volunteer Counselors
Volunteer Applications for Summer 2026 will open january 1 2025
To be eligible to be a Volunteer Counselor, you must be at least 16 years old at the time of volunteering and a strong, practicing Christian. Those wishing to help with high school camps must be at least one year removed from high school. The primary duties of a Volunteer Counselor are to assist the staff in supervising campers. Volunteer Counselors will stay in the bedrooms with campers to assist with mornings and bedtimes, go to Adventure Activities with their small group, participate in whole-camp games and activities, and help lead small group discussions along with a staff member.
All counselors will need to attend a Counselor/SIT Training over zoom. Counselors that are 18 or older will need to complete Safe Environment training through the Diocese of Owensboro as well.
Questions? Visit our Staff FAQs Page or reach out to our Program Director (contact information listed below).
summer 2026 counselor dates
Applications open: January 1
Training sessions: TBD
Attending 1 Counselor Training is required. Trainings will take place over Zoom.
2026 Summer Camp Schedule:
May 31-June 5: Expedition 1 (5th/6th grade)
June 7-12: Quest 1 (7th/8th grade)
June 14-17: Explorer 1 (3rd/4th grade)
June 21-26: Camp LIFE 1 (High school) and Called to Love (High school girls)
June 29-July 3: Camp LIFE 2 (High school)
July 5-10: Quest 2 (7th/8th grade)
July 12-17: Expedition 2 (5th/6th grade)
July 19-22: Explorer 2 (3rd/4th grade)
Click below to apply to be a volunteer counselor:
VOLUNTEER COUNSELOR FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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What do counselors do? Counselors assist the staff in supervising and providing a great experience for the campers. They do this through leading a small group and staying in the bedrooms with the campers. As small group leaders, counselors will help guide their groups to and from their adventure activities, participate in games and activities with their small group, help their staff co-leader with bible studies and small group discussions (don’t worry if you don’t have experience!) and assist the staff in monitoring camper behavior. In the bedrooms, counselors will help campers wake up and get ready on time in the mornings, help the Staff Counselor supervise FOB time (quiet rest time) help campers get to bed on time, and assist the Staff Counselor in monitoring camper behavior.
When do counselors have to be at camp and when do they leave? Counselors should arrive on Sundays in time to attend 2 pm staff meetings. On Fridays, counselors can leave when campers are being checked out (11 am).
Do counselors get time off? Yes, counselors get time off each afternoon while the campers are at Free Time in order to rest and/or pray.
Is there a dress code for counselors? Yes, in order to set a good example for the campers, everyone is expected to adhere to the camp dress code, which you will receive at training.
Are there rules about dating? Counselors should not enter into a dating relationship with any staff, counselor, or camper while employed at Gasper River. Dating is a distraction for the workers and campers and takes away our focus from where it should be- Jesus and the campers.
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How old do you have to be to serve as a counselor? Counselors must be at least 16 years old by the time they volunteer. Counselors for high school camps must be at least 18 years old and 1 year removed from high school.
Do counselors have to complete trainings? Yes, Counselors are required to attend a training over zoom in the spring. Additionally, anyone that will be 18 or older by the time they serve will have to complete Safe Environment training.
Do you have to have been a camper in order to be a counselor? No, anyone 16 or older is able to apply to be a counselor.
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How often can you be a counselor? There is no limit on how many times you can be an Counselor. However, you can only be at camp two weeks in a row (in any capacity- camper or counselor) before having to taking a week off.
Do you get to choose which weeks you serve a counselor? We will do our best to accommodate everyone’s requests for when they would like to serve. Depending on demand, you may not be able to serve every week you request.