The Christikon Staff Community
Located in the Rocky Mountains just north of Yellowstone National Park—and at the doorstep of the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness—Christikon places you right in the heart of some of the most stunning and sacred landscapes in the world.
Our summer ministry welcomes a wide range of campers: senior high and junior high youth, fourth–sixth graders, adults and families, and individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Each session brings a vibrant community of 65–75 campers to the mountain, creating the ideal size for deep relationships, meaningful adventure, and shared faith.
What is Christikon?
- A community of the gospel. Our community called into being, nurtured and shaped by our creator. We are disciples together and part of the church in and for the world. As such, our life together is grounded in worship, prayer, reflection, and study. These practices guide our purpose and center everything we do on the mountain.
- A community of alternate vision. Together, we seek to cultivate an a vision of hope and enact Kingdom of God in and for the world. At Christikon, strength looks like humility, freedom looks like serving others, and true life is found in giving it away.
- A community of the table. Sharing meals around a table is holy work. Every meal anticipates the feast of Communion and the joy of God’s future banquet. Around the table we practice generosity, fellowship, responsible service, gratitude—and a glimpse of God’s abundant grace.
Where will I fit in?
At Christikon, you won’t simply have a job—you will belong to a community of servant-leaders. Together with the Director, the summer staff shapes every aspect of life on the mountain and helps bring our ministry to life.
As a staff member, you represent Christ and the Church in this particular place and among this particular people. We serve with compassion, lead with humility, and open ourselves to God’s work in and through us.
We ask each staff member to embrace this shared vision of community—allowing personal goals to be held within a broader purpose. In doing so, we create a space where every camper and guest can glimpse a new way of living: life turned toward God’s love and God’s kingdom on earth.
Do I have to be Lutheran?
No. Christikon staff come from a variety of faith backgrounds. We delight in celebrating the diverse gifts that each person brings.
At the same time, our ministry is shaped by the teachings and ministry of Jesus. Many of our campers come from Lutheran congregations, and our life together is shaped by the Lutheran tradition—especially its emphasis on grace, community, and service. We ask staff to be comfortable leading and growing within this faith context.
Serving at Christikon is not only about loving the mountains (though that certainly helps!). It’s about loving the kind of life and service that Jesus calls us to, and being committed to serving God’s people and all of creation with joy, humility, and a heart open to transformation.
What else does Christikon look for in staff people?
Maturity: Christikon staff carry significant responsibility in caring for campers and leading program life. We look for individuals who show sound judgment, reliability, and a growing sense of personal and spiritual maturity.
Physical & Mental Well-being: Life at Christikon is active—hiking trails, backpacking rugged terrain, participating in a full day’s rhythms. Staff need to be prepared for a physically and mentally demanding summer. If you have dietary needs or medical considerations, we’ll discuss them with you during the application process so we can ensure a supportive and healthy environment for everyone.
Character & Community Fit: Christikon is an intense and joy-filled community experience. You’ll work closely with others and build relationships with campers of all ages and abilities. We value staff who are adaptable, empathetic, self-aware, respectful, and bring a healthy sense of humor to life in community.
Skills & Passions: Previous camping skills are helpful but not required. We provide three weeks of robust training—two weeks on site and one week backpacking—to prepare you to lead confidently. Your unique interests and gifts enhance our ministry: art, music, ecology, geology, outdoor skills, storytelling, crafts, and more all bring richness to camp life. Special certifications (lifeguarding, WFA, etc.) are also valued.
CPR & Wilderness First Aid: To uphold American Camp Association (ACA) standards, all staff are certified in CPR and Wilderness First Aid. We provide this training during staff orientation. If you come with certifications already in place, you’ll receive a salary bonus (see compensation details).
Food & Shared Meals: Meals are central to our life together—practicing gratitude, responsibility, and fellowship. We serve nutritious food family-style and accommodate necessary dietary restrictions when possible. We ask staff to participate fully in meals, even when the menu isn’t a personal favorite—because shared eating is part of our ministry and community witness.
Application Process
STEP ONE | Online Application
Complete the online application through the link above. (Also linked here.)
• If you served last summer, log in with your existing credentials. Welcome back! (If you don’t remember your login, contact our office for help.)
• If you’re new to the Staff Portal/ Campwise software, click Create New Account on the login page.
Add your staff profile.
After logging in, click Add Staff and choose Make Existing Person a Staff.
Select your name and continue to the next screen.
Fill out the required information.
Upload a photo and complete all fields marked with an asterisk (*).
Use Save / Next to move through each page of the application.
Choose your application category.
When prompted to Select a Staff Application Period, check 2026 Summer Staff.
Then select Returning Staff if you have worked at Christikon before, or “New Staff” if this is your first year with us.
📌 Tip: The application works best on a laptop or desktop computer.
STEP TWO | References
As part of the application, you’ll be asked to provide three references. Please choose individuals (other than friends or relatives) who can speak to your character, leadership, work ethic, and faith life—such as a pastor, teacher, mentor, or employer. If you have previously worked at another camp, one of your references must be a former camp director or your immediate supervisor from that experience. Selecting references who know you well helps us get a fuller picture of your gifts and how you might thrive in the Christikon community!
STEP THREE | Interview
Once your application and references are submitted, we’ll schedule a conversation with you. Interviews may be held in person or virtually depending on what works best. To coordinate your interview, please contact our Executive Director, Pastor Heather at director@christikon.org
STEP FOUR | Complete Required Background Screening
After you are offered a position, you will be prompted to complete a brief background screening as part of our standard hiring process.
We look forward to getting to know you and exploring how your gifts might be a great fit for Christikon!
