Russian Summer Camp Junior Counselor

Concordia College • Bemidji, MN

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Russian Summer Camp Junior Counselor works at Concordia Language Villages in Bemidji, Minnesota, during Summer 2027. This seasonal, temporary, full-time role offers high school students ages 16–17 hands-on experience helping create an immersive language and cultural experience for young people. Working alongside experienced counselors and staff, the Junior Counselor helps lead games, activities, and cultural experiences while supporting a welcoming camp community. 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 $165 per week.

The role involves speaking Russian with villagers and staff as much as possible, co-teaching language through activities, and helping build cabin community. Junior Counselors participate in Village life, live in a cabin with villagers and the counseling team to provide overnight supervision, and assist with light cleaning. They are expected to model appropriate behavior and support villagers' health and welfare. Staff members also attend orientation, help prepare and maintain the Village, and remain one day after their final session for cleanup, inventory, and program evaluation.

Requirements

• Complete two years of language study or equivalent, with broad knowledge of the target language’s culture and activities.
• Be at least 16 years old and have completed junior year of high school.
• Be eligible to work in the United States.
• Demonstrate strong interpersonal skills and the ability to model them for younger children.
• Demonstrate maturity and good judgment.
• Enjoy interacting with and managing children.
• Be adaptable in changing situations.
• Be at least 18 years old to be considered for a staff position if not a United States citizen.
• Have emotional resiliency and cognitive abilities to carry out responsibilities in a busy, noisy, communal environment.
• Be able to establish and maintain appropriate professional relationships and boundaries, interact effectively across social and cultural diversity, and exercise good judgment while managing personal needs.

Nice To Haves

• One year of experience working with children.
• Previous attendance at Concordia Language Villages or another summer camp.
• A positive attitude, strong communication skills, enthusiasm, initiative, and willingness to learn and work as part of a team.

Responsibilities

• Speak the target language 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 to provide overnight supervision.
• Assist with light cleaning of the Village site, including cabins, bathrooms, and activity areas.
• Model desired behaviors for villagers, including use of the target language.
• Follow applicable personnel policies and the responsibilities for the assigned area.
• Read the Staff Handbook and other staff materials before arriving at the Village.
• 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.
• Remain one day after the final session for cleanup, inventory, and program evaluation.
• Model standards for behavior and be sensitive to villagers’ health and welfare.

Benefits

• Housing provided during residential employment, depending on the position.
• Meals provided during residential employment, depending on the position.
• 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