp to me was a place where I could go to get away from the world and grow not only in my faith, but in my connections with those around me. The experiences that I gained as a camper were incredible to me, and I felt Lutherhaven was a place where my faith could blossom.

The physicality of camp makes me feel more connected with my faith and spirituality than anywhere else in the world. Faith has always been strongest to me from a communal aspect, sharing experiences and gathering with others who are at a similar point in our lives has always grown my faith. At one point over this summer, we discussed how being in different settings can change our faith journeys, and the ways in which we felt called to worship being different depending on location. I realized that camp was that place for me, and that my faith journey has taken its largest leaps through what I have experienced at camp. Being at Lutherhaven, my spirituality was a lot more powerful than anything else I have experienced. There was always a way about how I felt connected to God from a camper’s perspective, due to my amazing counselors, fellow campers, and amazing experiences that we all shared, that overall solidified my faith.

Lutherhaven was such a big part of my faith journey to the point where I chose to get confirmed through my church because of the way that camp helped me grow in my faith and to recognize the unconditional love of God.

So, it came as no surprise to me that when applications came around to work at camp this last summer, I could not say no. Admittedly I was a little hesitant about applying, not fully sure of what my summer would bring. I ended up pushing myself to go for it, as I had thought back upon all the experiences that camp had given me over the years, and wanted to share my love of camp, love of God, and love of life with a new generation of campers. I can safely say that working at camp over the summer changed my life for the better. As soon as I stepped out of the car on the first day of training, I immediately felt at ease and at home, as if I had never left, being welcomed back with open arms to a place that I had always loved. I was able to make friendships and connections that I feel will last a lifetime. The people I met really helped me find my own footing, and they made me realize that it was okay to just be myself and to embrace every aspect of my personality in my day-to-day life. From camp I learned confidence, that it was okay to embrace the goofiness that I carry through my day-to-day life. Through camp I learned compassion, and that my love for serving others and molding new faith experiences was something that I needed to take advantage of. And through camp I was reminded of the unconditional, everlasting love of God, and how to embrace my faith. Working at camp changed who I am for the better, and I am truly grateful for all of the connections that I made over the summer.

I would not hesitate to come back for the next summer at Lutherhaven, and I would not trade my time at camp and the bonds I formed for anything else.” – Tyler, Summer 2021 Staff

“I have been going to Lutherhaven since I was a Genesis Camper. It was my favorite part about summer. I would count down the days until it was my time to attend camp. Some of the best parts to camp were singing funny songs and worship songs, jumping into the lake fully clothed, going to discovery centers, meeting new people and just praising God. When I was in high school, I became J-Staff and absolutely fell more in love with a different side of Lutherhaven. Finally, when I was old enough, I applied to be a staff member and that was the best decision I could have made.

This last summer, being a part of staff, was such an eye-opening experience for me. Not only was I able to grow in my own Faith, I was able to help kids grow in their Faith as well. Last summer, I had the opportunity to be a lead counselor for Champ Camp, which is our Special Education Program. By spending a whole week with these amazing children, I developed a strong relationship with many and it helped me decide to go into Special education for my degree.

The part I love most about Lutherhaven is the community. When I was a camper, I noticed how close everyone was to each other. When I became a part of the staff, I got to experience that myself. It’s one big family up there and that is what I love most. The people you work with at Lutherhaven will be some of your best friends. They will have your back no matter what.

I also love Lutherhaven because it’s located in one of the prettiest locations. Right on lake CDA, with trees everywhere, it is a beauty like no other. One of my fondest memories will always be going down to the dock with my fellow staff members, watching the sunrise, praying and just enjoying the moment.

Another memory I will always have is sitting at the Amphitheater singing my favorite song, Micah 7:7. This song says “But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.” When singing this bible verse, it gave me a sense of everything will be okay because my God will hear me. I was sitting at the Amphitheater, watching the sun set, watching the calm lake, and singing this song. I remember sitting there and just thinking to myself that I am so blessed to have such a strong Faith.

Camp has changed my life tremendously not only by helping me grow in my faith but also with my own well-being. The love and support you get at Lutherhaven is amazing. Lutherhaven has a way of changing a person’s life. I will always cherish the memories I have made at Lutherhaven. I highly recommend a week or more at Lutherhaven as it will be the best week of your life.” – Kassidy