Safety is our highest concern. Due to the communal nature of camp, the high volume of campers we all serve, and the frequency at which new campers arrive and depart, we cannot adequately ensure health and safety for all campers, volunteers, and staff. River Valleys has canceled the full, in-person, Girl Scouts River Valleys 2020 summer camp season—this includes ALL resident, troop, family, and day camps (volunteer- and council-led).
If you think you’re a good fit to work at camp, please check back in mid-October when we begin the hiring process again.
Important Application Process Information
Once you begin your application you will be asked to state your preferred position, so be sure to read through our camp position descriptions below.
You will also be able to select your top choices for placement at one of our camp locations. You can read up on our camp properties to help you make the best decision. While staff have a base camp where they spend most of their time, staff may also be given the opportunity to work at another camp for a week or two. Participating at our different camps gives you a great opportunity to see and experience our broad range of camp activities.
Seasonal Camp Staff
Seasonal, regular camp staff work as directors, counselors, specialists, and support positions. From being a rolemodel to preparing meals, these staff ensure girls have the best possible time at camp.
General Qualifications
- All staff members must be at least 18 years of age or have graduated from high school by the start of the camp season, and live on-site unless otherwise noted.
- Pay rates are based on the staff member’s individual certifications and experience related to the position. Compensation also includes room and board (for those living on-site) and worker’s compensation insurance.
- Staff will have one day off each week with additional time off as the schedule permits.
- Additional, position-specific qualifications are listed below.
Application Links
- If you have not worked at our camps before, you should complete the new, regular staff application, and must enter 3 references into our reference form.
- If you have worked at our camps before, please complete the returning, regular staff application.
Available Positions
Director Positions
Directors further the camp mission by designing and delivering program activities and events that are safe, fun, and appropriate to the campers’ ages and abilities. They provide the highest quality experience for campers by assisting in managing the overall camp operation, including supervising, mentoring, and supporting staff.
Seasonal Camp Director
This position has been filled.
Assistant Camp Director
- Description: The assistant camp director empowers, mentors, and supports other staff in all areas around camp. Responsibilities include supervising staff and overseeing the running of the camp program, including developing and implementing curriculum, providing strong program design, flexibly adapting and reacting to the fast pace of camp, and filling in for the camp director when needed.
- Qualifications: Candidates must be highly organized with strong attention to detail. Previous resident camp and supervisory experience is required.
- Compensation: Dependent on qualifications and experience
- Location: Camp Northwoods, Camp Lakamaga, Camp Elk River, Camp Singing Hills
Health Care Director
- Description: The health care director oversees the health and safety of all campers and staff. Responsible for performing health screenings of all incoming campers and staff, dispensing medications, and maintaining accurate health logs and records as legal documents. Perform first aid as necessary and appropriate, respond to emergencies, maintain contact with the camp physician, and ensure general health and safety throughout camp.
- Qualifications: Candidates must be highly organized with strong attention to detail. EMT or higher training and certification required; registered nurses are preferred.
- Compensation: Dependent on qualifications and experience
- Location: Camp Northwoods, Camp Lakamaga, Camp Elk River, Camp Singing Hills
Program Director
- Description: The program director oversees all aspects of program at camp. Through helping to develop and monitor curriculum, providing ongoing training and support to staff, and taking on a strong active leadership role, they ensure that there is consistency and quality in all areas of program throughout resident camp and day programs.
- Qualifications: Candidates must be highly organized with strong attention to detail. Previous resident camp experience is required. To apply, you must have a strong program background, the ability to lead a variety of activities, and the capacity to train others to lead. Archery and low ropes trainings are required and available during staff training. Lifeguard certification is highly encouraged.
- Compensation: Dependent on qualifications and experience
- Location: Camp Northwoods, Camp Lakamaga, Camp Elk River
Trip Director
- Description: Highly organized with good attention to detail, the trip director coordinates all logistics for on- and off-site tripping programs. Provide support to trip specialists and take charge of trip logistics at Camp Northwoods. Ensure trips have the correct food and gear, coordinate driving schedules, organize the appropriate permits, reserve campsites as appropriate and work with trip specialists to develop itineraries. Oversee general outdoor education and take charge of purchasing and bagging appropriate quantities of food for trips and on-site cookouts.
