Short answer: Texas camps and retreat centers hire adults to run the programs and activities that guests remember: recreation, challenge courses, waterfront, worship and small-group sessions, and evening events. Program staff plan the schedule, lead activities safely and keep every group moving from one part of the day to the next. If you are energetic, organized and good at leading a crowd, a program or activities role can be a rewarding camp job. Camp jobs on Camp Connection are for adults 18 and older. You can see Texas camp jobs and add yourself as a job seeker at /jobs/texas/.
What program and activities staff do
When a church, school or ministry group arrives, the program team turns a schedule into a real experience. Common work includes:
- Leading activities: running games, hikes, sports, crafts and team-building for groups of many sizes.
- Challenge courses and climbing: belaying, coaching and keeping equipment checked, after the camp's own training.
- Waterfront and pool: guarding and running swim or boating times where the camp offers them, with the required certifications.
- Evening programs: setting up campfires, large-group games and worship or session spaces.
- Planning with group leaders: building a schedule that fits each group's goals, ages and size.
Skills camps look for
Camp directors usually look for:
- Clear, confident communication in front of a group.
- A safety-first mindset and a willingness to follow procedures every time.
- Flexibility, because weather and schedules change.
- Physical stamina for long days outdoors in the Texas heat.
- Certifications that fit the role, such as first aid, CPR, lifeguard or challenge course training. Many camps help staff earn them.
Year-round or summer-only
Many Texas camps host church groups, schools and other guests through the year, so program staff are often needed beyond the summer. Some camps add extra program help before their busiest months. When you apply, say whether you want full-time, part-time or summer-only work, and which activities you are trained to lead.
How to stand out when you apply
- Show you can lead. Mention groups, teams or events you have led before, and how many people were in them.
- List your certifications. Include the date each one expires, and say which ones you are willing to earn.
- Be clear about your schedule. Groups often arrive on Fridays and leave on Sundays, so say if you can work weekends.
- Ask good questions. Ask how the camp trains program staff, who you report to and what a full week looks like.
FAQ
Do I need experience to work in camp programs? Not always. Experience leading groups helps, and many camps train new program staff before guests arrive.
What certifications help most? First aid and CPR are common. Lifeguard or challenge course training helps for waterfront and climbing roles.
Who can apply for camp jobs on Camp Connection? Camp jobs on Camp Connection are for adults 18 and older.
Find Texas camp jobs
Camp Connection connects job seekers with Christian camps and retreat centers. Add yourself as a job seeker and see Texas openings at /jobs/texas/, or browse all camp jobs. For more help, read how to get hired at a Texas camp and our guide to year-round camp jobs in Texas.