Working at Summer Camp
Working at camp is hard to explain to someone who hasn’t been there. It’s unlike any other job you will ever have and that is why we love it! We hire introverts and extroverts. We look for people who love kids and want to work hard for them. We need staff with different backgrounds and interests because our campers come from different backgrounds and have many unique interests.
Some of our staff prefer to go with the flow. Some thrive on structure and tradition. Others love adventure and are full of energy and enthusiasm. Others are quiet and introspective but have a great big heart. If any of these things sound like you, please apply!
How to apply
- Complete an online application for Summer Recreation Staff CAC, Inclusion Staff, or one of our specialist positions.
- Please include any experience you have had working with kids, either as a paid staff or a volunteer, on your application. Include things like Scouts, vacation bible school, babysitting, or helping with sports camps at school or through athletic associations.
- We will contact you via email if we would like to schedule an interview.
- Final hiring decisions are made in April.
Top 5 reasons to work at camp
1. You will build character
Camp will make you gritty and determined. You will work through being tired and hot and do it with a smile on your face. You will become resourceful and creative. You will also build character in our campers every time you help them try something new and push out of their comfort zone. Every time you let your guard down you will make it OK for our campers to do the same. You will be a super hero to our campers just by being who you are.
2. You will learn skills necessary for any career path
Every day you will have opportunities to get up in front of people. You will practice leading and managing others because everyone at camp is responsible for someone else. You will need to work through conflict and will get really good at creative problem solving on the spot. You can start as an assistant and work up to being a coordinator. There is always room to learn and grow.
3. You will be part of a team and make lasting friendships
Camp can’t operate with just one person on staff. We work as a team. We fail together and we succeed together. You’ll work through hard days by leaning on each other. You will share ideas and stories that non-camp people won’t understand and before you know it, you are bonded for life. It is also really fun to get paid to play all day. Our staff works hard to bring out the best in each other by going beyond the call of duty each day.
4. You will never be bored
At camp you could be leading a poetry slam followed by a game of dodgeball. You might be setting up a giant slip and slide or planning an elaborate Big Game. Every day at camp is different and it is only as fun as you make it. Staff who return summer after summer get to watch our campers grow up.
5. You will matter
Every person on the staff team matters. There is only one you and the talents, skills and quirks you bring to camp will mean the world to our campers and the other members of our staff. You will be the person a camper talks about at the dinner table. You will be the star of a “remember when” story.
Important things to know about working at camp
- We require staff to commit to the full summer schedule. Our campers are with us for 8 weeks so our staffing needs to stay the same week to week.
- We ask staff to plan meetings, appointments, and leisure time Friday through Sunday when camp is not in session.
- We will send out schedules and work locations in mid to late May. This will be your schedule for the whole summer.
- Staff who are under 18 are not allowed to work more than 8 hours each day per Minnesota employment law. No exceptions.