- Qualifications: Candidates must be highly organized with strong attention to detail. You must have previous trip experience, preferably in a resident camp setting.
- Compensation: Dependent on qualifications and experience
- Location: Camp Northwoods
Waterfront Director
- Description: In one of the busiest areas at camp, the waterfront director oversees water safety. Conduct regular in-service training and waterfront emergency drills for lifeguards, supervise and schedule waterfront specialists and lifeguards, ensure safety is upheld, and help girls receive fun and educational water time.
- Qualifications: Candidates must be highly organized with strong attention to detail. Previous resident camp experience is required. Good organizational skills are necessary to schedule guards throughout different areas and manage multiple user groups. You must have previous waterfront supervision experience and skills and a current lifeguard certification.
- Compensation: Dependent on qualifications and experience
- Location: Camp Lakamaga, Camp Elk River, Camp Northwoods
Riding Director
- Description: Riding directors oversee all aspects of the delivery of a successful, safe horse program to our campers, including training and supervising riding specialists, evaluating riding levels of campers and staff, developing and implementing lesson plans, ensuring safety and program quality is upheld, and overseeing the care of the horses.
- Qualifications: Current certification as a horseback riding instructor or documented endorsements of successful experience in leading a formal horseback riding program, at least 21 years of age, and in-depth knowledge of horse care and safety required.
- Compensation: Dependent on qualifications and experience
- Location: Camp Northwoods, Camp Elk River
- Additional Info: Horse programs start in early May at Camp Elk River, would prefer someone who could start May 1 if possible.
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Camp Counselor Positions
Counselors orient and welcome all girls to camp and help each girl plan her schedule. You ensure girls get up each morning, eat at each meal, have fun, participate in a variety of activities, and stay healthy, safe, and happy while at camp. You must have the ability to learn new skills in many different areas and have a passion to work directly with girls.
Program Counselor
- Description: Program counselors work with a group of 8-10 girls and oversee them for their entire camp stay.
- Qualifications: Counselors must have the ability to learn new skills and have a passion to work directly with girls.
- Compensation: $275-$315/week
- Location: Camp Northwoods, Camp Lakamaga, Camp Elk River
Riding Counselor
- Description: Riding counselors have similar duties as program counselors, but their schedules are based around horses. Lead girls in the riding program, assist those teaching horse lesson, and assist the riding specialists with horse care and barn upkeep. You will also get to utilize and learn new skills in other program areas around camp.
- Qualifications: You should have some background in horse care and horseback riding, in addition to the ability to learn new skills and a passion to work directly with girls.
- Compensation: $275-$315/week
- Location Options: Camp Elk River, Camp Northwoods
Lead Counselor
- Description: Lead counselors mentor and support a small group of 3-4 counselors throughout each week, in addition to taking on a higher level of responsibility for leading quality activities in a variety of areas around camp.
- Qualifications: You should have previous experience as a counselor in a resident camp setting and be comfortable leading a variety of camp activities such as archery, low ropes, biking, art, nature, or boating. Archery, Low Ropes, and Lifeguard certifications are preferred and available during staff training.
- Compensation: $285-$330/week
- Location: Camp Northwoods, Camp Lakamaga, Camp Elk River
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Specialist Positions
Specialists are responsible for planning and leading lessons and activities in their specific activity area that are safe, fun, and appropriate to the campers’ ages and abilities. They also support counselors in their job duties, including substituting for them on their time off. In addition to having skills and knowledge in your specialty area, you must have the ability to learn new skills in many different areas and have a passion to work directly with girls.
Art Specialist
- Description: Art specialists develop and deliver art activities to campers and provide support to counselors. Art projects are a favorite at camp! You can unleash your creativity and help girls express themselves with a variety of mediums-with opportunities for clay modeling at all camps and a wheel and kiln at Camp Lakamaga, you should have experience in a wide range of areas.
- Qualifications: You should have an in-depth knowledge in an artistic area, and a passion for teaching it to girls. You must be creative and organized, in order to come up with, plan for, and teach unique and age-appropriate projects for groups of campers.
- Compensation: $275-$315/week
- Location: Camp Northwoods, Camp Lakamaga, Camp Elk River
Outdoor Activity Specialist
- Description: Outdoor activity specialists lead activities such as outdoor cooking, fire-building, archery, low ropes, geocaching, hiking, shelter building, knot tying and nature activities.
