This Could Be the Best Summer of Your Life
Imagine waking up each day to people who matter and moments that shape you. As a Village Leader at Timber-lee, you won’t just work a summer—you’ll lead, connect, laugh, and grow within a community that feels like family. You’ll spend your summer creating meaningful experiences, lasting memories, and making the most of every opportunity.
As a Village Leader, you support Timber-lee’s mission by helping create a safe, positive environment where campers and counselors can thrive. Counselors act as role models, teaching leadership through their actions, while campers learn to help others and see themselves as valued members of a community. This role offers meaningful growth and practical leadership skills, especially for students and those considering careers in leadership or working with children.
What a Village Leader Does
Village Leaders are the connective tissue of Timber-lee. You set the tone for an entire village—a whole crew of Cabin Leaders and campers looking to you for direction, encouragement, steadiness, and care.
You don’t just assign tasks. You lead people. You coach, support, pray, and show up with empathy—even when it’s hard. You help create an environment where Cabin Leaders feel supported and campers feel safe, seen, and valued.
Your presence matters more than perfect performance.
You impact leaders first—and through them, campers next.
You’re shaping community, growth, and faith—not just schedules.
As a Village Leader, your confidence sets the tone. As you and your team face challenges together, both leaders and campers grow—learning how to communicate, support one another, and step into leadership.
This role will stretch you in ways no checklist ever could. You’ll grow as a communicator, a coach, and a follower of Christ.
A Day in the Life
Morning Vibes — Set the Tone
- Check in with Cabin Leaders
- Set expectations, call out strengths, solve early hiccups
- Start the day with focus to help set a positive tone for the group and ensure everyone is ready to perform at their best.
- Encourage employees and team members to share their ideas during morning check-ins, fostering creativity and collaboration.
- Emphasize the importance of feedback in these check-ins to support growth and build confidence.
- Gentle pep talk energy that actually motivates
Daytime — Be Everywhere & Nowhere at Once
- Walk through cabins
- Encourage leaders
- Support campers
- Teach by example and take initiative during daytime activities
- Emphasize teamwork and support each other throughout the day
- Answer questions
- Adapt — fast
- Lead with kindness
This part looks like conversations, presence, responsiveness, laughter, and that moment when someone looks at you and feels seen.
Night — Deep Stuff Happens
- Leader debriefs
- Meaningful moments when people open up
- Honest questions, prayer, shared struggle
These nighttime conversations are crucial for building self-confidence among leaders, as they provide a safe space to share honest questions and personal challenges. Addressing feelings of frustration during these moments helps leaders process their experiences and develop proactive strategies for growth. Having a mentor present during these discussions adds valuable guidance and support, helping leaders navigate difficult situations and build trust within the group.
Late Night – The Real Growth Happens
- Coach tired leaders through emotions
- Help navigate conflict
- Walk & talk in quiet trails
- Pray together under real stars
These late-night moments help foster a positive culture and strengthen the organization at camp, creating an environment where growth and learning are valued. Camp counselors play a vital role as mentors and role models for campers, and their empathy is crucial for building trust and deeper connections.
This is community — not chaos, not chaos‑pretending‑to‑look‑like‑community.
We hear the questions that run through your head — even the quiet ones you try to ignore.
“But Do I Really Have What It Takes?”
“I’m not sure I’m ready for leadership.”
You don’t have to be perfect — you just have to be willing to grow. Anyone with the ability to learn and a willingness to practice can grow into a great leader. That’s the whole point.
“I’m nervous about leading other leaders.”
That’s normal—and honestly, a good sign. You won’t be doing this alone. You’ll learn on the job with coaching, feedback, and mentors who want you to succeed. Confidence comes with time, support, and showing up.
“What if I mess up?”
You will. We will laugh about it, learn from it, and help you grow through it. When mistakes happen, responding with a positive attitude can turn frustration into an opportunity for growth. Grace isn’t a slogan here — it’s reality.
“This feels like a lot.”
It is. But you won’t carry it alone. This is community in the truest sense — people walking with you. Support from your team is essential for building trust and sharing the load of responsibility.
Why This Will Stretch You (In All the Best Ways)
You’ll Learn to Lead People — Not Just Tasks
Leading people is messy, beautiful, and humbling. This summer, you’ll learn how to show up when it’s hard, when it’s fun, and when it’s ordinary.
As a Timber Lee village leader, you will practice assigning tasks and developing essential leadership skills such as communication, listening, and decision-making. Giving and receiving feedback will be a key part of your growth, helping you and your team learn from mistakes and improve together.
You’ll Build Confidence That Sticks
Not the fake kind. The kind that says:
I can love well. I can speak the truth kindly. I can stay steady when things get loud or quiet. Building true self-confidence and self-awareness is essential for developing leadership ability, as understanding your strengths and weaknesses helps you grow and lead others effectively.
You’ll Grow Spiritually
This role isn’t “churchy” — it’s relational, real, prayer‑shaped, and life‑changing. You’ll see faith lived in community, not just preached in a room.
You’ll Make Friends You Don’t Want to Lose
Late‑night talks, group huddles, solved problems, shared laughter, shared prayers — community doesn’t happen by accident, and it changes you. Being part of a group and community at Timber Lee as a village leader makes the experience more fun and meaningful.
