French Summer Camp Junior Counselor

Concordia College • Bemidji, MN

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The French Summer Camp Junior Counselor works at Concordia Language Villages in Bemidji, Minnesota, during Summer 2027. Junior counselors help create an immersive language and cultural experience for young people, working alongside experienced counselors and staff. They help lead games, activities, and cultural experiences while supporting a welcoming camp community. The position is intended for high school students ages 16–17 who want to develop leadership skills and gain work experience.

This is seasonal, temporary, full-time employment. The general schedule may be up to seven days per week, with residential shifts of 14–16 hours per day plus overnight supervision responsibilities. The minimum salary is $165 per week. Residential employment includes housing and meals. Staff are expected to attend orientation before their first session and remain one day after their final session for cleanup, inventory, and program evaluation.

Requirements

• Completed two years of language study or equivalent.
• Broad knowledge of French culture and activities.
• At least 16 years of age and completed junior year of high school.
• Eligible to work in the United States.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to model them for younger children.
• Maturity and good judgment.
• Enjoy interacting with and managing children.
• Adaptability in changing situations.
• Emotional resiliency and cognitive abilities to perform job 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 a youth-centered program.
• Interpersonal skills 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 at Concordia Language Villages or another summer camp.

Responsibilities

• Speak French with children (villagers) and other staff members as much as possible.
• Co-teach language through activities such as art, sports, and traditional culture, with assistance from other staff members.
• Co-lead games, Cabin Council, and other activities to create a cabin community.
• Participate in Village life, including meals, song times, evening programs, cultural presentations, and staff meetings.
• Live in a cabin with villagers and the counseling team and provide overnight supervision.
• Assist with light cleaning of the Village site, including cabins, bathrooms, and activity areas, to help maintain a safe and hygienic space.
• Model desired behaviors for villagers, including use of the target language.
• Follow applicable personnel policies and become familiar with responsibilities for the assigned area.
• Attend required orientation and assist with Village setup, session preparation, and upkeep throughout the session.
• Live in community housing arrangements and use shared bathroom facilities as assigned.
• Model appropriate behavior, support villagers' health and welfare, and maintain professional relationships and boundaries.
• Remain one day after the final session for cleanup, inventory, and program evaluation.

Benefits

• Housing provided during residential employment.
• Meals provided during residential employment.
• 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: High school or GED