Middle School Camp Adventure Camp Counselor - Summer 2026

Summer 2026 at UW–Madison•Madison, WI

2d•Onsite

About The Position

Madison School & Community Recreation (MSCR) is seeking enthusiastic individuals to join their team as Middle School Camp Adventure Camp Counselors for Summer 2026. This role involves supervising, planning, and leading a variety of outdoor adventure and experiential activities for middle school youth in a recreational camp setting. Counselors will develop their facilitation and outdoor skills, build relationships with youth, work as part of a staff team, and participate in numerous outdoor field trips. Paid professional development and training are provided, with opportunities for continued employment in the fall. The camp focuses on developing leadership skills and providing a fun, outdoor atmosphere for middle schoolers, with weekly themes, daily activities, and field trips including canoeing/kayaking, hiking, log rolling, swimming, rock climbing, and challenge courses. The program also includes four overnight camping trips at local Wisconsin State Parks.

Requirements

18 years or older
Previous experience working with middle school-aged children.
Knowledge in outdoor recreation activities such as hiking, small watercraft (canoeing and kayaking), outdoor education, and Leave No Trace ethics and/or a willingness to learn and participate.
Ability to keep campers safe by upholding high behavioral expectations.
Ability to collaborate and communicate effectively with the staff team.
Ability to engage campers throughout the entire day of camp and create a safe and fun environment for campers to thrive.
Ability to be outdoors for up to 9 hours a day in a variety of weather.
Ability to generate excitement, concern and respect for the outdoors in multiple settings with youth.
Ability to actively participate in all aspects of the summer camp program.
Must be available to attend training June 12 (Friday) and June 15-18, 2026 (Monday-Thursday).

Nice To Haves

Lifeguard, First Aid/CPR Certified or willing to get certified.
Training and experience in facilitating outdoor activities for youth.
Previous resident/day camp staff experience.
Experience creating and participating in camp culture and community.

Responsibilities

Supervise, plan, and lead a variety of active, outdoor adventure and experiential activities for middle school youth.
Develop facilitation and outdoor skills.
Create relationships with youth.
Be part of a great staff team.
Participate in a huge range of outdoor field trips.
Keep campers safe by upholding high behavioral expectations.
Collaborate and communicate effectively with the staff team.
Engage campers throughout the entire day of camp and create a safe and fun environment for campers to thrive.
Be outdoors for up to 9 hours a day in a variety of weather.
Generate excitement, concern, and respect for the outdoors in multiple settings with youth.
Actively participate in all aspects of the summer camp program.
Participate in mandatory paid training.
Participate in overnight camping trips.
Participate in optional end-of-summer cleanup day.
Attend staff meetings.