Head Counselor

About the role

The Salvation Army Northwoods Camp in Finlayson, MN, provides summer camp opportunities to hundreds of youth from Salvation Army programs across Minnesota and North Dakota. The camp offers a safe, fun environment for youth ages 6–17 to develop physically, socially, and spiritually through activities such as swimming, fishing, boating, archery, music, and arts and crafts. The Head Counselor guides and supports other counselors, ensures adherence to policies and safety, and supervises an assigned group of campers while modeling positive behavior and participating in spiritual activities. This is a seasonal, temporary summer position from June 2027 to July 2027, requiring on-site residence at 60402 Elbow Lake Rd, Finlayson, MN 55735.

Responsibilities

• Counselor Support (25%): Provide support and guidance to other counselors, ensuring adherence to policies and procedures; assist with scheduling and assignments in coordination with management.
• Safety and Monitoring (20%): Monitor campers and program areas to ensure the health and safety of all.
• Relationship Building (20%): Develop and maintain positive rapport with campers and colleagues; teach and model positive relational skills to campers.
• Camper Supervision (10%): Supervise and lead an assigned group of campers in daily activities, including classes, free time, meals, and programming.
• Camper Guidance (10%): Provide guidance and positive reinforcement; assist camp leadership in holding campers accountable to follow rules and meet expectations.
• Program Participation (10%): Actively participate in all assigned camp programs and activities, providing support as needed.
• Spiritual Guidance (5%): Attend spiritual activities and facilitate nightly devotions and prayers with assigned campers.

Requirements

• Must be at least 18 years of age.
• High School diploma or equivalent strongly preferred.
• Prior experience in a youth summer camp setting (at least one season) or two years of related experience working with youth highly preferred.
• Must have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and be willing to participate in religious activities.
• Must pass background checks.
• Must be able to attend staff orientation week.

Skills

• Flexible interpersonal and communication skills.
• Self-starter with good attention to detail and initiative.
• Works with integrity, valuing honesty and diligence.

Working conditions

• Required to live on-site at Northwoods Camp during the summer; room and board provided.
• Position is seasonal, approximately mid‑June through July, including nights and weekends.
• Must be able to perform all physical aspects of the position: mobile, bending, reaching, lifting up to 25 pounds occasionally.
• Must be able to fully participate in activities and events (outdoors and indoors).
• Camp environment; not eligible for remote work.
• Must be able to communicate clearly with campers and colleagues.
• Supervisory responsibilities: None.
• Travel requirements: None.

Pay

$475 stipend per week (biweekly pay), 40 hours per week.

Schedule

Seasonal, approximately mid‑June through July 2027, including nights and weekends. On‑site residence required.

Benefits

Room and board provided in addition to the biweekly stipend.