Are you looking for a way to support camp and have a fun experience yourself?
Join us as a bunkhouse parent!
Support campers at Sky Valley as a volunteer, providing an extra touch of adult support and care and also having some time to play or relax in the mountains.
Life as a bunkhouse parent
Camper parents and other adults (grandparents, camp alumni, etc.) lovingly volunteer their time to help our youngest campers (grades 2–8) at Sky Valley Ranch. Bunkhouse parents live in cabins with campers and staff and help provide a sense of home, while supporting campers’ spiritual and personal growth. During each day, bunkhouse parents support specific camp needs, such as inspecting camper cabins, transporting camper laundry to town, helping manage the camp store, etc., and they also enjoy some down time for relaxation or exploration.
A typical day for a bunkhouse parent includes the following duties and activities:
- Provide supervision in the morning while counselors gather for inspiration and spiritual prep
- Support staff as they facilitate camper personal prep and cabin cleaning time
- Join everyone at flag and breakfast
- Participate in cabin Bible Lesson study
- Help out with camp needs while campers are in program
- Take some down/personal time during the day
- Provide supervision in cabin when campers and staff return from program
- Join everyone at dinner and evening flag
- Support evening program or take time for yourself
- Provide additional supervision and support in cabin for cabin meeting and bedtime routines
Benefits for bunkhouse parents
- Credits toward a camp program (for yourself or to gift) for each week you serve as a bunkhouse parent; the amount ranges from $100–$300 per week, depending on your level of responsibilities (see Bunkhouse parent tiers, below)
- Voucher to use on A/U Ranches branded gear in the camp store
- Free time to explore the mountains and Buena Vista during down time and camper outtrips
- The joy of participating in Youth Camp!
Bunkhouse parent tiers
Starting in 2026, we are offering three tiers for bunkhouse parents to reflect different levels of availability and camp needs.
TIER 1:
Earn a $100 camp credit/week; support camp as outlined above in the “typical day” section
TIER 2:
Earn a $200 camp credit/week; in addition to basic bunkhouse parent duties, support laundry and other tasks around camp during the day
TIER 3:
Earn a $300 camp credit/week; in addition to tier 1 and 2 duties, support cleaning and supervision at Highview (our Christian Science nursing building) and camp administrative tasks
Requirements for being a bunkhouse parent
- Active Christian Science practice: One of a bunkhouse parent’s primary duties is supporting camp prayerfully! We ask that all bunkhouse parents be practicing Christian Scientists to support our prayerful camp environment.
- Supervision certifications: All bunkhouse parents must complete First Aid/CPR training and several mandatory online trainings required by our child care license in order to provide camper supervision. Camp will pay for these certifications.
- Background check: Bunkhouse parents will receive a background check and fingerprinting, also paid for by camp.