2026 Summer Schools and Camps - Internship

Culver Academies • Culver, IN

18h • Onsite

About The Position

Internships Every summer some of our summer staff utilize their work experience here at Culver to complete school-required internships. This primarily depends on the staff member's college/university requirements for internship credit. If a summer staff member is interested in pursuing an internship while being part of our summer staff, they should contact [email protected] and provide their full name, college or university, area of internship they are interested in pursuing, and any pertinent information. Additional information can be found at https://www.culver.org/about/careers-at-culver/summer-positions For questions or general inquiries please feel free to contact [email protected].

Culver Summer School & Camps Overview Founded in 1902, the Culver Summer Schools & Camps (CSSC) program is unique. It is a fun-filled, naturally beautiful 1,800-acre setting on the shores of Lake Maxinkuckee, Indiana's second-largest natural lake. Each summer, nearly 1,400 young people from around the world, ages 7-17, develop positive self-esteem through accomplishment and self-discipline. It is a high-challenge, high-support environment for learning leadership skills that improve personal confidence.
Culver Summer School & Camps employs 450 dedicated professionals from all over the world each summer with an annual staff retention rate of 65%. CSSC staff experience meaningful connections while making a positive and lasting difference in children’s lives. Our programs include:

JUNIOR WOODCRAFT CAMP (Ages 7-9): June 10 - 13, 2026 This four-day camp is designed to give approximately 180 boys and girls, ages 7-9, a taste of the six-week Woodcraft Camp, following a similar structure complete with activity rotations, cabin/unit games, evening activities, and leadership opportunities. Our 5-to-1 staff-to-camper ratio provides the safety, leadership, and supervision younger campers deserve from a world-class camp program.
WOODCRAFT CAMP (Ages 9-14) June 19 - August 2, 2026 Culver Woodcraft Camp is a six-week, all-activity camp designed for 732 children, ages 9 to 14. Daniel Carter Beard, the founder of the Boy Scouts of America in 1911, was the first Director of the Woodcraft Camp in 1912. Over 80 electives provide an unparalleled opportunity to participate in unique activities, learn new skills, and compete in athletics and military activities, all while improving self-confidence and leadership skills. Woodcrafters also develop an understanding of and appreciation for nature and other cultures.
UPPER SCHOOL (Ages 14-17) June 19 - August 2, 2026 Upper School is a six-week leadership development program for youth ages 14 to 17. The Upper Schools' military organizational structure is designed to instill followership, then leadership, over the course of three summers. Boys choose between Naval School, the School of Horsemanship, or the Aviation School. Girls are organized into Decks and may take the same sailing, horsemanship, or aviation classes as the boys. All students follow a schedule that provides a healthy mix of classes, activities, and free time. Additional information regarding the Upper School can be found here.

Please note that there is a mandatory one-week summer staff orientation before Woodcraft Camp and Upper School that runs June 13 - 19, 2026. Keep in mind that some jobs require more than 1 week of staff orientation training – specifically, naval staff, lifeguards requiring certification, and other staff as assigned.

Requirements

• Graduate of High School or equivalent, at least 18 years of age (at least 1 year of college is highly preferred).
• Desire and ability to work with children/teenagers.
• Demonstrate honesty, self-discipline, consideration, cooperation, and strong leadership skills at all times.
• Must be an efficient communicator and positive role model.
• Maintain a positive and respectful attitude towards coworkers, campers/students, and parents.
• Know and enforce the Rules and Regulations, in addition to all Safety protocols and procedures.
• Maintain professional boundaries with all campers/students and staff.
• Consistently report to work on time and in proper attire, including proper grooming, to perform assigned duties.
• Ability to accept supervision and guidance in the form of evaluations and feedback.
• Be in good health, vitality, and physical stamina.
• COVID-19 vaccination is required for CSSC staff. Potential staff may request a medical or religious exemption as required by Indiana law.
• Non-vaccinated staff will not be placed in camper/student-facing positions.
• Minimum expectations for Instructors may include either prior teaching or coaching experience as well as specific experience in a specific skill (i.e. coding, archery, golf, etc.).
• Successful applicants must enjoy working with children/teens.
• Some instructor positions may require professional certification, license, or related experience (i.e. lifeguard certification, Indiana Boating License, US Sailing, etc.).
• Naval staff must have a valid US Driver’s License.
• Must be 21 years of age or older with a valid US Driver’s license.
• Minimum expectations for Administration may include several years of camp staff experience, strong leadership skills, and exceptional communication ability.

Nice To Haves

• US Sailing certification(s) preferred.
• Indiana’s Boaters license is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Counselors work closely with campers/students, establish rapport, and administer discipline with respect and care.
• Counselors set the proper example and are always positive role models.
• Counselors are on call 24/7 and are the primary caretakers of a group of campers/students.
• Counselors must act as a role model within and outside Culver Summer Schools.
• Counselors must demonstrate a firm knowledge of shared values, rules, and regulations, and hold others accountable.
• Instructors provide instruction to participants for the indicated activity or subject.
• Instructors teach associated knowledge and skills and assist campers/students in achieving activity or lesson goals.
• Naval staff are primarily responsible for the safe, enjoyable, and effective implementation of the Naval School Curriculum and assigned Naval duties.
• Naval staff teach a total of 3 double period classes (90-minute) Monday through Friday.
• Naval staff coach and assess the performance of individual students in each of the sailing skills being taught.
• Naval staff effectively and fairly supervise and officiate assigned naval competition(s).
• Waterski Staff supervise and implement water ski instruction.
• Waterski staff maintain the safety of campers/students and staff to ensure the program is run safely and efficiently through detailed supervision and quality instruction.
• Waterski staff instruct children of all ages and abilities in waterskiing Monday - Friday from approximately 8:30 am - 4 pm.
• Horsemanship Staff are responsible for Balanced Seat English Equitation, Mounted Drill, and Horsemanship skills instruction for approximately 25-30 students per day.
• Horsemanship Instructor has the primary responsibility for safe, enjoyable, and effective implementation of the Culver Summer School of Horsemanship/Cavalry Curriculum, and is assigned duties for 7 weeks.
• Horsemanship staff instructs student groups or individuals, from basic to advanced, English riding techniques and horsemanship.
• Administration provides the day-to-day leadership of the program and operations to the staff and campers/students.
• Administrators are responsible for all aspects of our programs including the training and supervision of staff.
• Administrators organize and schedule classes and activities, establish and deliver program goals, and plan and implement programs while monitoring progress.

Benefits

• Access to on-site Fitness Center
• Access to impressive campus and world-class facilities
• FREE meals in the dining halls
• Boarding (Upper School staff live in dorms or barracks and Woodcraft staff lives in cabins)
• Limited laundry and dry-cleaning services
• Discount at the campus store and Uniform Shop
• Tuition Remission Program for eligible children attending CSSC

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED