Italian Summer Camp Counselor

Concordia College • Bemidji, MN

3d • Onsite

About The Position

The Italian Summer Camp Counselor helps create an immersive language and cultural experience for young people at Concordia Language Villages in Bemidji, Minnesota. Working with a team of staff, the counselor speaks Italian with villagers and staff, teaches language through interactive activities and lessons, introduces cultural traditions, and supports a welcoming camp community. Counselors participate in Village life, live in a cabin with villagers as part of a counseling team, and help provide supervision and maintain a safe, hygienic environment.

This is a seasonal, temporary, full-time position for Summer 2027. The general schedule may extend up to seven days per week. Residential counselors work 14–16 hours per day and have overnight residential supervision responsibilities. The minimum salary is $325 per week.

Requirements

• Completed two years of language study or have equivalent fluency.
• Broad knowledge of the culture and activities of the language.
• Be at least 18 years of age.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate effectively.
• Maturity and good judgment.
• Enjoy interacting with and managing children.
• Adaptability in changing situations.
• Ability to demonstrate emotional resiliency and cognitive abilities to carry out responsibilities in a busy, noisy, communal environment.
• Ability to establish and maintain appropriate professional relationships, 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 and maintaining appropriate boundaries.

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 the target language 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 build a cabin community.
• Live in a cabin with villagers as part of a counseling team and provide 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 use of the target language.
• Follow applicable personnel policies and become familiar with the responsibilities of the assigned area.
• Attend orientation before the first session and help set up, prepare for, and maintain the Village.
• Remain one day after the final session for cleanup, inventory, and program evaluation.
• Model appropriate behavior, support villagers’ health and welfare, and maintain professional relationships and boundaries.

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: No Education Listed