- Qualifications: You should have experience or interest in learning the following outdoor skills: outdoor cooking, camping, archery, low ropes and Leave No Trace principals. Certification courses for archery and low ropes available during staff training.
- Compensation: $275-$315/week
- Location: Camp Lakamaga, Camp Elk River, Camp Singing Hills
Riding Specialist
- Description: Riding specialists deliver riding lessons and equestrian science lessons in order to provide a fun and safe riding program that is appropriate to campers’ ages and abilities.
- Qualifications: You must have in-depth knowledge of horse care and the ability to teach horse lessons to beginning through higher levels. Higher level girls may complete a three-day horse trip off-site.
- Compensation: $275-$315/week
- Location: Camp Elk River, Camp Northwoods
Lead Riding Specialist
- Description: Lead riding specialists deliver riding lessons and equestrian science lessons in order to provide a fun and safe riding program that is appropriate to campers’ ages and abilities in addition to mentoring and supporting the riding counselors.
- Qualifications: You must have in-depth knowledge of horse care and the ability to teach horse lessons to beginning through higher levels. Higher level girls may complete a three-day horse trip off-site.
- Compensation: $285-$330/week
- Location: Camp Elk River, Camp Northwoods
Trip Specialist
- Description: Lead camp overnights for beginners, and off-site trips for more experienced campers for up to 18 days in backpacking, canoeing, and kayaking.
- Qualifications: With extensive skills in outdoor cooking, camping, orienteering and Leave No Trace principals, you educate girls and staff in a variety of outdoor skills. You must have experience in leading trips or extensive trip participation experience and have skills in canoeing, kayaking, and backpacking. Lifeguard and wilderness first aid certifications required. Staff must also attend mandatory trip leader training at Camp Northwoods prior to leading their first trip. Training courses and certifications are available during staff training.
- Compensation: $275-$315/week
- Location Options: Camp Northwoods
Waterfront and Boating Specialist
- Description: Enjoy your time near the water as you educate girls in boating, fishing, and water safety. (Types of boating vary by camp but include canoes, kayaks, row boats, pontoons, paddle boards, Corcls, and sailboats.) Supervise open swim sessions along with other lifeguards and act calmly and efficiently in emergencies. (You will practice drills and scenarios throughout the summer.)
- Qualifications: Lifeguard certification required.
- Compensation: $275-$315/week
- Location Options: Camp Lakamaga, Camp Elk River, Camp Singing Hills, Camp Northwoods
Sailing and Waterfront Specialist
- Description: You take the lead in teaching all of our sailing programs. While not teaching sailing, you’ll enjoy more time near the water as you educate girls in other types of boating (canoes, kayaks, pontoons, and paddle boards), fishing and water safety. Supervise open swim sessions along with other lifeguards and act calmly and efficiently in emergencies (you will practice drills and scenarios throughout the summer).
- Qualifications: Must have prior experience teaching sailing. Sailing safety and/or instruction certification, and lifeguard certification required.
- Compensation: $275-$315/week
- Location: Camp Lakamaga
Leadership Specialist
- Description: Mentor older campers in the Counselor in Training (CIT) programs to help girls become leaders as you train them for staff positions.
- Qualifications: You must have leadership program/youth leadership experience.
- Compensation: $275-$315/week
- Location: One leadership specialist will spend the summer at Camp Northwoods leading the CIT II program, the other will travel between camps leading the CIT I program.
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Kitchen and Support Positions
Kitchen and support positions do the important behind-the-scenes work to keep camp running smoothly. These positions are generally based around an hourly schedule up to 40 hours/week; however a weekly rate based on working 6 days per week may be considered for candidates who wish to live on-site for the summer.
Head Cook
- Description: Direct the overall food service operation of the camp for up to 300 participants at any one time. This includes adequate stock rotation and food purchasing, food preparation, following a pre-determined menu to ensure balanced nutrition, following due diligence to any dietary restrictions and food allergies, scheduling and coverage for kitchen staff, and keeping a safe and sanitary kitchen environment. You supervise and direct any staff working in the kitchen.
- Qualifications: Serve Safe certification and documented food service experience necessary.
