At Miracle Ranch and Island Lake, we are passionate about training leaders.  You will use and continually develop your leadership skills throughout your life as you follow Jesus Christ - showing love to people in whatever ways God directs you. As a participant in one of our leadership programs, you'll experience an exciting and challenging summer full of new friendships, personal growth, community and fun!


This program is designed for high school students who have an active faith in Jesus Christ and who desire to serve Him with their time while developing an understanding of servant leadership. Mentored by college-age leadership staff, high school staff will serve side by side in crews with our resident and day camp programs. During our traditional camp weeks, high school staff will have the opportunity to be in cabins with the campers assisting the counselor. Positions are available for 5-week sessions or the entire summer.

High School Leadership Program Information
Important Information - Core Pillars
Session Dates
Wrangler-in-Training (WIT) specifics
Frequently Asked Questions
Apply Now

The foundation of the High School Program is formed by 3 Core Pillars:

Service
Members of the program will spend part of their time each day on a crew assignment. This includes experience in food service, dishwashing, housekeeping, maintenance projects, the camp store, and activities around camp. This aspect of the program is designed to develop good work ethic and experience that one could take anywhere in life.

Discipleship
Healthy community is essential to our High School leadership program.  Through authentic relationships, students will find a place where they can be real with each other and their leaders. Out of those relationships true discipleship can happen as the students are mentored by the college age leaders that work and live with them.  Every student will participate in a daily spiritual/ leadership training time. These times are intentionally planned out, and will focus on teaching the foundational aspects of our faith, especially as it relates to servant leadership.  In addition, students will participate in "core groups" where they will dig deeper in God's word and build close relationships with a few other members of their program. High school members will also attend summer staff meetings that include times of worship, teaching, training and prayer.

Leadership Experience
Training High School students to be servant leaders is a huge part of what we desire to do. The students will have the opportunity to daily be an example and role model to the campers and guests that will be here this summer. While working on crews in the kitchen, housekeeping and facilities departments they will have the chance to take on new responsibilities and become leaders within their group. During traditional camp weeks, students will assist summer staff in teaching activity classes, participate in leading camp games, and help with Cabin Times. Through deep relationships, mature college-age mentors, work crews and Bible studies, it is our hope that each student leaves our program equipped with leadership experience that they will want to use throughout their lives.

High School Leadership Programs

Core Pillars of WIT Program:
The WIT program will accomplish the same pillars through service alongside the wranglers, discipleship by horsemanship staff, and leadership of horsemanship classes and activities.

W.I.T. - Wrangler-in-training (Miracle Ranch Only)
A position for high school students that utilizes the unique opportunities of the horsemanship program to teach biblical truths. This position is designed for students who have a secure understanding of their faith and demonstrate a consistent spiritual life. Students will grow in their faith as they practice basic horsemanship skills and learn to use them in their Christian witness.

2012 Applications

• Apply Now - Online application                                     

"Working at CRISTA Camps has changed my life. I grew so much as a person and as a Christian. Camp taught me that God can use me in any situation, whether I’m helping prepare food for campers, or sitting with them during a cabin time (bible study). He can show himself through my physical work or in the words shared during a fireside. God is not just a Sunday morning and Wednesday night God. He works anywhere at anytime through anyone."
- Mary Diemert (High School Program Student)

Frequently Asked Questions

When do I need to apply?
Applications go live in January, but applications are accepted until all positions are filled. We strongly encourage applicants to submit their applications and references before the High School Leadership Hiring Weekend in April.

I was a Leader In Training / Wrangler In Training at camp last year, do I need to apply again?
Yes, you must complete a new application and submit new references each summer.

When will I find out if I was accepted into the program?
Applicants are considered for positions when they have submitted their completed application and three references have been received . Once the application process has been completed (including the 3 references), applicants should hear back from us within a few weeks.

What is the High School Leadership Hiring Weekend?
This year the Hiring Weekend is at Island Lake for applicants to both properties.  This weekend is designed to give applicants a taste of what the program is all about.  Applicants will have the opportunity to be interviewed during the weekend and get to know other potential participants.  The hiring decisions will be made in the weeks following.  This weekend is not mandatory, but is strongly encouraged for applicants.

What does the schedule look like for each week?
Each day participants usually serve on one meal crew and one activities crew, they also participate in daily bible studies, summer staff meetings, daily quiet times and weekly one-on-one meetings with their High School leaders. Typically students in the program are off from Saturday afternoon until Sunday at 1pm. If participants would like other time off during their sessions, this can be worked out with the Program Director on a case by case basis. 

What if I can’t stay for a whole session?
We encourage all participants to commit to one session or the whole summer, so that consistency is maintained and our curriculum objectives are met.   There are many circumstances where we can arrange for sharing a session or working around a preferred week off. Please apply and these concerns can be brought up in the interview process.

Where will I be staying while at camp?
At each property, students stay in gender specific housing, with the college age High School Leaders that will be mentoring them.