Internship Program
Hartland Christian Camp’s internship program is designed to train and raise up college-aged students with real-life ministry skills through interaction with camp staff and guests as well as lectures and guided Bible studies.
Interesting in donating towards this program?
Dates and Speakers
Upcoming Dates September 1, 2026 - May 31, 2027
Program Brief
We welcome interested candidates or those seeking more information to apply for the next season, September 2027 through May 2028, using the application link below.
The program goal is to produce Christians committed to knowing, living, and sharing a compelling faith and being equipped to serve both in life and ministry. Through hands-on ministry experience, Hartland Christian Camp hopes to help develop future ministry leaders for camp, missions, and youth ministry.
This is not a college or university program and is not accredited, there are no tuition fees, and interns who successfully complete the nine-month program will leave with a certificate of completion.
Are you already interning at another Christian Camp? We’d love to have you apply with our CCCA Partner Camp Intern Exchange where we help network and connect internships that are coming to an end and help share additional opportunities once the Hartland Internship is complete.
Beautiful Sierra Nevada Mountains
Our campus is nestled in the beautiful Sierra Nevada Mountains. We’re right at the snow line, which means we get just enough snow to appreciate, but not enough (generally) to be a pain. We’re also about 20 degrees cooler than in the Central Valley, say goodbye to 110F days!
Beyond being dead-center in God’s stunning creation, you’ll learn a bit more about your Bible alongside others who are in the same boat. Read on to discover how this program can benefit you in the long-run.
Time of Year
We feel the best opportunity for service and training exists outside of our busier summer season, with this in mind, our program dates run from September 1st through Memorial Day each season.
We take one week off around Thanksgiving and one week off around Christmas, otherwise we are focused on the development of interns during the rest of the season. (Interns can stay on campus if they don’t have other plans during these times).
Program Interests
While our internship program is that of a general nature – serving in all areas of camp throughout the entire program, we do allow interns to select an area of interest during the early part of the program (about 8 weeks in). This ensures an opportunity to learn more about and, at times, serve within that department. We schedule time to be able to meet the department manager and learn more about their particular area of service here at camp. Note that this area of interest does not change the trajectory and outline of the program, which is serving as a ministry generalist in all/various departments.
Areas of interest may vary by year but often include:
Maintenance | Food Service | Accommodations | Program/Marketing | Recreation | Forestry/Fire Mitigation | Outdoor Education
Biblical Studies/Skills
Each intern will be held accountable to the study track and program attendance. This includes attendance at all weekly staff Bible studies (typically Thursdays) , classroom lectures on specific subjects included within the program, study hall, and reading tracks. The internship is a combination of hands-on service (the bulk of the program), self-study (homework), and directed study (lectures and practicum). The hands-on portion may include up to 40 hours per week in service to various departments of the camp. Study and lecture times will vary in total hours per week but interns should expect to spend another 15-20 hours between homework, self-study, and lecture time each week, making this a robust program focused on spiritual growth and maturity.
A typical week will consist of one or more evening lectures, 1-2 hours of self-study (at home) per day, 5 service days, community study hall, daily community hang-out, meal preparation, and more.
Students should expect to read 6 chapters of their Bible per day as well as other assigned reading (books and handouts are provided during the internship). We may also at times have guest speakers to enhance our offerings.
Bible/Theological Studies:
• Old Testament Survey
– Overview of the entire OT, including worksheets, lectures, and key figures
• New Testament Survey
– Overview of the entire NT, including worksheets, lectures, and key figures
• Basic Bible Interpretation
– Right and wrong ways of interpreting God’s Word, tools, and aides
• Overview of the Entire Bible
– See how the fabric of Scripture is cohesive and consistent in its message
• Christian Living – Practical Christianity
– Study of the NT church and practically living out your faith
• The Gospel & Evangelism
– What is the Gospel and what does it mean for our lives?
• Spiritual Disciplines
– A walk through the various spiritual disciplines that will enhance both your understanding of God and enable you to be used more effectively by Him
Books used for study:
Jensen’s Survey of the Old Testament (solid conservative views with chapter outlines)
Jensen’s Survey of the New Testament (solid conservative views with chapter outlines)
Biblical Summary (Joshua Embry)
Basic Bible Interpretation Zuck, Roy B.
A Popular Survey of Bible Doctrine (Norman L. Geisler & Douglas E. Potter)
The Doctrine of Christ (Norman L. Geisler & Douglas E. Potter) This expands in more depth on a chapter already covered in the Popular Survey book.
All of the above materials are provided for loan at no cost to the student during the course.
Used in part in a few lectures on personal disciplines (being in the Word, prayer, etc.)
The Spirit of the Disciplines: Understanding How God Changes Lives Paperback – May 5, 1999
(Used for contextual discussion, not all parts used)
Celebration of Discipline, Special Anniversary Edition: The Path to Spiritual Growth Hardcover – Special Edition, February 13, 2018
(Used for contextual discussion, not all parts used)
Other Skills
Each intern will be provided training for:
- Basic First Aid/CPR/AED
- Mandated Reporter Training
- CA Food Handler Card
- and more!
Throughout the course we will also teach some basic life-skills to enhance the overall program experience. From checking oil levels to changing a car tire, we’ll work to round out each intern’s abilities while on site.
Tuition - no cost
There is no cost for participation in our internship program.
In addition, interns will receive up to $300/month in reimbursements to help cover living expenses and fuel while they may travel on their time off. (Interns must turn in eligible receipts for consideration towards this limit). Interns must remain enrolled and in good standing to be eligible for each month in the internship (Sept-May).
Books and course materials will be made available to borrow throughout the course and returned at the course conclusion.
Room and Board
Interns are provided with group housing and reasonable utility costs are covered during their stay. Expect to have roommates and to be in close proximity to other interns and staff of the same gender (guys with other guys, girls with other girls).
Due to housing limitations and program features, this opportunity is not available for married individuals.
Eligibility
Interns must be between 18 and 21* years old, professing Christians, U.S.-based, and eligible to work in the United States in order to participate. Ideally, interns must have a pastoral reference from a home church of which they have been in regular attendance over the last year.*
This is a ministry internship focused on discipleship and real-world service opportunities. Interns must be Christians, adhere to Hartland’s Statement of Faith, and adhere to all Hartland Policies (both written and spoken) while participating for the program term.
Not all applicants are accepted, and all interested candidates are encouraged to apply as spots fill quickly.
For the 2027-2028 season, Hartland is limiting the program to a maximum of nine total interns, ensuring a small class-size. (Internships historically range from 2-9 people each year) We are interested in deeply investing in a few people rather than lightly investing in many.
* Our target age is 18-21, we will review requests slightly older case by case. Interns participating in our CCCA Partner Camp Intern Exchange may use their camp Intern leader reference in lieu of a pastoral reference.
Application
The internship application should take around 3-10 minutes to complete and is the first step to ensuring you are eligible to attend our program.
Please be prepared to complete the application in one sitting; it will ask for 2-3 references where you will need their name, email, and phone #.
References: 1 pastoral reference , 1 personal reference, and 1 work reference/or a second personal reference.
Be prepared to have that information available when you start the application.
Once we have reviewed your application and received pertinent reference forms back, we will reach out to eligible applicants for an interview. Please be in prayer throughout the entire process. Apply only when you’ve prayerfully considered joining the internship, and be prepared to accept an offer if presented at the conclusion of your interview. If you are on the fence, email us, do not submit an application unless you are prepared to be accepted to join us.
*Due to the number of applications we may receive any given year and program eligibility requirements, not all applicants are interviewed and not all applicants are accepted in this program.