- Compensation: Dependent on qualifications and experience
- Location Options: Camp Northwoods, Camp Lakamaga, Camp Elk River, Camp Singing Hills
Cook
- Description: Under the direction of the food service director, you prepare and serve high-quality meals for up to 300 participants at any one time. You must be able to work well as a member of a team to prepare nutritional and camper-friendly meals, assist with clean-up and inventory, and ensure all health and safety standards are met.
- Qualifications: Documented experience in food preparation and/or cooking required.
- Compensation: $15-$20/hour (or weekly rate if living on site)
- Location Options: Camp Northwoods, Camp Lakamaga, Camp Elk River, Camp Singing Hills
Kitchen Assistant
- Description: Kitchen assistants assist the cooks in preparing and serving nutritious meals and in maintaining the cleanliness and sanitation of the kitchen and dish-washing area.
- Qualifications: Documented experience in food preparation and/or cooking required. Can be 16 years of age if living off-site, 18 if living on-site.
- Compensation: $11-$14/hour (or weekly rate if living on site)
- Location: Camp Northwoods, Camp Lakamaga, Camp Elk River, Camp Singing Hills
Pack-Out Kitchen Assistant
- Description: Pack-out kitchen assistants spend time packing up the ingredients needed for camper groups to have cook-outs or overnights including food and equipment. You may also assist the cooks in preparing and serving nutritious meals and in maintaining the cleanliness and sanitation of the kitchen and dish-washing area.
- Qualifications: Strong organizational skills and documented experience in food preparation and/or cooking required. Can be 16 years of age if living off site, 18 if living on site.
- Compensation: $11-$14/hour (or weekly rate if living on site)
- Location: Camp Northwoods, Camp Lakamaga, Camp Elk River
Driver
- Description: Our driver will spend the majority of their time transporting campers and staff to wilderness trip sites and field trip locations. Planning your routes and maintaining safety while driving is the driver’s responsibility. When driving is not needed, this position will fill in around camp as needed and based on prior knowledge or skills.
- Qualifications: You must have a valid driver’s license, be at least 21 years of age with at least 5 years driving experience, be comfortable driving 12 passenger vehicles, and have a good driving record.
- Compensation: $12-$15/hour (or weekly rate if living on site)
- Location Options: Camp Northwoods
Office Manager
- Description: You help oversee the overall business operation of the camp, including purchasing, camp store duties, record keeping, customer service, and financial records.
- Qualifications: You should be highly organized with strong attention to detail, and have skills in communication and customer service.
- Compensation: $11-$14/hour (or weekly rate if living on site).
- Location Options: Camp Elk River, Camp Lakamaga
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Seasonal Camp Property Staff
Seasonal grounds and cleaning staff work with the maintenance staff to ensure that high safety and cleanliness standards are met throughout camp. Fix camp equipment as needed and keep facilities and grounds in good working order, including maintaining cleanliness throughout camp in bathrooms, dining hall areas, and buildings. Seasonal staff work independently, and often outside in varying weather conditions.
General Qualifications
- Seasonal staff members must be at least 18 years of age or have graduated from high school by the start of the camp season, and live on-site unless otherwise noted.
- Pay rates are based on the staff member’s individual certifications and experience related to the position. Compensation also includes room and board (for those living on-site) and worker’s compensation insurance.
- Staff living on-site will have one day off each week with additional time off as the schedule permits.
- Hourly staff will work either full-time (30-40 hours/week) or part-time (up to 20 hours/week) schedules.
Available Positions
Cleaning Assistant
- Description: Assist Property Specialists with maintaining the cleanliness of camp. Responsibilities includes cleaning and restocking bathrooms, dining hall areas, and other buildings.
- Compensation: $11-$14/hour (or weekly rate if living on site)
- Location Options: Camp Northwoods, Camp Lakamaga, Camp Elk River, Camp Singing Hills
Grounds Assistant
- Description: Work with the property staff to ensure that high cleanliness and safety standards are met throughout camp. Maintain camp equipment as needed and keep facilities, grounds and trails in good working order. This includes regular mowing and trimming, maintaining cleanliness throughout camp in bathrooms and buildings.
- Compensation: $11-$14/hour (or weekly rate if living on site)
- Location Options: Camp Northwoods, Camp Lakamaga, Camp Elk River, Camp Singing Hills
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