Camp Counselor or Assistant Trip Leader

Camp Counselor and Assistant Trip Leader Positions are still open!

When a family drives up to summer camp at Wolf Ridge, it’s probably the beauty of the Northwoods that they notice first. Second, it’s the counselor staff in their colorful staff shirts. The third thing they notice is the counselors’ attitudes. A great camp counselor can make a camper feel at home right away and jump-start the friend-making process by including them in a group activity at a level they are comfortable with. As the camp week goes on, a camp counselor will help create a group bond that will continue to stick with the campers at the end of the week when everyone needs to split up and go home.

At Wolf Ridge, the counselors will be with the same group of campers all week long.

This gives them time to create these relationships with their group. They do the work of taking them to meals, to classes, solving conflicts, being an extra set of eyes at the swim beach, making sure medications are handed out appropriately, and supervising them overnight in the dorms.

If interested, they may also teach a session of camp based on their interests, such as archery, arts and crafts, or looking for animal signs. The rest of the “work” is really just participating in camp! They will go through the naturalist-led classes with the kids. They will be involved with campfire skits, songs, stories, and games. During the in-between times, they will lead games or maybe during a busy day, the campers will want to sit around and have some quiet time. The best way to supervise is to be an active part of what a camper is doing!

Summary
This position is part of the Wolf Ridge Summer Youth Program team and is responsible for supervision of up to 14 children ages 3-18. Counselors play a vital role in developing a positive, safe, and enriching camp experience for every camper, which includes planning and conducting a variety of safe, fun and interesting activities in an outdoor setting.

Assistant Trip Leaders (ATLs) do everything a counselor does, but also help to lead off-site trips alongside our Trip Leaders. This could involve hikes along the Superior Hiking Trail or canoe trips in the Boundary Waters. They may also assist with packing, unpacking, and checking gear for the trip. They will also lead overnights on Wolf Ridge property.

Our camp season starts in Mid/Late June with 2 weeks of training, and ends in Mid/Late August. Camps run Sunday-Friday each week.  

General Duties of a Counselor

• Supervise and ensure the safety of a group of up to 14 children, ages 3-18.
• Act as primary adult responsible for welfare of your assigned campers, including sleeping in the same room and/or tent with campers (applies to same gender), and ensuring proper supervision at all times.
• Assist and participate during daily camp activities, weekly trips including swimming, hiking, sports, games, campfires, evening wrap-ups, camper skits, presentations and other activities scheduled throughout camp.
• Participate in staff training sessions and all sessions of the WR Summer Camp.
• Perform all job duties in compliance with the established policies of Wolf Ridge
• Lifeguard during swimming and canoeing activities both on Wolf Ridge property and offsite camping/backpacking trips.
• Communicate effectively with campers, co-counselors, parents, naturalists and community members at-large.
• Serve as a role model for campers and other counselors.
• Serve as support staff by assisting the Directors with food packing, gear organization, substitute teaching, curriculum development, day/evening dorm duty, store duty, and other duties as assigned.
• Assist with camp set up, registration of campers, and camp clean up.
• Complete evaluations of self, supervisors, and campers.

Education and Experience

• Required o 17 years of age or older at time of employment
• 18 years of age or older at time of employment for Assistant Trip Leader positions
• Current certifications in First Aid and CPR, and Wilderness Water Safety by the time of employment (Wilderness Water Safety can be acquired during staff training).

Preferred Experience

• Experience with residential camping programs, working with children, wilderness trips
• Leadership experience in school and community
• Background or interest in natural history, ecology and/or environmental education

Job Types: Full-time, Temporary

Pay: $265.00 - $266.00 per week

Work Location: In person

To Apply:

Apply on our website: https://wolf-ridge.org/careers/ 
Contact David Stieler with any questions: David.Stieler@wolf-ridge.org