Camp Counselor Internships

Wisconsin Farmers Union
Camp Counselor Job Descriptions
updated August 2025

Summer Staff JOB DESCRIPTION
Summary:
Wisconsin Farmers Union is looking for summer staff who love being outside and who love kids. Our staff spend much of the summer outdoors and having fun while working, teaching, and learning together. 
In addition to core camp counselor responsibilities, we are offering specialized Camp Counselor Internships where staff gain professional skills in one of six areas:
● Communications (social media, photography, design)
● Co-op Education (run the camp store, teach about co-ops)
● Arts & Music (songs, campfires, arts & crafts)
● Civic & Policy Education (youth leadership & debates)
● Environmental Education (sustainability, ecology, water/soil health)
● Agriculture Education (Farming, food systems, food access)

Salary: 
$450/ week or $90/ day. Pay during training is $400/ week. Room and board are included.
*Certified lifeguards start at $100/ day, training $90/ day. 
Dates: Training begins Wednesday May 27th, 2026. Camp runs July 6–August 7th, 2026 (with time off June 27th through July 5th).
Essential Functions:
● Certified Sex Offender Registry and Criminal Background Checks is REQUIRED and will be completed for personnel files.
● Must be vaccinated from COVID-19, or be masked at all times if unable to be vaccinated.
● Be able to meet personal needs (bathing, toileting, dressing, diet management, etc.). 
● Sleep in a non-air-conditioned, dormitory-style cabin (rustic, but with modern toilet/shower facilities) with up to 19 other individuals (total of 20 campers and staff) and fall asleep without assistance. (Numbers per cabin may be reduced, as appropriate, in accordance with the communicable disease risk management plan.) 
● Be accommodated with multiple host families for extended overnight stays during outreach/events (for weeks of continuous travel). 
● Move independently and function in outside environments that include direct exposure to sun, heat, cold, rain, wind, water, humidity, dirt, dust, noise, traffic conditions, and uneven surfaces. 
● Communicate calmly, clearly, and effectively in a high-stress/emergency situation. 
● Capable of maintaining effective mental, emotional and social interactions in our group-based, youth centered and community living program. 
● Ability to maintain mental, emotional, and social resilience (such as handling stressful situations appropriately) needed for the job in a fast-paced, interactive environment. 
● Ability to establish and maintain appropriate professional relationships and interpersonal skills (skills used to reduce stress, reduce conflict, improve communication, enhance intimacy, increase understanding, and promote joy). 
● Ability to interact effectively with individuals and groups respecting social and cultural diversity and to maintain appropriate boundaries. 
● Ability to use effective and appropriate self-care practices for maintaining overall wellness and capable of managing any chronic illness or condition (health care staff with minimum comprehensive first-aid certification is on-site). 
● Ability to recognize and consider the needs of others (including campers and staff members) in daily interactions and decision-making.
● Must be willing to step in and step up when necessary, without having to be explicitly told what to do; self-reliant and supportive to all staff.
● Willing to step in when other staff need breaks.

Specialized Responsibilities:
In addition to general counselor duties, interns will take on focus responsibilities in one of the following areas:
● Communications Intern: Take photos/videos, assist with social media, and support WFU Communications staff.
● Co-op Education Intern: Operate camp co-op store, manage inventory, teach cooperative principles.
● Arts & Music Intern: Lead songs, arts & crafts, and encourage creativity at camp.
● Civic & Policy Intern: Help facilitate youth civic engagement, mock debates, and policy workshops.
● Environmental Education Intern: Facilitate activities on soil, water, sustainability, and nature.
● Agriculture Education Intern: Encourage campers to share their experience in farm families and facilitate lessons on agriculture or food systems topics.

Education and Competencies:
● Must currently be 18 years of age or older. 
● Certified lifeguards encouraged to apply; certification may be made available to interested but non-certified hires.
● Current certification in First Aid and CPR or individual willing to complete certification course during designated training day.
● Prior camp experience and/or interest in the Wisconsin Farmers Union camp program.

Communication:
● Excellent oral communication skills.
● Highly skilled at writing and presenting projects and activity plans.
● Must maintain confidentiality of sensitive and confidential information.

Qualifications:
● Experience, desire and ability to work with and relate to children and peers in an outdoor environment.
○ An interest in agriculture, the outdoors, cooperatives, and/or social justice and enthusiasm for sharing that interest with children is preferred.
○ Some knowledge and training in natural science is preferred.
● A sense of humor, creativity, and initiative.
● Desire and ability to work as part of a team.
● Willingness to abide by the policies and practices of the Wisconsin Farmers Union.
● Willingness to place the needs of campers and camp above personal desires.
● Good health and stamina necessary to work in the camp setting.
● The acceptance of irregular work hours.
● The acceptance and understanding that employment is at a resident (overnight) camp.

