German Summer Camp Junior Counselor

Concordia College • Bemidji, MN

3d • Onsite

About The Position

The German Summer Camp Junior Counselor works at Concordia Language Villages in Bemidji, Minnesota, helping provide an immersive language and cultural experience for young people. Working with experienced counselors and staff, the junior counselor helps lead games, activities, and cultural experiences and contributes to a welcoming camp community. The position is intended for high school students ages 16–17 seeking leadership development and hands-on work experience.

The role is seasonal, temporary, and full-time for Summer 2027. Residential counselors live in a cabin with villagers and the counseling team and provide overnight supervision. The residential schedule may be up to seven days per week, with shifts of 14–16 hours per day plus overnight supervision responsibilities. The minimum salary is $165 per week.

Staff are expected to participate in orientation, help prepare and maintain the Village, follow applicable policies and staff guidance, and remain one day after their final session for cleanup, inventory, and program evaluation. The camp is a busy, noisy, communal environment requiring emotional resiliency, sound judgment, appropriate professional boundaries, and the ability to interact respectfully with people from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds.

Requirements

• Completed two years of language study or equivalent.
• Broad knowledge of German-language culture and activities.
• At least 16 years of age and completion of junior year of high school.
• Eligible to work in the United States.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to model them for younger children.
• Maturity and good judgment.
• Enjoy interacting with and managing children.
• Adaptability in changing situations.
• Ability to work collaboratively and build positive relationships with people from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds.
• Ability to establish and maintain appropriate professional relationships and boundaries.
• Emotional resiliency and cognitive ability to carry out responsibilities in a busy, noisy, communal environment.
• Ability to exercise good judgment and manage personal needs in order to maintain 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 German 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 cabins, bathrooms, activity areas, and other Village spaces with villagers and the counseling team.
• Model desired behaviors for villagers, including using the target language.
• Follow personnel policies and responsibilities for the assigned area, and read the Staff Handbook and other provided materials before arriving.
• 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.
• Model behavior standards and support villagers’ health and welfare.
• 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