Youth volunteers are a crucial component to the unique age-based programming of Northern Pines. We need engaging and motivated youth to serve as CCAs and Wilderness Tribal Leaders each week.
Please prayerfully consider serving both weeks or the week opposite you're attending with your family! Your service is crucial to the spiritual, emotional, and physical experience of the conferees.
Descriptions and requirements for these roles are listed below. Please review our standards and expectations before applying. After applying, we will review applications in March and follow up with all applicants. If accepted, all CCAs and Wilderness Tribal Leaders will need to submit a confirmation form to confirm their placement and a youth health form. Links to all forms are available below. If you have questions or need assistance, please contact us through our Contact Us page or at CCA@npines.org.
Child Care Assistant (CCA)
CCAs are students entering 8th grade and above and recent high-school graduates. CCAs serve in the mornings and evenings with the Children’s Program, and develop friendships and memories with other CCAs during their service time, specialized programming and staff, and free time.
CCAs currently do not require a registration fee and do not receive an honorarium for their service. However, there are additional fees if they choose to stay on campus for the transition weekend or take the bus to and from Minnesota. CCAs can also sign up to babysit during their free-time for $10/ half-hour (afternoon childcare opportunities are dependent on family requests each week and are not guaranteed). For service obligations, each week as a CCA qualifies as 30 service hours.
Northern Pines has strict rules for assigning a male CCAs to families; therefore, we will be able to accept a limited number of male CCAs each year.
— Experienced 7th graders and college students may also apply —
Wilderness Tribe Leader (Counselor)
Tribe Leaders are students entering 10th grade and above and recent high-school graduates, between the ages of 15–18 years. Each Tribe Leader is responsible for a small group (5–8) of 4th–6th grade girls or boys. Tribe Leaders stay with their 'tribe' and work closely with the Wilderness Director and Assistant Director to create a fun environment for the kids each day. Tribe Leaders spend the full day with the students, including free time. Each day is full of games, Biblical teaching, songs, activities, and a whole lot of fun. In the evenings—after the students are in bed—Tribe Leaders and Wilderness staff have some downtime together, reflecting on the day, bonding as a team, and participating in a small group Bible.
Tribe Leaders do not require a registration or weekend fee and do not receive an honorarium for their service. There are additional fees if they choose to take the bus to and from Minnesota. All Wilderness staff, including Tribal Leaders, select an old testament name to use for the week.
We can accept a limited number of Tribal Leaders each year. On the application, you can indicate if you'd like to be considered as a CCA if you are not selected to be a Tribal Leader this year.
Some Important Items for CCAs and Wilderness Tribal Leaders:
1. CCAs will be lodged in Lone Tree, Brown Door, and Kern. You will sign up for rooms when you arrive. Male CCAs will need to bring their own bedding and towels. Tribal Leaders will be lodged in the Wilderness Cabins and will need bring their own bedding and towels.
2. Ear buds and technology are okay to use during your transportation to camp, but you will be asked not to use them while you are with the children. There will be additional rules concerning cell phones and use of technology while at Northern Pines.
3. Arrival time at Green Lake Conference Center, Green Lake WI, for both weeks is on SUNDAY at 2pm for CCAs and 1:30pm for Tribal Leaders. You will have a time of orientation.
4. If you plan on taking the bus from Minnesota before week 1, the BUS will leave at 8:30am on Sunday. Please plan to arrive by 8:15am! Bus riders information is below. There will be a lunch stop each trip; bring money for your meal.
5. While not required, you will probably want to bring spending money for snacks, crafts, etc. while you are at camp. Some locations have a $10 limit for debit and credit cards.
6. Your mailing address at Northern Pines will be:
“Name” – Northern Pines, "CCA Program" or "The Wilderness"
Green Lake Conference Center
W2511 State Road 23
Green Lake, WI 54941
Bus Information:
To Green Lake:
The bus will leave the Twin Cities at approximately 8:30 a.m. on Sunday, July 26, 2026 (Week 1). PLEASE ARRIVE BEFORE 8:15 A.M.
From Green Lake:
The bus will return to the Twin Cities on Saturday, August 8, 2026 (Week 2) at approximately 2:00 p.m.
Each passenger is limited to ONE suitcase and one sleeping bag and a carry-on. DO NOT BRING TWO SUITCASES, as there won’t be enough room. There will also be one stop at a fast food place. You will need money for this.
Parking Lot Directions:
From the West – take 494 toward the Hubert Humphrey or terminal 2. Take the 34th Ave exit (turns into Old Shakopee Road) take a right or go south and follow this around the corner past the condos and the HealthPartners building. Take a right on 30th and another quick right into the parking lot.
From the East – take 494 to Bloomington. Take the 34th Ave exit (turns into Old Shakopee Road) take a right or go south. The road turns right and follow this past the condos and the HealthPartners building. Take a right on 30th and another quick right into the parking lot.
From the South – take Cedar Ave north and take the Killebrew Drive exit. Drive past the Mall of America, past Whirly Ball and the Keller Farms on your right. Take a left on 30th Ave and the parking lot is on the right.
From the North of Mpls – take 35W south to 494. Take the 494 east exit, toward the airport. Take the 34th Ave exit (turns into Old Shakopee Road) take a right or go south and follow this around the corner past the condos and the HealthPartners building. Take a right on 30th and another quick right into the parking lot.
From the North of St. Paul – Take 35E south to 494. Take 494 west toward the airport. Take the 34th Ave exit (turns into Old Shakopee Road) take a right or go south and follow this around the corner past the condos and the HealthPartners building. Take a right on 30th and another quick right into the parking lot.