Portuguese Summer Camp Counselor

Concordia College • Bemidji, MN

3d • Onsite

About The Position

The Portuguese Summer Camp Counselor helps create an immersive language and cultural experience for young people at Concordia Language Villages. Working with a staff team, the counselor leads activities, introduces villagers to Portuguese language and cultural traditions, and fosters a welcoming and supportive camp community. Activities include games, outdoor adventures, music, art, interactive lessons, and everyday Village life. The counselor lives in a cabin with villagers as part of a counseling team and provides supervision.

This is a seasonal, temporary, full-time residential position in Bemidji, Minnesota, for Summer 2027. 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 $325 per week. Residential employment may include housing and meals, and seasonal employment may include paid training and orientation, professional development, intercultural learning, language immersion, applicable tuition discounts for children, and J-1 Exchange Visitor visa sponsorship for eligible international applicants.

Requirements

• Complete two years of language study or have equivalent fluency.
• Have broad knowledge of Portuguese-language culture and activities.
• Be at least 18 years of age.
• Demonstrate strong interpersonal skills and effective communication.
• Demonstrate maturity and good judgment.
• Enjoy interacting with and managing children.
• Be adaptable in changing situations.
• Be able to work collaboratively in a dynamic, community-oriented residential camp environment.
• Have the emotional resiliency and cognitive ability to carry out job responsibilities in a busy, noisy communal environment.
• Be able to interact effectively with individuals and groups while respecting social and cultural diversity.
• Complete applicable pre-employment requirements, including a criminal background check.

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 Portuguese with villagers and 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 villagers and the counseling team with light cleaning of cabins, bathrooms, activity areas, and other Village spaces.
• Model desired behaviors for villagers, including use of the target language.
• Follow applicable personnel policies and read and understand responsibilities for the assigned area.
• Attend orientation before the first session and assist with Village setup, session preparation, and ongoing maintenance.
• Remain one day after the final session for cleanup, inventory, and program evaluation.
• Maintain appropriate professional relationships and boundaries, use good judgment, and be sensitive to villagers’ health and welfare.

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
• Education Level: No Education Listed