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Christian Summer Camp Offers Counselors Opportunity to Work Like Jesus: For No Money

By Batt For Both Teams , in Campus Life , at August 25, 2023 Tags: , , , , ,

Working as a counselor at religiously centered summer camps is a popular way for many Texas A&M students to spend the summer because they get to gain community, mentor young kids in their faith, and fall below the federal poverty level.

“Sure, I would’ve made more money if I took a job back in Houston,” said Caroline Bethel, a Texas A&M sophomore and counselor at Pine Cove Ridge last summer. But it’s worth it to get paid a little less and miss a few meals next semester if I get to help some kids grow closer to God.”

David Chester, an executive for Sky Ranch Christian Camps, has spent years helping counselors grow in spiritual wealth without the burden of a livable wage.

“Here in the industry we call it The Lord’s discount,” Chester said. “We pay the counselors almost nothing and give them a cheap mattress and cafeteria food, all while charging the campers thousands of dollars.”

While religious summer camps make millions off this cheap labor, it’s important to remember who the real winners are each summer: the 19-year-olds who get to start the fall semester with extra debt and a cool Instagram post.

— Batt for Both Teams