Commitment:
● Preparation and training begins June 9th; position is live-in.
● Residential camp begins July 9th and ends July 31st, with time off July 3-6. Camp activities throughout the day & evening, with time off scheduled each day, with some work days longer or shorter depending on the camp and other responsibilities.

Work Environment:
● The work is performed on-site, almost exclusively outdoors at the organization’s 23 acre camp facility, WFU Kamp Kenwood, on the Yellow River Channel/Moon Bay area of Lake Wissota, adjoining Lake Wissota State Park.
● Acceptance of irregular work hours.
● Acceptance and understanding that employment is at a resident (overnight) camp.
● Acceptance of living with and working with a small group of individuals for the duration of the camp.

Physical Demands:
● This position requires the following physical activities: pushing, pulling, climbing, bending, stooping, kneeling, twisting, reaching, sitting, standing, walking, lifting, finger dexterity, grasping, repetitive motions, talking, hearing and visual acuity.
● Assist the campers in emergency situations.
● Able to lift and carry up to 50 pounds for short distances over uneven terrain in all weather conditions.
● Possess strength and endurance required to maintain constant supervision.
● Demonstrate sensitivity to the needs of campers.
● Demonstrate enthusiasm, sense of humor, patience, self-control and ability to adapt well to changing situations.
● Participate in structured and unstructured activities.
● Provides excellent customer service to other staff members, campers, parents and visitors to camp.
● Accept and follow directions both in verbal and written form.

The Wisconsin Farmers Union prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, family/parental status, age, disability, socio-economic or military status, in any of its activities or operations. These include employment, youth and adult programs, membership, selection of vendors, appointment of board members and selection of grantees, volunteers and representatives.

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Summer Camp Counselor Internships – Wisconsin Farmers Union
Chippewa Falls, WI | Paid | Summer 2026 | Room & Board Included
Love the outdoors? Passionate about working with kids? Wisconsin Farmers Union is hiring Camp Counselor Interns for our 2026 summer camps at beautiful Kamp Kenwood on Lake Wissota.
Counselor Interns live and work at camp, leading activities for youth ages 7–18 while gaining professional experience in a chosen focus area:
● Communications (social media, photography, design)
● Co-op Education (run the camp store, teach about co-ops)
● Arts & Music (songs, campfires, arts & crafts)
● Civic & Policy Education (youth leadership & debates)
● Environmental Education (sustainability, ecology, water/soil health)
● Agriculture Education (Farming, food systems, food access)

Compensation: $450/week (training $400/week) + free housing and meals.
Dates:  Training begins Wednesday May 27th, 2026. Camp runs July 6–August 7th, 2026 (with time off June 27th through July 5th).
What You’ll Gain:
● Hands-on leadership with youth.
● Training in education, teamwork, and camp operations.
● Real-world project experience in your focus area.
● Networking with leaders in agriculture, policy, and cooperatives.
Apply now to spend a summer outdoors making a difference — and building skills you’ll carry into your career.
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Individual Internship Listings
1. Camp Counselor Internship – Communications
Want to build your creative portfolio while making a difference? As a Communications Intern at WFU summer camp, you’ll document camp life through photography and video, design posts and graphics, and help tell the story of camp on social media — all while serving as a camp counselor. Gain experience in marketing, design, and storytelling in a fun, supportive environment.
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2. Camp Counselor Internship – Co-op Education
Interested in business, economics, or cooperative models? As a Co-op Education Intern, you’ll run the camp store (with the help of our co-op board consisting of campers), manage inventory, and help youth understand how cooperatives work. You’ll design hands-on activities that make business concepts fun and accessible. Build skills in leadership, teamwork, and entrepreneurship while living and working at camp.
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3. Camp Counselor Internship – Arts & Music
Love to sing, play music, or get creative with art? As the Arts & Music Intern, you’ll lead songs at campfires, plan arts & crafts, and encourage campers’ creativity. You’ll gain teaching and facilitation skills while helping to make camp lively, colorful, and musical.
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4. Camp Counselor Internship – Civic & Policy Education
Passionate about democracy and leadership? As the Civic & Policy Education Intern, you’ll help facilitate youth workshops on debate, policy, and civic engagement. You’ll support campers as they learn about cooperative leadership and prepare for youth conventions. Build skills in facilitation, public speaking, and civic education.
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5. Camp Counselor Internship – Environmental Education
Care about the environment? As the Environmental Education Intern, you’ll lead activities on soil health, water quality, ecology, and sustainability. You’ll help campers explore nature through hikes and hands-on activities. Perfect for students in environmental studies, natural resources, or sustainability.
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6. Camp Counselor Internship – Agriculture Education
Passionate about food, farming, and agriculture? As the Agriculture Education Intern, you’ll lead hands-on activities that help campers connect to farming, food systems, and rural life. You’ll collaborate with farmers and educators to create engaging lessons about where food comes from, the importance of rural communities, and sustainable agriculture. Perfect for students studying agriculture, ag education, food systems, or related fields.