Overview
Position Description: Counselor & Outdoor Educators are responsible for working closely with the year-long Outdoor Education Fellows in creating and maintaining a safe, fun, and educational environment for program participants. Staff members in this role balance their time between supervising campers, collaborating with other camp staff, co-leading adventure programming, and managing activity supplies.
Staff will participate in three weeks of staff training, four to five weeks of overnight summer camp, one week of day camp, and one to two weeks with other onsite Eagle Bluff guests, for a total of ten weeks. Overnight camps typically run Sunday through Thursday; day camps run Monday through Friday. Camp staff at Eagle Bluff typically work about 40 hours per week. Through the summer, staff will spend 2-3 weeks on the Instructional Staff team, and 2-3 weeks on the Counselor Staff team. The difference between those roles is explained in the next section.
What does a typical week look like?
Instructional Staff
When in the Instructional role, most days follow an 8:15am–5:00pm rhythm, with a midday break from 12–1pm. The exception is the first day of each camp week, which runs from approximately 12:30–9:30pm to support camper arrival and evening programming (with a 5–6pm break).
Instructional staff spend their days preparing activity spaces and leading or co-leading small groups of 12-24 campers through their adventures. The day wraps up by resetting spaces for the next round of activities.
Counselor Staff
When in the Counselor role, the workday follows a more varied rhythm to support campers throughout their full camp experience. Counselor schedules rotate between two shifts: either 7:30-9:00am & 4:30-10:00pm or 12:15-5:00pm & 5:45-10:00pm, and includes being on-call overnight approximately twice per week.
Counselor staff supervise campers during meals, downtime, and overnight hours, helping create a sense of community and continuity throughout the week. They also co-facilitate small and large group activities (typically 24–80 campers) in the afternoons and evenings.
Benefits:
$340/week for new staff for the duration of the summer
$360/week for returning staff for the duration of the summer
Dormitory Housing provided on-site – includes WiFi, bunk bed, shared room with other staff (no campers), and access to laundry
Meals provided when visiting groups are in residence; food staples for use in the staff kitchen
Option of internship credit, dependent on college/university
Use of Eagle Bluff’s recreational equipment
Professional purchase discounts
See our website for more information: eaglebluffmn.org/employment/
Qualifications:
Current First Aid and CPR/AED certification (or willingness to obtain prior to start date) from a nationally recognized provider (AHA, ARC, ASHI, NSC). Must include instructor-led skill session.
Able to commit to June 1st - August 7th, 2026, with vacation time July 1st-3rd
Be 18 years of age by June 1st, 2026
Required Skills:
Interest in working outdoors with elementary, middle, and high school-aged children
High level of self-motivation and enthusiasm; an eagerness and willingness to learn
Can effectively collaborate and communicate with peers
Comfortable in moving water and able to hike long distances. Willing to operate and participate in adventure activities such as high ropes courses, canoeing, rock wall, etc.
Able to live on-site in a dormitory communal setting with other Eagle Bluff Staff
Willingness to ask questions
Preferred Skills:
Prior experience working with elementary, middle, and high school-aged children
Experience in outdoor, adventure-based activities such as climbing, canoeing, and camping
About Eagle Bluff Environmental Learning Center
Eagle Bluff Environmental Learning Center is a private, non-profit, accredited school that empowers people to care for the earth and each other.
