Employment

Counselors are the worker bees who live, eat and play with campers all summer long. Typically two college-age counselors share a cabin with boys, supervise in-camp sports and guide wilderness trips. Counseling demands patients and understanding. If you work hard, like leading kids and wish to explore the Boundary Waters, fill out an application. Camp Voyageur is an equal opportunity employer.

HIRING COUNSELORS

Voyageur hires responsible adult leaders for a number of different positions each summer; we are always looking for people with experience in wilderness camping, fishing, sailing, fitness/athletics, photography, video documentation, journalism, and media publication. Salary is commensurate with particular skills and experience. Most positions include room and board. Please e-mail with any questions.

Academic Internships

Counselor intern opportunities abound at Voyageur. Contact Deb to apply for a summer internship that meets your academic requirements and camp’s leadership needs. Internships may include: Sports and Recreation, Outdoor Leadership, Experiential Education, Environmental Education, Media/Communications, Website/social media management, Photography, Videography, Journalism, publications and Graphic Arts.

Open Positions:

Counselor in Training (CIT)

CIT positions are open to applicants who have completed their junior or senior year of high school (or are of equivalent age). The CITs are considered assistants to the cabin and trip counselors. Responsibilities include leading or assisting in activities around camp (sports, crafts, fishing, skits, etc.), aiding in trip preparation (packing food, finalizing map and itinerary logistics), and supervising groups of 5-10 campers in daily assemblies (meal time, swim period, etc.) Applicants should be charismatic and have a general interest in camping and the outdoors. Certifications such as First Aid, CPR, and Lifeguard are preferred but not required.

Cabin Counselor

Counselor positions are open to applicants who have completed at least one year at a college or university (or are of equivalent age). The cabin counselors are responsible for a group of 5-10 campers, although additional duties include leading camp-wide activities, supervising smaller groups of campers throughout the day in sports, arts, or water-based offerings. Cabin counselors will also be expected to supervise campers during mealtime and lead evening programs (skits, games, music performances, campfire stories). Applicants should be charismatic, able to work responsibly and competently with children, and have a general interest in all-things outdoors. Certain certifications (First Aid, CPR, and Lifeguard and Water Safety Instruction) are required; additional certifications (Wilderness First Aid and Wilderness First Responder) are preferred.

Trip Counselor

Trip counselor positions are open to applicants interested in leading Camp Voyageur’s multi-day expeditions, which can include canoeing, backpacking, and kayaking trips into various surrounding wilderness areas. Trip counselors typically travel with small groups (4-7 campers), with a trip’s duration ranging from a single night in the woods to 14 days. Trip counselors will also be responsible for teaching campers the necessary skills to feel comfortable, confident, and safe while camping. Insurance stipulates that tripping counselors must be 21 years old or older, and possess a valid driver’s license. Certain certifications (First Aid, CPR, Lifeguard and Water Safety Instruction, Wilderness First Aid, and Wilderness First Responder) are required. Previous backcountry camping experience preferred.

Aquatics Instructor

An Aquatics Instructor position is open to applicants who possesses a strong background in swimming, swimming instruction, or lifeguarding. Responsibilities include swimming area supervision and lifeguarding on a daily basis, swimming and water safety instruction (dock-based and boat-based), lesson planning, equipment management, and general oversight of campers’ safety and competence in and around the swimming area. First Aid, CPR, and Lifeguard and Water Safety Instruction are required.

Sailing Instructor

A Sailing Instructor position is open to applicants who possesses a strong background in sailing. Responsibilities include taking campers sailing on a regular basis in various vessels, giving instruction of basic sailing terms and techniques, administering camp’s Sailing Skipper certification courses, boat management and maintenance, and general oversight of campers safety in camp’s sailboats. First Aid, CPR, and Lifeguard and Water Safety Instruction are required.

