Arabic Summer Camp Counselor

Concordia College • Bemidji, MN

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Arabic Summer Camp Counselor helps create an immersive language and cultural experience for young people at Concordia Language Villages. Working with other staff, the counselor leads activities, introduces villagers to Arabic language and cultural traditions, and helps build a welcoming, supportive camp community. Activities include games, outdoor adventures, music, art, interactive lessons, and everyday Village life. The counselor speaks the target language with villagers and staff as much as possible and models desired behavior, including use of the target language.

The position is seasonal, temporary, and full-time during Summer 2027. Residential counselors live in a cabin with villagers as part of a counseling team and provide supervision, including overnight responsibilities. The work schedule may be up to seven days per week, with residential shifts of 14–16 hours per day. Counselors participate in meals, song times, evening programs, cultural presentations, staff meetings, and other aspects of Village life. They also assist with light cleaning and help set up, prepare, and maintain the Village. Staff attend orientation before their first session and remain one day after their final session for cleanup, inventory, and program evaluation.

Applicants must have completed two years of language study or have equivalent fluency, broad knowledge of the culture and activities associated with the language, and be at least 18 years old. Candidates should have strong interpersonal and communication skills, maturity, good judgment, enjoy interacting with and managing children, and be adaptable. One year of experience working with children and prior attendance or work at Concordia Language Villages or another summer camp are preferred. The minimum salary is $325 per week. Seasonal residential employment may include housing, meals, paid training and orientation, and other listed opportunities or support, depending on the position.

Requirements

• Completed two years of language study or equivalent fluency.
• Broad knowledge of the culture and activities of the language.
• At least 18 years of age.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to communicate effectively.
• Maturity and good judgment.
• Enjoy interacting with and managing children.
• Adaptability in changing situations.
• Ability to function with emotional resilience and cognitive capacity in a busy, noisy, communal environment.
• Ability to establish and maintain appropriate professional relationships and boundaries.
• Ability to exercise good judgment and manage personal needs in order to maintain a youth-centered program.
• Ability to interact effectively with individuals and groups while respecting social and cultural diversity.
• Be prepared for community living arrangements and shared bathroom facilities assigned according to gender.
• Complete applicable pre-employment requirements, including a criminal background check.

Nice To Haves

• One year of experience working with children.
• Previous attendance or work experience at Concordia Language Villages or another summer camp.

Responsibilities

• Speak Arabic with children (“villagers”) and other staff members as much as possible.
• Teach language through activities such as art, sports, traditional culture, and interactive lessons.
• Participate in Village life, including meals, song times, evening programs, cultural presentations, and staff meetings.
• Lead games, Cabin Council, and other activities to create a cabin community.
• Live in a cabin with villagers as part of a counseling team and provide supervision, including overnight residential supervision.
• Assist with light cleaning of cabins, bathrooms, activity areas, and other parts of the Village site.
• Model desired behaviors for villagers, including use of the target language.
• Assist with setting up the Village, preparing for the next session, and maintaining the Village throughout the session.
• Attend designated orientation before the first session.
• Remain one day after the final session for cleanup, inventory, and program evaluation.
• Follow applicable personnel policies and responsibilities for the assigned area.
• Read the Staff Handbook and other materials before arriving at the Village.
• Model appropriate behavior and be sensitive to villagers’ health and welfare.

Benefits

• Housing provided during residential employment, depending on the position.
• Meals provided during residential employment, depending on the position.
• Paid training and orientation.
• Applicable tuition discounts for children attending Concordia Language Villages.
• Opportunities for professional development, intercultural learning, and language immersion.
• J-1 Exchange Visitor visa sponsorship for eligible international applicants.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed