Summer staff are the lifeblood of camp and retreat ministry. Year after year, young adults set aside internships, summer jobs, and other opportunities because they believe so deeply in the mission of camp. They pour themselves into creating sacred spaces where children and youth can encounter God, build friendships, and grow in confidence. Their impact is immeasurable. And yet, how often do we pause to invest back into their journeys?

At Aldersgate Camp and Retreat Center in Rhode Island, staff support has taken on a creative and inspiring form: a Staff Scholarship Program designed to affirm the gifts of young leaders while equipping them for what comes next.

A Scholarship with Heart and Purpose

Each summer, Aldersgate offers at least one $500 scholarship to a member of the staff team, funded by a donor who is passionate about young adult faith formation. Staff are invited to apply by responding to a prompt connected to the summer’s worship theme. This summer, the theme was Micah 6:8—“Do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with God.” The application asked staff to reflect on how they would live out those principles beyond the summer, in light of Aldersgate’s mission “to be a sacred space, empowering all in faith and friendship to change the world”.

Submissions can take any form: essays, paintings, videos, even songs. International staff are welcomed and supported, with translations provided if needed. Each application is anonymized and carefully reviewed by a small committee of board members and chaplains who served at camp that summer. The winners are then celebrated at the staff banquet, alongside honors like the Spirit of Aldersgate and Kid’s Choice awards.

Since the scholarship program’s inception in 2018, the camp has awarded 17 scholarships, totaling $8,500!

More Than Money

The financial support makes a meaningful difference; helping cover tuition, books, or other educational pursuits. However, the scholarship is about far more than dollars. It sends a powerful message: You matter. Your contributions to this ministry are recognized. Your future matters to us, too.

By tying the scholarship to the camp’s worship themes, Aldersgate reinforces that camp is not only for campers but also a place of transformation and faith development for young adults. Sharing the winning submissions publicly also allows the wider community to see camp staff as leaders, artists, theologians, and visionaries.

Could Your Camp Do This, Too?

The brilliance of Aldersgate’s program is its simplicity. It doesn’t require a large endowment or complex infrastructure. It started with one donor giving $500 and inviting friends to join in. From there, a tradition grew—one that blesses staff and enriches the entire camp community.

Other camps can do this, too. Imagine:

• A single scholarship underwritten by a board member or alum.

• An application prompt tied to your camp’s summer curriculum theme or mission.

• A celebratory announcement at the end of the season that honors the depth and diversity of your staff.

Even small recognitions can ripple out to strengthen staff loyalty, deepen alumni connections, and encourage donors.

Strengthening the Future

When we invest in summer staff, we are investing in the future of the church and the world. Aldersgate’s Staff Scholarship is one example of how camps can creatively affirm and empower young leaders. I encourage other ministries to dream about how you might adapt this idea for your setting.

Supporting staff isn’t just an extra, it’s essential. Because when our young leaders feel seen, celebrated, and supported, the entire ministry flourishes.

Thanks to Aldersgate's Director, John Spelman, for sharing this story. Photos of scholarship recipients were shared with permission from Camp Aldersgate RI.