Finnish Summer Camp Counselor

Concordia College • Bemidji, MN

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Finnish Summer Camp Counselor works at Concordia Language Villages in Bemidji, Minnesota, during Summer 2027. Counselors help create an immersive language and cultural experience for young people by speaking Finnish with villagers and staff, teaching language through activities and interactive lessons, and supporting a welcoming camp community. Activities include games, sports, art, music, cultural presentations, meals, evening programs, and other aspects of Village life.

This is a seasonal, temporary, full-time residential position. Counselors live in a cabin with villagers as part of a counseling team and provide supervision, including overnight residential supervision. The general schedule is up to seven days per week, with residential shifts of 14–16 hours per day. The minimum salary is $325 per week. Seasonal perks may include housing and meals during residential employment, paid training and orientation, tuition discounts for eligible children, professional development and language immersion opportunities, and J-1 Exchange Visitor visa sponsorship for eligible international applicants.

Applicants must have completed two years of Finnish language study or have equivalent fluency, have broad knowledge of Finnish culture and activities, and be at least 18 years old. Preferred qualifications include one year of experience working with children and previous attendance or work experience at Concordia Language Villages or another summer camp. Counselors need strong interpersonal and communication skills, maturity, good judgment, enjoyment of interacting with and managing children, and adaptability. The role also requires emotional resiliency and cognitive ability to work in a busy, noisy communal setting, establish appropriate professional relationships and boundaries, and exercise judgment to support a youth-centered program.

Requirements

• Completed two years of Finnish language study or equivalent fluency.
• Broad knowledge of Finnish culture and activities.
• 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 work collaboratively in a residential, communal camp environment.
• Ability to speak the target language with villagers and staff as much as possible.
• Emotional resiliency and cognitive ability to carry out responsibilities 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 support of a youth-centered program.
• Ability to interact effectively with individuals and groups while respecting social and cultural diversity.

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 Finnish 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 supervision.
• Assist villagers and the counseling team with light cleaning of the Village site, including cabins, bathrooms, and activity areas.
• Model desired behavior for villagers, including use of the target language.
• Read and follow personnel policies and responsibilities for the assigned area.
• Attend orientation before the first session as designated by the staff agreement.
• Help set up the Village, prepare for the next session, and maintain the Village during the session.
• Remain one day after the final session for cleanup, inventory, and program evaluation.
• Model appropriate behavior and remain attentive to villagers’ health and welfare.

Benefits

• Housing provided during residential employment, depending on position.
• Meals provided during residential employment, depending on 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