Canoe/Kayak Instructor

Canoeing and/or Kayaking Instructor positions are open to applicants who have strong backgrounds in the respective activity. Responsibilities include teaching campers how to canoe and kayak safely and efficiently, providing regular instruction on basic canoeing and kayaking terms and techniques, administering camp’s Bushwhacker or Big Man certifications throughout the summer, managing boats and equipment, as well as coordinating boat maintenance as-needed. Certain certifications (First Aid, CPR, and Lifeguard and Water Safety Instruction) are required; additional certifications (Wilderness First Aid and Wilderness First Responder) are preferred, as is a valid driver’s license.

Fishing Specialist

A Fishing Specialist position is open to applicants who possess a strong background in fishing. It is preferred that the applicant be familiar with the particulars of freshwater fishing, especially as related to the typical species of the Boundary Waters region (Northern Pike, Walleye, Bass, Perch, etc.) Responsibilities include teaching campers how to fish safely and efficiently (from land and boats) and providing regular instruction on basic fishing terms and techniques. The fishing instructor will work both in camp and in the surrounding wilderness; applicants should be comfortable with backcountry camping. While camp usually employs a “catch-and-release” philosophy, the fishing specialist might occasionally be asked to fillet fish and should be comfortable with the procedure. Applicants should be charismatic and able to work responsibly and competently with children. Certain certifications (First Aid, CPR, and Lifeguard and Water Safety Instruction) are required; additional certifications (Wilderness First Aid and Wilderness First Responder) are preferred.

Arts & Crafts Specialist

An Arts & Crafts Specialist position is open to applicants who have some artistic flare and would enjoy teaching art to children in camp’s Craft Shop. It is preferred that the applicant have an academic or professional background in the fine arts, although experience is not necessarily a requirement. Responsibilities include teaching campers various activities and skills, including drawing, painting, beadworking, tie-dying, and sculpting. Applicants should be charismatic and patient, and applicants should also able to offer advice to campers in an encouraging manner. Certain certifications (First Aid, CPR, and Lifeguard and Water Safety Instruction) are required.

Fitness & Sports Coordinator

A Fitness & Sports Coordinator position is open to applicants who possess a strong background in physical education, exercise physiology, or general physical fitness. It is preferred that the applicant be familiar with the particulars of multiple fitness activities (jogging, weightlifting, CrossFit, etc.), as well as the rules of a number of team sports (soccer, Ultimate Frisbee, baseball/kickball, basketball, tennis). Responsibilities include leading daily exercise activities around camp, spearheading morning workout programs for campers, and helping campers stay in shape or improve certain fitness/sports skills. The Fitness & Sports Coordinator will also give regular instruction of basic fitness terms and techniques, and might also be expected to speak about health and dietary matters related to fitness. Part of this position entails management and maintenance of camp’s weightlifting facility (the “Rec Hall”). First Aid, CPR, and Lifeguard and Water Safety Instruction are required.

Media Coordinator

Media Coordinator Positions are open to applicants who possess backgrounds in photography, writing, video or magazine/newspaper production, and social media. Responsibilities include documenting the activities around camp on a daily basis through multiple media, maintaining camp’s social media and website presence (particularly in regards to updating daily photos, blogs, and videos to camp’s website and YouTube), and generally managing and creating camp’s message across multiple digital platforms. The Media Coordinators will be expected to constantly write report, film, record, livestream, podcast, brainstorm, and celebrate the summer—treating Camp Voyageur like a vibrant newsroom in a fun-yet-professional manner. Equipment (such as a camera and laptop) is preferred. Certain certifications (First Aid, CPR, and Lifeguard and Water Safety Instruction) are required.

Media Intern

Intern positions are open to applicants who wish to assist the Media Coordinators. Relevant college majors include Journalism, English, Communication, Graphic Design, Film Studies, etc. The intern positions are unpaid, although college credit is available where applicable.

Housekeeper

The housekeepers are responsible for daily cleaning of various indoor facilities—including cabins, bathrooms, and Mess Hall. Cleaning and organization of outdoor spaces (such as the swimming area) is an additional responsibility on an as-needed basis. Housekeepers will also be expected to coordinate and handle the requisite laundry services for campers. Housekeeping experience and a valid driver’s license are preferred but not required.

Online Application